The United States Army Medical Command Europe Shoulder Sleeve Insignia, often called a unit patch, was approved for wear on 6 May 1970. Its primary colors, maroon and white, are those associated with Army Medical Department units.
While the cross in the center is referred to as a Maltese Cross, there are several variants that fall under that classification; this particular design most closely resembles the insignia of the Knights Hospitaller, a group of Crusaders who formed a religious order to support a hospital to care for sick and wounded pilgrims that was founded by merchants from the city of Amalfi, whose city flag strongly resembles the Hospitaller’s insignia.
In any event, the Maltese cross has long been a symbol associated medical care and medicine, and the octagon containing it is an image associated with health and regeneration. The blue star denotes the Command authority of the organization.
United States Army Medical Command Europe was activated on 1 July 1968 in response to geographical and organizational changes within United States Army Europe (USAREUR). Initially assigned to the Command were 9th Hospital Center (and subordinate units and facilities); U.S. Army Veterinary Detachment, Europe; 8th Finance Disbursing Section; 10th Medical Laboratory; 26th Medical Detachment; U.S. Army Nuclear Research and Development Detachment; Medical Regulating Office; 655th Medical Company; USAREUR Preventive Medicine Detachment (Provisional); 800th Civilian Labor Group; and the Benelux Medical Service Area.
Additional organizations were assigned in October, and on 1 January 1969 the medical facilities in Berlin and those in the Southern European Task Force (Italy) were assigned to the Medical Command, with the result that at that time all the medical facilities and medical units, except those which were organic to other major organizations in Europe, came under the command of the Commanding General, US Army Medical Command, Europe. (Note: Hat tip to the
U.S. Army in Germany Web site for detailed information on the creation and organization of Army Medical Command Europe.)