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US Army 65th Infantry Division shoulder sleeve patch with a white halberd on a blue field

Object | Accession Number: 2004.749.17

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    US Army 65th Infantry Division shoulder sleeve patch with a white halberd on a blue field

    Overview

    Brief Narrative
    Shoulder sleeve insignia of the 65th Infantry Division, United States Army, nicknamed the Battle Axe, because of their blue badge with a white halberd, a medieval battle axe. The symbol was chosen by the unit's commanding general, Major General Reinhart, to signify the shock action and speed of the infantry. The Division entered the war in January 1945 in France and quickly crossed into Germany. While advancing through Bavaria in early April, they captured the towns of Langensalza and Struth, conquering strong German resistance. On April 20-21, the 65th liberated Hersbruck, a subcamp of Flossenbürg concentration camp. The Unit continued through Bavaria, and had occupied Linz, Austria, by the time Germany surrendered on May 7, 1945. The 65th Infantry was part of the Army of Occupation until it was deactivated in Germany in August 1945.
    Date
    unavailable: 
    Credit Line
    United States Holocaust Memorial Museum Collection

    Physical Details

    Classification
    Military Insignia
    Category
    Badges
    Physical Description
    Shield shaped, military patch machine embroidered on white net backing, with a straight top edge and curved sides that taper to a bottom point. It has a blue field with a blue embroidered border. In the center is a white axe head with a curved blade on the right, 3 curved hooks on the back, and a spike on the top, affixed to a pole. The badge shows no obvious signs of use.
    Dimensions
    overall: Height: 2.500 inches (6.35 cm) | Width: 2.000 inches (5.08 cm)
    Materials
    overall : thread, net

    Rights & Restrictions

    Conditions on Access
    No restrictions on access
    Conditions on Use
    No restrictions on use

    Keywords & Subjects

    Administrative Notes

    Provenance
    The badge was acquired by the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 2004.
    Record last modified:
    2023-08-25 16:05:57
    This page:
    https:​/​/collections.ushmm.org​/search​/catalog​/irn35168

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