Background Trimmings (Ovals)
Most Airborne units had a distinct Background Trimmings (Oval) cloth insignia worn under the Parachutist Badge, Glider Badge or Air Assault badge on the left breast. In 1941 when then Captain William P. Yarborough of the 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR) returned to Fort Benning with the with the first 350 Parachutist's Badges there was a concern that the badges were small and did not stand out when worn on the uniform. To remedy this Captain Yarborough designed an oval background trimming to be worn under the badge and frame it on the uniform. The original trimmings used by the 501st were red with blue borders and were handmade of felt. During the course of the Second World War the original 501st Parachute Infantry Battalion was incorporated into the 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment (PIR). Other airborne units were formed that adopted their own oval background trimmings in various color combinations. Army regulations existed that permitted units to adopt trimmings in addition to the familiar enameled crests (Distinctive Unit Insignia).
Today the Speical Forces and Rangers is the best-known of these regimental trimmings. In the course of the war the War Department suspended adoption of new trimmings and it does not appear that airborne background trimmings were officially approved by the War Department during the Second World War. Nevertheless, they were manufactured using regimental funds and widely worn. Background trimmings found their way into the official uniform regulations during the postwar period and are still proudly worn by airborne units today.
Today Airborne or special operations units on jump status are authorized beret flashes and background trimmings under the provisions of paragraph 28-31, AR 670-1. Divisions, brigades, groups, regiments, battalions and separate companies/detachments are entitled to a flash within their own right. Airborne units not on jump status (101st Airborne Division) are authorized only the background trimmings.
Made in the U.S.A.
