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Screaming Red Ass
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Curious Insignia
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07/10/2008 12:31:18 PM
This unusual squadron patch was found on the jacket sleeve of a 347th pilot who entered the squadron in January of 1945. Never seen one like it, and was wondering if this was standard issue or a locally produced custom job? Looks like a combined 12th AF/347th leather patch, and was on the right sleeve -- the left sleeve had the standard cloth 12th AF triangular patch. The banner below says "350th Fighter Group". Definitely not the standard 347th insignia. [image]local://13554/FA0B3AAB20E84349902BF452E1B60802.jpg[/image]
Grandson of 1st Lt. Bernell A. "Barney" Forster (1921-2007)
347th Fighter Squadron/350th Fighter Group
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Kasserine Kid
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RE: Curious Insignia
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07/10/2008 01:41:08 PM
A beautiful patch! Maybe the 347th FG changed patches between North Africa and Italy as the 346th FG did.
I've seen an original 346th FG patch with the cobras beside the skull. It was HAND embroidered in Sicily after the squadron moved over there if I recall what I was told correctly. The 346th FG Goofy in a P-47 came later.
Could be something similar happened with the 347th.
Ron
Son of Ron Macdonald Flying Sgt. 59th OTU RAF (Hurris & Spits, Dieppe raid), Lt. with 346thFS/350thFG North Africa (P-39s). Shot down at Kasserine. Instructor with the 1053 BFTS Randolph, 2138 BU Craig, 2532BU Randolph, & 2543 BU Waco (AT-6s & B-25s).
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skybear45
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RE: Curious Insignia
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07/10/2008 01:58:07 PM
Hi Red,
You're right on about this being a custom piece. This is simply
a combination of the original Twelfth AAF insignia (designed by
Gen. Jimmy Doolittle) with the banners containing the 347 FG
added for effect.
Really nice piece of history.
Bob
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skybear45
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RE: Curious Insignia
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07/19/2008 08:32:28 PM
Red,
My bad! I was typing faster than I was thinking (i.e. 347thFG).
The guy's fighting with this group in the Pacific would have been
interested to find out the were assigned to the 12th and not the 13th AF.
This shoulder patch seems to have been quite the item among
the guys of the 347thFS/350thFG. Don't know offhand if a
similar design was used by the other squadrons, but its the third
similar patch like it that I've seen representing the 347th.
Bob
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Screaming Red Ass
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Re: RE: Curious Insignia
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07/21/2008 11:12:22 PM
Thanks, Bob. Figured the answer would come from you. I could've called the post "curious patch", but I know what kind of lure to cast to catch the Skybear Trout!
Now, where are you hanging around that you're seeing so many Red Ass patches?
-- Tom
Grandson of 1st Lt. Bernell A. "Barney" Forster (1921-2007)
347th Fighter Squadron/350th Fighter Group
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skybear45
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Re: RE: Curious Insignia
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07/22/2008 02:50:30 PM
Hi Red,
You sure know how to bait a hook, can't seem to pass on anything insignia related.
The first time I came across one of these shoulder patches was maybe five or six
years ago on an e-Bay auction site. Second time was at a militaria show in Denver
in 2006. I was tempted to but the item but thought at the time (and still do in fact)
that the seller had it priced way to high.
The third time I've seen this patch was on a web site, not to long ago in fact. I was
surfing for info on the 350thFG and stumbled across it. Don't think this item was
for sale however, just for looks.
Bob
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