PATCH HISTORY:

"Plymouth Division" patch: Popularly known as the Plymouth Division and its shoulder insignia was a blue diamond with a red center and the figure "12" in white pierced by a bayonet. Organized at Camp Devens, Mass., July 12, 1918.

"Philippine Division" patch: The Philippine Division was created in 1922 based on two US infantry regiments (15th and 31st) and two Philippine Scout regiments (45th and 57th) patch was also adopted on July 8, 1922 and features a gold carabao (symbolizing the Philippines) on a red shield. Gold and red were the Spanish colors.

Description
On a scarlet spade shaped shield 3 inches (7.62 cm) in height and 2 1/2 inches (6.35 cm) in width a yellow carabao’s head caboshed.

Symbolism
The head of a carabao was the general symbol used to identify Philippine Scout personnel.

Background
The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for the Philippine Division on 8 July 1922. It was redesignated for the 12th Infantry Division on 27 November 1946. The insignia was redesignated for the Philippine Combat Headquarters on 15 December 1947. (TIOH Dwg. No. A-1-55)