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Patches / Insignia

Cloth or metal, Shoulder sleeve insignia, chevrons, cuff titles, collar insignia, DUIs — all the adornments of the military uniform are covered in this section.

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Militaria Collectibles

There's more to WWI collecting

By Alexander F. BarnesMay 26, 2022
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Patches / Insignia

What will be the fate of the Graf Spee's Eagle?

By Military TraderJan 5, 2022
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Patches / Insignia

Roosevelt's Pine Tree Army

By Kenneth W. KippOct 28, 2021
MG Timothy Williams places the new VANG JF HQ patch on the left sleeve of Command Sergeant Major Ronald Smith at the  September 28, 2021, ceremony.
Patches / Insignia

Inspired by 1776? See the new patch that the Virginia National Guard Joint Force HQ troops are wearing

By Military TraderOct 5, 2021
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Patches / Insignia

Army Quartermaster Sample Patches of WWII

By John P. ConwaySep 30, 2021
Capt badge
Patches / Insignia

ITALIAN SERVICE UNIT INSIGNIA OF WWII

By Clement V. KellySep 28, 2021

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Patches / Insignia

United States Space Force Reveals New Rank Insignia

By Military TraderSep 21, 2021
A Collection of US Army Unit Crests, by SFC William E. Cotter, Ret.
Book Reviews-Militaria Collecting

Book Review: A Collection of US Army Unit Crests, by SFC William E. Cotter, Ret.

By John Adams-GrafNov 30, 2021
Abzeichen der SS-Totenkopfverbände – Insignia of the Death’s-Head Units 1933-1939, by Derek Chapman,
Book Reviews-Militaria Collecting

Book Review: Insignia of the Death’s-Head Units 1933-1939, by Derek Chapman

By David WalshAug 26, 2021
A German Feldgendarmerie/Wehrmacht Uniformed Police Officer directs traffic.
Patches / Insignia

Collecting WWII German Ordnungspolizei (Order Police or ORPO) Patches

By Michael H. Swanson, COL (Ret.), U.S. ArmyMay 14, 2021
Illustration from cover of United States Army Cap Insignia, 1902-1975, by Michael F. Tucker
Patches / Insignia

Book Review: United States Army Cap Insignia, 1902-1975, by Michael F. Tucker

By John Adams-GrafApr 2, 2021
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Patches / Insignia

Army announces update to Class B Army Green Service Uniform

By Military TraderApr 2, 2021
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Patches / Insignia

Verified Fakes: WWII Waffen and Allgemeine SS metal "Totenkopf" cap badges

By John Adams-GrafDec 2, 2020
@MyNavyHR posted on Twitter, "Your concerns have been heard. The Navy has now authorized a new and more recognizable rank tab for optional wear. "
Patches / Insignia

Navy Approves Alternate Rank Tabs for NWU Type III uniforms

By Military TraderNov 3, 2020
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Patches / Insignia

You will be seeing red patches on Marine Corps covers.  Do you know why?

By Military TraderJun 21, 2021
Brown Water Navy pin
Patches / Insignia

On Patrol: Vietnam Insignia of Task Force 116

By Scott KraskaOct 14, 2021
The Air Force's new Operational Camouflage Uniform has a smaller rank insignia displayed in the middle of the chest. The Air Force is switching to a lighter, three-color background for the Trank insignia, service and name tapes, and badges.
Patches / Insignia

USAF Adopts Easier-to-See Insignia

By Military TraderJul 24, 2020
USARAK commander Gen. Raymond Palumbo is wearing the old-style rectangular tab as he stood at attention in -23 degrees temperature, rendering a salute as U.S. Army Chief of Staff, Gen. George Casey, departed Alaska in December 2010.
Patches / Insignia

The Army's new Arctic Tab insignia

By Spc. DeMarco WillsMay 12, 2020
Germany’s Nazi Party relied on a vast network of “political leaders.” Working as civil servants, they provided a network to educate the public about Party doctrines. The party leader above wears a standard armband on a tunic with no tunic piping — not uncommon for lower ranking officials.
Patches / Insignia

Political leaders of the Third Reich

By Chris WilliamAug 18, 2020
germany-awaken-1933_01 copy copy
Military History

WW2 relics show how Germany used sports to prepare for War

By Chris WilliamMar 24, 2021
Snapshot of Japanese Infantry officer wearing field cap and Type 98 collar insigina.
Militaria Collecting 101

WWII Japanese Type 98 Rank Insignia Identification and Value Guide

By John Adams-GrafMay 25, 2021
Machinists Mate (Weapons) 2nd Class David Gentry, from Buckeye, Ariz., gives a tour of the torpedo room aboard the Los Angeles-class fast attack submarine USS Oklahoma City (SSN 723) during a family day cruise. Oklahoma City is one of four forward-deployed submarines assigned to Commander, Submarine Squadron Fifteen out of Apra Harbor, Guam. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Kelsey J. Hockenberger/Released)
Patches / Insignia

Man the Torpedoes!

By adminNov 12, 2019
In 1945, Story (left) became General Douglas MacArthur’s personal pilot, a position he served until MacArthur’s dismissal in 1951.
Uniforms

Favorite Find: Jacket Worn by MacArthur's pilot

By Dan HechlerNov 12, 2019
Propaganda card showing members of Himmler’s SS Technische Nothilfe / Technical Emergency Aid organization. The TENO (Technische Nothilfe —Technical Emergency Relief) had been founded in 1919. Today, the organization still exists as the Technische Hilfswerke (Technical Assistance).
Medals

Teno

By Chris WilliamNov 12, 2019
A Cleveland,Ohio, delegate wore this badge to the Die Freunde des Neuen Deutschland (FDND)Gau-Tag meeting held at the Palmer House in Chicago on October 20, 1934.
Patches / Insignia

The German American Bund: The Enemy Within

By Chris WilliamNov 12, 2019
A three-man crew at the ready of their MG 08. Members of the MG-Scharfschuetzen (machine gun sharpshooters) who mastered their training were awarded a proficiency badge, first authorized in January, 1916.
Militaria Collecting 101

Maschinengewehr Abzeichen

By Chris WilliamNov 12, 2019
Hitler’s elite members of the Allgemeine SS wore austere, black and white visor caps to incite feelings of pride, discipline, and fear. Mark Pulaski Collection
Headgear

Skulls & Eagles

By Chris WilliamNov 12, 2019
This Totenkopf member wears his complete uniform with death’s head collar tabs.
Headgear

Black Knights of the third Reich: Part II

By Chris WilliamNov 12, 2019
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Patches / Insignia

12 Years of USN Service Now Earns Gold Stripes

By adminNov 12, 2019
Robert Dalessandro, a Virginia native, has devoted his life to the study of the American Expeditionary Force and the role of its soldiers in WWI. He has published several books on the subject and is deeply involved in the work of the World War I Centennial Commission (WWICC).
Who's Who in the Militaria Hobby

10 Questions with Robert J. Dalessandro

By John Adams-GrafNov 13, 2019
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Patches / Insignia

Black Knights of the Third Reich

By Chris WilliamNov 12, 2019
A World War I British Airco DH.9A bomber with the original pattern of an aircraft roundel. When used as aircraft or vehicle identification, this style has become universally known as a “roundel”— whether round or not.
Patches / Insignia

What's the Difference? Is That Military Insignia a Cockade or Roundel?

By Peter SuciuJun 23, 2021
This is Joe’s workshop. Ask his wife and she will tell you, “Joe knows where everything is!”
Medals

10 Questions with Joe Weingarten

By John Adams-GrafNov 13, 2019
Noncommissioned officers of the 77th Divison's 304th Machine gun battalion receive instruction in operating the Vickers machine gun from British Army Sgt. D. Harris, a member of the 44th Machinegun Company of the 44th Battalion in May 1918 in this still from a 1918 silent movie , "Training with the British Army in Picardy, May 1918" on the National Archve's wesbite. The 77th Division, composed of draftee Soldiers from New York City, was one of five American divisons which was trainined by the British Army after arriving in France. ( U.S. Army photo by U.S. Army Signal Corps via National Archives)
Militaria Collecting 101

Why World War I Matters

By Military TraderNov 13, 2019
An army NCO on his beautiful black mare with dress saberattached to the saddle at the ready.
Patches / Insignia

Riders for the Reich

By Chris WilliamNov 13, 2019
The NS-Frauenschaft empowered women to take part in the national movement as it swept over Germany. This photo was taken at the NS-Gaufrauenschaft Berlin rally in the Sportpalast. It shows Reichsfrauenführerin GertrudScholtz-Klink standing with (from left) Joseph Goebbels; the Italian Ambassador Dino Alfieri; Deutschen Arbeitsfront (DAF) leader Robert Ley; and the leader of the NS-Hauptamts NS-Frauenschaft, Erich Hilgenfeldt (Photo by Ullstein Bild via Getty Images)
Patches / Insignia

Frauenschaft: The Nazi’s Women’s League

By Chris WilliamDec 3, 2019
This proud NCO wears a pilot’s badge on his flight tunic as prescribed by regulations.
Medals

WWII Luftwaffe Badges

By Chris WilliamNov 13, 2019
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Photographs and Ephemera

Foreign Workers in the Reich

By Chris WilliamNov 13, 2019
The triple-decker stack of patches from the uniform service coat belonging to Elmer Thompson, a Doughboy serving in Company “L” of the 332nd Infantry Regiment.
Uniforms

Multi-patched WWI Army uniforms

By Alexander F. BarnesNov 13, 2019
Soldiers assigned to The Caisson Platoon, 1st Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) were awarded, for the first time in military history, The Military Horseman Identification Badge, during a ceremony in Conmy Hall, Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall, Va., Sept. 29, 2017. Requirements for the badge include the completion of 100 Armed Forces Full Honors Funeral at Arlington National Cemetery, the Basic Horsemanship Course, serve honorable for a minimum of 9 months at The Caisson Platoon and be recommended by the Commander of 1st Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard).
Medals

Army introduces new Military Horseman Badge

By adminNov 13, 2019
(U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Dakota Price, SOJTF-OIR)
Patches / Insignia

NEW Patch for Spec Op Joint Task Force

By adminNov 13, 2019
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Patches / Insignia

Navy reverses rating decision

By Military TraderNov 13, 2019
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Patches / Insignia

Totenkopf: Nazi Germany's 'death head' of WWII

By Chris WilliamJan 5, 2022
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Who's Who in the Militaria Hobby

10 Questions with James McDuff

By John Adams-GrafNov 13, 2019
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Militaria Collecting 101

Navy scuttles sailors' enlisted rating titles

By Mike EppingerNov 5, 2019
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Patches / Insignia

Marine Special Operators get their own insignia pin

By Military TraderAug 23, 2016
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Photographs and Ephemera

German Youth ID Card

By Bruce KippNov 13, 2019
Gold Star Lapel Button (left) are presented to and worn by surviving spouses, parents, and immediate family members of Armed Forces members killed in combat operations. On the reverse is the inscription “United States of America, Act of Congress, August 1966” with space for engraving the initials of the recipient. Next of Kin Lapel Buttons (right) are presented to and worn by immediate Family members of United States Armed Forces members who die while serving outside of combat operations.
Patches / Insignia

Honoring the Sacrifice

By Military TraderNov 13, 2019
Sekret‰rin an Schreibmaschine
Photographs and Ephemera

Reich’s Recorders: The German Stenographers’ Union

By Chris WilliamNov 13, 2019
Cockades Issued in Cuba: Top row left to right: Line Infantry, Light Infantry, Cavalry, Volunteer Cavalry. Bottom Row: Engineers, Artillery, Marine Infantry, “Universal” cockade.
Patches / Insignia

The Spanish Military Cockade of 1898

By William K. CombsDec 23, 2021
28 Pin on map
Patches / Insignia

Poppy pins pay tribute to fallen at the Battle of Somme

By Military TraderNov 13, 2019
Scherl Bilderdienst K¸nstlertr‰ume nach Feierabend. Tags¸ber bedienen die geschickten M‰dchenh‰nde im B¸ro die Schreibmaschine.
Patches / Insignia

Reich's Recorders

By Chris WilliamNov 13, 2019
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Medals

German NSDAP Gau Tradition Badges of WWII

By Chris WilliamOct 27, 2020
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Patches / Insignia

Army's 5th Special Forces Group to Resurrect Vietnam-Era Beret Flash

By John Adams-GrafDec 2, 2015
Flugzeug Focke-Wulf Fw 190. Attaching bombs
Patches / Insignia

WWII Luftwaffe Specialty Patches: Not all Pilots

By Chris WilliamOct 22, 2021
Variations of 82nd Airborne Division patches from World War II to present surrounding the division headquarters unit crest which was approved on 23 October 1942. The fleur-de-lis is representative of the division’s battle honors earned in France during World War I. The wings are symbolic of the Division’s mission as is the motto.
Patches / Insignia

America’s Guard of Honor: The 82nd Airborne Division

By Kevin Born and Alexander F. BarnesOct 27, 2020