Scarce 1918-1919 issue 2nd Division shoulder patch: this is the type of five-pointed star and American Indian facing to his left that was provided to assigned units of the 2nd Division by Headquarters, 2nd Division in November and December of 1918. Order No. 29 Headquarters Second Division dated 14 November 1918, which authorized the adoption of the insignia, specified colors and shapes for different units within the division. A round red background indicated the 1st Battalion of the 23rd Infantry Regiment. This is an original example with the official issue embroidered on OD wool star and indian head sewed to a red wool background. See 'UNITED STATES ARMY SHOULDER PATCHES AND RELATED INSIGNIA FROM WORLD WAR 1 TO KOREA' by William Keller for a photograph of the same patch. Note the the 4th Marine Brigade, as part of the 2nd Division, also wore the indian head patch though the USMC used different colors and shapes as a background. I have another example of this style star and indian on a yellow diamond in my personal collection which represents the USMC 2nd Bn, 6th Regiment. The patch in this auction came from a garage sale and was in the pocket of a moth-eaten WWI Army tunic. I salvaged the buttons and patch from the tunic. Money-back guranteed. www.wwii101.com