The shoulder sleeve patch for the Constabulary was designed by the first
Commanding Officer, Major General Harmon. The blue letter “C,” slashed by a red
lightning bolt and both were set against a round yellow background bordered
blue. The colors, as selected by the General, reflected the traditional colors
of cavalry (yellow), infantry (blue), and artillery (red).

The patches were first ordered from various German sources prior to its
availability from the US insignia manufacturers, which accounts for the wide
variance of the patches. Many of the various units had their separate unit
designations added to the patch on a scroll worn either above or below the
patch. The only one of these known to have been authorized, or locally approved,
was that of the 16th Constabulary Squadron (Separate), assigned to West Berlin.
They wore a tab that said “Constabulary”, issued as a type of good conduct
insignia. This tab, blue lettering on yellow background with red border, was
issued to those 16th Squadron members who had been assigned to the unit for at
least 30 days, and had acted professionally on- and off-duty. It was removed for
transgressions, and the wearer had to begin anew. It had been approved by the
then CO, LTC.

MG Ernest Harmon, was livid when he saw the 16th Sq scrolls. He ordered LTC
Goodwin to remove the scrolls. LTC Goodwin told MG Harmon “No sir, we’re
assigned to the Berlin Brigade, not the Constabulary, and we’ll keep wearing the
scrolls.” Harmon, not known for his even temperament, practically suffered a
stroke…and the 16th Sq wore the scrolls until they were inactivated and
redesignated.


16th Constabulary Sq (Sep) was the only
Constabulary unit to have the scroll authorized. Note how the letters
“L” and “A” meet; also note that the lightning bolt goes behind the “C”
on the SSI, both indications these were 16th Sq insignia.
The booklet describes how the CONSTABULARY scroll was to be worn, that
it was a type of of good conduct insignia, and it could be removed for
transgressions.
6th Con Reg F

6th Con Regt AC
10th Con Regt Tanks
15th Regt, Stuttgart

24th Sq
42nd Sq
Courtesy Mr. Al Sallustio
22nd Sq

2nd Cav 42nd Sqnd F
13th Sq – Bayreuth
15th Sq

10th Band
Constab
Spandau Prison
Constab w Tab 66th

28th Sq
Constab w Tab 6th Sq
Courtesy of Mr. Bud Groner
Constab Jeep Shows
Special Services, set up projectors on the hoods of jeeps and brought
movies out to isolated outposts

Constab w Tab 74th
On 28 July 1948, President Harry Truman signed Executive Order 9981desegregating the UIS Armed Forces. Even with that order, the military
was slow to follow. The 370th Infantry Regiment was redesignated the
370th Infantry Bn 22 May 47 (1st and 2nd Bn, 370th IR disbanded); it and
the 371st and 373rd Infantry Bn (all three battalions comprised of black
EM/NCOs, white officers) were all assigned to the Constabulary in
mid-1948. In 1948, the mission of the Constabulary had changed from that
of the policing of Western Europe to the defense of Western Europe, and
there was an influx of regular army units (engineers, field artillery,
etc.) to the Constabulary
Constab w Tab 820th MP

Constab w Tab 97th Signal
Constab I Co 3rd Bn 6th ACR
Constab w Tab 74th F.A. Bn

The 4th Cavalry Regt was redesignated 4th Constab Regt and stationed in
Austria. It directed the 4th, 16th, and 24th Squadrons. (The 16th was on
detached service in Berlin). The men of the 4th and 24th Squadrons wore
the United States Forces, Austria (USFA) shoulder sleeve insignia, not
the Constabulary insignia.
25th Constab Sq (trimmed w/ Cavalry cap cord)
C Troop, 24th Constab Sq


53rd Constab Sq (untrimmed)
2nd ACR (US Constabulary)

66th Constab Sq

1951 Constab Small Bore Rifle Matches
15th Sq (Security Police)
24th Sq patch

16th Sq Officer’s collar brass

Some unusual Constabulary distinctive insignia (DI)
Constab Air
Section; Horse (unk -Veterinary?); HQ Trp, 37th Constab Sq; 97th Sig Sq
3rd Constab Regt Band
14th Con Sq HQ Co

B Troop, 15th Constab Sq
C Troop, 24th Sq
2nd ACR Co I