Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of Chemical Mortar Battalions
United States Army
Second World War
Tab of the 84th Chemical Mortar Worn with the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the 5th Army on a Period Uniform
During World War One poison gas was a horror. During World War Two both sides developed the capability but neither
used it as a military weapon. However, the Chemical Mortar Battalions did not sit out the war as a deterrent. They were
used in a close combat support role as mortar units, often as support to ranger or assault units, and suffered many combat casualties. Their
insignia were not approved by the War Department but were worn during the war. Most illustrated here were made for
collectors after the war. Original examples are so indicated.
Shield Designs
2nd Chemical Mortar c1945
82nd Chemical Mortar c1945 (1)
93rd Chemical Mortar c1945 (2)
96th Chemical Mortar c1945
Tabs
91st Chemical Mortar c1945
Similar Tabs were worn by the 81st,84th and 91st.
Other designs
83rd Chemical Mortar 1944 (3)
83rd Chemical Mortar 1945 (4)
100th Chemical Mortar 1945 (5)
Notes:
Original theater-made example (courtesy: David Kaufman)
Original example on a uniform. Versions of this exist with white rather than yellow letter that may be manufacturer's error. Some white lettered examples are black light positive indicating postwar manufacture.
Original theater-made example
Original theater-made example
Original theater-made example (courtesy: David Kaufman)
