83rd Infantry Division cloth Insignia

History of the OHIO patch

The patch consists of a black isosceles triangle with its vortex pointed downward. In the center of the patch, within a gold circle, the letters "O", H", "I", and "O" are formed in a monogram-type pattern.

The shoulder patches worn during the WW2 period were manufactured on a small scale by the Army itself, but the bulk were ordered from various civilian embroidery firms. Most unit patches were machine embroidered in color threads on a tan cotton backing ("flat edge" or "cut edge" patches). Many are also made overseas. I have a fine collection of 83rd cloth insignia to show you.

As is the case with any Shoulder Sleeve insignia the 83rd Infantry Division insignia was approved by the Institute of Heraldry and the patch was given fixed measurements. Throughout the last few years I have handled many Thunderbolt patches and have noticed, while it is a simple design, some differences can be noted. Differentiation is made based on color or manufacturing style. To my knowledge no reproductions or modern, commercial patches are included here. Furthermore, since there are three general periods of existence for the 83rd, WW1 and Interwar Period, WW2 Period and the Postwar Period, this overview will be divided in these three periods. The different Types are ordered chronologically starting with the oldest patches, being those manufactured during World War 1. These are all grouped under Type 1 since there was no official design until the end of 1918 and, as is explained later, many insignia were made overseas. This makes for an abundance of different sized patches manufactured on different materials.

Type 2 will most likely be the most common type. This type, the standard US made fully machine embroidered cut edge patch, was made in great numbers starting in WW2 and carrying on until the introduction of the Merrowed edge in 1969. Two subtypes exist at this point being the OD Border patch and the Gemsco manufactured patch bearing the White Ohio Monogram. Other, less obvious differences do exist but are, at this point, too insignificant to earn their own subtype. Type 3 is the last WW2 type and holds all overseas made patches of World War 2 and the immediate postwar period. The next type, Type 5, starts in 1969 when patch manufacturing made one of its most noticeable changes in adopting the merrowed edge. As opposed to the earlier cut edge patches, where the edge was part of the manufacturing, an edge was now added to the patch. Three subtypes exist, a colored (Type 5A), and subdued (Type 5B and 5C) version. Type 6 is the latest version of the 83rd patch and also the one that is still in use today, the Velcro patch adapted for the Army Combat Uniform (ACU). This patch is currently worn by the 83rd ARRTC stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky. Finally, Type 7, much like Types 1 and 3, is a type that holds several completely different insignia due to their scarcity. This type are the collector and unofficial made patches of the interwar period.

Period one: World War 1 & Interwar

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WW1 Embroidered Patches Consists of embroidering some sort of design or lettering on a background. The back is usually felt or wool. Embroidery may be of silk or cotton thread, machine or hand stitched. A number of embroidery styles were used including loose weave, chain stitched, French cord and so on.

Chain stitch on wool felt

Multi piece patch with a Gold Bullion Cord on Black velvet, stitched on wool background

Multi piece felt on felt construction

Handmade wool chain on Wool Felt

Multi piece patch, Chain stitched on Black velvet, stitched on OD wool background

Gold Bullion Cord on Black velvet

Chain stitched on Black velve reinforced with gauze as stabilizer

Embroidered on felt reinforced with gauze as stabilizer

Multi piece felt on felt construction,
stitched on OD wool background

Embroidered on felt reinforced with gauze as stabilizer

Gilt Bullion embroidered on Black Wool Removed from uniform

Gilt Bullion embroidered on Black Wool reinforced with gauze as stabilizer

Gold Bullion Cord on Black velvet from Id'd Grouping Walther C. Monigold Read More

332nd bullion embroidered
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Gold Bullion Cord on Black Wool Felt matched pair on uniform
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Gold Bullion Ribbon on Black felt matched pair on uniform
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Gilt thread embroidered on Black Wool with 332nd patch from a double patched uniform
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This is what is generally referred to as a "Liberty Loan Patch." They were commercially made insignia sold at the end of the war to service who wanted to replace their hand made patches. They were not given out for buying Liberty Bonds, but displays of them were used to help drum up interest in the final war loan (which also got publicity for the manufacturer). Evidence on the purpose of the Liberty Loan patches is contradictory. The patches are said to have been souvenirs for the general public, but also were worn by the doughboys. They were sold overseas at points of embarkation and at PX’s stateside. Other sources suggest however that the Liberty Loan patches were used as a tool for advertising rather than selling. This is supported by the fact that the boards on which they appeared in stores window’s all said: Return to Government Loan organization. Fact however is that these were produced during the 1919-1921 period and were actually the first mass produced patches by the US Army.

During the 1920’s and 1930’s the Studley Company manufactured reproduction WW1 unit SSI for the collector’s market. These insignia are smaller than their eventual WW2 counterparts and also all have the same ribbed embroidery style.

Liberty Loan

Liberty Loan

Studley Company manufactured

332nd Reunion patch