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<span id="openzim-page-title" class="mw-page-title-main"><span class="mw-page-title-main">Morale patch</span></span>
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</style><div class="thumb tmulti tright"><div class="thumbinner multiimageinner" style="width:432px;max-width:432px"><div class="trow"><div class="tsingle" style="width:152px;max-width:152px"><div class="thumbimage"><span typeof="mw:File"></span></div><div class="thumbcaption">Squadron morale patch used at Souda Bay</div></div><div class="tsingle" style="width:152px;max-width:152px"><div class="thumbimage"><span typeof="mw:File"></span></div><div class="thumbcaption">9 EARS morale patch</div></div><div class="tsingle" style="width:122px;max-width:122px"><div class="thumbimage"><span typeof="mw:File"></span></div><div class="thumbcaption"><a href="56th_Theater_Information_Operations_Group" title="56th Theater Information Operations Group">56th TIOG</a> morale patch</div></div></div></div></div>
<p>A <b>morale patch</b> is a military ornamental insignia with humorous images and expressions.<sup id="cite_ref-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-1"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>1<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-2" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-2"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>2<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup><sup id="cite_ref-3" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-3"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>3<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> They can be used as identification with a particular unit, such as a division or brigade, and are designed to build an <a href="Esprit_de_corps" class="mw-redirect" title="Esprit de corps">esprit de corps</a> with military personnel. The morale patch is usually not authorized directly by the military to be worn on an official uniform but can often be found on military clothing or gear.
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="History">History</h2></div>
<p>Morale patches are a part of military history and have cultural significance for soldiers<sup id="cite_ref-4" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-4"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>4<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> and law enforcement personnel. The morale patch's roots can be traced to the <a href="British_Army" title="British Army">British Army</a>, before <a href="World_War_I" title="World War I">World War I</a>, who called them "<a href="Shoulder_sleeve_insignia" title="Shoulder sleeve insignia">battle patches</a>". Mainly used to identify allies and enemy units, the distinctive designs would identify personnel as belonging to certain military units.
</p><p>In the 1920s, the patches became unique and individualized and experienced widespread popularity. They became collectible and tradable items. This brought civilians closer to military personnel and made law enforcement agents more approachable.
</p><p>The <a href="81st_Infantry_Division_(United_States)" title="81st Infantry Division (United States)">81st Division Wildcats</a> of the <a href="U.S._Army" class="mw-redirect" title="U.S. Army">U.S. Army</a> created the first American morale patch during World War I. It was suggested to Army officials that a patch should be created to acknowledge a division. The insignia was approved to help the morale of the troops, and soon after that, <a href="John_J._Pershing" title="John J. Pershing">General Pershing</a> suggested all divisions to create and wear a patch—something unique to their division.<sup id="cite_ref-5" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-5"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>5<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="Trademark_lawsuits">Trademark lawsuits</h2></div>
<p>On August 31, 2020, a lawsuit was filed against 281 defendants for the use of the words "morale patch" as case number 20cv04776 in the Northern District of Illinois court.<sup id="cite_ref-6" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-6"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>6<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> In 2016, Morale Patch Armory LLC<sup id="cite_ref-7" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-7"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>7<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> trademarked the term "MORALE PATCH" for commercial use and filed a claim of trademark infringement.<sup id="cite_ref-8" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-8"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>8<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup> The lawsuit focused mainly on veteran-owned companies, tactical gear manufacturers, and small, internet-based operations. Morale Patch Armory LLC is owned by Julio Medina, who is an Air Force veteran.<sup id="cite_ref-9" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-9"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>9<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
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<p>On September 10, 2020, Prometheus Design Werx filed a petition to cancel the trademark "MORALE PATCH".<sup id="cite_ref-:1_10-0" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:1-10"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
</p><p>On September 16, 2020, <i>The Military Times</i> published an article explaining the details of the lawsuit.<sup id="cite_ref-11" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-11"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>11<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
</p><p>On August 18, 2022, the Trademark Trial and Appeal Board canceled the trademark.<sup id="cite_ref-:1_10-1" class="reference"><a href="#cite_note-:1-10"><span class="cite-bracket">[</span>10<span class="cite-bracket">]</span></a></sup>
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<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="See_also">See also</h2></div>
<ul><li><a href="Blood_chit" title="Blood chit">Blood chit</a></li></ul>
<div class="mw-heading mw-heading2"><h2 id="References">References</h2></div>
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