The U.S. Army has reopened an investigation concerning a patch bearing Nazi symbolism after a photo surfaced on the Instagram account of the Alabama-based 20th Special Forces Group. The patch in question depicted a skull and crossbones, known as the SS Totenkopf, against a backdrop of a palm tree, resembling insignia used by Nazi Germany’s AfrikaKorps during World War II.
20th Special Forces Group pic.twitter.com/LkrhJHAiqX
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This incident prompted immediate action from military officials, leading to the removal of the controversial image from social media and the announcement of a formal inquiry into the matter. Maj. Russell Gordon, spokesperson for the 1st Special Forces Command, stated that the patch was unofficial and not sanctioned by command authorities. It was highlighted that the soldiers involved might not have been aware of the patch’s historical connotations.
The 20th Special Forces Group’s social media administrator claimed that the patch was associated with the 3rd Special Forces Group and was taken out of context. However, it was later confirmed that the patch had been previously used by the 3rd Special Forces Group but was banned in 2022 due to its historical connotations.
The symbol depicted seems to share striking similarities with both the Afrika Korps and Death’s Head Division Seals.
Col. Mike Burns, a spokesperson for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, emphasized that use of such symbols contradicts the values upheld by the U.S. military.
The unfolding investigation aims to uncover the extent of the patch’s distribution and use within the Special Forces community, determining whether its recent appearance was a result of malice or ignorance.Â
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