Raber Antique Special Auction 8-31-2026
Lot 410:
Description
A collection of approximately 22 WWII-era United States military embroidered flight qualification badges and specialty rating patches, primarily representing the U.S. Army Air Forces (USAAF) and U.S. Navy (USN)/U.S. Marine Corps (USMC). The USAAF wings are embroidered in silver-white thread on various backings, including olive drab wool, khaki cotton twill, and dark chocolate brown wool. Identified USAAF ratings include Pilot with a central shield; Senior Pilot with a star above the shield; Command Pilot with a wreathed star; Navigator featuring an armillary sphere; Bombardier with a circular target and bomb; and Aerial Gunner with a winged bullet. Specialized ratings include Glider Pilot with the letter G on the shield; Technical Observer featuring the letter T superimposed over the letter O; Flight Surgeon with an embroidered caduceus; and multiple examples of Parachute Rigger wings featuring a central parachute. Several Aircrew badges with the USAAF star-in-circle insignia are also present. The U.S. Navy/USMC items include a Naval Aviator wing embroidered in gold-colored thread on a khaki background with a central fouled anchor, and two small dark blue wool patches featuring yellow-gold embroidered winged propellers. The group also contains a small pair of red-embroidered wings with a central circular device on a dark felt background. Many pieces exhibit evidence of removal from uniforms, including uneven edges and loose threads.
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