What are the Rarest WWII USMC Patches

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USMC Australian Made Raider Patch. Sold on ebay 5.29.10 for $550.

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WW2 USMC - VMF-212 SQUADRON PATCH. Sold on ebay 6.5.10 for $240

 

Marine Fighter Attack Squadron 212 was activated as Marine Fighting Squadron 212 (VMF-212), the "Hell Hounds", at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii on March 1, 1942. Deploying in May to the South Pacific in their F4F Wildcats, the squadron was stationed at Tontouta on the island of New Caledonia, and later moved up to the island of Efate. As preparations for the invasion of Guadalcanal increased, the squadron operated a detachment at Espiritu Santo until the arrival of VMO-251 ensured that the island was provided with adequate aerial defense. During the early part of the Guadalcanal campaign, VMF-212 sent detachments to operate with Cactus Air Force squadrons deployed to Henderson Field until the entire squadron was committed to the battle in mid-October. The squadron acquired an enviable record by destroying 64 1/2 enemy planes including that of Toshio Ohta, a Japanese ace. Of this number, LtCol Harold "Indian Joe" Bauer, the squadron's first Commanding Officer, was credited with 11 kills and posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for his valor.

 

The squadron returned to the United States in November 1942 and remained on the West Coast until June 1943 when they sailed for Midway Atoll. The squadron remained on Midway for two months and then returned to Espiritu Santo. By August 1943, VMF-212 was back in the Solomon Islands where they participated in the campaigns to retake Vella Lavella and Bougainville. From October 20 through November 27, 1943 the squadron was based out of Barakoma and supported operations in the Treasury Islands, Choiseul and Bougainville. By December 1943 they moved to Torokina and remained there until they moved again on January 20, 1944 this time to Piva. Another move came on March 20 when they transited to Green Island and later back to Vella Lavella. 212 remained in the vicinity of the Solomons and Bismarck Islands for the remainder of 1944 running fighter sweeps against the Japanese garrison on Rabaul and providing close air support for ground forces on Bougainville. On January 8, 1945, VMF-212 landed on Samar and provided close air support for United States Army troops during the campaign to retake the Philippines. During this time they flew over Mindoro, Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. It was also during this time that the squadron was a part of one of the worst aviation accidents of the war. At 0940 AM on January 24, 1945, while taking off, 1stLt Karl Oerth of VMF-222 hit a lump in the runway, blew a tire and his Corsair careened wildly into his own squadron's revetment area, which was shared with VMF-212. It completely wiped out the tents housing the intelligence, oxygen, parachutes and materiel departments. Many men attempted to rescue the pilot but while they were making this brave effort the plane exploded and set off all its .50 cal ammunition. 14 men were killed and over 50 wounded during this incident. In June 1945 the squadron arrived at Okinawa on the USS Hillsborough County (LST-827) and conducted operations from there until the end of the war. During the duration of World War II, VMF-212 was credited with shooting down 132 1/2 enemy aircraft.

Following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941, Bauer and VMF-221 were transported to Hawaii and were slated to reinforce Wake Island, but were diverted to Midway after Wake fell. Transferred to Hawaii in February 1942, Bauer took command of Marine Fighting Squadron Two Eleven stationed at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa and on March 1, 1942 commissioned and took command of Marine Fighting Squadron Two Twelve (VMF-212). Promoted to Major on April 29, 1942, Bauer and VMF-212 were deployed to the South Pacific and were stationed at New Caledonia, and later Efate. Although still the commanding officer of VMF-212, Bauer was responsible for the operation of the airfield the squadron operated from and was utilized to select possible sites for additional airfields in the South Pacific. Bauer's promotion to LtCol, after only three months as a Major was effective August 7.

 

On September 28, 1942, LtCol Bauer performed the first feat cited for the Medal of Honor. His squadron was attacked by a superior force of Japanese planes on that day. He engaged the enemy and shot down one of their bombers. Again attacking a superior force on October 3, he shot down four of the enemy and left a fifth badly damaged.

 

While leading a reinforcement flight on October 16, from Espirito Santo to Guadalcanal, 600 miles away, LtCol Bauer was about to land at Henderson Field when he noticed a squadron of Japanese planes attacking the USS McFarland off shore. Though the long flight from Espirito Santo had almost exhausted his fuel and he knew no friendly planes were able to assist him, he immediately proceeded alone to attack the enemy and succeeded in destroying four of them before lack of gasoline forced him to return to Henderson Field.

 

On November 14, he was forced to ditch his plane over water after downing two of the enemy in an attack 100 miles off Guadalcanal. He was last seen in the water in his Mae West (a water flotation device) and did not appear to be seriously hurt. Days of intense searching by planes and Russell Island natives failed to locate any further trace of him.

 

The squadron under his command at Guadalcanal was officially credited with downing 92 Japanese planes and helping to sink two destroyers. LtCol Bauer was commended for his action in the South Pacific by commanders of Army, Navy and Marine Corps units including Admiral William F. Halsey, Jr., then Commander of the South Pacific Area and South Pacific Force.

Medal of Honor citation

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the MEDAL OF HONOR to

 

LIEUTENANT COLONEL HAROLD W. BAUER

UNITED STATES MARINE CORPS

 

for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

 

For extraordinary heroism and conspicuous courage as Squadron Commander of Marine Fighting Squadron TWO TWELVE in the South Pacific Area during the period May 10 to November 14, 1942. Volunteering to pilot a fighter plane in defense of our positions on Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands, Lieutenant Colonel Bauer participated in two air battles against enemy bombers and fighters outnumbering our force more than two-to-one, boldly engaged the enemy and destroyed one Japanese bomber in the engagement of September 28 and shot down four enemy fighter planes in flames on October 3 leaving a fifth smoking badly. After successfully leading twenty-six planes in the over-water ferry flight of more than six hundred miles on October 16, Lieutenant Colonel Bauer, while circling to land, sighted a squadron of enemy planes attacking the U. S. S. McFARLAND. Undaunted by the formidable opposition and with valor above and beyond the call of duty, he engaged the entire squadron and, although alone and his fuel supply nearly exhausted, fought his plane so brilliantly that four of the Japanese planes were destroyed before he was forced down by lack of fuel. His intrepid fighting spirit and distinctive ability as leader and an airman, exemplified in his splendid record of combat achievement, were vital in the successful operations in the South Pacific Area.

/S/FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

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A variation of the WW2 MCAS El Toro patch Sold on ebay 6.8.10 for $493

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WW2 VMR-953 Sdn patch sold on ebay (by rarepatchman) 6.11.10 for $305.

 

Commissioned on February 1, 1944, and moved to Corvallis in May 1944 under MAG-15. In August 1944, VMR-953 arrived at MCAS Ewa from the U.S. and was equipped with R5C-1's. The squadron began flying missions from Ewa to various Pacific locations including Leyte Island in the Philippine Islands and Okinawa in the Ryukyu Islands until VJ Day.

 

After World War II, the USMC operated these aircraft for several years and a few USN support squadrons were also equipped with the R5C. Ten R5C-1's were delivered to the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) and based at Coast Guard Air Station (CGAS) Elizabeth City, North Carolina to support the Coast Guards Aircraft Repair and Supply Center. These aircraft were used for logistic and personnel transportation to Coast Guard facilities in the U.S. and overseas. The last USCG R5C-1 was struck from the inventory in 1950.

 

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USMC Marine VMSB 113, MAG 24, 1st MAW Squadron Patch, sold on ebay 6.21.10 (by wings-patches) for $619.

 

133 was activated on May 1, 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, California. After training over the summer they left for Hawaii and arrived at Marine Corps Air Station Ewa on September 9, 1943. From Ewa, the squadron was split into two sections with one heading to Johnston Atoll and the other to Palmyra Atoll for six months of anti-submarine patrols. Following these tours they returned to MCAS Ewa only to leave again on June 25, 1944 heading to Torokina on the island of Bougainville. During October and November 1944 the squadron carried out strikes against targets on Bougainville and New Britain.

 

After two months of traveling, VMTB-133 arrived at Lingayen Gulf in the Philippines after the invasion to recapture the area. They remained there until April 21, 1945 when they moved to Mindanao to provide close air support for the United States Army's 24th and 31st Infantry Regiments as they cleared the island. Through June and July 1945 they continued to attack targets in the vicinity of Sarangani Bay in preparation for a planned invasion.

 

The squadron was deactivated on August 1, 1945 at Malabang, Mindanao.

 

Reserve years

 

Sometime after the war the squadron was reactivated as part of the Marine Air Reserve and was based out of Naval Air Station Alameda, California. They were part of Marine Aircraft Group 42 and the 4th Marine Aircraft Wing however the were deactivated in 1992 as part of the post Cold War drawdown of the U.S. Military.

 

Unit awards

 

Navy Unit Commendation Streamer with one Bronze Star World War II

Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Streamer with Silver Star

World War II Victory Streamer 1941–1945 Pacific War

Philippine Liberation Medal Streamer 1944–1945 Philippines Campaign (1944–45)

Philippine Presidential Unit Citation Streamer 1944–1945 Philippines Campaign (1944–45)

 

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USMC Marine SMS 12 Service and Maitenance Squadron Patch. Sold on ebay (by Wings-Patches) 6.16.10 for $331

 

SMS-12 was attached to the Marine Aircraft Group 12 Advance Echelon (3Dec44-4July45) Capt William B. Freeman served as CO. The Sqdn moved to China as part of MAG-12 at war's end. The CO's were LtCol Richard E. Figley (to 13Dec45)

Maj Philip "L" Crawford (13Dec45-31Mar46) & LtCol Harlan Rogers (from 1Apr46) at which time the Sqdn moved back to the US.

 

[collector]

Here's the 1st Div. patch actually worn by my father with the 7th Marines (Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, Okinawa).

[jpstout]

RE: WW2 USMC - VMF-212 SQUADRON PATCH. Sold on ebay 6.5.10 for $240

 

Yes, this is a reproduction patch. This is the 3rd one I have seen for sale (maybe the same one?). I saw it first in 2008 and ithe patch was offered for sale, not as an original, but as a Reunion patch for the VMF-212. I have tried to get my hands on the patch to examine with no luck, nor have I found anybody who knows about it. This "reunion" patch sold for $202.00 at the time. :think: I added photos of that auction and present them here for comparison. Good eyes guys....jpstout

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VMSB-331 Scout Bombing Squadron patch Sold on ebay 6.29.10 for $960.

 

The squadron was known as the “Doodlebugs” and “Bumblebees”. Marine Scout Bomber Squadron 331 (VMSB-331) was formed on January 1, 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina. On June 1, 1943, the squadron's personnel and aircraft were divided to form VMSB-332. Also in June of that year they were moved and became the first squadron to arrive at Bogue Field, North Carolina . This was followed by a move to San Diego in September to prepare for movement to the South Pacific. The squadron deployed overseas, finally arriving at Nukufetau on November 15, 1943 They operated from that island during the invasion of the Gilbert Islands. On November 30, 1943 they sent a detachment to Tarawa to aid in patrol operations until December 26, 1943. In October 1944, the squadron was redesignated Marine Fighter Bomber Squadron 331 (VMBF-331) but they reverted back to VMSB-331 on December 30, 1944. The squadron remained the Pacific and carried out air strikes against by-passed Japanese positions in the Marshall Islands for the remainder of the war. Following the war, VMSB-331 returned to the United States in October of 1945 and were deactivated quickly thereafter on November 21, 1945

 

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WORLD WAR II MARINE CORP VMF 211 SQUADRON POCKEt PATCH. Sold on ebay 6.29.10 for $229.

 

VMA-211 can trace its lineage to January 1, 1937 when Marine Fighting Squadron 4 (VF-4M) was activated at Naval Air Station San Diego, California. Although it was the second time a VF-4M had existed, the previous one was decommissioned in 1931 and it was not considered the same squadron. The squadron was decommissioned in 1933 but was recommissioned as VF-8M in 1935. On July 1, 1937 VF-8M was re-designated Marine Fighting Squadron 2 (VMF-2) and by the end of the year, had completely reequipped with Grumman F3F-2s which replaced F3F-1s and a few even older F2F-1s. The squadron participated in annual Fleet Problems while at San Diego and even played a part in the making of the movie "Dive Bomber." Several future Medal of Honor recipients served with the squadron during this period, including Henry Elrod, Robert Galer, and Gregory Boyington. In January 1941, the squadron moved to Marine Corps Air Station Ewa, Hawaii and was re-designated VMF-211 on July 1, 1941.

 

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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VMF 121 Fighter Squadron patch Aussie made original. Sold on ebay 6.29.10 for $1691 bucks!

 

Marine Fighting Squadron 121 (VMF-121) was activated on June 24, 1941. The Green Knights began combat operations flying the F4F Wildcat and later the F4U Corsair as charter members of the Cactus Air Force and throughout the Battle of Guadalcanal. The squadron also fought from the forward air bases of Espirito Santo, Turtle Bay, Bougainville, and Emirau. On September 15, 1944, the Green Knights landed on Peleliu and fought there until July 25, 1945. They returned to the United States on board the USS Lookout (YAGR-2) to be deactivated on September 9, 1945. During the Pacific War, VMF-121 produced fourteen fighter aces, more than any other squadron, including Medal of Honor recipient, Major Joseph J. Foss. VMF-121 downed 208 Japanese aircraft (165 flying Wildcats and another 44 flying Corsairs) in aerial combat.

 

After WWII, the squadron was reactivated at United States and Naval Air Station, Glenview, Illinois where the squadron's designation was changed to Marine Attack Squadron 121 (VMA-121). During this time they flew a variety of aircraft including the F4U Corsair, F8F Bearcat and A-1 Skyraider.

 

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VMF 122 Fighter Squadron patch. Ausssie made original. Sold on ebay 6.20.10 for $2213.

 

Marine Fighter Squadron 122 (VMF-122) was commissioned on March 1, 1942 at Camp Kearny in San Diego, California. Outfitted with the F4F Wildcat, the squadron, then known as the "Candystripers", saw their first combat tour in October 1942. During this tour they were part of the Cactus Air Force at Henderson Field and also operated out of Espiritu Santo. In April 1943, while under the command of Major Pappy Boyington, the squadron transitioned to the F4U Corsair and accounted for 35 1/2 kills. The squadron's first combat tour ended on July 23, 1943 after which they returned to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar on August 16. For the next year after their return to the States, the squadron was reorganized and retrained at Marine Corps Air Station El Centro, California.

 

For its second tour, VMF-122's flight echelon embarked upon the escort carrier USS Hollandia in July 1944 while the ground echelon steamed out on the USS Tryon. Beginning in October 1944 both echelons would be reunited when they were reunited and began operating from an airstrip on Peleliu. At times they provided close air support for Marines during the Battle of Peleliu at distances of just over 1000 yards from where they took off. The squadrons ability to provide napalm and rockets, both new weapons systems, greatly aided in the destruction of the last Japanese strongholds on the island. For the remainder of the war they remained on the island conducting combat operations until August 1945.

 

Following the surrender of Japan, VMF-122 returned home to Marine Corps Auxiliary Air Station Oak Grove, North Carolina in January 1946. They remained there for less than two years before being moved to MCAS Beaufort which was followed by another move to Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina.

 

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USMC VMB-423 Marine Squadron Patch. Sold on ebay (seller:wings-patches) 7.4.10 for $766.

 

VMB-423 was commissioned on 15 September 1943 at Cherry Point, NC. In October 1943 squadron was transferred to Edenton, NC, and upon completion of training, departed for El Centro, CA in December 1943, arriving on 3 January 1944. The ground echelon embarked and sailed aboard the USS Hammondsport, arriving at Espiritu Santo 11 March 1944. Sailing with their aircraft aboard the USS Prince William, the flight echelon arrived and rejoined the ground echelon one month later. My middle of May 1944 the flight echelon was operating from Sterling Island but was transferred on 21 June 1944 for Green Island to rejoin the ground echelon which had arrived from Espiritu Santo. Over the next year, VMB423 carried out both daylight and nighttime attacks against targets on New Britain and New Ireland and provided close air support strikes for Australian troops on Bougainville. By middle of June 1945 squadron redeployed northward and was operating from Emirau. On 10 August 1945, the squadron was once again reassigned northward to Malabang in the Philippines, arriving on 16 August 1945, just as war ended. VMB-423 was decommissioned at Miramar, CA on 30 November 1945 following the squadron's return to the United States.

 

Commanding Officers:

Lieutenant Colonel John L Winston 15 Sep 1943 - 18 Jul 1944

Lieutenant Colonel Norman J. Anderson 19 Jul 1944 - 15 Aug 1945

Lieutenant Colonel Louis L. Frank 6 Aug - 30 Nov 1945

 

Awards: American Campaign; Asiatic-Pacific Campaign w/2 bronze stars, and; World War II Victory.

Aircraft Operated Overseas: PBJ-1D, and; PBJ-1J.

Aircraft Loses: 7 Operational; 3 Combat.

 

[teufelhunde.ret]

WORLD WAR II MARINE CORPS VMF 211 SQUADRON PATCH. Sold on ebay 7.8.10 for $535.

[jpstout]

CLARIFICATION RE: Jun 30 2010, 10:28 AM Post #203 WORLD WAR II MARINE CORP VMF 211 SQUADRON POCKEt PATCH. Sold on ebay 6.29.10 for $229.

 

This VMF 211 patch, advertised as WWII, IS actually POSTWAR(1946). I queried the EBAY seller because of the patch construction and received the answer "Our military expert is on vacation". Boy, I'll say he was! The WWII patch is embroidered on wool and Australian made (see 1st patch original from rarepatchman's site). Postwar VMF 211 is Chinese made with a least 2 versions. The above TOPIC referenced patch has a design ~ to the WWII version but Chinese made and I am assuming silk on this one without having in hand (see 2nd patch below). The third patch below is similar Chinese made patch sold a couple of years ago for reference. The last patch is Chinese made, but with altered design and looks to be a later 2nd version, coming out of grouping I believe sold by rpm. I do not collect Postwar USMC aviation, although I am enticed to start going down that slippery slope every year. Any postwar USMC aviation patch collectors please correct me or chime in! Hope this is helpful .....jpstout

[teufelhunde.ret]

USMC VMB 621 Bombing Sqdn. Sold on ebay 7.12.10 for $1122.

 

The Squadron's web site: http://www.vmb613.com/deployment.htm

 

 

[jpstout]

VMF 121 US Embroidered: WWII patch recently sold on Ebay. NICE example!!! :w00t: Reference DonL father's US embroidered patch Post #169; reference post#206 for Aussie version. regards, jpstout

[jpstout]

VMF 121 US embroidered: Reverse.

[jpstout]

VMF 124 2nd Design US Embroidered: Recently on and off Ebay (Not Sold). NICE!!! :drool2: Obverse and reverse. This is the one used in Millstein's book.

[jpstout]

VMF 124 2nd Design US Emb: Reverse.

[teufelhunde.ret]

VMF-115 Squadron patch. Sold on ebay 7.31.10 for $537.

 

Marine Fighting Squadron 115 (VMF-115) was organized on July 1, 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Santa Barbara, California, as a F4U Corsair squadron. One of the Marine Corps most famous aces, Major Joseph Foss assumed command 16 days later. The squadron gained the nickname "Joe's Jokers", and in May 1944 joined the Pacific campaign. VMF-115 was a contributor to the American victory in the Philippines providing close air support, fighter cover, and deep air strikes in Mindanao and the Sulu Archipelago. With over 18,000 flight hours during 5,856 combat sorties, VMF-115 was credited with shooting down 6 1/2 enemy aircraft while losing 28 aircraft with nine pilots killed in action.

 

To protect U.S. interests after the war and support Marines supervising the surrender of Japan, the squadron deployed to Peking, China. Communist troops began patterns of hostility leading to convoy coverage and "air presence" missions. 31 months after initial deployment, VMF-115 left the Pacific theater.

 

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Linen and felt version WWII USMC 1st MAC Parachute Battalions Shoulder Patch. Sold on ebay 8.1.10 for $635.