Uniform Insignias

 The patches in this gallery are all found on a blanket that belonged to Cliffton Carl Drake of Linneus, Missouri (1910-1979). In 1942, at age 32, Drake was drafted into the United States Army. He received the standard-issue blanket with his supplies. After completing basic training, he was sent to Italy in 1943 as a member of the 3rd Infantry Division. He also spent time in southern France just months after the invasion of Normandy. In 1954, Drake moved to Maryville, where he worked at a lumber yard. The blanket is now covered in more than 150 patches, which Drake collected after he returned to the U.S. They represent rank, division, and other special titles.

Click on each picture to see the full image.