WWII Jump Wings and Ovals

[Jumpin Jack]

Just a heads up regarding the release of Vol I of Heroes In Our Midst, which should be in my hands in about three weeks. This volume has 45 pages of Airborne wings and trimmings (ovals)in color--many from Allan's and Lief's collections. Go to www.heroesinourmidst.net for details. Jack Angolia

[187thAirborne]

The only oval I have is from my last airborne assignment in 1951 with 187th Airborne RCT. Pic & oval attached

[187thAirborne]

sorry, pic to large to post. have to try and reduce it..........

[187thAirborne]

The combined para-glider were legitimate and worn -- BUT only by the 11th Airborne Division. Genuine wings should be STERLING and made in Japan.

 

There are British-marked versions floating in Collectordom, but they make no sense. Outside the 11th, their wear after the war would not have been via ISSUE, but private-purchase, and dozens of sharp-eyed platoon sgts and 1st sgts would have disapproved.

 

If a soldier was qualified to wear both para and glider wings, THAT was authorized.

 

I would have to question the combination of parachute/glider wings worn by anyone, to include the 11th Airborne. Never saw such a combination from 1947 to 1951.

Parachute and Glider training at the same time went out about 1948. Only parachute training was offered after 1948. My parachute training class at Fort Benning was one of the last to double qualify with both Parachute and Glider wings and that was in March 1948. Thought at that time was no further use of Gliders.

 

bronze arrowheads were NOT worn on parachute or glider wings. Arrowheads were only worn on campaign ribbons. And, only one arrowhead was authorized on campaign ribbon regardless of the amount of combat jumps......combat jumps were reflected by bronze stars on Parachute or Glider wings. Hope info helps.

[lovmilinsig]

Awesome collection of wings and ovals . I'm particularly fond of your wings with jump stars .

[501_medic]

wow that ar some nice wings

[Jumpin Jack]

 

The combined para-glider were legitimate and worn -- BUT only by the 11th Airborne Division. Genuine wings should be STERLING and made in Japan.

 

There are British-marked versions floating in Collectordom, but they make no sense. Outside the 11th, their wear after the war would not have been via ISSUE, but private-purchase, and dozens of sharp-eyed platoon sgts and 1st sgts would have disapproved.

 

If a soldier was qualified to wear both para and glider wings, THAT was authorized.

 

I would have to question the combination of parachute/glider wings worn by anyone, to include the 11th Airborne. Never saw such a combination from 1947 to 1951.

Parachute and Glider training at the same time went out about 1948. Only parachute training was offered after 1948. My parachute training class at Fort Benning was one of the last to double qualify with both Parachute and Glider wings and that was in March 1948. Thought at that time was no further use of Gliders.

 

bronze arrowheads were NOT worn on parachute or glider wings. Arrowheads were only worn on campaign ribbons. And, only one arrowhead was authorized on campaign ribbon regardless of the amount of combat jumps......combat jumps were reflected by bronze stars on Parachute or Glider wings. Hope info helps.

Regards the bronze arrowheads not being authorized for wear on parachute or glider wings, regulations were one thing, but what was done was by the individual was yet another thing. I have a period photo of Maj. Dick Winters wearing two bronze stars and the bronze arrowhead on his wings. I've seen others as well. Jack Angolia

 

[triplecanopy]

National Airborne Day, 16 August 2013 Have a Happy AIRBORNE - ALL THE WAY DAY!

 

National Airborne Day is a day designated by the United States Congress to honor the nation's airborne forces of the Armed Forces. It was first proclaimed by President George W. Bush in August, 2001 and has been re-designated each year since by Senate Resolution.

August 16, 1940 marked the first official Army parachute jump, validating the innovative concept of inserting United States ground combat forces behind a battle line by parachute.



President's Proclamation for National Airborne Day, Aug. 16. (President G.W. Bush)

WASHINGTON, Aug. 9, 2001

– Sixty-one years ago, 48 brave volunteer members of the U.S. Army Parachute Test Platoon pioneered a new method of warfare. Their successful jump led to the creation of a mighty force of more than 100,000 paratroopers. Members of this force were assigned to the legendary 11th, 13th, 17th, 82d and 101st Airborne Divisions and numerous other units that fought in every theater during World War II.



The soldiers of the Parachute Test Platoon also forged a unique warrior spirit, a relentless passion for victory, and a reputation that still strikes fear in potential adversaries. Beginning with the first combat jump by the men of the 2d Battalion, 503d Parachute Infantry Regiment, over North Africa in November 1942, airborne and special operations soldiers have made a total of 93 combat jumps. Since World War II, paratroopers have continually distinguished themselves in battle, earning 69 Congressional Medals of Honor and hundreds of other awards for valor.



Today, as we celebrate the anniversary of the first official Army parachute jump, I join all Americans in recognizing these heroes. We salute our Nation's sky troopers, both past and present, for their great service and personal sacrifice in the defense of freedom and liberty around the world.



Best wishes to all for a memorable observance.

[cperkins501]

It's a great thing that these airborne troopers have a day singling out their amazing sacrifices and accomplishments! Hopefully, each group of servicemen will eventually be similarly and independently recognized.

[lovmilinsig]

Great ovals . Thanks for sharing .

 

Ed

[Gumshoe]

OMG, Camopara! No wonder there's no wings left for the rest of us!

 

Mark

[cperkins501]

Anyone have wings and oval obtained from a 509 veteran? That would be cool to see, since the 509 didn't have one widely used set oval, like other PIRs did (505, 506, etc.)

[Allan H.]

509th ovals have been discussed a few times here on the forum and photos have been uploaded to the individual threads. The most common seen oval is a medium blue twill center with a light blue border, though other examples have popped up to include black centers with white borders (officially a 508th PIR oval), blue center with a yellow border (officially a 504th PIR oval) and black centers with gold bullion borders which were most likely Italian made.

 

Hope this helps,

Allan

[triplecanopy]

This thread has not seen much activity lately, so I thought I'd give it some life. Has anyone seen or have in their collection a Master Parachutist badge made by Bell Trading Post? I have seen the basic in both pinback and clutch back. I have seen the senior parachutist in clutchback and both the basic and senior are marked sterling. I would think that a company that made parachutist insignia in the 1950's and 60's would have also made the master parachutist badge.

If anyone has one, please post a photo. If you happen to have a spare, I would love to buy or trade for it.

Thanks. All the best.

[lovmilinsig]

Very nice ovals / wings. Thanks for sharing.

 

Ed

[SamsSon]

awesome! thanks for sharing

[americankraut]

Not sure if this counts these wings appear painted instead of embroidered

I think they would be WWII from what appears to be a group some how associated with the 503rd

I posted them in a different thread trying to figure out more about them or if he was 503rd post war.

Any other painted wings on cloth?

[pfrost]

That is pretty neat, never seen painted on insignia before. But, can't see why not.

[doyler]

501st PIR and 647 PFA

 

 

 

 

[doyler]

Couple others

 

 

 

[Allan H.]

I think that the painted jump wing in post #167 is an embroidered wing that has been painted over in white.

 

Allan

[doyler]

17th Abn vet

 

 

 

 

 

[doyler]

17th Abn/193rd vet

 

[doyler]

17th / 507th / 18th Abn officers insignia

 

[doyler]

508th PIR Battalion Surgeon.veteran of

Normandy,

Holland,

Bulge

Germany