While watching The Pacific on HBO I noticed that the 1st division insignia was worn on either the left or right shoulder of the Marine's Class A uniforms. I posed this question in the lengthy thread in GD. A few posters chimed in and confirmed that this was, in fact, true. I also dug up some vintage uniforms/photos that illustrated this as well. However, nobody knew exactly why this was allowed or the regulation/reason that went with it.

My father was a career Marine, having enlisted in the 50's and trained by many of the 'Old Breed'. I brought the question up to him as he is a master of USMC lore and, though I showed him photos, he refused to believe this was true saying "Every Command Sergeant Major in the Corps would have a heart attack if the enlisted were allowed to make a choice like that." He is no slouch at researching and after looking around for a while he too was unable to find the answer.

Since then, it has kind of been irking me. Not that it is of any real significance. I just am curious; why was this an accepted practice and/or what was the reason that the division insignia could be worn on either shoulder?

Any help is appreciated. Sources a big bonus.

I don't know the answer, but I do know someplace you might look.

US militaria forum is a bunch of collectors, and I'm sure they'd have some references or experts there––- if no one has an answer here.

US Militaria forum uniform reference section

I have a great uncle who was a Marine during WWII. My Parents have his Alphas (Alphas, not Class A's just FYI) out in the shed. I am almost 100% there is a 4th MarDiv patch on one of the shoulders.

I dont know if this is true for the Marines but in the Army you wear the patch of the unit you were assigned to while in combat on the right shoulder and the unit you are currently assigned to on the left.

Don't know the answer, but keep in mind that many vintage photos and movies have reversed images.  Were the insignia on the shoulders something that you could tell if they were reversed?

When did the USMC turn to an "anonymous" Corps where "Every Marine is a Marine" regardless of the unit?

A bit off topic, but just curious. Now adays we do not have any patches on our uniform. Last name/US Marines/EGA and rank. Period.

Wow. That is a really good point. Off to review photos but I am pretty sure I found one with two uniforms int the same photo, each with different patch and/or other confirmation that photos had them on each shoulder.

If The Pacific is true then there were several scenes inside the stadium where they are in formation and some have it on one shoulder and some on the other.

Thanks for that. Gave it a brief glance but not a word was mentioned. They would be the guys and I may very well post there but wanted to see if any of the gurus at AR15.com could answer.

I am not entirely sure about this but I think WWII was the exception and the USMC did not have patches before or after (I think China Marines may have, or at least had something that identified them as such). Dad claims that it was for morale due to the sheer size of the Corps. Or at least, something like that. You know, we are having lunch in a bit. I'll ask him then.

Yeah, I had figured it was some reason like that. Maybe not the exact reason, but something pretty close. I was kind of leaning towards when you joined the division determining which shoulder it is worn on.

Please update if and when you find an answer!

No such thing as a "Command Sgt Maj." in the Marine Corps.

Did a little searching, found the Marine Corps authorized shoulder patches between March 15, 1943 and January 1, 1948.

I also found the following reference, which may explain the different wear of patches:

"Because of the remote locations to which Marines were assigned, numerous manufacturers, and miscommunications, some shoulder patches were designed incorrectly or were never officially approved. Others, such as the patch for the 2d Marine Division, had multiple variations."

One of the several websites I found that discuss this is here

I didn't see any references to left shoulder vs. right shoulder, but may be out there somewhere. Good luck

For those people who think the negatives might have been flipped, look at the weapons.  If the Garand, or 1903 rifle has the bolt/operating handle on the left of the receiver, the negative has been flipped.  Or, if the 1911 pistols are always on the left side, that might be a give away.

Marines did wear unit insignia during WW2, this however is no longer the case.  Units still have unit insignia and many are unchanged,  although they are not authorized for any uniform.  The raider patches of WW2 are well sought after and very recognizable. Also Marines then were only authorized to wear divisional insignia on the left arm, so no swapping for combat like the army.  Look in the forums at leatherneck.com

If you see left handed Garands or 1903's, that will tell if the negative/photo was reversed.

uh...you sorta mentioned that a couple months ago...

You mean the government didn't spend millions to re-tool their factories or at least one factory to make left handed guns?  I'm outraged.   We should have sued under ADA back in the late '30s or '40s to correct this.