FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS
____________________________________________________________________________
From: Gunnery Sgt. Lawrence Torres III
Consolidated Public Affairs Office
Press Chief
USMC, Okinawa, Japan
Questions: Call: 645-9337 (DSN)
MCB CAMP S. D. BUTLER
Fax: 645-3803 (DSN)
UNIT 35001
Comm: 011-816-11-745-7423
FPO AP 96373-5001
E-Mail: torresl@mcbbutler.usmc.mil
____________________________________________________________________________
Release Number: 996-2003
Slug: Red Patch
Type: Feature
By: Lance Cpl. Chris Korhonen
Red Patch warrants question
CAMP FOSTER, Okinawa, Japan —there are many Military Occupational
Specialties in the Marine Corps, but has anyone come across an in-flight missile technician
or an underwater sniper?
These are just some of the answers one may get when asking why a Marine has a
red patch on their camouflage utility uniform.
However, the real story behind these Marines wearing the red patches began six
decades ago.
During World War II, Marines of Pioneer Battalion said they needed a distinct
marking or uniform to distinguish the support personnel working on the beach from the
combat troops landing on the beach and moving inland for assault. There, supposedly, was
a very good reason for this.
"From what I've been told, and obviously I wasn't there, some of the infantry
Marines didn't want to go and fight," said Sgt. Jason M. Leader, assistant operations chief,
Engineering Platoon, Support Company, 3rd Transportation Support Battalion. "Some
Marines would say they were in engineering to avoid going to combat."
To remedy that problem, shore personnel working on the beaches wore a 1-inch by
1-inch red patch on their cover, a 1-inch by 3-inch patch on each leg and a 1-inch by 1-inch
patch in the middle of the back of their jackets during the Korean War.
The red patch was taken off the jackets after the Korean War, but the distinction of
being a shore party Marine and wearing the red patch became part of the history, tradition
and pride of the battalion.
Today it also makes the Marines of 3rd TSB stand out from other Marines.
"I can look anywhere and see my Marines. I know who is actually in TSB and say;
hey those are my guys," said Sgt. Steve Y. Laramee, section leader, Engineering Platoon.
Third TSB Marines are constantly bombarded with questions from Marines and
other service members and civilians about the patches.
"You do get a lot of questions, especially from other services that don't see Marines
very often," Leader said.
Some of the more common rumors Leader has heard was the red patches represent
`confirmed kill patches' and `underwater demolition specialist.'
Laramee enjoys the rumors and uses them as springboards for telling questioners
funny stories.
"Sometimes when I'm in uniform at another camp, Marines will ask about the patch
and I tell them the truth, but first I will tell them I'm an underwater sniper or an in-flight
missile tech," the Cleveland Ohio native said. "It gets their wheels turning for a minute and
they have to think about it," Laramee said.
There have been many changes in the Marine Corps and the unit since the early
days of the Pioneer Battalion; however, all TSB Marines have maintained the distinction of
being the only Marines allowed to wear the distinctive red patch.
The individuality does lead to some pride, if not the interesting stories on what the
patches mean.
"I've told Marines that we are just so hard we put a bull's-eye on our forehead
because we are that fearless and we are not worried about getting hit," Laramee added.
"Some Marines catch on right away that we are joking, but others give you the deer in the
headlights look and wonder, is that really possible?"
So the next time someone sees a Marine with a red patch on their uniform, they will
know those Marines are not really an in-flight missile technician. And if someone is a part
of 3rd TSB, it might be time to start thinking up new explanations for the red patches.
Marines wearing the red patches signify they are part of 3rd TSB, a distinction for
those Marines since the Korean War.