 DATE: Although the practice of subduing unit shoulder patches was  officially adopted during the Vietnam war, there were some units  that refused to subdue their patches because of unit pride. The 1st  Infantry Division and the 101st Airborne Division were the major  ones that never subdued their shoulder patches. The 101st did not  subdue the patch until BDUs started to be worn. After WWII, veterans  of the 101st would wear the screaming eagle patch reversed when worn  as an overseas patch on the right shoulder. This was so the eagle  would never face to the rear. (signifying retreating). The patches  were unofficial and the patches were soon only worn on off duty  clothing or by retirees in parade uniforms.