I have had this patch for several years. So far I have been unable to verify the ID of the piece. It is possible that it is non-military but my gut reaction it is - possibly something associated with a WW2 AAF Contract Flying School.

 

Appreciate any information that any one can provide regarding this piece.

 

Thank you. Mike

I did some searching re: AAF contract flying schools in the USA, looking for any possible reference to Cronin or Leesha among airfield names, location names or names of schools. Nothing came up there, and nothing relevant to aviation whatsoever came from a simple web search for Cronin, Leesha, Cronin Leesha or Cronin Leesha Air Cadets.

 

http://www.airforcebase.net/aaf/cfs_list.html

 

However, there were such AAF schools in other countries, so I am thinking perhaps Cronin Leesha is one or two locations somewhere overseas.

 

http://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/AAF/VI/AAF-VI-20.html

 

Still looking, undeterred...

Found these two possibly relevant books listing well known and obscure and auxiliary air fields/schools, neither of which I own:

 

By: Lou Thole

FORGOTTEN FIELDS OF AMERICA Vols I-IV

 

By: Anthony J. Mireles

FATAL ARMY AIR FORCES AVIATION ACCIDENTS IN THE US Vols I-III

Not having much luck thus far finding a reference to that specific red maltese cross either, but that has got to be a vital clue somehow.

Your going to need a New Yorker to chime in, but I find references to Cronin Leesha in Brooklyn. My guess is that this was a group of men selected to be Cadets from that area who met and trained before they were called to active duty.

I've asked one of my sons who lives in Brooklyn and is at their Library every week to look into that possible connection.

Everyone, thank you for the time spent and your thoughts. If you have any update, would appreciate hearing of it.

 

Lou Thole actually has two books on forgetten airfields of America. May be more. I have two. Great references concerning the physicial location of the different fields, major units / mission, current info, etc.. Unfortunately, a little light on information regarding specific units - especially contract flying or training units.

 

Again, thank you for your help and any additional that can be provided.

 

Sincerely,

 

Mike

There used to be a VFW Post in Brooklyn known as the "Cronin-Leesha Post". They had baseball teams there at one time, but the post is gone now. I know someone who is related to the "Leesha" part of the post name. PVT Eli Leesha is buried there in Brooklyn and was killed 7-15-44 in France. I cannot find out anything about what unit he was attached to, but am constantly looking.