US Army 1st Infantry Division shoulder sleeve patch with a big red numeral one on a green field
Extent and Medium
overall: Height: 3.750 inches (9.525 cm) | Width: 2.500 inches (6.35 cm)
Archival History
The badge was acquired by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2004.
Acquisition
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection
Scope and Content
Shoulder sleeve insignia of the 1st Infantry Division, United States Army, the oldest continuously serving division in the Army. The Division is nicknamed the Big Red One in honor of their light green badge with a red Arabic numeral one on a light green field and for their status as the first US Division to land in France during World War I. The 1st stormed Omaha Beach in Normandy on D-Day, June 6, 1944. They moved north to capture Aachen, Germany, in October 1944 and held the line at Bullingen, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944. By the time Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945, the 1st Infantry had pushed through Germany to Czechoslovakia. On May 8th, the 1st Infantry Division and the 9th Armored Division liberated Zwodau and Falkenau an der Eger, subcamps of Flossenbürg concentration camp. They provided medical aid and food to the starving female prisoners of both labor camps. The 1st Infantry Division stayed in Europe as part of the Army of Occupation until 1955.
Conditions Governing Access
No restrictions on access
Conditions Governing Reproduction
No restrictions on use
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Rectangular shield shaped military patch with a triangular pointed end machine embroidered on white net backing. It has a light green field and embroidered border. In the center is a red Arabic numeral one. There are no visible signs of use.
Subjects
- Armed Forces--Insignia--History--20th century.
- World War, 1939–1945--Insignia--United States.
Genre
- Object
- Military Insignia