My grandfather's uniform: can anyone help identify this unit patch and history, etc?

2016-07-08T19:45:58-04:00

My uncle CPT Jim Christophersen sent me this photo of my grandfather's uniform. Would mean a lot to me if someone could help identify the unit and what they were involved in. Thanks!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 8 at 2016 7:48 PM

2016-07-08T19:48:14-04:00

This is what I found online

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 8 at 2016 7:49 PM

2016-07-08T19:49:20-04:00

CPT Aaron Kletzing It's the ETO Patch, Europen Theatermof Operations

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jul 8 at 2016 7:59 PM

2016-07-08T19:59:24-04:00

Be sure & tell us when you find out.

Response by MAJ Alvin B. made Jul 8 at 2016 8:21 PM

2016-07-08T20:21:39-04:00

ADSEC - United States Army Service Forces Uniform Shoulder Insignia – European Theatre of Operations - Army Communications Zone, Advanced Sector (WW II)

The European Theater of Operations, of the United States Army (ETOUSA) directed U.S. Army operations in Europe north of Italy and the Mediterranean coast from 1942 to 1945. The ETO was the area where continuous operations would take place and was divided into two chief areas - the combat zone (area of active fighting) and the Communications Zone (the rear part of theater of operations , behind but contiguous to the combat zone), which provides for the immediate support and maintenance of the field forces. In 1944, the Communications Zone, Advanced Sector was given the mission of providing support in the form of supplies, equipment, transportation and weapons for the invasion of Normandy. After the Normandy breakout the Advanced Sector provided support to the First and Third Armies from its Headquarters in Paris.

Wikipedia actualy has a good sumary - Advanced Section, Communication Zone (ETO). The meaning of the patch is the lightning bolt represents the Allies breaking the chains of Nazi oppression. The patch is similar to the ETOUSA patch with the addition of the blue 5 pointed star in the white six lobed field. This blue star in white field is the emblem of the Services of Supply organization.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 8 at 2016 8:31 PM

2016-07-08T20:31:36-04:00

I realize you were obv asking about the patch, however, if you haven't sent for your grandfather's file from NPRC in St Louis, you can submit for it using eVetRecs, a Java applet website under NARA, I'll try to imcl the link for it here. You'd need to fax back a signed copy of the printout page, or they can't start to look for it, you can also ask for both his personnel and medical file, I think. If his records were damaged in the 70s fire there, they still might be able to reconstruct it, nothing lost trying if you'd want it, hope was of interest, many thanks.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 8 at 2016 8:32 PM

2016-07-08T20:32:04-04:00

https://vetrecs.archives.gov/VeteranRequest/home.html

Here's the link hopefully.

NARA | e-Vetrecs .

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Jul 8 at 2016 8:32 PM

2016-07-08T20:32:41-04:00

It didn't upload just search for it using Google, you should find it easily, with any luck.

Response by CPT Aaron Kletzing made Jul 8 at 2016 9:14 PM

2016-07-08T21:14:38-04:00

Thanks everyone, you're all thoughtful people for helping out with this. Appreciate it.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jul 9 at 2016 7:33 AM

2016-07-09T07:33:22-04:00

Looked on Google for WWII patches, they have posters you could order with the different patches. The patch that I wore on my uniform, and still have on, goes back to WW I. The CY cyclone patch 38th Inf. Div.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 9 at 2016 4:48 PM

2016-07-09T16:48:18-04:00

I remember this patch, its the same one that Lee Marvin "Maj Reisman" wears on the "Dirty Dozen." It is supposedly a headquarters patch for those in the European Theater.

Response by SGT John " Mac " McConnell made Oct 5 at 2018 9:44 PM

2018-10-05T21:44:22-04:00

I have this patch in my collection. It was also displayed prominently in the movie “The Dirty Dozen “

Response by CPL Jesus Carrasco made Apr 21 at 2019 9:19 PM

2019-04-21T21:19:26-04:00

Headquarters European Theatre of Operations, Communications Zone Personnel, European Theatre of Operation. That the name of this patch. I am also looking for my uncle that has the same patch. His name was Jose Enriquez.