What are the Rarest WWII USMC Patches

[bronxboymike]

VMF-133 marine reserve squadron based at NAS Oakland. This squadron was only in exitance from 1958-1962. This particular patch was made by ace novelty of Japan.

 

 

[Adam Lewis]

Here's one from VMTB-143 on the USS Gilbert Islands, one of the WW2 all-Marine escort carriers.

 

I think it's rare as there were only 12 planes in the squadron. The patch was designed by the shipboard combat artist Alex Raymond and US produced in the spring 1945. Before the war Raymond created Flash Gordon. Here is his version of a winged warrior standing on a rocket. The new mission of the squadron was CAS so they used only rockets and bombs on their 1945 cruise.

 

The squadron adopted the nickname "Rocket Raiders". My patch was a gift from one of the pilots I write about on my site www.adamsplanes.com I don't know of any sales so really can't say how much it's worth.

 

IMO it rates as one of the most artistic patches of the war too.

 

Adam Lewis

[teufelhunde.ret]

From ebay sale on 7.5.09 for $599.

 

"Rare WWII vintage US Marine Corps aviation flight jacket patch for Marine Air Group 25; Walt Disney design approved by Headquarters Marine Corps; Australian embroidered on wool; 5.3 inches wide, 6 inches high, near mint condition, no holes soiling or defects, 100 percent original. I doubt you can find a better original patch. See 'US MARINE CORPS AVIATION UNIT INSIGNIA 1941-1946 by Jeff Millstein for additonal information and photographs of the same patch and check the the final section "A Word to Collectors" in which he describes the manufacturing details on Aussie-made patches.original and unconditionally guaranteed. Patches of this quality don't come around often. A final note: MAG-25 was a transport unit flying R5D aircraft, the USMC and Navy version of the C-47. It won the Presidential Unit Citation for its role at Guadalcanal and the Solomon Island campaigns. Its motto Secuite En Nuages, which translates as 'saftey in the clouds' alluded to the need of the unarmed R5D to head for cover when enemy aircraft showed up"

 

[Adam Lewis]

VMS-3 US Virgin Islands 1944, from a squadron pilot

 

Adam Lewis

[teufelhunde.ret]

WW11 USMC VMSB-133 DISNEY BULLDOG BOMBER SQUADRON PATCH sold on ebay 7.1909 for $521.

 

 

[teufelhunde.ret]

Marine 13th Defense Battalion patch USMC Theater Made. Sold on ebay 7.20.09 for $192.

 

[jpstout]

Aircraft 1 Patch: For me, the Holy Grail in the Marine Aviation area because of great leaders that emerged. jpstout

[teufelhunde.ret]

1ST MAC RAIDERS MARINE RAIDERS PATCH. Sold for $400 on ebay 8.7.09

 

 

[teufelhunde.ret]

VMSB - 245 Mickey Mouse Patch. Sold on ebay 8.15.09 for $721. From the sellers description...

 

What A find. This original WWII canvas Bomber Squadron patch measures 6 1/2" across and features an early Mickey Mouse (Steamboat Willy) aboard a bomb. The letters spelling out United States Marine Corps VMSB - 245, Red Mousie Squadron, and the Mouse himself are flocked (velvety) in blue and red respectively. Some of the flocking has worn off. This patch does not appear to have been stitched. There is what appears to be green paint coming out of the front of the bomb. There is one spot on the back of the patch as well that does not come through the front. (see photos) This is a vintage patch and although it is not perfect, it is in great condition for its age. Very rare and an awesome addition to your collection! For more info about the Red Mousie Squadron, I've included the Wikipedia history below. Please ask any and all questions prior to bidding. We accept Paypal only for payment. Immediate payment is requested. Item is sold as is/as described. Item will be shipped within 24 hours of cleared payment.

 

History VMSB-245 was commissioned at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro on September 15, 1943. After training for a few months, the squadron deployed to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii arriving there on December 31, 1942. On January 5, 1944, they moved to Midway Atoll to conduct anti-submarine patrol duty. They returned to MCAS Ewa on April 1, 1944. On May 5, 1944, the squadron left Hawaii onboard the USS Copahee headed for Majuro where they arrived on May 15. Later in the same month, they moved to Makin Atoll from which they conducted combat operations against bypassed Japanese garrisons in the Marshall Islands from June 1 until October 29, 1944. Late October saw the squadron move back to Majuro where they continued carrying out strikes. March 1945 saw the squadron move again, this time to Ulithi where they remained until the end of the war. VMSB-245 was deactivated on November 17, 1945.

 

 

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[teufelhunde.ret]

Marine Scout Bombing Squadron - 931; 15. April 1944 VMSB-931 Established at MCAS Cherry Point NC; 1 October 1944 VMSB-931 was redesignated VMBF-931; 30 December 1944 VMBF-931 was redesignated VMSB-931; 31 January 1946 VMSB-931 Disestablished at Oak Grove

 

Sold on ebay 8.17.09 for $1450.00 :crying:

[teufelhunde.ret]

VMF-911 was formed on June 25, 1944 at Marine Corps Auxiliary Airfield Kinston, North Carolina. Their initial training was on the F4U Corsair however they transitioned to the F7F Tigercat on October 16, 1944 and would be the only Marine Corps squadron to receive the Tigercat. In mid-August 1945, the squadron was sent to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, California from which they were to deploy to Okinawa to support the planned invasion of Japan.

 

Following the surrender of the Japanese and the end of the war; aviators, aircraft and a small number of ground personnel deployed from Miramar to Okinawa, Japan. Upon their arrival, the squadron’s assets and personnel were absorbed by VMF-312 and remained so until their return to the United States in February of 1946. During their time overseas, VMF-312 adopted the Devilcat insignia and nickname. The squadron was deactivated on March 15, 1946.

 

Sold on ebay 8.17.09 for $1125.00

 

[teufelhunde.ret]

USMC VMF 514 Whistling Death Squadron Patch. 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 $1082 on 8.23.09

 

[teufelhunde.ret]

Off Jacket Famous USMC VMF 218 Flight Jacket Patch. Sold on ebay for $760 on 8.23.09

 

[Guest BALA]

You would need to add the US Marine Corps Recruiting patch, the Cape Gloucester tab and 1st Marines (aussie made) tabs to the list.

Not to start a firestorm here but the Marine Detachment Iceland patch is actually the patch of the British 43rd (West Riding) Division who were on garrison duty with the Marines on Iceland at the same time. Out of respect for the USMC the british divisional commander (MG H.O.Curtis) awarded the patch to the Marines as an honorarium. This would be why it had to be removed when the detachment left Iceland. The "heads down" bear was the design used by the brits at that time. In 1943 the bear went "heads up" to form a more defiant pose.

Garth

 

One slight correction - the British Division was the 49th (West Riding) Infantry Division NOT the 43rd as stated. Some of the Units worked again with the US but this time USN when they embarked at Newhaven in US LCI(L)s which took them over to Gold Beach, Normandy.

 

Bill

[jpstout]

VMF-322: 1st(fully embroidered), 2nd(aircraft fabric), and 3rd(embroidered on wool) Designs! Each one is tough-I do not know which one is "rarest"-but I suspect the 2nd design may be the toughest to find-it certainly is the ugliest. jpstout

[jpstout]

VMF-322: 3rd Design. jpstout

[teufelhunde.ret]

WW2 USMC Sq. Patches VMF 471. Sold on ebay Oct 13, 2009 for the princely sum of $1812... !

 

[teufelhunde.ret]

WW2 USMC Squadron Patch VMTB 624. Sold on ebay Oct 21, 2009 for $1200!

 

[teufelhunde.ret]

WW2 USMC VMJ-3 WW2 Squadron Patch. Sold on ebay Oct 21, 2009 for $1200!

 

[teufelhunde.ret]

USMC Samoan OS Hat-LAVA LAVA Patch On Twill. Sold on ebay Oct 21, 2009 for $910.

 

[teufelhunde.ret]

WW2 vintage USMC VMF-322 Fighting Cocks patch. Sold on ebay Oct 17, 2009 for $494.

 

[teufelhunde.ret]

1st Pattern USMC VMB-443 B25 Sq. Sold on ebay Nov 02, 2009 for $800.

 

[teufelhunde.ret]

MARINE SCOUT BOMBING SQUADRON VMSB-141 WWII USMC Patch. Sold on ebay Nov 01, 2009 for $482.

 

 

 

 

Marine Scout Bombing Squadron (VMSB-141) was commissioned on March 1, 1942 at Camp Kearney, California. On August 30, 1942 they departed San Diego for the South Pacific and arrived at Henderson Airfield, Guadalcanal on September 23, 1942 and became part of the Cactus Air Force (CAF). On the night of October 13-14, the squadron lost 26 of its 29 aircraft and five officers, including the commanding officer and executive officer, to shelling from Japanese battleships off the coast of Guadalcanal. The squadron fought on the island until November 19, 1942 when they were transferred to the Efate in the New Hebrides. During its time with the CAF the squadron would lose 18 of its 41 officers killed in action. They remained on Efate until May 1943 when they moved to Auckland, New Zealand. In late September 1943, the squadron returned to the United States arriving at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California.

 

On October 14, 1944 the squadron was redesignated Marine Fighter Bombing Squadron 141 (VMBF-141]] and transitioned to the F4U Corsair. In December of that year they reverted back to their old designation of VMSB-141. In May 1945 the squadron again changed names. This time they became Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron 141 (VMTB-141) and served as a training replacement squadron until the end of the war The squadron was deactivated on September 10, 1945.

[teufelhunde.ret]

WWII Marine Fighter Squadron VMF 213 Fighter Patch "Hell Hawks" Sold on ebay 10.20.09 for $500.

 

[teufelhunde.ret]

Marine fighter squadron VMF-213, the Hellhawks, was formed July 1, 1942 at Ewa, in the then territory of Hawaii. The first echelon of the squadron left Ewa on February 15, 1943, and arrived at Espiritu Santos, New Hebrides, on February 28, 1943. The last three echelons of the squadron arrived on March 8, 1943. Espiritu Santos, New Hebrides, was their rear area of operation.

 

Squadron designations were based on specific letters used for indicating the missions for each particular type of squadron and its assigned aircraft. As an example, a World War II squadron operating the F4U Corsair aircraft would have been designated a fighting squadron (VF). The letter F, for fighting or fighter, was the key in identifying the type of squadron and was also used in the aircrafts designation. The Letter M would be assigned to Marine squadrons. Identification numbers were assigned to each squadron, hence VMF-213.

 

VMF-213 were trained on the Grumman built F4F-4 Wildcat. It had four fifty caliber machine guns and was much better protected than the Zero; however it had some severe limitations: lack of power compromised its ability to carry heavier payloads and fuel loads. It lacked the manueverability, power, speed, and ability to climb of the Zero. To compensate for its weaknesses and relying on its strengths, the Marine pilots developed the successful two-plane mutually protecting fight section tactic. However, shortly after their arrival in the Pacific theater, the F4F-4 Wildcats were replaced by the F4U Vought Corsair, giving inspiration to the Poem, Two-Thirteen and Their F4U’s.