U.S. Naval Amphibious Forces Shoulder Insignia

Norfolk, Va., July 13, 1944: Four Navy men wear the new amphibious invasion 'patch' on their shoulders after being presented them here today by Rear Adm. Francis W. Rockwell, commanding the Atlantic Fleet's Amphibious Training Command. Left to right are: Radioman R.W. Lunstead; Ship's Cook Ralph W. Haase; Electrician's Mate Donald W. Harkness; and Boatswain's Mate Neal E. Doherty. First device of its kind authorized by the Navy, the patch, in gold and scarlet, was an American eagle rampant on a fluked anchor, gripping a machine gun in its talons. The Marines and the Navy only used SSI for a short while in World War II. All SSI had to be off their uniforms by January 1, 1947. It was a unique moment in US Navy history. Amphibious Forces sailors were some of the bravest of all the forces, as they had to bring the Marines and Army Soldiers to the water’s edge under heavy shelling and fire. AP photo.

The patch has a domed top and a flat base. It is red embroidered with a gold depiction of an eagle, a Navy stock anchor, and a submachine gun. These three figures signify the close collaboration of air, sea, and ground units in amphibious warfare.

The Naval Amphibious Forces shoulder patch was the first device of its kind authorized by the Navy. Similar in design and function to the shoulder insignia worn by the Army and Marine Corps, it identified the sailor as a member of the Naval Amphibious Forces. It was worn on the left shoulder above the rating badge.

The Naval Amphibious Forces were responsible for transporting soldiers and Marines to shore, often under heavy enemy fire. They were instrumental in the Pacific Theater of World War II, enabling US forces to land at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa, among many others.

The Naval Amphibious Forces insignia was authorized in June 1944 to be worn by enlisted personnel who either:

Completed training in amphibious warfare at bases of the Amphibious Training Command

Were on duty with scouts and raiders, naval combat demolition units, beach jumpers, joint assault signal companies, beach battalions, standard landing craft units

Or were serving aboard the vessels:

Landing Ship, Tank (LST)

Landing Ship, Medium (LSM)

Landing Craft, Support (LCS)

Attack Cargo Ship (AKA)

High Speed Transport (APD)

Landing Ship, Infantry (Large) [LCI(L)]

Landing Craft, Tank (LCT)

Amphibious Command Ship (LCC)

Attack Transport (APA)

Landing Ship, Support (Large) [LCS(L)(3)]

Landing Ship, Vehicle (LSV)

Landing Ship, Dock (LSD)

Amphibious Force Flagship (AGC).

By the end of 1944, three more shoulder patches received official approval for wear. These included:

Motor Torpedo Boat Personnel

Minecraft Personnel

Naval Construction Battalion Personnel (Seabees)

In January 1947, the Navy revoked the authorization to wear the shoulder patch.

 

U.S. Naval Amphibious Forces Shoulder Insignia. Fully embroidered in cotton/silk threads.

 

U.S. Naval Amphibious Forces Shoulder Insignia variation. Embroidered in cotton/silk threads on felt.

Rare China-Burma-India theatre-made U.S. Naval Amphibious Forces shoulder patch in bullion. Felt patch embroidered in gold bullion threads.

Four Star Coast Guard Invader Wears New Amphibious Insignia. Back from 23 months in the Pacific war theatre and from four major invasions, Coast Guardsman John B. Garrett, yeoman first class, wears the new Naval Amphibious Forces insignia. Worn over his rating on the left shoulder, the shoulder patch of gold on a scarlet background shows an American eagle rampant on a fluked anchor and gripping a sub-machine gun in its talons. SPAR Virginia Dunn, yeoman second class, admires Garrett's campaign ribbons, which carry stars for participation in the invasions of Amchitka in the Aleutians, Tarawa in the Gilberts, Kwajalein and Eniwetok in the Marshalls and Biak and Noemfoor Islands of Dutch New Guinea. Garrett's home is at Los Gatos, Calif.; SPAR Dunn lives in Miami, Fla. Eligible to wear the amphibious forces insignia are enlisted Naval personnel who have completed training courses at Atlantic and Pacific bases of the Amphibious Training Command, scouts and raiders, Naval Combat Demolition units, beach jumpers, joint assault signal companies, beach battalions, and personnel serving aboard landing craft. Alamy photo 2MEPP43.

U.S. Navy Petty Officer, 1st Class, Cook patch on sleeve and Amphibious Forces patch on shoulder, circa 1944.

U.S. Navy sailor with Amphibious Forces patch on shoulder, circa 1944.

U.S. Navy sailor with Amphibious Forces patch on shoulder, circa 1944.

U.S. Navy sailor, Baker third class, with Amphibious Forces patch on shoulder, circa 1944.