517th PARACHUTE INFANTRY REGIMENT, 517th PIR, BATTLING BUZZARDS, POCKET PATCH Multiple pieces felt construction with heavy bullion gold thread and cotton embroidery. Measures approx. 4" x 5.5" French made. Theater made jacket PIR patch. This does not react to ultra violet light. Patch History: Based on historical accounts, the 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) patch, featuring a "Battling Buzzard," was designed by Dick Spencer of the 3rd Battalion, 517th PIR. According to his recollections: Dick Spencer designed the patch after some joking with Colonel Rupert D. Graves and Lieutenant Colonel Mel Zais. The idea behind the buzzard was that "all the good parts of the eagle had been used up" and the 517th was often used as an attack unit for others, so "no job was too nasty for a buzzard!" The first patches were made in Southern France. It's important to note that this patch was never officially authorized. However, it was widely recognized and used unofficially by members of the 517th PIR, appearing on invitations, papers, and booklets. There is a conflicting account suggesting that the original design was by Taylor Poore, a graphics designer from Chicago, and that Dick Spencer modified it. However, Spencer's own account strongly credits himself with the design. The 517th Parachute Infantry Regiment (517th PIR) was an airborne infantry regiment of the United States Army, formed during World War II. At times the regiment was attached to the 17th Airborne Division, 82nd Airborne Division and later, the 13th Airborne Division. During most of their combat, the unit was an independent combined force of 17th Airborne troops called the 517th Parachute Regimental Combat Team or 517th PRCT /517th PCT /517th RCT. The unit was formed in early 1943 and trained at Camp Toccoa, Georgia. The 517th saw heavy fighting in the Italian Campaign in June 1944, before being transferred to take part in Operation Dragoon in August 1944, in Southern France, which happened to be their first combat jump. Following the liberation of France, the 517th was attached to the 82nd Airborne Division and fought with it in Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge. Following the end of the war, the 517th was assigned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where the unit was inactivated on 25 February 1946. International Buyers Please Note: We do not ship outside of the United States! No Exceptions. In addition, we will not ship to third party shippers or any other international shipping hubs such as International Shipping (EIS), EIS 110 INTERNATIONALE BLVD, GLENDALE HEIGHTS IL 60139-2080. If you place a bid, or make a purchase, we will cancel your bid, and or cancel your purchase! If you wish to make a purchase, you will have to find someone located within the United States to make the purchase for you. They would be responsible to send the package to you.