Was the 4th ID shoulder patch awarded for combat service in OIF 1 unauthorized?

Yes, this specific shoulder patch and color scheme of 4 green Ivy leaves connected on a red/brown field. I have that subdued one also (which i believe may also be unauthorized like the non RFID US flag) the other DCU (tan & brown) the BDU (green & black), the ACU (steel & black) and the Class A's (white & green). I was one of the lucky few who got to go home for mid-tour leave in 2003. My 1sg wouldn't allow me to leave in the embarrassingly tattered winter DCUs with that aweful 70s disco colar and got me a good set of DCUs (summers with the regular collar and actual name tapes) and I wore this patch home on its right side for leave. I left that uniform home with my family. So when we were asked to return the "unauthorized patch" issued at the ceremony; I couldn't. I faintly remember being on duty or mission while the 316th FA, health and welfared FOB Thunder to get the unaccounted patches back.

CW3 (Join to see) yes the unauthorized patches were generally issued by unit for specific purposes. Not authorized for everyday wear

This wasn't the case. Rumor one was that the division recalled this combat patch due to its legacy having been retired with the 4th ID after ww2. From what ive read it was worn by them from 1939 to 1945. This tends to be the most reliable cause, but it would be nice to have that confirmed by someone with fist hand knowledge or prof. It was kind of a big deal at the time. I don't seek to embarrass anyone for it if it was in fact just a huge mistake. Ordering 30,000ish of a retired ww2 combat patch and then risking lives in huge formations to have a big speech about how we were joining an elite society of worriors. GEN Odienro's speach would be neat to get a hold of too. I guess I'm just feeling sentimental. This search really dose lack actual ligitiment meaning.