The original insignia was a yellow swastika in a red square on point in acknowledging the American Indian tribes of the region.
The swastika was changed to a thunderbird in the run-up to WWII.
Affirm in full from the proud son of a father who joined the 45th in 1938 and wore the original patch then the Thunderbird through to the Korean War. My mother made a pair of needlepoint covers for bookend holders for my Dad. One had the original 45th Swastica Shoulder patch and the Thunderbird on the other. If I had these family treasure pieces and gave them to a younger family member, would they be in danger of being burned as well as the artifacts?