The Real McCoy’s MILITARY TEE / 501 st. SIG. BN. is made from 8 oz. cotton and constructed using cotton sewing thread. The 501 st. SIG. BN. insignia and 12 print have been hand printed at our Kobe headquarters using traditional manual techniques, achieving the authentic texture and feel of vintage t-shirts.

The 501st Signal Battalion, known by the motto “Vox Aquilae” (Voice of the Eagle), served as the communications unit of the 101st Airborne Division. The battalion traces its origins to 1918, when it was first formed as the 626th Field Signal Battalion. In 1942, the unit was reorganized as the 101st Airborne Signal Company and played a key role in maintaining communications for the division during the Second World War, including operations in Normandy and across Western Europe.

Following the war, the unit underwent several reorganizations before emerging in 1956 as the 501st Airborne Signal Battalion at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. An operations company and an installation company were incorporated into the battalion and later redesignated as Company A and Company B.

Throughout the Cold War and into the late twentieth century, the battalion continued to support the 101st Airborne Division, providing battlefield communications during major deployments including Vietnam and Operation Desert Storm. The unit remained responsible for establishing and maintaining communications systems that enabled airborne and air assault operations worldwide.

100% Cotton Fabric, 8 oz.

Cotton Sewing Thread Construction

Hand Applied Print on Front and Rear

Made in Japan