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Patch Ceremony

Soldiers assigned to the 194th Engineer Brigade, in Iraq, recently received recognition for service in a combat zone. During a ceremony, the soldiers were authorized to wear the unit patch of the 194th on the right sleeve of their uniforms to commemorate service in Operation Iraqi Freedom III. The Tennessee Army National Guard unit headquartered in Jackson, Tennessee mobilized in October 2004 and has been deployed to Iraq since January.

Major Milton Thompson the S-1 Brigade Adjutant for the 194th read a brief history of unit command patches. He explained the shoulder sleeve insignia originated during World War I with soldiers piecing together patches of felt and sewing on the uniform to distinguish between different units. In World War II the patches were embroidered with brightly colored thread and worn on the left shoulder. After WWII, the wear of a unit patch on the right shoulder was approved to denote service in a combat zone with that unit. The value of a unit patch is a means of recognizing moral, camaraderie and solidarity among units and its members.

The event was highlighted with Brigadier General Jimmy Welch, Commander of the 194th, removing a combat patch worn since his service in Vietnam in 1971. In his remarks Brigadier General Welch said, "I have worn this patch for 35 years but today, as a tribute to the men and women who are serving here with me, I am replacing it with the patch of the 194th." As his patch was being replaced, Major Thompson read the citation: "In accordance with Coalition Forces Land Component Commander (CFLCC) policy memorandum OEF-53 and AR 670-1, Appendix F, the soldiers assigned or attached to the 194th Engineer Brigade are authorized to wear the shoulder sleeve insignia for former wartime service for their actions as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom III".

The 194th Engineer Brigade (Theater Army) was activated in 1973 because of a major reorganization of the Tennessee Army National Guard and the deactivation of the 30th Armored Division. Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 194th Engineer Brigade was originally located in Nashville and in 1996 moved to Jackson. The Brigade is the third major command in Tennessee to deploy in a combat zone. Others are the 196th Field Artillery Brigade and the 278th Armored Calvary Regiment.

Brigadier General Jimmy Welch is the Brigade Commander and a resident of Dyersburg. Command Sergeant Major Ronald Jones is the senior enlisted soldier in the Brigade. He is from Bradford.

Command Sergeant Major Ronald Jones (right) cuts away the combat patch Brigadier General Welch has worn on his uniforms for 35 years.

Colonel Robert Harris (left), Deputy Brigade Commander for the 194th replaces BG Welch's combat patch with a 194th patch.

Soldiers of Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 194th Engineer Brigade receive their combat patch and congratulations from (right center bottom to top) Brigadier General Jimmy Welch, Commander of the 194th, Colonel Robert Harris, Deputy Brigade Commander, Command Sergeant Major Ronald Jones and Major Milton Thompson, S-1 Officer.

Story and photos by SFC Pete Quinton, S-5/PAO,
194th Engineer Brigade (TA)
APO AE 09331