This 8th Recon Patch is not a WW2 design. It is found in both the embroidered patch and as an enameled DI. Here 8th recon vet Don Kpois talks about the crest...

I served in the 8th Recon Co at Fort Carson from June ' 55 until early summer of ' 56. Our CO was a Capt Kain and was one of the finest officers I ever served under. He went to Advanced Armor Officers Training at Ft Knox in about September of ' 55 and I to Advanced NCO School at Knox later that fall. During "Killer Kain's" tenure as CO the unit had the highest re-enlistment rate at Ft. Carson, primarily due to Kain's enthusiasm and his ability to build esprit de corps.

I was Tank Section Leader in 3rd Platoon. My TC on No 2 Tank (I think his name was Mike Mansfield) designed that crest. It is a Panther. On the enamlled crest there is a Star in each corner of the triangle and the green banner that reads "stealth, speed, power". Department of The Army would not recognize a crest for an individual Company sized unit so we took up a collection and had the crests made ourselves. The Division Commander allowed us to wear it. I still have one of the crests. We also had the triangle with the panther painted on each tank turret and on the side of each APC. In addition my tank was named "Rip Tide".