Vintage World War Two United States Army Uniform Shoulder Insignia – Africa - Middle East Forces

Patches from the Army's overseas commands are among the most distinctive -- and unheralded -- shoulder patches of World War II. They are colorful, in most cases short-lived, and showcase an armed force operating on a global scale. This is the insignia first worn by Middle East forces in 1942 and which remained in use throughout the War. The official design approved in 1944, is a red over blue shield, bordered in white, with a white star against the red background, and wavy white lines against the blue.

United States Army Forces in the Middle East (USAFIME) was a unified United States Army command during World War II, headquartered in Cairo, established in August 1942 originally to oversee the Egypt-Libya Campaign, and given command of all United States Army forces in North Africa and the Middle East, except the Army Air Forces Ferrying Command. initially the only US combat forces allocated to the Middle East theater were USAAF squadrons. And as plans for Operation Torch developed, it was decided that no American ground troops would be used in the Western Desert. The non-air force administrative functions of USAFIME were assumed by the North African Theater of Operations (NATOUSA) when the Egypt-Libya campaign ended in February 1943.

These patches were acquired here in Connecticut, a center of textile production during the Second World War. Each shield is 3¼" high x 2¼" wide, and appears to be made of machine-stitched twill.

CONDITION: Each patch is in excellent condition, and whether or not they was actually worn has not been determined. However, they do not glow when examined under ultraviolet light, and appear to be made of World War II vintage all-natural fiber material. All significant flaws are visible in photos.

Item ID: 45-0430J