Patches
The 1st Cavalry Division has had a vibrant history of its patches, especially its Shoulder Sleeve Insignia (SSI). The division's SSI was approved by the War Department on January 3rd, 1921, designed by Colonel Benjamin H. Dorcy and his wife Gladys. At the time of the patch's design, Col. Dorcy was serving as the commander of the 7th Cavalry Regiment, serving as their commanding officer until his death in 1926.
The couple, both regarded as experts in heraldry, were inspired by the First Team's home at El Paso and the very soul of Texas is embedded in their patch. The story goes that they were relaxing on their front porch watching the sunset. Mrs. Dorcy was cutting up one of the colonel's old dress-blue capes, the liner of which was cavalry yellow. As she was cutting, a cavalryman rode past on a handsome, blue-black thoroughbred. It didn't take them long after to design the first prototype. Mrs. Dorcy is now remembered as Mother Dorcy and was named the 'Mother of the First Team.'
Featured in the collection are examples of 1st Cavalry Division SSI and various pocket patches of constituent units of the division.
Click on a photo for a closer look or click on the arrows at the edges of the slideshow to look through the photos.
1st Cavalry Division Patch
This patch was made in Occupied Germany following the end of World War II. Many German, Austrian, and Japanese artisans produced SSI from all American units based off of articles from National Geographic and would showcase these examples in large binders to potential customers. This is a German example and is the only example of this type known to the CHief Historian. It is believed that the artisan utilized tinsel from Heer and SS uniform insignia for the outline of the patch.
1st Cavalry Division Patch
This patch was made in Occupied Japan during the Korean War. It was purchased and used by Cpl. John Cavanna, who is featured in the 'Korean War' section of the website. This specific patch features a gold bullion shiled with gold accented border and black velvet horsehead and bend.
1st Cavalry Division Patch
1st Cavalry Division Patch
This patch was made in Occupied Japan sometime between 1946-1947. It was purchased and used by T/3 Robert Davidson, who is featured in the 'Occupation of Japan' section of the website. This specific patch features a gold bullion shiled with gold accented border and black velvet horsehead and bend. Also featured is a matching 'Hell for Leather' tab and the phrases 'Tokyo, Japan' and 'F Trp' all in bullion. Some moth damage has impacted the velvet but the design is still apparent.
1st Cavalry Division Patch
1st Cavalry Division Patch
This patch is a US-made example, though what makes it unique is the handstitched accoutrement on the horsehead. It was somewhat common for bridles to be added to the horsehead during WWII and the Occupation of Japan prior to the Korean War.
1st Cavalry Division Patch
This Japanese-made patch is a relatively unassuming varient of the 1st Cavalry Division's SSI, though is still an interesting piece. Japanese artisans during the Occupation of Japan were known for their resourcefulness, producing many patches for American troops in varying quality and level of detail. This one is very similar to American made varients but the shape of the Norman shield and horsehead are giveaways to being Japanese-made.
1st Cavalry Division Patch
1st Cavalry Division Patch
This patch is a US-made example, though what makes it unique is the reverse. 'Green-back' examples, such as this, are an interesting maker variant seen during WWII. The name, derived from the excessive OD Green reverse, can also be seen in white, which is referred to as a 'snow-back' or 'white-back' by collectors.
1st Cavalry Division Patch
1st Cavalry Division Patch
This patch is a Japanese-made example and is one of my favorite types of patch to collect. Japanese artisans produced 1st Cavalry Division SSI in this style with either Rayon or silk with a variety of backs. This specific patch is made of Rayon with a heavy green fabric reverse.
1st Cavalry Division Patch
This patch is a US-made example dating from the 1970-s-1990s, though what makes it interesting is the custom stitching on it. On the bend it reads 'Vietnam' and beneath says 'New England Chap.' It is currently unknown whether this patch is for a 1st Cavalry Division-specific veteran organization or a Vietnam War veterans organization and a former cavalryman had one of his SSI's customized.
1st Cavalry Division Patch
1st Cavalry Division Patch
This patch is a US-made example, though what makes it unique is the handstitched accoutrement on the horsehead. It was somewhat common for bridles to be added to the horsehead during WWII and the Occupation of Japan prior to the Korean War. However, this patch takes the practice a step further with the addition of an eye on the horsehead, a star on the bend, and '1st Brigade' stitched beneath the bend, denoting the trooper as a member of 1st Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. THis patch is on a uniform, which you can see as you scroll through the images.
1st Cavalry Division Patch
5th Cavalry Regiment Tab
While the patch itself is a US-made example, the tab is the main feature. This is the only known example to the Chief Historian and is a Japanese-made tab for the 5th Cavalry Regiment Honor Guard. Made sometime between 1952-1955, this tab features the words 'Honor Guard' and crossed sabers denoting the 5th Cavalry Regiment both embroidered in red thread with a red border.
5th Cavalry Regiment Tab
While the patch itself is a US-made example, the tab is the main feature. This is the only known example to the Chief Historian and is a Japanese-made tab for the 5th Cavalry Regiment Honor Guard. Made sometime between 1952-1955, this tab features the words 'Honor Guard' embroidered in black thread.
5th Cavalry Regiment Patch
This pair of Japanese-made 5th Cavalry Regiment Honorguard patches are the only known example to the Chief Historian. Made sometime between 1952-1955, these patches feature an embroidered 5th Cavalry Regimental crest and the words '5th Cavalry Regiment Honor Guard.' The key difference between the two is the underlining of the 'th' of '5th Cavalry Regiment.'
1st Cavalry Division Patch
This Desert Camouflage Uniform (DCU) variant of the 1st Cavalry Division patch is an American-made version. This patch is signed by Specialist Chase Ash, a member of 1st Battalion, 9th Cavalry Regiment who earned the Silver Star while fighting in Baghdad.
Signed Patches from Members of Headquarters & Headquarters Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division
These patches were collected in June 2023 while I worked with the 1st Cavalry Division command staff on multiple historical projects. Each patch is signed by a member of the headquarters battalion.
Distinguished Unit Insignia
The Distinguished Unit Insignia (DI), otherwise known as unit crests or pins, is a piece of military heraldry that denotes the specific unit of a soldier. Whether it is a company, battalion, brigade, or regiment, the DI is the distinguisher of all soldiers. The 1st Cavalry Division has seen many units within its organization and has had the honor of having them serve under it, each with its own history.
From the horseshoe and saber of the 7th Cavalry Regiment to the shell flying over the Rio Grande for the 82nd Field Artillery, each of these pieces of insignia are unique in their own right.
Feautured in this section are examples of official and unofficial DIs of units of the 1st Cavalry Division.
Click on a photo for a closer look or click on the arrows at the edges of the slideshow to look through the photos.
16th Quartermaster Squadron
This example of the 16th Quartermaster Squadron DI is unique in two ways. The first is that it is one of the oldest pieces of insignia in the collection, being produced in the 1930s by A.H Dondero. The second is the unique stamping on the reverse, which reads 'CCC No. 22.' During the 1930s, the 1st Cavalry Division oversaw the Civilian Conservation Corps in the American Southwest, where two or three projects/camps were numbered 22.
16th Quartermaster Squadron
This 1930s example of the 16th QM Squadron DI is produced by NS Meyer and has a screw-back fastener. It is pristine condition, though is missing the nut
16th Quartermaster Squadron
This rare example of the 16th Quartermaster Squadron DI is a Japanese-made example made out of copper and retains a pin-back fastener.
1st Signal Troop
This early WWII example of the 1st Signal Troop is produced by American company NS Meyer and features the original design of the unit's insignia: a bend with three orange stripes and two white stripes. This example was phased out in favor of a more stylistic insignia produced in Japan.
1st Signal Troop
Coming Soon.
13th Signal Company
This 13th Signal Company DI is a Japanese-made example made of black and yellow enamel with a pot metal back. The key difference between this and the Japanese-made 1st Signal Troop example in the collection is the numbering on the top of the DI.
27th Ordinance Maint. Company
These Type-1 27th Ordinance Maintenance Company DIs are Japanese-made with a soft metal backing and a yellowish-orange and black enemal front. They also posess bursting bomb insignia beneath the bend, a nod to the ordinance corps.
27th Ordinance Maint. Company
These Type-2 27th Ordinance Maintenance Company DIs are Japanese-made with a copper base and black enamel bursting bomb, bend, and horsehead. They also retain lettering for the 27th Ordnance Maintenance Company.
302nd Reconnaissance Troop
This Japanese-made 302nd Reconnaissance Troop DI is an exceedingly rare piece, utilized by a very small and elite unit within the division. It is made of a pot-metal base with black and yellow enamel front. In the bend is 'RCN' to denote the reconnaissance aspect of the unit.
Collar Insignia
The United States Army utilizes a system of collar insignia to denote branch of service, rank, and more. The golden era of this was seen in the 1940s and 1950s, with theatre-made examples springing up often. Below you will find a selection of pieces in the collection that encapsulate the vibrant history of cavalry insignia utilized by the 1st Cavalry Division.
Click on a photo for a closer look or click on the arrows at the edges of the slideshow to look through the photos.
Engineer Officer Insignia
This is an engineer officer collar insignia utilized by the 8th Engineer Battalion, an attatched unit of the 1st Cavalry Division. This piece of insignia was produced in Japan prior to the onset of the Korean War and is documented in its use during the war by officers of the battalion.
Cavalry Officer Insignia
This British-made cavalry officer's insignia is made by J. R. Gaunt and is a 1920s era 'sewn-on' collar insignia. It would be accompanied with a sewn-on 'US' device beside it on the collar.
Cavalry Officer Insignia
This cavalry officer's insignia is a 1920s era 'sewn-on' collar insignia. It would be accompanied with a sewn-on 'US' device beside it on the collar. This specific one is marked for the 1st Cavalry Regiment's adjuctant.
Enlisted Cavalry Discs
This set of Korean War-era enlistedmens collar insignia are domed brass discs produced by NS Meyer. They were produced prior to 1950 when the cavalry and armor branches were combined.
Enlisted Cavalry Discs
This domed enlistedmens collar disc is a Japanese-made example produced by Inque and is marked for G Company, 8th Cavalry Regiment.
Enlisted Cavalry Discs
This domed enlistedmens collar disc is a Japanese-made example and is marked for C Company, 7th Cavalry Regiment.
Enlisted Cavalry Discs
This domed enlistedmens collar disc is a Japanese-made example and is marked 'US' and '8' which could denote the 8th Infantry or 8th Cavalry Regiments.
Enlisted Cavalry Discs
This domed enlistedmens collar disc is a Japanese-made example and is one of the most unique examples in the collection. It is domed with faux bullion crossed sabers and '7' to denote the 7th Cavalry Regiment.
Enlisted Cavalry Discs
This 1930s enlistedmens disc is a three-piece disc produced by NS Meyer and is marked 'A' for A Troop.