Vintage United States Army Occupation of Austria Insignia Patch With Vienna Tab, WWII Era

The United States Armed Forces Austrian Headquarters shoulder sleeve insignia patch was issued to allied forces serving with the post WWII occupation force of Austria.

The Allied occupation of Austria officially started on 27 April 1945 as a result of the Vienna Offensive and ended with the Austrian State Treaty on 27 July 1955. Subsequent to the Anschluss in 1938, Austria had generally been recognized as a constituent part of Nazi Germany.

This SSI patch was instituted on the 18 August 1945 until the 27th of June 1958. Red and White are the Austrian national colours and the sword and olive branch suggests a peacekeeping operation or a peaceful occupation by allied forces. This is an official USGI military patch.

Austrian Headquarters for United States Occupation forces SSI Patch, full colour, WWII Era issue with treated Snow back and cut edge