Japanese made.

 

 

Photo of the vet with squadron sign

 

 

 

 

Just an outstanding patch!Thanks for sharing it!Love the "New Itami Studio" pieces!

 

Here's another one that was posted on the Forum:

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/178273-korean-war-vintage-us-marine-corps-vmf-115-squadron-patch/?hl=itami&do=findComment&comment=1366512

Great patch and image...

Ron, Very nice patch. like the photo of the vet as well.

Thanks Gentleman

That is a beauty Ron. Just spectacular. Any history behind it?

That is a beauty Ron. Just spectacular. Any history behind it?

Thanks Eric

Just have the name of the vet.Seller split it off the group.The rest maybe for sale at another time.

What does the cat or panther symbolize? I notice it is not on the insignia on the sign.

Not sure of the significance of the cat.Often it has to do with a night operational unit.Maybe one of the others can explain the connection or variation.

Eric the squadron was the first USMC squadron that got the Grumman F9F-2 Panther jets in 1949.The Big Cat is a Panther.Scotty

PS that is one great piece of USMC history.Scotty

Thanks Bill. Mystery solved. Great piece.

As Bill stated its for the Panther jets they had.Here is member Jeffro's post in the topic from the above link

 

Definitely VMF-115. The patch dates from at least 1951 and was used before the "Able Eagles" nickname adapted in April, 1952. Prior to that, the squadron was based at Itami and I think the panther represents the F9F Panther which VMF-115 became the first all Panther squadron in the USMC. This info is from the official VMFA-115 history published by the USMC:
"On 14March1951 the squadrons commanding officer submitted for approval a new design, indicating the 1944 insignia was"obsolete."For the first time, an eagle (continued in various forms to the present day) was included. This new emblem was "intended to represent the amphibious capabilities of this fighter squadron. Capable of operating either from carrier or land bases as represented by beach, its striking power,which is symbolized by the rocket, has no geographic limitation."
There is a picture of the insignia included in the book. The insignia is pictured in Appendix E. here's the link to the PDF of the book:

https://www.mcu.usmc...quadron 115.pdf

BEAUTIFUL!!!

Man these guys saw a lot of action in Korea.

 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/VMFA-115

Eric the squadron was the first USMC squadron that got the Grumman F9F-2 Panther jets in 1949.The Big Cat is a Panther.Scotty

VMF-311 was the first combat squadron to provide close air support in December 1950.

Not just beautiful, but exquisite, Ron!

Here is another example 

here is mine


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