What type of patch would have been worn on the left shoulder of the Class A uniform of a cook (Technician Fourth Grade) assigned to the 30th Evacuation Hospital? Would they have worn any Distinctive Unit Insignia on their collar lapel?
Description/Blazon A silver color metal and enamel device 1 1/8 inches (2.86 cm) in height overall consisting of a maroon cross couped surmounted by a silver winged motor wheel, the wings extending beyond the horizontal arms of the cross to sinister. Attached below the cross a silver scroll inscribed "AID FOR THE VALIANT" in maroon letters. Symbolism Maroon and white are the colors of the Army Medical Department. The winged motor wheel is indicative of speed through utilization of motorized units. The cross and motto allude to the mission of the unit. Background The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for the 30th Evacuation Hospital on 21 January 1943. It was redesignated for the 406th Combat Support Hospital and amended to revise the description and symbolism on 10 October 1979. The above is for the Distinctive Insignia. As regards the shoulder patch, I do not know what higher HQ they were assigned to-- Most Evac Hospitals that I am familiar with seem to have worn patches suitable for the ARMY they were assigned to, though I am sure this varied depending on actual assignment. In fact, most photos of personnel from Evac Hospitals found on line show them without any shoulder patches, but that may just have been a reflection of which uniforms they were wearing when photographed. Illustration will be posted as soon as I can figure out how.
Is that an illustration of the shoulder patch? Do you know where you found it so I can get a better picture? Darryl
I found the DUI and the article you mentioned. I also found out that the 30th Evacuation Hospital would have worn the shoulder patch of the infantry division that they were attached to. Does anyone know what regiment or division they were attached to?
No, that's the DI. Check with the Institute of Heraldry (http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/default.aspx). Evac Hospitals were not USUALLY attached to Divisions, but were in support of Divisions. Therefore, I'm not sure that the divisional shoulder patch would be used. This needs more investigation. I did see somewhere online which Division they were in support of, but I don't remember. Let's see if I can find it again.
In the Pacific theatre during 1942-43, there were nearly constant reorganizations and redesignations. I am unable to determine what the actual chain of command was for the 30th Evac during this period. It seems to have been (for some time) in support of (but not part of) the 32nd Division. It could have been a Theatre Asset (GHQ Western Pacific), an Army Asset (6th Army), or a Corps Asset (I Corps). To figure this out, you will need to identify a specific time period you are interested in, and get a copy of an order of battle for the time you are interested in. I would be very surprised if the 30th wore the 32nd Division shoulder patch-- that would be very abnormal. You may want to contact the Army Medical Department Center for History (http://history.amedd.army.mil/organization.html) and see if they can help you. But you really need to be very specific about the time period you are asking about (specific months will be important, as things changed so much. You may also want to post your information request on http://www.ww2f.com. That is a site similar to this one, but it tends to be more U.S.-oriented. Good luck.
His wife found his Class A Army jacket and the shoulder patch shows that he was assigned to the US 8th Army. I'm waiting for them to see if his branch insignia button is still on the jacket.
8th Army makes sense, if the 30th was an Army Asset (which it very likely was). To be sure, you would still need to find the Order of Battle list for the actual time period you are interested in. It is possible that before the arrival of the 8th Army in Theatre in late 1944, the 30th was assigned to 6th Army--- so identifying the time period you are asking about is critical.
