79th Fighter Group 12th AAF | Fully embroidered and theater-made bullion patches

[walika]

79th Fighter Group 12th AAF

Constituted as 79th Pursuit Group (Interceptor) on 13 Jan 1942. Activated on 9 Feb 1942. Redesignated 79th Fighter Group in May 1942. Moved to the Middle East, Oct-Nov 1942, and became part of Ninth AF. Trained with P-40’s while moving westward in the wake of the British drive across Egypt and Libya to Tunisia. Although many of the group’s pilots flew combat missions with other organizations, the 79th group itself did not begin operations until Mar 1943. By escorting bombers, attacking enemy shipping, and supporting ground forces, the 79th took part in the Allied operations that defeated Axis forces in North Africa, captured Pantelleria, and conquered Sicily, the group being awarded a DUC for its support of British Eighth Army during that period, Mar-Aug 1943. Assigned to Twelfth AF in Aug 1943 and continued to support British Eighth Army by attacking troop concentrations, gun positions, bridges, roads, and rail lines in southern Italy. Operated in the area of the Anzio beachhead, Jan-Mar 1944. Participated in the drive on Rome, Mar-Jun 1944, and converted to P-47’s during that time. Flew escort and strafing missions in southern France during Aug and Sep 1944, and afterward engaged in interdictory and close support operations in northern Italy. Received second DUC for numerous missions flown at minimum altitude in intense flak to help pierce the enemy line at the Santerno River in Italy, 16-20 Apr 1945. Remained overseas as part of United States Air Forces in Europe after the war.

SQUADRONS. 85th: 1942-1947. 86th: 1942-1947. 87th: 1942-1947.

 

 

Fully embroidered. 4-3/4 x 5-3/4".

 

 

Theater-made. Bullion on satin. 3-3/8 x 4-1/4". The large falcon is about 1/8" thick in bullion. Very weighty.

 

 

STATIONS. Dale Mabry Field, Fla, 9 Feb 1942; Morris Field, NC, c. I May 1942; Hillsgrove, RI, c. 22 Jun 1942; Bedford, Mass, 2 Jul-28 Sep 1942; Egypt, 18 Nov 1942; Libya, c. 25 Jan 1943; Tunisia, c. 12 Mar 1943; Sicily, 16 Jul 1943; Southern Italy, c. 15 Sep 1943; Foggia, Italy, c. 9 Oct 1943; Madna Airfield, Italy, 19 Nov 1943; Capodichino, Italy, Jan 1944; Pomigliano, Italy, I May 1944; Corsica, Jun 1944; Southern France, c. 25 Aug 1944; Iesi, Italy, Oct 1944; Fano, Italy, c. 5 Dec 1944; Cesenatico, Italy, c. 20 Mar 1945; Horsching, Austria, Jul 1945-25 Jun 1947.

CAMPAIGNS. Air Combat, EAME Theater; Egypt-Libya; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia ; Anzio; Rome-Arno; Southern France; North Apennines; Po Valley.

 

[The Iron Brigade]

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[mghcal]

That bullion work is really incredible! Thanks for sharing

[Randy]

Are you sure the top one done in cloth is WW 2? They were active from 1955-1960 as the 79th Fighter Group (Air Defense). I have this same patch from a pilot used during this period. He was not in WW 2. Not questioning your knowledge, just asking if you're sure on the time frame, thanks.

 

Randy

[walika]

79th Fighter Group | 9th and 12th Air Force

85th Fighter Squadron | 86th Fighter Squadron | 87th Fighter Squadron | 99th Fighter Squadron

Here is another variety of the 79th Fighter Group insignia.

 

Theater made. Embroidered on wool.

Shortly I will post images of insignia for the 85th, 86th and 87th Fighter Squadrons. What I will post from the 85th Fighter Squadron was acquire more than a dozen years ago in a vet grouping that included photos and a 79th Squadron Group newsletter, called The Falcon.

 

The newsletter included an article stating the Group's insignia was designed during 1942 when the Group was in Egypt. Its creators were Alan Rowe, conservator of the Graeco-Roman Museum, Alexandria, Egypt and Badie Effendi, museum artist.

 

 

 

The newsletter included drawings of each of the squadron insignia, including the 99th Fighter Squadron part of the 79th Fighter Group but not reported in Maurer's Combat Units of World War II.

 

 

 

85th Fighter Squadron

 

 

86th Fighter Squadron

 

 

87th Fighter Squadron

 

 

99th Fighter Squadron

[walika]

Insignia I've posted for the 79th Fighter Group:

 

85th Fighter Squadron

86th Fighter Squadron

87th Fighter Squadron

[greek5bc]

2 more patches from the 79th fighter group



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