Need help translating unknown handmade Japanese patch

[24th_infantry]

About 10 years ago I was in Arizona and came across a small antique store. Inside the store I found a WWII Japanese comfort bag and the following patch inside. The store own had no idea what the patch said or even to what branch it was for. After years of having it I finally decided to try and get this translated. The patch is about 1 inch on each side. Its a folded piece of cloth and inside there is a piece of paper. I do not think it had any significance to identifying the patch, I think was used for firming up the patch. Any help is greatly appreciated! Thanks for looking!

[GHP]

平林 Hirabayashi -- a surname

Hirabayashi / shou
Hirabayashi / small

Was there another kanji next to the "shou" kanji? (such as 'Shou-i' 2nd LT)?

-- Guy

[Nick Komiya]

There won't be any characters below as then the diagonal line is in the wrong place. The tag is for an elementary school kid named Hirabayashi.

[GHP]

There won't be any characters below as then the diagonal line is in the wrong place. The tag is for an elementary school kid named Hirabayashi.

Thanks Nick. Then that woukd be the abbreviation for "shougakusei" (elementary school student)?

--Guy