I was curious about someone on another post I saw on this board. There was a chap with his grandfather's uniform asking about the medals and patches. The picture is here:

Edit: here's the thread.

I'm curious about the rectangular bars near the brest pocket. A kind redditor referred to them as "fruit salad", which is the first I've ever seen them even having a name. Now I'm really curious about them - when they came into being, what the heritage of the stripes on them are - and you folks seem like the best people to ask.

Anyone able to sate my curiosity? I can provide Imaginary Internet Points and complementary comments on usernames and/or flairs in payment for your knowledge.

Thanks in advance!

Edit edit: Apparently "fruit salad" isn't a smiled-upon term. Apologies to anyone offended by the title.