VP-44 | VPB-44 | Patrol Bombing Squadron FORTY FOUR | theater made patch

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VP-44 | VPB-44 | Patrol Bombing Squadron FORTY FOUR | theater made patch

 

Lineage.
Established as Patrol Squadron FORTY FOUR (VP-44) on 3 June 1941.
Redesignated Patrol Bombing Squadron FORTY FOUR (VPB-44) on 1 October 1944.
Disestablished on 20 June 1945.

 

Aircraft.
Jun 1941 PBY-5A
Dec 1942 PBY-5
Sep 1943 PBY-5

 

 

 

Nickname: Black Cats. 1942-1945.

VP-44 was one of the later Black Cat squadrons in WWII. The nickname came from the black paint scheme applied to the Catalinas for night operations.

The Black Cat in the squadron’s insignia depicted its stealth in the dark as well as surprise and viciousness in its attack. The outline of the yellow moon emphasized the night operations, suggesting that cats operate best when the moon is full. Colors: moon, yellow: cat. black and white: background, black.

 

Theater-made. Australian embroidery on wool.

 

 

This patch was part of an an attributed lot from Lt. (J.G.) Laverne Lewallen who served nearly four years during WWII. He was awarded the Air Medal and Distinguished flying Cross.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

More detail on the unit, here.

 

Source

Roberts, Michael D. Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons. Vol. 2