✅ SOLVED Old patch ID please :)

[silversnacher]

My brother found this on the ground at the flea market, any ideas to age and what it was to? Thanks!

 

Amazon Forum Fav 👍

Agony and Death on a Gold Rush Steamer: The Disastrous Sinking of the Side-Wheeler Yankee Blade - Grab it through Amazon!

[fyrffytr1]

It's an Army meritorious Unit award patch and may date to WWII.

The Meritorious Unit Commendation was established in 1944 and awarded to units of the USA and Allied forces for EXCEPTIONAL meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service for at least 6 months during the period of military operations against an armed enemy. Numerals were added for additional awards. The laurel wreath is a traditional symbol of high merit and honor.

 

[silversnacher]

It's an Army meritorious Unit award patch and may date to WWII.

The Meritorious Unit Commendation was established in 1944 and awarded to units of the USA and Allied forces for EXCEPTIONAL meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding service for at least 6 months during the period of military operations against an armed enemy. Numerals were added for additional awards. The laurel wreath is a traditional symbol of high merit and honor.

Wow thank you very much!

 

[fyrffytr1]

Here's a little more info that would date your patch no earlier than 1946.
The Meritorious Service Unit Plaque was established by War Department Circular No. 345, dated 23 August 1944. The circular provided that military personnel assigned or attached to an organization were entitled to wear the Meritorious Service Unit Insignia on the outside half of the right sleeve of the service coat and shirt, four inches above the end of the sleeve. Additional awards were to be indicated by a gold star to be placed on the plaque. War Department Circular No. 54, 1946, provided that additional awards would be indicated by placing a golden numeral inside the wreath
This patch was nicknamed the "Toilet Seat".

 

[vpnavy]

Here is one on EBay WWII U.S. Meritorious Unit Commendation Patch.

 

[diggummup]

They make repros of literally everything nowadays, even moderately priced WW2 award patches. Not saying yours is one, just saying in general. What does the back look like? Do you have a way to test it under a black light? For the most part, it shouldn't glow if it's WW2 era.

 

[JOHUNT]

So was any attempt made to find the person who lost it?

 

[silversnacher]

So was any attempt made to find the person who lost it?

No, I'd assume somebody had it on there table to sell and maybe the wind blew it away? Or maybe the buyer dropped it. Maybe we should have looked around a bit but oh well, I wasn't the one who found it anyway...