# Red Patch > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Red_Patch > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Red_Patch.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Patch > Source revision: 1354549469 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) U.S. Marine occupational specialty marking Marine wearing the red patch on the [utility cover](/source/Utility_cover) of his [utility uniform](/source/Marine_Corps_Combat_Utility_Uniform). The "**Red Patch**" is a distinguishing marking worn by [United States Marines](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps) of the [Logistics Specialist (0441)](/source/List_of_United_States_Marine_Corps_MOS#04_Logistics) [MOS](/source/United_States_military_occupation_code) (formerly 0481 Landing Support Specialist).[1] ## History The red patch dates back to the early days of WWII during the [Battle of Guadalcanal](/source/Battle_of_Guadalcanal). After the initial assault on the beachhead, follow-on troops came ashore and confusion on the beach led to landing support Marines (then known as shore party) and [infantrymen](/source/Infantry) getting mixed together. Some shore party Marines went inland along with infantry battalions, while some infantrymen were left behind on the beach. It is not known for certain who made the decision, but a device was created in order to distinguish the shore party Marines: a red patch on the trousers and hat, referred to by Marines as a cover, (a patch was not put on the blouse because many Marines did not wear them due to the heat of the South Pacific). Around the same time, Naval Shore Parties, now known as [Beachmaster Unit One](/source/Beachmaster_Unit_One) began to wear yellow patches on their uniforms, as they do today. Shore party Marines were either assigned to [pioneer](/source/Pioneer_(military)) battalions or as part of an infantry battalion's shore party. Pioneer battalions consisted of shore party Marines, combat engineers, and heavy equipment operators and were in charge of establishing beach support areas in the [Pacific Theater of World War II](/source/Pacific_Theater_of_World_War_II). Pioneer battalions were sometimes used to relieve [infantry battalions](/source/Infantry_battalion) on the front lines and were often involved in heavy fighting in places such as [Bloody Ridge](/source/Battle_of_Edson's_Ridge) on Guadalcanal. One of the more notable shore party Marines was [1st Lt.](/source/1st_Lieutenant) [Alexander Bonnyman](/source/Alexander_Bonnyman) Jr., [executive officer](/source/Executive_officer) of the [2nd Battalion 8th Marines](/source/2nd_Battalion_8th_Marines)' Shore Party, who received the [Medal of Honor](/source/Medal_of_Honor) for his actions during the [Battle of Tarawa](/source/Battle_of_Tarawa). ## Current usage The red patch measures 3 in × 1 in (7.6 cm × 2.5 cm) on the trousers, worn 2.5 in (6.4 cm) below the cargo pocket, centered, and 1 in × 1 in (2.5 cm × 2.5 cm) on the front of the eight point cover, centered. A 1 in × 1 in (2.5 cm × 2.5 cm) patch is supposed to be worn on the front and rear of the [Kevlar helmet](/source/Kevlar_helmet), but this practice has fallen into disuse. ## See also - [Uniforms of the United States Marine Corps](/source/Uniforms_of_the_United_States_Marine_Corps) - [United States military beret flash](/source/United_States_military_beret_flash) ## References 1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** Luckwaldt, Adam (9 March 2019). ["Marine Corps Landing Support Technician"](https://www.thebalancecareers.com/career-profile-marine-corps-landing-support-technician-2356469). *thebalancecareers.com*. This article incorporates [public domain material](/source/Copyright_status_of_works_by_the_federal_government_of_the_United_States) from websites or documents of the [United States Marine Corps](/source/United_States_Marine_Corps). - ["Red Patch warrants question"](https://www.marines.mil/unit/mcbbutler/Pages/2003/Red%20Patch%20warrants%20question.aspx). [Camp Foster](/source/Camp_Foster): United States Marine Corps. December 12, 2003. Retrieved 15 April 2010. [*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] - Harris, LCpl Martin R. (September 27, 2004). ["Red patches denote support Marines, ease confusion on battlefield"](https://www.marines.mil/unit/mcbbutler/Pages/2004/Red%20patches%20denote%20support%20Marines,%20ease%20confusion%20on%20battlefield.aspx). Camp Foster: United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 15 April 2010. [*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] - Blodgett, LCpl Corey A. (July 26, 2007). ["Company's red patch dates back to World War II"](https://www.marines.mil/unit/mcbbutler/Pages/2007/Company’s%20red%20patch%20dates%20back%20to%20World%20War%20II.aspx). Camp Foster: United States Marine Corps. Retrieved 15 April 2010. [*[dead link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Link_rot)*] - "Here's Why". [Marine Corps Times](/source/Marine_Corps_Times). April 19, 2010. p. 3. v t e United States Marine Corps Leadership Secretary of the Navy Under Secretary of the Navy Commandant of the Marine Corps Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps Military Secretary to the Commandant of the Marine Corps Marine Corps four-star generals Marine Corps three-star generals 1942–1959 2000–2009 2010–present US Congress House Armed Services Committee Seapower and Projection Forces subcommittee Senate Armed Services Committee Seapower subcommittee Major commands Organization of the Marine Corps Headquarters Marine Corps Marine Forces Command II Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Forces Pacific I Marine Expeditionary Force III Marine Expeditionary Force Marine Forces Reserve Fleet Marine Force Atlantic Pacific Marine Corps Combat Development Command Training & Education Command (TECOM) United States Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory Marine Corps Systems Command Auxiliary Marine Corps Cyber Auxiliary Structure Marine Air–Ground Task Force Bases Battalions Regiments Brigades Divisions MEF/Corps Marine aviation Marine Expeditionary Unit Marine Security Guard Special Operations Marine Raiders Marine Raider Regiment Recon Force Division Others: List of current formation types of the United States Marine Corps Personnel and training Personnel Rank insignia MOS Notable Marines Historical Marines Marine Astronauts Criminal Investigation Division Judge Advocate Division Chaplain of the Marine Corps Associated organizations Training Recruit Training School of Infantry Officer Candidates School The Basic School Martial Arts Program Uniforms and equipment Uniforms Awards Badges Weapons Vehicles and aircraft Individual equipment History and traditions History Culture Acronyms and terms Birthday Color Sergeant of the Marine Corps Eagle, Globe, and Anchor Flag Marine Band Drum and Bugle Corps Horse Marines Marine One Color Guard Silent Drill Platoon White House Sentries Service Numbers Marine Corps War Memorial Marine Detachments "Marines' Hymn" Oorah History Division National Museum Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima Rifleman's Creed Semper Fidelis march History of Hispanics in the USMC History of women in the USMC Women's Reserve Honorary Marine Toys for Tots Gung ho Category --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Red Patch](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Patch) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_Patch?action=history)). 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