Worn from:
23 June 1941 - 24 March 1969.

The design depicts a phoenix rising from the flames of war and alludes
to the return of the veteran from combat to resume his place as a citizen
of the United States of America. Phoenix is the Greek name for the mythological
bird with bred and gold plumage (as described by Herodotus). The phoenix lived
in Arabia and had a 500-year life span. At the end of 500 years, the bird built
its own funeral pyre and was cremated. Out of the ashes a new phoenix arose.
The cycle was repeated every 500 years. In medieval Christian writings. The
Phoenix was used as a symbol of death and resurrection. The patch was worn by
personnel assigned to the Veterans Administration.