Unusual WWII Staff Sergeant "radio operator" rank

[giconceptsjw]

Over the years I’ve ended up with some unusual things that I’ve never been able to find anything about. Maybe someone has seen some of these things before or knows more about them than I do.

This is a regulation army officer’s khaki shirt with 12th Air force and Staff Sergeant rank sewn on. I don’t think enlisted insignia on officer’s shirts was very uncommon since I’ve seen it done before on other shirts and in original pics. The rank stripes are unusual to me and I’ve never seen any like them anywhere before. I’m guessing the lightning bolts suggest an unauthorized radio operator symbol, similar to the trade triangle patch on the lower right sleeve. The shirt is just as I got it many years ago. I actually got it just for the aircrew wings but I never took them off.

 

EDIT: Photos are lost

[36-tex]

First off, very COOL! I would venture a guess it is a unofficial chevron this GI had made up over seas.

[Captainofthe7th]

Wow, that is so cool. I just commented on the Hawaiian department HBT khaki shirt saying how cool it was...I think this one tops that. Those chevrons are awesome.

 

Rob

[Lee Ragan]

Just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a new wrinkle! These are similar to the Electrician Sergeant First Class of 1918-1920 (without the small bar below the sparks). This airman must have taken a lot of pride in the fact he was a commo specialist. A couple of other things make this a little different when it comes to radio operator aircrewmen is that a;) it's an officers shirt and b:) he is only a Staff Sergeant when most aircrew radio operators were Technical Sergeants. There is probably a logical explaination for both, but it does make for a very interesting shirt.

I LIKE it! :thumbsup:

[giconceptsjw]

Just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a new wrinkle! These are similar to the Electrician Sergeant First Class of 1918-1920 (without the small bar below the sparks). This airman must have taken a lot of pride in the fact he was a commo specialist. A couple of other things make this a little different when it comes to radio operator aircrewmen is that a;) it's an officers shirt and b:) he is only a Staff Sergeant when most aircrew radio operators were Technical Sergeants. There is probably a logical explaination for both, but it does make for a very interesting shirt.

I LIKE it! :thumbsup:

 

Thanks guys, I'll try to post more unusual stuff soon.

 

J.

[Captainofthe7th]

Please do. I really enjoy looking at the unusual items such as these.

 

Rob

[Sabrejet]

Very cool! I'd love a set in my collection. Never seen their like before...possibly unique, but certainly rare!

 

Sabrejet :w00t:

[kiaiokalewa]

Just when you think you've seen it all, along comes a new wrinkle! These are similar to the Electrician Sergeant First Class of 1918-1920 (without the small bar below the sparks). This airman must have taken a lot of pride in the fact he was a commo specialist. A couple of other things make this a little different when it comes to radio operator aircrewmen is that a;) it's an officers shirt and b:) he is only a Staff Sergeant when most aircrew radio operators were Technical Sergeants. There is probably a logical explaination for both, but it does make for a very interesting shirt.

I LIKE it! :thumbsup:

 

Here's an example of what Lee is talking about. This is a 1902 pattern

Army Chevron that was used on dress white tunics. This particular chevron was introduced in 1905 to bring in subdue colors but was short lived and lasted only until 1907. It was worn exclusively by Recruitment Sergeant during this time frame. I recall seeing the chevron in question before in publication (probably either Emerson's Chevron book or an article in ASMIC's Trading Post) and if my memory is correct its not Army related rating. I'll have to research it again to make certain.

[kiaiokalewa]

This medical related chevron seems to come from the same manufacture as the electrican rating. I believe there were others with different types of speciality ratings in the center. One that comes to mind is an old fashion type open fire kettle, probably Mess Sgt. This doesn't resolve the electrician rating but there were other specialist rating made during the same time frame.