ONLY MARINES ALLOWED........................................
The red patch I wore as a member of Landing Support Battalion has a purpose and is a part of Marine Corps history. During the Second World War, Marines of the Pioneer Battalion stated the need of a distinct marking or uniform to distinguish the support personnel working on the beach from the combat troops who were landing on the beach and moving inland to assault. Many changes and advancements were made after World War II in the Marine Corps. The Pioneer Battalion became the Shore Party Battalion and during the Korean War, shore party personnel working on the beaches wore a 1" x 1" red patch on their cover, a 1" x 3" red patch on each leg, and a 1" x 1" red patch in the middle of the back of their jackets. Shortly after the Korean War, the red patch for the jacket was deleted but the distinction of being a shore party Marine and the wearing of the red patch became part of the history, tradition, and pride of this Battalion. There has been many changes in unit structure and title since the days of the Pioneer Battalion, but the Marines of the Landing Support Battalion have maintained the distinction of being the only Marines allowed to wear their distinctive marking of the red patch. As a Marine, I took pride in wearing my Marine Corps uniform and the red patch because the uniform bears our glorious history, and the red patch distinguished me anywhere as not only being a Marine, but as a member of the Landing Support Battalion.