The 196th Infantry Brigade was activated on 10 September 1965 in response to the growing need for larger troop deployments to Vietnam, but was originally trained in riot control and street fighting. After President Johnson approved the unit’s transfer to South Vietnam, the Brigade began training for its new mission in June 1966 and by August found itself in country.
By the time it returned home in 1972—it was the last unit to depart the country—it had earned four Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses with Palm and a Valorous Unit Award for its actions in Quang Tin Province, and six of its members were awarded the Medal of Honor. The most recent recipient, combat medic James McCloughan, received his award from President Donald Trump at a ceremony held 31 July 2017.
The 196th Infantry Brigade Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, or unit patch, is available as a full-color patch designed for wear with the Army Green Service Uniform; a full-color version was previously worn on the now-discontinued Class A/B Army Green Uniform. Two subdued versions, each designed to complement a distinct camouflage pattern, are also available. Current ACUs and other utility uniforms are made with the Operational Camouflage Pattern (OCP), while the manufacture of uniforms using the Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP) was discontinued around 2016, although UCP-based uniforms were allowed to be worn up until October 2019.
We carry patches in both the UCP and OCP subdued patterns, labeled as "ACU" in the drop-down selection box to the right. Double-check your choice to ensure you are purchasing the correct type of ACU Patch!
Related Items
196th Infantry Brigade Unit Crest (DUI)
196th Infantry Brigade Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)