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What are the Rarest WWII USMC Patches


BOB K. RKSS
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Mods...please remove if you like. I just realized there is already one of these patches in thisrare Marine patch section

 

 

VMF-213 Hell Hawks. embroidered on twill, 2nd issue. Squadron had three tours of duty in the Solomons beginning in March of 1943 and returned to the states for rest before returning to the Pacific and carrier duty aboard USS Essex

 

 

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  • 3 weeks later...
teufelhunde.ret

USMC WW2 SQUADRON PATCH VMF-211 WAKE ISLAND - AUSSIE MADE. Sold on ebay 7.24.11 for $605.

 

In November 1941, VMF-211 flew 12 of its 24 Wildcats and 13 of its 29 pilots aboard the USS Enterprise for movement to Wake Island, the scene of the squadron's heroic battle. On December 8, 1941 the Japanese attacked, destroying seven of the 12 aircraft on the ground. In the next two weeks, the remaining five planes repelled numerous attacks and inflicted great losses on the enemy. During the course of the defense, the Marine ground forces and VMF-211 caused the loss of at least four enemy warships, the first major Japanese naval vessels sunk during the Pacific war, and the squadron was credited with 8 aircraft destroyed. After the loss of its last aircraft, the squadron became a ground unit and fought until the surrender of atoll. The first Marine airman to be awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II was VMF-211's Henry T. Elrod. A planned operation to reinforce Wake Island was deemed too dangerous by the fleet command, and on December 23 Wake Island was finally overrun by a numerically superior enemy.

 

The squadron's rear echelon at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa lost all but one of its twelve F4F-3s during the attack on Pearl Harbor, and even this lone survivor was lost when it was transferred to the Navy. Slowly rebuilding as personnel and aircraft became available, the squadron, now under the command of Major Luther S. Moore was deployed in May 1942 to Palmyra Atoll in the South Pacific and adopted the name "Avengers" in memory of those squadron members who were killed or captured on Wake Island. When first deployed, VMF-211 was equipped with the Brewster F2A-3 and it was not until July that sufficient numbers of Grumman F4F-4 Wildcats became available to re-equip the squadron. As the Pacific Campaign continued the squadron transitioned to the F4U Corsair for the remainder of the war. VMF-211 participated in the Treasury-Bougainville Campaign, Battle of the Bismarck Sea, Northern Solomon, Battle of Leyte Gulf and Southern Philippine campaigns.

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  • 2 months later...
teufelhunde.ret

USMC VMF 514 Whistling Death Squadron Patch. The Squadron stood up in 1943 and deactivated Dec 1945. It particiapated in "Project Danny", in the ETO: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Project_Danny

 

This is a Walt Disney design and fits what a USMC Squadron was suppose to do Bring Death to the enemy. Sold on ebay for $710 on 10.4.11

 

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teufelhunde.ret

WWII US Marine Corps Fighting Squadron 222, VMF-222 squadron insignia patch. Sold on ebay 10.10.11 for $637.

 

Marine Fighter Squadron 222 was commissioned 1 March 1942 flying the F2A, SNJ-3, and the F4U Corsair. It was nicknamed the "Flying Deuces" and the "SeaBee Air Force. They fell under the command of Marine Aircraft Group 14 (MAG-14) and fought in many areas of the Pacific War, including the Philippines campaign (1944–45) and the Battle of Okinawa. During the war, the squadron was credited with shooting down 53 enemy aircraft and was the sister squadron to VMF-215.

 

After flying from Midway Island, the squadron arrived at its new base at Guiuan in the Philippines; they found the 83rd and 61st Navy Construction Battalions building the airstrip, but there were no hangars, housing, mess facilities, water, or transportation.

 

A close friendship developed between the Marines and the Seabees, and VMF-222 became known as the 'SeaBee Air Force'. When the squadron's Corsairs came in for maintenance checks, their cowlings were delivered to the 61st CB who painted the CB emblem, and returned the cowlings to the squadron. The squadron patch was designed in 1942 by Gunner George Schaeffer. The first patches were embroidered on wool in Australia in 1943. The squadron was deactivated 31 December 1949. Kenneth Ambrose Walsh, USMC (retired), Congressional Medal of Honor recipient, served with VMF-222 during his second combat tour. He scored the last of his 21 victories whilst flying an F4U-4 Corsair with VMF-222.

 

October 1943 - Munda New Georgia

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teufelhunde.ret

Marine Corp VMF 218 Hellions Squadron Flight Jacket Insignia Silk Patch. Sold on ebay 10.19.11 for $535.

 

VMF-218 was organized at Marine Corps Air Station Mojave, California on July 1, 1943 and officially commissioned September 15, 1943. They departed the United States in December 1943 onboard the USS Barnes (CVE-20) and arrived at Espiritu Santo on January 5, 1944. Their first combat action took place on February 15 when they covered the allied landing on Green Island. On April 27 the squadron moved to Green Island where they remained until November. During their time on Green Island the squadron was one of a number of Marine squadrons that let a then civilian contractor Charles Lindbergh fly strikes against the Japanese garrison at Rabaul.

 

In November they moved to Leyte to take part in the campaign to retake the Philippines. December 1944 would see the squadron as part of Task Force 38 in the Philippine Sea conducting strikes against Southern Luzon. During December they also patrolled the air over shipping in Leyte Gulf and Ormoc Bay flew cover over American convoys in various Philippine waters, escorted South Pacific Combat Air Transport (SCAT) planes over Ormoc where they had dropped supplies to ground troops, flew cover for Army ground forces on Mindoro and Cebu Islands; had covered the landing by Army troops at Zamboanga, chalked up a number of close support missions on Mindanao, escorted rescue planes and transport planes to Mindanao, provided air cover for SBD Dauntless strikes and had regularly took part in combat air patrols. On December 17, 1944 the task force was hit by Typhoon Cobra and VMF-218 would lose 4 aircraft and four pilots. After coming ashore in January the squadron was reunited on Tacloban. From there they took part in escorting naval convoys, close air support (CAS) and attacks on Iliolo. On March 10, 1945, VMF-218 covered the allied landings at Zamboanga where they would then be based. From the airstrip at Zamboanga the squadron flew CAS at Capisan and conducted strikes against Bongao and Jolo. April would see more strikes against Cotabato, Parang and Malabang and there would be continued strikes against Mindanao until the surrender of Japan.

 

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  • 4 weeks later...
teufelhunde.ret

WWII USMC Squadron Patch VMF-113 "The Whistling Devils" Sold on ebay w/ small paper lot 11.13.11 for $1025.

 

VMF-113 was activated on January 1, 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro as part of Marine Base Defense Air Group 41. They were shortly given their full complement of 24 F4U Corsairs. After training for most of 1943, the squadron set sail from San Diego on September 28, 1943 headed for Hawaii. Upon their arrival the aircraft were sent to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa for their final round of training.

 

In January 1944, the squadron learned they would be participating in the reduction of the remaining Japanese garrisons in the Marshall Islands. They soon set sail for Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands and then quickly moved to Kwajalein and finally began operating from Engebi on February 27, 1944 as part of the 4th Base Defense Air Wing. While there they were also responsible for attacking Japanese positions in the western Caroline Islands.

 

On March 26, 1944, while escorting 4 B-25 bombers on a raid over Ponape, the squadron recorded their first enemy kills when they down 8 Japanese aircraft. In April of that year they were tasked with providing air support for the landings at Ujeland. Since the assault was unopposed the squadron quickly returned to striking Japanese targets in the Marshall Islands for the remainder of 1944.

 

On May 6, 1945, VMF-113 landed on Ie Shima as part of Marine Aircraft Group 22 (MAG-22) to support operations during the Battle of Okinawa. The next day the squadron saw its first action since early 1944 when a mass kamikaze raid came after the US fleet assembled for the invasion of the island. The squadron moved to Okinawa in July 1945 and remained there for the remainder of the war. The squadron accounted for 20 enemy aircraft shot down during the course of their involvement in World War II.

 

After the war, the squadron was moved to Omura on the southern Japanese Island of Kyūshū on September 20, 1945 and stayed there until late November when they sailed for the United States. They arrived in San Diego on December 5 and were soon based out of MCAS El Toro. The squadron was deactivated on April 30, 1947.

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

WWII USMC Squadron Patch VMF-113 "The Whistling Devils" Sold on ebay w/ small paper lot 11.13.11 for $1025.

 

To add a little more info to this particular patch and pilot, Lt. Flynn is credited with one kill. And, I always take delight in finding other accessories/gear/etc that have the logo used on the patch. Here is a shot of the letterhead I have found used by VMF 113, which is an accurate rendition of the original sketch by Hank Porter (Walt Disney)....

 

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VMF-462 "Hawkey Tawkey" Patch, American Embroidered on Wool; Not one, But Two!! EBAY $300

 

The seller was talked? into a Buy-It-Now for $300.00 for both USMC patches; remaining 3 patches new production. Who says you can not get a deal?? This buyer did....

 

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VMF-462 Patch: Not a combat unit, but a nicely made patch and relatively uncommon. This is the first time I have seen one (or two, if you will) on Ebay in over 10 years...these 2 are simply outstanding original patches!!

 

Front & Back.

 

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VMSB-142 Patch "SNAFU" American Chain Stitch Embroidery on Layered Wool: EBAY, with Jacket, $650!

This the the 2nd issue patch, incorporating "SNAFU" instead of the previously worded "TOKIO BOUND". The "TOKIO BOUND" was removed on order to not provoke any additional Japanese brutality in the event of capture. Hard patch to find, but again, I think someone got a great deal!

 

VMF-142 was first activated on 1 March 1942 at Camp Kearny, California as Marine Scout Bombing Squadron 142 (VMSB-142), Marine Aircraft Group 14, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, Fleet Marine Force. It was assigned during August 1942 to Marine Aircraft Group 12, 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing before being reassigned during September 1942 to Marine Aircraft Group 11. The squadron was deployed from October to November 1942 to Espiritu Santo, New Hebrides, and reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 11. The squadron was equipped with the Douglas SBD Dauntless.

 

During World War II, VMF-142 participated in the following Campaigns:

 

Guadalcanal

Southern Solomons

Luzon

Southern Philippines

 

The squadron relocated in August 1942 to Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California, and was reassigned to Marine Base Defense Aircraft Group 41. It relocated during April 1944 to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii, and was reassigned to Marine Aircraft Group 32.

 

 

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VMSB-932 American Embroidere on Wool, Design by Milt Caniff, EBAY for $69...

 

Patch, in Ref#319, posted his excellent USMC patch. These are not common and his is the finest I have seen. Here is an example of the worst (and obviously off a jacket), but not to be ignored, since you can gain insight into the construction of the patch by studying these examples.

 

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VMF(N)-533 Patch, American Embroidered on Wool, "BLACK MAC'S KILLERS", EBAY for $136.67!

 

Night fighter patches are hard to come by and this large, OUTSTANDING 533 patch is no exception! This patch belonged to Col. Thomas Nichols and was one of several sold on Ebay. Simply a great patch with history and provenance!

 

On October 1, 1943, Marine Night Fighter Squadron 533 (VMF(N)-533) was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. Originally known as "Black Mac's Killers", after their first commanding officer Major Marion M. Magruder, they were one of three night fighter squadrons to be activated in the Marine Corps and were outfitted with the Grumman F6F-5N Hellcat, equipped with the APS-6 radar. The squadron left for the West Coast in early April and on April 16, they embarked on board the USS Long Island (CVE-1) headed for the South Pacific. In May 1944, the squadron conducted their final training on the F6F aboard Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii and then headed for Eniwetok. On June 12 they relieved VMF(N)-532 and assumed night defense responsibilities for the area. On November 30 they moved to Engebi and continued operations.

On May 7, 1945, with only two days notice, the squadron of 15 F6F Hellcat planes took off from Engebi with R5C escorts and flew to Saipan, a total of 1,004 nautical miles (1,859 km). This was the longest flight ever over water by a squadron in single engine military aircraft. Each plane had a 150-gallon belly tank, and the squadron had to travel at the speed of the slowest plane. The squadron moved to Yontan Airfield, Okinawa in May 1945 and finally settled on Ie Shima on June 15, 1945. Between May 14 and June 29, 533 would claim shooting down 30 Japanese planes - by radar, at night - without one operational loss. This was a night fighter record for enemy planes shot down by a single squadron.[2] They also had the first night fighter ace, Capt Robert Baird. The first F7F-2N Tigercat for the squadron arrived on Okinawa the day before the end of the war so it did not see combat. In October 1945, the squadron moved to Peiping, China for occupation duty and completed their transition to the new Tigercat.The Hawks soon moved to Hawaii before finally settling back in the U.S. at MCAS Cherry Point in January 1947. 533 would spend the Korean War there as well, training Tigercat aircrew for night combat overseas.

 

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VMF(N)-532 Patch, American Embroidered on Wool, Night Fighters with Winged Panther, EBAY for $2216!

 

Another outstanding patch, one of two WWII period patches belonging to Col. THomas Nichols recently sold. This patch looks to have been American embroidered IMHO as well as others, not Australian made as indicated in Millstein's reference book. It purportedly has a much finer weave on the backing, typical for American, but not what you should see in the Aussie examples. The Ebay pictures are not the best and I will have to find other photos to demonstrate the backing. Regardless, someone got a great patch... :thumbsup:

 

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teufelhunde.ret
The Ebay pictures are not the best and I will have to find other photos to demonstrate the backing.

Thx for catching the thread up! Here are the other pic's from the auction...

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  • 4 months later...

VMSB 142 Patch 2nd Design with "SNAFU": Sold on Ebay WWII MARINE CORPS USMC LEATHER BOMBER JACKET -1st AIRCRAFT WING-VMSB 142 -NAMED @ $922.99.

 

Reference post #326 for squadron information.

 

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