The 474th AAA Automatic Weapons Battalion landed on Utah Beach on June 5, 1944, and served the rest of the war with the 3rd Armored (Spearhead) Division.
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Description
This is a very desirable shoulder sleeve insignia worn by members of the 474th AAA Automatic Weapons Battalion, made during occupation in Germany shortly after the end of the war in Northern Europe. This unit referred to as “self propelled,” utilized M3 Halftracks with mounted quad .50 caliber machine-guns. On D-Day, the 474th landed on Utah Beach with elements of the 4th Infantry Division, but not without difficulty, with many vehicles and crews lost in deep water, but other approaches were selected with better results. Once ashore, these crews opened up on assigned German positions, such as pill boxes, gun positions and defending troop emplacements.
Shortly after the breakthrough at St. Lo, the unit was assigned to the 3rd Armored Division, with duties of protection of convoys and forward artillery positions, etc.. From June 5th, to September of 1944 the 474th was credited with downing 68 enemy planes.
The patch bears a superb design; the heraldic definition reads, ” on a shield divided per fess yellow and red by a gold lightning bolt a gold hand grasping a red plane; in chief, a red-rayed pile and in base, a green halftrack, all raised.” Made of embroidered cotton and measures 3 x 2 3/8 inches at max lengths.
Condition is fine, and un-used.
USPS Priority $4.00
Additional information
| Weight | .75 lbs |
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