The 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate) was activated on
July 10th, 1942 with Headquarters at Camp Ripley, Minnesota,
under War Department orders that read, "this unit will eventually
consist only of Norwegian nationals (aliens or aliens with first
papers)." After one change of station to Fort Snelling, Minnesota,
the unit moved to the Mountain Training Center at Camp Hale,
Colorado, where special training was received for the "inevitable
invasion of Norway." In September of 1943, the Battalion embarked
for the European Theater and was sent to the Perham Downs Camp in
Wiltshire, England, for additional training.

The shoulder patch worn by the 99th Infantry Battalion was
approved on September 8th, 1943, and features a Viking ship
representing the Norwegian background of the personnel who
formed the unit.