I haven't really been able to locate a place to purchase a patch (or replica) for the 350th FG and specifically the 347th Squadron (Screaming Red Ass).

My uncle, Andrew Jackson Langston served in this unit as a Flight Officer and I'm assembling some information and memorabilia of his service.

Any help on these two items or any other information would be appreciated. Yes, I've read the Group information posts and have the Schaeffer book on the 350th FG

Thanks
Gordon Andrew Langston
Huntington Beach CA

Well, you came to the right place.
 
There never was a 350th FG patch made up in reality.  Never existed other than on paper I guess.
 
I did have some replica 350th patches made up for the 2005 reunion in Albuquerque.
 
I also had some replica 346th FS patches made up, thanks to some old members who took their original patch to the patchmakers.  This was the original 346th FS patch in North Africa with the cobras and skull rather than Goofy in a P-47 that came later.
 
And another member of this forum, who should pop up soon, just had replica patches made up of the 347th FS.
 
I asked for donations to help cover the costs of making the 350th FG and 347th FS patches originally and at the reunion.  Now its no big deal.  Tell me what you want in an email and I'll send them on.  Will see if I can attach a pic of them on this post.
 
I just finished ordering up a bunch of patches of my father's old units and having them sewn on an MA-2 flight jacket...hardly authentic, but a Top Gun patch look.  A big Mighty Eight patch on the back.  A 12th AF and 350th FG patch on the right sleeve, the basic AAC patch on the left sleeve.  The front has the 346th FS and 347th FS, RAF wings, and Air Training Command patches for his service.  Also added the 45th Infantry Thunderbird patch for my uncle/his little brother's service, and a First Armored patch for the guys who saved his life at Kassarine Pass after he was shot down.  Came out pretty well.
 
If a 345th FS patch ever materializes will add it to the jacket.
 
Ron

[image]local://upfiles/5931/BD3FE03A03AA4CB28873D8C15C087E57.jpg[/image]

Attached Image(s)

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).

Gordon --
Welcome to the board. Here is what I found in the 347th History Book about your uncle, F/O Andrew J. Langston:

He joined the 347th in Pisa, Italy in mid-February 1945 as a replacement for other pilots who had been killed or completed their tours. He was a pilot on what was listed as one of February 1945's Important Missions, his flight of P-47's dive bombing a truck column in the town of Pavaullo on 2/24/45. The 5th Army on the ground confirmed the bombing was excellent, destroying 50 German vehicles. Unfortunately, on March 7, 1945 your uncle was killed in action. As reported at the time in the De-Nuss-Ance, the Squadron newspaper:

"F/O Andrew J. Langston, Stockton, Calif., mushed in as he was strafing an enemy car in the Po Valley on the 7th. He was on a Dawn Patrol and Weather Recce mission with Lt. Dickerson. Langston's plane was seen to hit the ground, burst into flames and then tumble end over end. He is believed to have been instantly killed in action. The Flight Officer had been with us for only 3 weeks but he made many friends here during this brief period."

Andrew Langston was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.

Your uncle answered his country's call, and made the supreme sacrifice in doing so. Thank you for doing your part in not letting his service be forgotten. If you have any questions at all, don't hesitate to ask "the board". These guys know a lot and it is their sincere honor to help.(Check your messages for more info).

Grandson of 1st Lt. Bernell A. "Barney" Forster (1921-2007)
347th Fighter Squadron/350th Fighter Group

I am just trying to look at many of the messages on this board and catch up with some input. Gordon, have we emailed?  I believe I will be able to help you gather your uncle's mission reports if you have yet to do this.
Keith

Little Vic II -Keith-345th FS archivist