johnfwertz Posted February 25, 2019 Share #1 Posted February 25, 2019 My grandfather was a Marine and these wings were his. Can anyone explain the difference between the three Naval Aviation Observer badges? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flightpath Posted February 25, 2019 Share #2 Posted February 25, 2019 Hi, that's a great group you have from your grandfather, I'm sure we would all like to see the rest of what you have. It would be good to see the backs of the three observer wings, from the front the only real difference might be the maker. I'm guessing he served from around the mid-1950s? cheers, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnfwertz Posted February 25, 2019 Author Share #3 Posted February 25, 2019 I'm curious why the one set of wings is all gold. I don't have any photos of him wearing those. Here are photos with him wearing the other two. The first he is a Master Sergeant. I believe the photo would be from around 1958. The second he is a Warrant Officer and he was made a Warrant Officer in 1961. I can take and post pictures of the backs later. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rooster Posted February 25, 2019 Share #4 Posted February 25, 2019 The only difference I can see is they were made by different makers. Whats on the back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flightpath Posted February 26, 2019 Share #5 Posted February 26, 2019 I have not seen an observer wing with a gold circle and anchor before, as a silver circle and anchor are in the regulations it this wing may have just been overlooked while being made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnfwertz Posted February 26, 2019 Author Share #6 Posted February 26, 2019 I have not seen an observer wing with a gold circle and anchor before, as a silver circle and anchor are in the regulations it this wing may have just been overlooked while being made. Perhaps the silver wore away? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flightpath Posted February 28, 2019 Share #7 Posted February 28, 2019 Perhaps the silver wore away? That could be it, the silver on some is not very thick and your dad might have been a spit and polish marine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted February 28, 2019 Share #8 Posted February 28, 2019 Is that him in the flight jacket and helmet? What else do you have of his? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tafh63 Posted March 28, 2019 Share #9 Posted March 28, 2019 Greetings! I have a similar situation. My father, a deceased-retired naval officer, began his career as a naval aviation observer (NAO), until redesignation as a naval flight officer (NFO). He wore "three different styles of the NAO wing. I remember asking many, many, years ago why the different styles. I honestly forget his answer. However, I believe the top wing was the "regulation-style" and worn on service dress blues and whites. The middle (oxidized, maybe) one I remember him wearing on aviation green uniform jacket. The last one I have photos of him wearing on working khaki shirt and summer undress white shirt. Any other opinions are welcomed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tafh63 Posted March 28, 2019 Share #10 Posted March 28, 2019 He also wore this customized belt buckle on working uniforms Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted March 28, 2019 Share #11 Posted March 28, 2019 I hope we hear from some more people. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flightpath Posted February 17, 2022 Share #12 Posted February 17, 2022 Hi, they don´t really make different wings for blues or greens the variation is usually put down to who the makers were, what are the maker´s markings on the rear of each wing? cheers, John Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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