U.S. WW2 4th RANGER BATTALION SHOULDER PATCH ORIGINAL

This is an original U.S. 4th Rangers Battalion shoulder patch. 

Approximately 2" high and 3 5/8" wide. It is made of black felt with red and white cotton/silk threads and mesh backing.

Activated on 29 May 1943 in Tunisia, the 4th was a special unit culled from the original 1st Ranger Battalion.

As did the 1st Ranger the 4th Rangers had a very strick training program, which included the uncommon practice of live-fire exercises.

On 10 July 1943, 4th Battalion helped spearhead the Amphibious Battle of Gela and Licata which began the invasion of Sicily and their battle with the infamous Hermann Goring Division.

The Hermann Goering Division was pushed back into the city of Messina, but it held off until the remaining German forces could escape. 

The Battalion suffered heavy casualties at Battle of Cisterna. The 4th Battalion, along with the 1st and 3rd Ranger Battalion were subsequently disbanded.