The shield at left, with its red, white and blue stars and stripes, is unofficially recognized as a symbol of the United States. Over the years it has been used as the basic design for many other American symbols, including many official seals. In 1942, it served as inspiration for a symbol to identify U.S. soldiers in a far off theater of World War II.

 It was the early days of the newly created China-Burma-India Theater (CBI). Supplies had not yet caught up with U.S. soldiers in the theater and there were few summer issue uniforms to wear. CBI Commanding General Joseph Stilwell authorized the local purchase of cooler and more practical British uniform shorts and lightweight jungle shirts.

 At Karachi, the Americans mixed in with the British soldiers in the same uniforms. Problems developed when soldiers in town on pass had to be returned to their station by MPs. According to Colonel Frank "Pinky" Dorn, a member of Stilwell's Headquarters staff, "When American MPs were called to quell a riot or a brawl, they bashed in as many British heads as those of their own men with the swinging billy-clubs, and vice versa."

 Each side was becoming increasingly angry with the other. The British commander at Karachi asked General Stilwell to authorize some mark or insignia to set the American soldiers apart from the British. "The old man said to me, 'Dorn, see what you can come up with.'"

 Starting with the common red, white and blue U.S. shield, the talented Dorn came up with a design representative of the CBI Theater. He simplified the shield and replaced the stars of the United States with the twelve-pointed Chinese Sun and the Star of India. When asked about the lack of representation for Burma, Dorn said: "The emblem of Burma was a peacock, so to hell with that! Besides, we lost the lousy place anyway."

 Colonel Dorn was of course kidding about the peacock but was serious about losing Burma. He was with Stilwell on the walkout and after promotion to Brigadier General was instrumental in the battle to retake Burma.

 He had a few samples of his design made in an Indian uniform shop and had one sewn on to the left sleeve of his uniform jacket. The next day he wore the jacket to dinner with General Stilwell. "What the hell's that thing you're wearing?" snapped Stilwell. "That, sir, is your new theater shoulder patch, a thing of beauty to behold and protection for American skulls against British night sticks."

 He handed the other sample patches to the General telling him that a shop in New Delhi would make all they wanted. "You've hit the jackpot, Dorn," Stilwell said, "it looks great!" He told Dorn to have the quartermaster order 20,000 as a start. Over the next three years, hundreds of thousands were made and worn in CBI.

 Local artisians created many interesting and unique variations using various types of cloth and thread and even colored pieces of leather. These variations are treasured by military memorabilia collectors to this day. he colors and the elements of its design make it one of the most beautiful of all the patches, theater or unit, to come out of World War II.

Colonel Frank Dorn (center) as Stilwell's aide with Clare Booth and Colonel Frank Brown at Maymyo headquarters.

Brigadier General Dorn (right) commanding Chinese troops in the Burma campaign.

 TOP OF PAGE     FRANK DORN     VARIATIONS OF THE CBI PATCH     CBI THEATER 

Copyright © 2005 Carl Warren Weidenburner
Adapted from "How's your CBI I.Q.?" in the March 1993 issue of Ex-CBI Roundup
Portions copyright 1993 by Hugh A. Crumpler   

 Visitors
Since September 24, 2005