Prior to the introduction of fully machine-embroidered patches, most shoulder sleeve insignia were made of felt or wool and did not stand up to repeated laundering as would having been necessary in warm weather stations, such as the Hawaiian Islands. The No-So Shoulder Sleeve Insignia Attaching System was patented (1,484,313) on February 19, 1924 by Charles R. Welsh of Scofield Barracks, Territory of Hawaii. It was a method for attaching cloth insignia by stretching it over a round or oval plate and then holding it onto the uniform with a second plate worn inside the uniform. No-Sos were private purchased and used with patches associated with the Hawaiian Islands; such as, The Hawaiian Department, Hawaiian Separate Coast Artillery Brigade or the Hawaiian Division (24th Infantry Division). The No-So ststem evolved during the years leading up to the Second World War.

Knob-Back Type

Hawaiian Department	Back showing Knob

Attaching Plate Front	Attaching Plate Back

The original knob-back style No-So was not satisfactory. It is possible that it came loose or damaged the fabric, In any case it was replaced with the D-Ring and safety-pin type.

D-Ring and Safety Pin type

Hawaiian Separate Coast Artillery Brigade	D-Ring and Safety Pin

Attaching Plate Front	Attaching Plate Back

When fully machine embroidered shoulder sleeve insignia were introduced, No-So patches began to disappear from use. Machine embroidered patches were capable of standing up to repeated laundering without injury or fading. It is clear that some No-So were still used as our Army Service example shows. This patch was not introduced until March 1942 and is Second World War manufacture. It appears that a No-So frame was covered with an issued Army Service Forces machine embroidered shoulder sleeve insignia. The original backing plate was lost and a replacement fashioned from sheet metal.

D-Ring and Safety Pin type (Secondary Use)

Army Service Forces with Olive Drab Border	D-Ring and Safety Pin

Attaching Plate Front	Attaching Plate Back

Reference:

1. John R. Patton's Pre-WW II Metal-backed Patches Worn in the Hawaiian Islands The Trading Post LXI (2):19 April-June 2002
2. John R. Patton's "NO SO" Shoulder Patch The Trading Post LXIII (2):19 April-June 2004