66th Infantry Division
(First Design):

The first design shoulder patch for the 66th Division was
approved by the Office of the Quartermaster General on
April 13th, 1943. Almost immediately, the 66th Division
Commander (Maj. Gen. Herman Kramer) requested that a new
insignia be prepared as he felt that the "running panther"
design might elicit unfavorable comments. The War Department
agreed to the wishes of the Division Commander and the first
design was cancelled on August 26th, 1943. The running panther
suggested ferocity in the attack, and the lightning bolt
represented speed in meeting aggression.



Worn from:
13 April 1943 - 26 August 1943.