-40%
WWII U.S. 27th Infantry Division Patch. Original.
$ 2.08
- Description
- Size Guide
Description
I have on occasion the ability to find very nice antiques through my estate sales, auctions, etc; and this is one of them. This is an original, WWII American, 27th Infantry Division patch.This is a 100% period patch with cut edge and is made of cotton not synthetic.
It passes a black light and burn test and you can see from my photos of the back of the patch that is has a BLACK "Snow" effect . ( White Bobbin thread is the norm but there were many manufactures of patches and they used basically what they had, thus, all the variations one encounters.) There is a slight coat of sizing or glue on reverse. Note: The photographs represent the patch you will receive as I have several of these and they are all relatively the same and in the same condition so there is no need to photograph each patch.
History of the 27th Infantry in WWII.
The 27th Infantry Division arrived in
Hawaii
, 21 May 1942, to defend the outer islands from amphibious attack. Elements of the division were among one of five divisions (among the
3rd
,
9th
,
Americal
and the
2nd Armored
Divisions) to engage in offensive combat operations during the last months of 1942. They first saw action in the attack and
capture of Makin Atoll
in the
Gilbert Islands
, 21–24 November 1943. Two
battalions
of the
106th Regiment
participated in the
attack on Eniwetok Atoll
, 19–26 February 1944, returning to
Oahu
in March. During this mission, one battalion landed unopposed on
Majuro
Island, 1 February, and completed its seizure, 3 February. The division began preparations for the
Marianas operations
, 15 March. On
D-day
plus 1, 16 June 1944, elements landed at night
on Saipan
to support the
Second
and
Fourth Marine Divisions
. A bridgehead was established and Aslito Airfield captured, 18 June. Fighting continued throughout June. During a pitched battle, 7 July, Japanese overran elements of the division in a
banzai attack
, but organized resistance was crushed the next day. During the months of July and August, the 27th cleaned out isolated pockets in the mountains and cliffs of
Saipan
.
Beginning in the middle of August, the division moved to the
New Hebrides
for rest and rehabilitation. On 25 March 1945, the 27th sailed from
Espiritu Santo
, arriving
at Okinawa
, 9 April 1945. The Division participated in the
XXIV Corps
general attack, 19 April 1945, securing a dominating ridge line south of
Machinato
and
Kakazu
. Machinato Airfield was captured, 28 April, after a severe struggle. On 1 May, the division was relieved by the
1st Marine Division
and attached to the Island Command for garrison duty.
Tori Shima
was seized, 12 May, without opposition. The 27th attacked from the south end of
Ishikawa Isthmus
to sweep the northern sector of
Okinawa
. The enemy fought bitterly on
Onnatake Hill
from 23 May until 2 June, before losing the strong point. After a mopping-up period, the division left Okinawa, 7 September 1945, moved to Japan and occupied
Niigata
and
Fukushima Prefectures
.
The Division's nickname was the "New York Division". Element's of the Division saw action in three campaigns and sadly, suffered over 6,533 killed or wounded in action. The shoulder patch in based on a WWII design approved on October 29th, 1918 by the AEF. The letters" N.Y." on the patch are in the form of a monogram and represent the state of New York. The seven stars on the patch represent the constellation Orion and are in honor of the Division's WWI commander, Major. General John F. O'Ryan.