Unknown WW2 USAAC B-17 squadron patch on A2 jacket

[Tonomachi]

I picked up a photo album at the flea market today which contained a few pictures of a B-17 pilot in Italy circa 1944 or 1945.  Can anyone identify this patch?

 

 

[ocsfollowme]

I think it is a variation of the 96th bomb squadron. 

[ocsfollowme]

https://www.flyingtigerantiques.com/nice-wwii-theatre-made-jacket-patch-for-usaaf-96th-bomb-squadron-2nd-bomb-group-12th15th-af.html

 

[ocsfollowme]

[ocsfollowme]

[ocsfollowme]

Yep, 96th Bomb Squadron. From wiki

 

World War II[edit]

Lockheed-Vega B-17G-50-VE Fortress-44-8167-96th Bomb Squadron.

After the Attack on Pearl Harbor, served on antisubmarine duty along the mid-Atlantic coastline as part of I Bomber Command for several months until AAF Antisubmarine Command was formed and took over that duty.[3]

Re-equipped with more modern B-17F Flying Fortresses and assigned to II Bomber Command in Pacific Northwest for transition and combat training in late 1942 and early 1943. Moved to North Africa in April 1943, carrying out bombing missions in Algeria and Tunisia as part of Twelfth Air Force during the North African campaign. Flew many support and interdictory missions, bombing such targets as marshalling yards, airdromes, troop concentrations, bridges, docks, and shipping. Participated in the defeat of Axis forces in Tunisia, Apr-May 1943; the reduction of Pantelleria and the preparations for the Allied Invasion of Sicily, May-Jul 1943; the invasion of Italy, Sep 1943.[3]

Transferred to Fifteenth Air Force in December 1943 and engaged in bombing operations primarily in Italy in support of the Allied drive north toward Rome, Jan-Jun 1944; the Invasion of southern France, Aug 1944; and the campaigns against German forces in northern Italy, Jun 1944-May 1945. Engaged primarily in long-range bombardment of strategic targets after Oct 1943, attacking oil refineries, aircraft factories, steel plants, and other objectives in Germany, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Austria, Hungary, Yugoslavia, Romania, and Greece.[3]

En route to bomb a vital aircraft factory at Steyr on 24 Feb 1944, the group was greatly outnumbered by enemy interceptors, but it maintained its formation and bombed the target, receiving a Distinguished Service Cross for the performance. On the following day, while on a mission to attack aircraft factories at Regensburg, it met similar opposition equally well and was awarded a second DUC. Served as part of the occupation force in Italy after V-E Day. Inactivated in Italy on 28 Feb 1946.[3]

[Tonomachi]

Many thanks for the identification.