US forces fighting across Europe commanded a steadily increasing territory in the allied advances of 1944-1945. Administration of Europe, first known as US Forces, European Theater (USFET) underwent frequent reorganization and renaming as it shifted to the postwar era--European Command (EUCOM in 1947), and US Army Europe (USAREUR 1952-present). While command structure, rotating units, and nomenclature often changed, the mission did not--establish and maintain peace in Europe.
US Army Europe patch variations. This patch derived in 1945 from the SHAEF design, but changed the black background to blue. Shown here is a US-made patch at upper left, with a variety of other European-made examples. In the bottom row is a cardboard cut-out, used as a base to produce bullion examples.
Different theater-made Distinctive Insignia for the US Army Europe
A nice, albeit misspelled Frankfurt patch!
The Seventh Army was a cornerstone of the US forces in Europe from 1945 onward. Represented here is a wide variety of German-made patches, tabs, and Distinctive Insignia.
Early postwar officer's M1 helmet and liner, both marked with the Army Europe insignia.
Ike jacket to a combat veteran stationed in Frankfurt immediately after the war. Note the scarce velvet "Frankfurt" tab and bullion German-made patches.
The standard "Four-Pocket" wool dress jacket was used largely replaced by the end of the war with cropped "Ike" jackets. Many soldiers continued to wear the four-pocket jackets into the early postwar years. This one was from a sergeant of the 7th Army, which served in the occupation of Germany; oral history identifies the veteran as a secretary to General George Patton. The Seventh Army served in Germany from 1945-1946, and from 1950 onward.
Scarce EUCOM France patch, a recently-identified design from the late 1940s to early 1950s
M1 helmet with remnants of painted insignia for the USAREUR
Distinctive Insignia of the 62nd Military Police, the Highway Patrol of the US Zone in Germany until 1958.
62nd MP Highway Patrol brassard
SSI of various units that served in Germany in the early postwar years.
USAREUR Military Police brassards
Armband worn by the 77th MP Detachment at the USAREUR Stockade at Mannheim, Germany. The Mannheim facility was constructed in the early 1960s.
Patch for the USAREUR Honor Guard, the 529th MP Company
Publication outline the mission of SHAPE: Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe. It was chartered in 1951.
Ike jacket to a veteran from the 29th Signal Battalion, which was stationed in Germany from 1951-1961, and then in France until 1963. This jacket has a theater-made patch with "Germany" tab.
Scarce OMG Greater Hesse Ike jacket. The Office of Military Government was assigned sections of the American Section to patrol and rehabilitate.
Painted duffel bag of a soldier stationed with the Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Forces (SHAEF) at Frankfurt just after WWII.
US Forces European Theater handbook
The Communications Zone (COM-Z) was based in France and handled logistics for USAREUR. This is a MP brassard to a COM-Z guard unit.
Theater-made COM-Z patches
German-made COM-Z patch and DI.
USAREUR Military Police patch tabs
Two Seventh Army patches and tabs. The Seventh Army has performed the bulk of Occupation duties in Europe from 1945-6 and 1950-present.
Iconic distinctive insignia of the 2nd Aviation Company. This unit flew De Havilland Otters and was based in Verdun, France from 1958-1967.
DI for the 7751st MP Customs Unit
Helmet liner of the 4000th Civilian Support Guard Company. Made up of Europeans, Civilian Support units staffed, guarded, and supported US military installations in all ways. The 4000th guarded the base at Kaiserslautern, Germany. This helmet dates to the 1980s.
Cigarette case from a Milwaukee veteran. She served in Occupied Germany from 1946-1948.
German-made vehicle or helmet water-slide decals.
Berchtesgaden was a popular R & R site for service personnel and families. Here is an early booklet outlining activities available there.