Air wing diamond patch vs fuselage shield patch

[love4history]

Hello gents

 

In my patch collecting quest I am still missing USMC aviation. I seem to discern two types:  the "Fuselage" Shield-type patches and the Diamond-Shaped "Air Wing" Patches. I have a hard time finding any information on the difference between the two.  Could anyone perhaps enlighten me please?

 

Thank you!

Best regards from Belgium

[love4history]

No one? Can't believe nobody has ever wondered about this? 

So far I only found the information in Trading Post March 2003 (I joined ASMIC) that the "shield" type was the original design and replaced by the diamond shape design.

When or why this happened is still an unknown to me.

Any further info welcomed!

 

Best regards

Roel

[love4history]

A mystery still. To be honest the fuselage patch, which supposedly would be the older design, to me has a more modern look to it than the diamond shape 

[CUBUSMC]

I think you already have the answer.  The fuselage patches were the first design, but the actual patches that were approved by HQMC was the kite design.  I think the 1943 National Geographic actually showed the earlier design.  I am not sure, but I thought most of the USMC patches that were approved by HQMC were in 1944.  Regardless, the kite design has been utilized by all the MAWs since WWII to this day.  Interestingly enough, I have seen both designs worn on WWII uniforms.  I assume your average WWII Marine had no idea which design was approved and was happy to have either sewn to their alphas when they returned to the states. - Semper Fi, Jeff

[love4history]

15 hours ago, CUBUSMC said:

I think you already have the answer.  The fuselage patches were the first design, but the actual patches that were approved by HQMC was the kite design.  I think the 1943 National Geographic actually showed the earlier design.  I am not sure, but I thought most of the USMC patches that were approved by HQMC were in 1944.  Regardless, the kite design has been utilized by all the MAWs since WWII to this day.  Interestingly enough, I have seen both designs worn on WWII uniforms.  I assume your average WWII Marine had no idea which design was approved and was happy to have either sewn to their alphas when they returned to the states. - Semper Fi, Jeff

Thank you Jeff. I get it now. Just checked Nat. Geo and indeed, first design is shown (MAW I and II)

[1944m1helmets]

On 9/24/2025 at 9:14 AM, love4history said:

Thank you Jeff. I get it now. Just checked Nat. Geo and indeed, first design is shown (MAW I and II)

What is Nat. Geo?

[yokota57]

10 minutes ago, 1944m1helmets said:

What is Nat. Geo?