I was hoping to find out why my grandfather has the HQ ETO patch on his right shoulder sleeve. Here is his info: 26th Inf. Division, 102nd Field Artillery Battallion, Member of a Forward observer party as well as drove on the Red Ball Express. The other should of his uniform he has the 26th inf. patch. This is the patch in question: (not actually his but just like it) Thanks!!
He would have to either been assigned at some time in this area or planned to be and then re-assigned, as you only wore a patch like this on your dress uniform if you were stationed/serving in that theatre, do you have any papers of his service time? If so they may have the whens/whys/ of his time there .
Was this patch worn if a soldier was assigned to Europe, or is it more specific than that? He was in the ETO from Aug 44 to Nov/Dec 45.
Duckydps-Customarily, the patch on the right sleeve indicates a soldier's combat unit and the patch on the left sleeve indicates current unit. After the formation of the Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Forces (SHAEF) on Feb 14, 1944, HQ ETO relinquished it' s planning duties to SHAEF. I would guess he was assigned to HQ. ETO when he first went overseas and transferred to the 26th Division after Operation Overloard began on June 6th, 1944, where he served the rest of his service. The HQ ETO patch is quite specific--he had to be assigned to that unit to be able to wear the patch.
Interesting. I know he was with the 26th when he was over here (atleast according to everything I have read. I have the div. history book and it goes right along with what my grandmother has told me.) I will have to call her and ask some more questions. She met him days before he went overseas so I will see what that date is and see if that helps. Thanks!! On second thought his discharge papers didn't have him overseas untill Aug '44....
