Salvage Sailor Posted March 1, 2014 Share #1 Posted March 1, 2014 Aloha Everyone, USMF member Thor recently posted a lapel pin for identification on the boards Army Air Force pin and rather than hijack his topic, I'm posting this one which has been in my whattheheckisit pile for several years. Is it a discharge pin as speculated? Or is is something else (sweetheart pin, veterans organization, etc.) The clasp and hallmark say WWII or earlier (late 1930's). Anyone have some insight on what these pins are? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
USAFnav Posted March 2, 2014 Share #2 Posted March 2, 2014 I remember seeing a patch with that arrowhead symbol. It was San Antonio Air Depot. I just did a quick Google search on it. Looks like a USAAF depot. The Air Force Association lapel pin has (or at least "had") "AFA" over the wings logo. But maybe they had an early design without the AFA. Pete Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jumpin Jack Posted March 2, 2014 Share #3 Posted March 2, 2014 Here is the lapel pin that you ask about. It is post war pin to recognize those USAAF personnel who served honorably during WWII. The front of the card has Hap Arnold's simulated signature, while the reverse, dated December 10, 1945 has a stamped signature of the issuing officer. Like your example, the pin is identical in every regards to yours. Jack Angolia Reverse of the above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted March 2, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted March 2, 2014 Much appreciated Jack, That's what I'd call a positive ID Nice to have the GPO form number too! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
flyboy53 Posted September 20, 2014 Share #5 Posted September 20, 2014 You might be interested to know that this lapel pin, as a pin back, was sold in BXs for Air Force member wear well into the early 1970s. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S.ChrisKelly Posted February 10, 2023 Share #6 Posted February 10, 2023 These are not "official" discharge pins/buttons. In today's lingo, they woule be "morale" pins. Originally produced mid-late 1940s, and sold in PXs, with screwback and nut, eventually post-and-clutch. This came up on ebay recently... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted February 10, 2023 Author Share #7 Posted February 10, 2023 Nice addition to the topic, any other examples in your collections members? Perhaps with other backmarks/hallmarks? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
manayunkman Posted February 10, 2023 Share #8 Posted February 10, 2023 I’ve had a few of those and had misidentified them. Appreciate the education. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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