Small "shirt?" size CPT bars

[easterneagle87]

Just got these from the son whose dad flew in the CBI during WW2 and then was recalled for Korean Service. The bars came with "silver" U.S. pins and when asked he did confirm his dad was recalled for Korea. I told them if they had been gold toned, they would've been for his WW2 service, Since they were silver tone (most are snow flake and acid test marked), they'd be for use during his service back into the AF. I knew the Navy use/used small ranks (these aren't USN/USMC), but when did the AF or even Army use these smaller size?

  

[Mr.Jerry]

Captains bars were always silver. I would think the small ones would be for the dress shirt.  Non sterling CB ones would be post war.

[easterneagle87]

Yes, my friend.. they are always and have been silver. I was more referring to the "U.S." pins. I should've been more clear in my story. Here's the lot that I got. I made contact and went for the bullion CBI patch and asked them to bring whatever else they had. The patch is great (but they didn't bring the other items I had hoped they would - and you MR J know what I'm taking about), but he brought this "taste". They have other items I hopefully will get. The 'nugget" was the leather name tag for his dad's A-2. Another family member has the jacket (that he was allowed to wear before he outgrew it) that he's pretty sure he'll never get back. Establishing the relationship is everything, so I'm forever hopefully to acquire more items and keep the group together, to which the son said would be respectful and awesome. 

 

 

[KurtA]

37 minutes ago, easterneagle87 said:

Just got these from the son whose dad flew in the CBI during WW2 and then was recalled for Korean Service. The bars came with "silver" U.S. pins and when asked he did confirm his dad was recalled for Korea. I told them if they had been gold toned, they would've been for his WW2 service, Since they were silver tone (most are snow flake and acid test marked), they'd be for use during his service back into the AF. I knew the Navy use/used small ranks (these aren't USN/USMC), but when did the AF or even Army use these smaller size?

  

The USAF wore these smaller rank insignia post WW2 on the khaki shirt collar.  Only the USAF wore these.  Army officers always wore full size rank on khaki shirt collars.  And the the USN/USMC small rank insignia are much different - the bar connectors are flush with the ends of the bars and the edges of the bars are not beveled.  

The USAF wore the khaki shirt for many decades post WW2, so this small officer rank insignia was in use for many years. Post VN (late 70's, as I recall) they did away with khakis and wore the light blue shirt with slip-on rank on the shoulders.

The larger captain bars pictured are for the shoulders. 

[Justin B.]

The miniature USAF officer grade insignia were worn on:

• Khaki/tan shirts, 1950-1978
• Dark blue winter shirt, 1950-1988
• Light blue short sleeve shirt and overblouse without shoulder loops, 1970-1989

Also some women's outerwear which I don't have dates for.

Here are the grade insignia from the original blue uniform regulations, AFR 35-14 1950.

 

When the new warrant officer insignia were introduced their dimensions were 1⅛" inch long full size and ¾" miniature.