1st Armored Amphibian WWII Patch — Embroidered Patch
1st Armored Amphibian Battalion — World War II
Before the infantry hit the beach, before the tanks rolled off the LSTs, the armored amphibians were already in the water — gun turrets blazing, driving straight at the enemy through the surf. This patch honors the 1st Armored Amphibian Battalion, a World War II unit that brought firepower ashore when it mattered most.
The 1st Armored Amphibian Battalion was formed during World War II to provide fire support during amphibious assaults using armored Landing Vehicle Tracked (LVT) variants equipped with turret-mounted weapons. Unlike standard amtrac battalions that served primarily as troop carriers, the armored amphibians were designed to fight — delivering suppressive fire as they crossed the reef and hit the beach alongside the first wave of infantry. The battalion participated in some of the bloodiest amphibious operations of the Pacific War, including the assault on Okinawa in April 1945, where it was attached to the 6th Marine Division and earned a Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism. The armored amphibians bridged the gap between ship-to-shore movement and the landing of conventional tanks, providing critical fire support during the most vulnerable moments of an amphibious assault.
Perfect For: WWII Pacific veterans and their families, amphibious warfare historians, amtrac and armored vehicle enthusiasts, 6th Marine Division collectors, and anyone who honors the Marines who fought from the waterline.
First in the water. First to fire. Armored amphibians.