Unit crest unknown

[drboompa]

My father served as a B-24 airplane engine mechanic during WWII. He was stationed at Kessler Field in Mississippi. According to the only record that survived the ST Louis fire, he was with the 347th Army Air Force Basic unit, Southeast Training Command. He wore this unit crest on his dress uniform but I cannot find it anywhere on the internet except where people are selling them on Ebay. It has the slogan of "Prepare for combat" Can anyone shed any information on this?

 

 

[rlyoun3910]

You pretty much had the answer in your description above: the Southeast Air Force Training Center

--Ray

[drboompa]

Thanks, I had assumed so but all of my internet searching do not yield anything to indicate it. Do you know this by having a source or by common knowledge? Or, can you point me to a source that I can see.

 

Thanks so very much

 

wn

[Rakkasan187]

wn,

 

Welcome to the forum. The information you are seeking can be found in this book. "Distinctive Insignia of the US Army Air Forces 1924-1947 by Joseph M. Massaro.

 

This book is out of print but you may be able to find it on Amazon or Ebay. I have a copy of this book, if you need further assistance, let me know..

 

You pretty much answered your question, reference this unit crest. Your father was most likely a cadre member that trained crewmembers before they went overseas. Since he was assigned to that command, he would wear that insignia as his distinctive unit crest.

 

There are used copies of this book available from Amazon starting at $18.95..

 

Leigh

[tredhed2]

You can also find it in Distinctive Insignia of the US Army (1939-1945) Vol III AAC, Engr, Sig and Ord Units (by Robert P. Capistrano).

 

It's a very common DI (unit crest).