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| Post WW2 U.S. Squadron Patches: Naval Aviation, Ship Patches, Submarine Patches, Helicopter Unit Patches, U.S. Air Force Patches, Marine Aviation Patches, Marine Unit Patches & Selected Foreign Squadron Patches, etc., as available. | |
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Note: As the post WW2 US military quickly grew, many different patches suddenly
appeared, creating “Officially Authorized Patches,” “Unofficially
Authorized Patches,” “Unofficial Patches,” “Unauthorized Patches,”
“Fantasy Patches,” as well as, reproductions of rare and exotic
patches, all to satisfy the military, as well as, the never ending need of
the collector. In some cases,
its reasonable to assume, that existing stocks of WW2 period produced
patches were used until exhausted, making it difficult to determine
exactly when a particular post WW2 merrowed edge patch had its début.
Generally speaking, patches containing the “New Army Green Color,” do
not appear before 1957; the merrowed edge patch started to appear in 1968.
In 1970, “subdued” unit and rank insignia was officially worn on field
and combat uniforms; although some “subdued” shoulder insignia was
actually worn before that date. Some of the patches actually used today,
appear the same as WW2 patches except for the material content, (not 100%
cotton), backing material and the addition of the merrowed edge. Many of
the post WW2 patches we offer are one of a kind from collections we have
purchased; some are factory samples, factory closeouts or overruns; some
are the patches we normally sell to local units in our store and some were
actually from the specific unit. When possible, we will include background
and historical information about a particular patch, however, some patches
will remain a mystery as they defy any attempts of research. |
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* * * Special Feature * * * |
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| 325th Fighter-Interceptor Squadron | |
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1PWSQ-001. The 325th Fighter Interceptor Squadron was activated at Travis AFB, California in April 1953 with F-86Es. In February 1954 the squadron moved to Hamilton AFB, California and later transitioned into F-86Ds. In August 1955 the unit designation was transferred to Truax Field, Wisconsin. A transition into F-102As was completed in the spring of 1957; on 25 June 1966 the squadron was deactivated; the 325th was the home of the F86, “Sabre Knights,” demonstration team in the early 1950’s. A nice, very large, slightly oval patch approximately 4-5/8-inch wide x 5-1/4-inch high, with a machine-embroidered central design depicting a, charging and snorting, red winged bull with double gun barrels protruding from its head, on a yellow and blue background. Black “325th Fighter Interceptor Squadron,” lettering is machine-embroidered within a white twill border; the outside edge of the patch is trimmed with red embroidery, (not a modern merrowed edge). The patch exhibits light to moderate signs of age and wear, as well as light insignificant soil, from handling and actual use; the patch has been removed from a uniform; remnants of original sewing still remain; (minor thread wear on the red border at about three o’ clock but could be a slight mfg. defect). The reverse has tight weave cheesecloth in the area of the white twill. A large and impressive vintage example that shows all the correct manufacturing techniques for its period of use, as well as just the right amount of character. SCARCE. Vg. $150.00 |
| U.S.S. Independence, CV-62, Indian Ocean Cruise 1980-81 & U.S.S. Independence (CV-62) Patches | |
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1PWSQ-002. Patch 1. U.S.S. Independence, CV-62, Indian
Ocean Cruise 1980-81. Patch #1: 4-7/8-inch diameter patch with lower banner. The
patch has a, loose, fully embroidered style that does not appear to be of
U.S. manufacture. The multi-colored central design depicts the, Liberty
Bell, and the geographical outline of the cruise area. The upper internal
banner reads, “U.S.S. Independence CV-62;” lower exterior banner
reads, “Indian Ocean Cruise 1980-81.” Wording within the central
design are “Pollywog” and “Shellbao,” (?); looks like part of the
word is under the border). The lower interior banner reads, “guardian of
Freedom.” Nice early style embroidery and backing. Light age, minor
soil. Unused. Excellent. Patch #2: U.S.S. Independence (CV-62). 4-3/4-inch diameter patch with lower banner; the fully embroidered, multi-colored, central design depicts the, Liberty Bell, on a red background, surrounded by thirteen white stars within a blue circular field, which is surrounded by a gold rope border. The lower banner has the words, “U.S.S. Independence,” embroidered with blue thread on a yellow/gold background. Nice early style embroidery and early style backing. Unused. Excellent. These two vintage patches have always been together. $35.00 for the set. |
| 19th Bomb Wing | |
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1PWSQ-003. On June 1, 1953, the 19th Bombardment Wing moved,
on paper, from Andersen Air Force Base, Guam to Okinawa; the unit absorbed
personnel and equipment of the 19th Bomb Group. During the course of the
Korean War, the wing employed control over the tactical squadrons, which
maintained the B-29 interdiction program and provided some close air
support for United Nations Ground Forces. The 19th Bomb Wing
and the 19th Wing Group flew nearly 650 combat missions. A large patch
with lower tab, approximately 4-inch wide x 4-1/4-inch high; central
design is embroidered on white twill and depicts a black and white eagle,
standing on a blue shield, with four gold stars and a gold winged sword
embroidered within the shield. A gold colored scroll embroidered bellow
the shield bears the unit’s motto, “In Alis Vincimus,” (on wings we
conquer); the motto is not completely legible on the patch. The central
design is embroidered on a white twill circle bearing five gold
embroidered stars. The outside edge of the patch is embroidered in blue,
(not merrowed) and has a bottom blue tab, which is embroidered, “19th
Bomb Wing,” using white thread. The patch exhibits very light signs of
age, virtually no wear and an very light signs of even overall storage
soil on the white twill area, (nothing at all serious). The reverse has,
stiff, tight weave cheesecloth backing. Avery nice vintage example
showing all the right manufacturing techniques for its period of use. Near
excellent. $45.00 |
| F-14 Tomcat Patch, Unusual Chenille Style Embroidery Variation, Appears To Be Foreign Made, Unique | |
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1PWSQ-004. 3-1/4-inch diameter, fully embroidered, bright blue patch with lower tab. The embroidery has an irregular, pile like stitch, which gives the appearance of chenille embroidery, (a distinct variation that is not normally found). The central design depicts a, precisely detailed, orange and white embroidered cat, drawing a red bow, aiming a red arrow at a, stylized, MiG 29 aircraft. The lower gold embroidered tab is embroidered "Tomcat" using black thread. The entire patch has a black embroidered border, (not merrowed, it has a cut-edge appearance), the patch has an overall theatre made appearance. Vivid colors; extremely minor and insignificant signs of age from handling. Very Unique. Appears to be unused. Excellent. $55.00 |
| VF-51, Fighting Fifty One, Unusual Chenille Style Embroidery Variation, Appears To Be Foreign Made, Very Unique | |
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1PWSQ-005. Approximately 3-1/4-inch diameter, fully embroidered patch with lower tab. The embroidery has an irregular, pile like stitch, which gives the appearance of chenille embroidery, (a distinct variation that is not normally found). The central design depicts a highly detailed, multi-colored eagle, superimposed on a gold star, which is on a blue circular background. The blue circle is bordered by a ½-inch white border, that has a thin blue border edge, (not merrowed, it has a cut-edge appearance); the patch has an overall theatre made appearance. Precisely detailed and embroidered with beautiful colored thread; definitely not your normal squadron patch. The lower tab is precisely and heavily embroidered, “Fighting Fifty One,” using black tread. The backside is covered with a, semi-opaque,” white paper like material. Very Unique. Unused. Excellent+. $55.00 |
| 26th Bombardment Sq. (H) - Circa 1950’s | |
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1PWSQ-006. 3-3/4-inch fully embroidered oval patch depicting a blue & gold fist on a gold & blue shield, which is on a red embroidered background with royal blue embroidered lettering, “26th Bombardment Sq. (H).” The path has a royal blue embroidered border edge, (not merrowed, it has a cut-edge appearance); The 26th Heavy Bombardment Squadron was part of the B-36 decade, which began at Carswell Air Force Base, Fort Worth, Texas on 26 June 1948 when the first B-36A, Number 44-92004, was delivered to the 492nd Bomb Squadron of the 7th Bombardment Group. The 26th Heavy Bombardment Squadron remained with the unit until the last B-36 left Carswell AFB on 30 May 1958. This specimen has a soft and very flexible feel; it’s constructed in a style consistent with those patches that were manufactured in the 1950’s and early 1960’s. The patch exhibits very light signs of age and insignificant signs of wear. A few pieces of black thread, as well as stitch mark impressions around the blue border edge indicate that this patch has been used and removed from uniform. SCARCE. Vg+. $40.00 |
| U.S. Navy, Mermaid, Liberty Cuff Patches - Left & Right Set | |
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1PWSQ-007. 5-1/2-inch long x 2-inch high patch, depicting a multi-colored, floating mermaid, machine embroidered on a thin, shiny, black background with a gold embroidered border. The design has a tight weave resembling silk. These patches were sewn on the underside of the cuffs on a Navy jumper; when on duty, the cuffs were buttoned and the patches were unseen, however, while on liberty the cuffs were unbuttoned and turned up to expose the colorful mermaid patches. We purchased these, “Liberty Cuff Patches,” in the late 1970’s and recently found a small quantity of them in a box in our warehouse. Unused. Excellent+. $10.00 Left and right cuff set. |
| 560th Flying Training Squadron - Chargin Cheetahs | |
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1PWSQ-1. 2-5/8-inch diameter patch with upper and lower tabs. Multi-colored face of a Cheetah, embroidered on a purple/gray twill background. The Squadron is located at Randolph Air Force Base, Texas. The 560th Flying Training Squadron provides Pilot Instructor training in the supersonic T-38 jet aircraft. Unused. Excellent. $5.00 |
| Huey Helicopter Ops Patch - Motto, Huey Can Do - Circa 1960’s | |
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1PWSQ-2. 3-inch wide x 4-inch high, fully embroidered light blue patch, with top and bottom tab, depicting a nicely detailed, camouflaged Huey helicopter flying over a desert scene, which includes a whirlwind; a prickly pear cactus and a saguaro cactus. The upper tab reads, “ Helicopter Ops,” the bottom tab reads, “Huey Can Do.” This specimen is thickly embroidered but still has a soft and flexible feel; it is constructed in a style consistent with those patches that were manufactured in the 1960’s to very early 1970’s. Unused. Excellent. $10.00 |
| U.S. Naval Construction Battalion 23 - The Blue & Gray - Seabees | |
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1PWSQ-3. 3-3/8-inch diameter fully embroidered, multi-colored patch depicting the Seabees logo design. Lower tab reads, "The Blue And Gray." Unused. Excellent. $7.00 SOLD |
| 59th Medical Wing | |
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1PWSQ-4. 3-3/4-inch wide x 3-inch high fully embroidered patch. Lower tab reads, "59th Medical Wing." The unit is located at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas. Unused. Excellent. $3.50 SOLD |
| F-16 Fighting Falcon - Banditos | |
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1PWSQ-5. 4-inch diameter dark blue twill patch with a silver gray border edge. The multi-colored central design depicts a beautifully embroidered, cartoon-like, falcon holding a large revolver and dressed in Mexican Bandito style clothing and gear. Unused. Excellent. $7.00 |
| Navy Fighter Attack Squadron - VFA-31 – Tomcatters | |
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1PWSQ-6. 3-1/2-inch diameter fully embroidered yellow patch with lower tab. This beautifully embroidered patch depicts cartoon character, “Felix The Cat,” carrying the classic cartoon bomb with sparkling wick. Lower tab embroidered, “Fighting 31.” VF-31 is the second oldest, continuously active, US Navy aircraft squadron. The “Tomcatters,” are the only US squadron, of all the three air arms, to score confirmed kills in World War II, Korea and the Vietnam War. Unused. Excellent. $8.00 |
| HMR 363 - Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron | |
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1PWSQ-7. 4-3/8-inch diameter patch with lower banner; multi-colored central design depicts a planet with orbit ring and a three blade prop superimposed on a red atomic blast. The lower scroll is embroidered, "HMR 363." Unused. Excellent. $10.00 SOLD |
| 125th Fighter Squadron - F-16C - The Tulsa Vipers | |
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1PWSQ-8. 3-1/2-inch diameter fully embroidered patch depicting an F-16 embroidered with thin silver wire thread. Unused. Excellent. $6.00 SOLD |
| Fleet Logistics Supply Squadron 30 – We Deliver | |
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1PWSQ-9. 3-1/2-inch diameter fully embroidered patch with cutout, flowing, upper and lower tabs. This beautifully designed and embroidered patch depicts a white Pegasus superimposed on a blue and yellow sunray design. Upper tab is embroidered, “We Deliver,” Lower tab, “Flelogsuppron 30.” VRC-30 pilots and aircrew men for Pacific Fleet units as well as, the movement of high priority cargo, mail and passengers to and from Pacific Fleet aircraft carriers. Unused. Excellent. $8.00 |
| USS Carp - SS-338 - Submarine | |
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1PWSQ-10. 5-inch wide x 5-inch high, fully embroidered patch, the multi-colored design depicts a bear breasted woman riding a torpedo superimposed on a large fish; sub dolphins adorn the top edge of the patch; lower scroll is embroidered, "USS Carp SS-338." Non-plastic back. A large and impressive looking patch. Unused. Excellent. $12.00 SOLD |
| USS America – CVA-66 – United States Ship America | |
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1PWSQ-11. 4-inch diameter full color, fully embroidered patch depicting the heraldic design of the USS America, CVA-66. The ship was launched on January 10, 1962 and was commissioned as the nation’s 16th active attack carrier and was the third Navy ship honored to the carry the name America and received eight battle stars for service during the Vietnam and Persian Gulf Wars. The America was decommissioned on Friday August 6, 1996. Unused. Excellent. $7.00 |
| Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 72 - FA-72 Blue Hawks | |
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1PWSQ-12. 3-7/8-inch diameter white patch with lower tab. Patch depicts a multi colored hawk descending on the ocean with its talons bared. “Blue Hawk,” is embroidered within the main body of the patch, the lower tab is embroidered, “Strkfitron 72.” Unused. Excellent. $6.00 |
| US Navy (Underwater Demolition Team) UDT / Seal Team 22 | |
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1PWSQ-13. 3-3/4-inch diameter patch with multi-colored central design depicting a frog, smoking a red cigar, riding a bomb and holding a trident. Embroidered on white twill with black lettering and border. Unused. Slight signs of age from handling. Near excellent. $6.00 SOLD |
| US Navy Underwater Demolition Patch - UDT | |
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1PWSQ-14. 4-inch diameter patch with multi-colored central design depicting a frog, smoking a red cigar, holding a lit stick of dynamite. Embroidered on white twill with black lettering and border. Unused. Slight signs of age from handling. Near excellent. $6.00 SOLD |
| USS 214 Grouper, Hunt And Kill - Submarine | |
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1PWSQ-15. 4-inch wide x 4-7/8-inch high, fully embroidered patch depicting a large fish with earphones on and #214 on its fin. the patch is embroidered, "USS Grouper, Hunt And Kill." Unused. Excellent. $10.00 SOLD |
| USS Kilauea AE 26 - Ammunition Ship | |
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1PWSQ-16. 4-3/4-inch patch depicting two helicopters flying over three ships unloading ammunition. The Kilauea is an ammunition Ship of the, "Kilauea Class," it was launched 9th August 1967 and Commissioned on 10th August 1968.The ship delivered ammunition, limited quantities of freight, mail, and passengers to the Pacific Fleet at sea and in port. Decommissioned: October 1, 1980. An interesting patch. Unused. Excellent. $10.00 SOLD |
| U.S.S. TARAWA C.V.S. 40 - Aircraft Carrier | |
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1PWSQ-17. 3-3/4-inch diameter, fully embroidered patch depicting a head-on view of the aircraft carrier Tarawa. Gold embroidered lettering gold eagle top center and anchor design in the background. Commissioned in 1945; Pacific Fleet, calling on ports in China, Singapore, Ceylon, the Persian Gulf and the Mediterranean; arrived at Norfolk, Virginia, in February 1949 and was placed out of commission in June 1949; then recalled for the Korean War; The ship was redesignated CVA-40 in October 1952; the Tarawa cruised around the world, participating in operations in the Mediterranean and the Far East; and was converted to an antisubmarine warfare support aircraft carrier, (ASW). The Tarawa was redesignated CVS-40 in January 1955 and was employed in ASW and helicopter amphibious exercises on the east coast and in the Caribbean areas. In May 1960, the Tarawa was again decommissioned; in June 1967 the USS Tarawa was stricken from the list of Naval vessels and was sold for scrapping in October 1968. Nicely designed patch. Excellent. $8.00 SOLD |
| 436 Airlift Wing | |
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1PWSQ-18. 3-inch wide x 3-inch high fully embroidered patch. Depicts an eagle standing on top of the world. Lower tab embroidered with black thread, “436th Airlift Wing.” Green/olive green & black subdued colors. The 436th Airlift Wing is the senior military organization at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware. the unit provides command and staff supervision, as well as, support functions, providing worldwide movement of outsized cargo and personnel on scheduled, special assignment, exercise, and contingency airlift missions. The wing is the only combat-ready Lockheed C-5 Galaxy unit capable of employing air drop and special operations tactics in support of tactical forces and national objectives. The wing operates the largest and busiest aerial port in the Department of Defense and the only joint services mortuary on the East Coast. Unused. Excellent. $3.50 SOLD |