Manufactured by
Unidentified
Issued by
United States Army, American, founded 1775
Owned by
Lieutenant Nicolls, Vernon O., American, 1909 - 2003
Used by
758th Tank Battalion, American, 1941 - 1945
Date
1942-1945
Medium
thread on canvas
Dimensions
H x W x D: 3 1/2 × 4 × 1/4 in. (8.9 × 10.2 × 0.6 cm)
Caption
Vernon Nicolls was born in Barbados in 1909 and immigrated to the U.S. in 1915. During World War II, while living in Brooklyn, Nicolls enlisted as a Private in the Army at Fort Jay on Governor's Island, New York, in 1942. After graduating from Officer Candidate School, Lieutenant Nicolls served in Italy with the 758th Tank Battalion, the Army's first African American armored unit.
Description
An arm patch for the 758th Tank Battalion of the United States Army owned by Lt. Vernon O. Nicolls. The patch is in the shape of the 758th's distinctive unit insignia, the head of an African elephant with large white tusks. The elephant is embroidered in black thread and is outlined in white thread. The black and white embroidery threads are visible on the back of the patch. The edges of the back side of the patch have been covered with cotton canvas backing that has been stitched into place.
Place used
Italy, Europe
Classification
Awards, Medals, and Insignia
Type
patches (costume accessories)
insignias
Topic
Men
Military
World War II
Credit Line
Collection of the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture, Gift of Kay L. Nicolls
Object number
2014.142.1
Restrictions & Rights
No known copyright restrictions
Proper usage is the responsibility of the user.
GUID
http://n2t.net/ark:/65665/fd5a0c38f81-b6b6-40cc-97f6-9260e2a6249f

Cataloging is an ongoing process and we may update this record as we conduct additional research and review. If you have more information about this object, please contact us at NMAAHCDigiTeam@si.edu

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