Activated 8 April 1944, the XXIV Corps found itself in one of the largest amphibious assaults of the war—the invasion of Leyte—a little over six month later, making it easy to see how the unit motto of “Honed In Combat” originated. In addition to the Leyte invasion, the Corps also took part in the Ryukus campaign, and at war’s end was presented with a Philippine Presidential Unit Citation and Streamer for its colors inscribed 17 OCTOBER 1944 TO 4 JULY 1945.
During the Vietnam War, the Corps first saw action in the Tet Counteroffensive in the summer of 1968. With a main area of responsibility that fell with I Corps Tactical Zone, the XXIV took part in eleven of the named campaigns in Vietnam, earning four Meritorious Unit Commendations from the Army in as many years (1968 to 1971), as well as a Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm. The XXIV Corps was inactivated 30 June 1972.
The XXIV Corps Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, commonly called a unit patch, was approved for wear on 15 August 1944. Besides employing the blue and white associated with corps, the blue in combination with the multilayered heart design, inspired by the insignia worn by the Union Army’s XXIV Corps in the Civil War, represents the Corps’ “true blue” dedication to country and mission.
Related ItemsXXIV Corps Combat Service ID Badge (CSIB)