I was issued this patch after my Regiment was detached from the 7th Div. and attached to the Alaskan Defense Command as the 209th Inf. Btn. I think it's a great patch. Here are some particulars about the patch:

The shoulder patch worn by the Alaskan Department was approved on Mar. 24th 1943, for the Alaska Defense Command, and was re-designated for the Alaskan Department on Dec.31st, 1943. The bear is suggestive of the Great Bear Constellation, and the star represents the North Star. In addition, the polar bear was chosen as representative of Alaska, and the bear is snarling in defiance as a warning to those who would invade his domain. Can't you hear his growl?

                                                   Nick Moreska

{ Webmaster's Notes: Here's some additional information copied from http://www.au.af.mil/au/afhra/org11.htm }

Eleventh Air Force

Military aircraft began to deploy to Alaska during the last half of 1940. To coordinate air activities there, the Alaskan Defense Command established the Air Field Forces, Alaskan Defense Command on May 29, 1941. Under authority from Western Defense Command, the Alaskan Defense Command replaced the Air Field Forces, Alaskan Defense Command, with the Air Force, Alaskan Defense Command, on October 17, 1941. Neither the Air Field Forces nor the Air Force, Alaskan Defense Command, were legitimate War Department establishments and must be classified in the same category as provisional units, although the term "provisional" was never used in connection with them. The War Department activated the Alaskan Air Force on January 15, 1942, replacing the Air Force, Alaskan Defense Command. Established as Alaskan Air Force on 28 December 1941. Activated on 15 January 1942. Redesignated 11th Air Force on 5 February 1942; Eleventh Air Force on 18 September 1942; Alaskan Air Command on 18 December 1945; Eleventh Air Force on 9 August 1990; concurrently, status is changed from a major command of the United States Air Force to a subordinate organization of the Pacific Air Forces.