The design of the Combat Service ID Badge, or CSIB, approved for United States Army Europe and Africa (USAREUR-AF) is taken directly from the organization’s unit patch, technically referred to as a Shoulder Sleeve Insignia-Military Operations in Hostile Conditions Insignia, or SSI-MOHC (the MOHC part was previously FWTS for “Former WarTime Service”).
When this insignia was originally approved for Supreme HQ, Allied Expeditionary Forces on 13 December, the portion of the shield that is now dark blue was black, chosen to reflect the darkness of oppression that had fallen over most of Europe and Africa. It was redesignated for HQ, U.S. Forces, European Theater on 2 August 1945, with the black field changed to dark blue to reflect the flame of hope lit by the surrender of Germany nearly three months earlier.
It underwent an astonishing series of changes from that time up until January 2021, with the most notable changes coming in November 1952 when it was redesignated for United States Army Europe and in January 2021 when it was redesignated for United States Army Europe and Africa.
In the center of the insignia is an upright sword signifying the military force rightly used for liberation, with the rising flames serving as an emblem of the justice by which the enemy power is broken. Above the sword is a rainbow, symbol of hope, cast in the colors of National Flags of the Allies that helped liberate swaths of African territory, while the blue sky above the rainbow alludes to a state of tranquil peace that the United Nations will restore to the enslaved people.
Related Items
United States Army Europe and Africa Patch (SSI)
United States Army Europe and Africa Unit Crest (DUI)