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Patch was worn by former Italian prisoners of war in the USA who volunteered for the Italian Service Unit (ISU) during World War II.
After Italy surrendered to the Allies on 8 November 1943 the 50,000 Italian prisoners of war in the USA were asked to volunteer for the ISU as part of the US Army Service Corps.
They were used to perform essential non-combat tasks for the US Army.
The ISU unit only existed from May 1944 to October 1945.
Many Italian soldiers were taken prisoner with the Africa Corps in Tunisia and in the invasion of Sicily.
Italian Service Units wore US Army uniforms with an 'Italy' patch, lived in lightly guarded camps, and worked as service and support troops.
