WW1 US AEF ROTC Patch

The WW1 US AEF ROTC Patch is an authentic artifact associated with the United States Army’s Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC) during the First World War. This patch was worn as an insignia by ROTC cadets who served within the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in Europe. The patch typically features the design elements and color scheme adopted by the U.S. Army during the 1917-1918 period, often incorporating symbols reflecting military training and leadership. Constructed from period materials, such as wool or cotton backing with embroidered detailing, the patch was intended for attachment to uniforms, identifying the wearer’s affiliation with ROTC units deployed overseas. These patches represent the early role of the ROTC in officer commissioning and its contribution to the AEF’s operations in France. Items of this type are of historical interest for their connection to U.S. military education and the organization of American forces during the First World War.