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USAAF wing(s) order of precedence?


Bluehawk
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Bluehawk

> Question (from the department of I-should-know-this-but-don't):

 

During WWII especially a large number of (usually) enlisted bomber aircrew would have an MOS which essentially (?) qualified them as both a (for example) Gunner and Flight Engineer - there were a few other possible combinations.

 

So, would they wear both wings? And, if so, which one would go above the other? 

 

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pfrost

They only wore one wing, not both. There was some individual variation allowed ( say a guy was rated for both Air crewman and gunner — he could wear one or the other). Some groups were more restrictive and the command had rules. Say gunners on a B17 had to wear gunner wings, while non-gunners in the squadron had to ware the AC wing. 
 

Having a CIB (which did happen) or paratrooper wing could be worn ( IIRC) but I think the wing was worn on top. But I suspect there are exceptions to the rules

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Bluehawk

Thanks so much for that... I suspected as much, but having been so wrong so often in the past I just wanted to be sure.

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pfrost

LOL.  I hear you.  I suspect that someone much smarter than me with say "Awkshully.... here is a picture of Private Bumps McGee wearing his senior command pilot wings, over his CIB, over his glider assault badge!--with the original uniform of the day order signed by Capt Buck Rogers of the 768th Experimental Bombing glider group (AKA the Flailing Pigs (H), based in London, Ohio, 1943".

 

 

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Bluehawk
34 minutes ago, pfrost said:

LOL.  I hear you.  I suspect that someone much smarter than me with say "Awkshully.... here is a picture of Private Bumps McGee wearing his senior command pilot wings, over his CIB, over his glider assault badge!--with the original uniform of the day order signed by Capt Buck Rogers of the 768th Experimental Bombing glider group (AKA the Flailing Pigs (H), based in London, Ohio, 1943".

 

 

🤪

 

I think that guy has written to me a few times too ! 

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Allan H.

This has been discussed before, but I believe that some information needs to be shared periodically. Going back to the original question, the "Flight Engineer" wing is really a very late WWII wing and was most often attributed to flight engineers flying the B-29. I think you would be hard pressed to find a photo of one being worn in the ETO. 

 

As to hierarchy of wings, I have had veterans refer to gunner's wings as such, but the Aircrew wing as being worn by airmen serving in multiple positions on the crew such as radio operator/ gunner, and the like. I even had one vet refer to the aircrew wing as the "technical sergeant's wing" because they were worn by the higher ranks of enlisted aircrew. As collectors, we tend to think that the air gunner wing has a pretty cool design, but I believe that members of the crew gave more credence to those wearing the aircrew wing.

 

Allan
 

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  • 3 weeks later...
Phroger46

Are there actual pictures of crewmembers wearing multiple wings?  I've never considered if they change positions or had different ratings.

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