Commemorative Korea Jacket Chit belonging to Charles Hardison, 1953.
This commemorative jacket patch is not a "Blood Chit", but modeled after one. This patch details the Korean service of Charles Hardison, an engineer with the 24th Division, the first unit of U.S. troops to enter Korea in 1953.
The central emblem of the patch is a stylized, red, turreted castle, representing the insignia of the United States Army Corps of Engineers. This is an insignia that that branch has used since at least 1840, making it one of the oldest in continuous use. The geography of Hardison's service is revealed by the locations embroidered on the patch: Korea, Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe, Kyoto, Pusan, Taegu, Seoul, and Inchon.
Above the castle is the Distinctive Unit Insignia of the 24th Division, under which are listed Hardison's service dates: 53 - 54 - 55 - 56. His overall sentiments of the Korean War are summed up on the green scroll at the top of the patch, which reads, "Just Returned From Hell."
Provenance: Acquired in 1999 by purchase at an Internet auction by the Louise Veninga Collection.
ZFC Noteworthy Flag
Sources:
24th Infantry Division, Wikipedia, 8 May 2012, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/24th_Infantry_Division_%28United_States%29
Corps Castle, Wikipedia, 8 May 2012, from: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corps_Castle
Image Credits:
Zaricor Flag Collection
