Uncommon French 3rd Zouave Regiment badge awarded to the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion at Youks les Bains in North Africa. The 1.75″ diameter silver device features a snarling hyena surmounting a “3Z” and a crescent moon that bears the motto: “J'y Suis, J'y Reste” or “Here I am, Here I Remain.” The badge was approved for permanent wear by soldiers of the 509th Parachute Infantry, North African Theater of Operations, and was the first foreign badge awarded to U.S. troops in WWII. The badge is presented with a matted 10 x 8 display signed in silver ink, “William P. Yarborough, Lt. Gen. USA (Ret),” who adds a handwritten caption above: “Zouaves were Algerian infantry with French officers. They wore colorful oriental uniforms and were noted for their hardiness and courage—like the British Gurkhas.” The caption is affixed next to a copy of the original 1944 order approving the wearing of the 3rd Zouave insignia. The display is framed, and the frame backing bears an affixed ANS from Yarborough signed “Y,” which reads: “The 2d Btn 503d Pcht Inf was changed to 2d Btn 509th Pcht Infy then to 509th Pcht Inf Btn. This was the outfit I commanded in Italy and S. France…I was with it in Tunisia when it received the above award.” In very good to fine condition, with tape to note on backing, and a gouge to first letter of the mat signature.
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