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LOT 1301
Six World War II U.S. Bombardment Squadron
Unit Patches - Patches are round except as noted.
1) 331st Bombardment Squadron patch, 4 1/4”
diameter, embroidered construction. showing a
black panther on top of a globe. A component of
the 94th Bombardment Group, which was chiefly
active in England c.1943-1945, participating in the
strategic bombing campaign against Germany, as
well as contributing to Operation Overlord, Operation
Crossbow, and the Battle of the Bulge. 2) 96th
Bombardment Squadron patch, 4 3/4” wide triangle,
painted leather construction, featuring a devil holding
a bomb and thumbing his nose. Originally established
in 1918 and active in the inter-war years, the 96th
participated in the bombing of the Ostfriesland, one of
the first serious tests of air power in the anti-ship role,
as well as being one of the first units to receive the
B-17 Flying Fortress. On Atlantic anti-submarine duty after Pearl Harbor, the 96th moved to North Africa in 1943, running
missions in Algeria and Tunisia, and participating in the invasion of Sicily, Italy, and Southern France, as well as contributions
to the overall strategic bombing campaign. 3-4) Two patches for the 4th Bombardment Squadron. One is 5” diameter,
painted leather construction, the other 4 1/2” and embroidered, both featuring a black widow spider; the leather patch
a simple top view, the embroidered patch a more dynamic side view associated with the 4th’s deployment to England.
Activated in 1941, spending some time on anti-submarine patrol and cadre training before relocating to England in 1944.
The 4th participated in D-Day and the Battle of the Bulge, in addition to participating in the strategic bombing campaign. 5)
18th Bombardment Squadron patch, 5 1/4” diameter, embroidered, featuring a stereotypical “Indian warrior” riding a bomb.
A component of the 34th Bombardment Group along with the 4th Squadron (see #3 and #4), the 18th performed many of
the same duties during World War II. 6) 332nd Bombardment Squadron patch, 5” diameter painted suede featuring a buffalo
firing a bomb out of its nose. A component of the 94th Bombardment Group along with the 331st Squadron (see #1), with
similar duties during World War II.
CONDITION: Fine overall, with mild wear and staining, along with some cracking of the leather.
Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection.
Estimate: 1,800 - 2,750
LOT 1303
Six World War II Era
Military Patches,
Chiefly Aviation
Themed - 1) Patch for the
514th Fighter-Bomber
Squadron, 5 3/4” diameter
embroidered patch with
a design of a bomb
dressed like a boxer in a
red, white and blue top
hat. The 514th flew P-47
Thunderbolts during
the preparation for and
during D-Day, as well as
supporting Allied action
at St. Lo and during the
Battle of the Bulge. 2)
Patch for the 435th Fighter Squadron, 5” painted leather patch depicting Bugs Bunny riding a P-38
Lightning like a racehorse, with “(C) LEON SCHLESINGER” at the bottom. 3) Patch for the 428th Fighter
Squadron, 4 3/4” embroidered patch with a design of a wolf flying a P-38. Among other actions, the
428th participated in the preparation and execution of D-Day, Operation Market Garden and Operation
Plunder. 4) Unidentified patch, 4 7/8” embroidered patch featuring a screaming bear wearing a helmet.
5) Unidentified patch, 4 1/2” wide oval embroidered, depicting a black dog with a German two-engine
bomber in its mouth. 6) Patch for the 41st Reconnaissance Squadron/429th Bombardment Squadron,
4 3/4” wide clover-shaped embroidered patch depicting a caricature tribal archer firing an arrow
downward. Originally formed in WWI as the 41st Aero Squadron, the 429th Bomb Squadron was chiefly
active in the Mediterranean Theater, including participating in preparation for the invasion of Sicily, the
drive towards Rome, Operation Dragoon and the bombardment of German-occupied Northern Italy.
CONDITION: Patches 4, 5 and 6 show minor moth damage, otherwise all are fine with minor stains and
wear.
Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,000
LOT 1300
Four World War II U.S. Parachute
Infantry Regiment Patches, Featuring
the 501st, 502nd, and 506th PIR - All
patches in lot are round, embroidered
construction. 1) 501st Parachute Infantry
Regiment patch, 3 1/4” diameter, with
“GERONIMO” ribbon at the bottom,
stereotypical “Indian war chief” with
lightning bolt and an open canopy.
Activated in 1942, the 501st spent an
extended period training in the U.S. and
England in preparation for Operation
Overlord. On D-Day, the 501st dropped in
5 hours ahead of the main invasion, and
was forced to improvise heavily when on
the ground due to issues with the drop,
while still contributing heavily to the
success of the Utah Beach landing. The 501st would later drop for Operation Market Garden, and participate in the defense
of Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge. 2) 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment patch, 3 3/4” diameter, with red, white
and blue trim around a winged skull with open canopy in the background. Formed in 1942 with a nucleus unit from the
502nd Parachute Infantry Battalion, the 502nd deployed to England in 1943, engaging in multiple months of training before
Operation Overlord, the invasion of France. Dropping in inland of Utah Beach, the 502nd claims one of their pathfinders
credited as the first paratrooper on the ground in France, and capturing the town of Carentan. The 502nd would drop again
for Operation Market Garden, and along with other units of the 101st Airborne hold Bastogne against German assault
during the Battle of the Bulge. 3) Two patches for the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, each 4” diameter with an eagle
between “5” and “6” dice, open canopy in the background. Each has an attached sticker attributing it to a specific officer, one
to a Captain Bill Kennedy of Company A, the other to a Captain Bill Knight of Company C. Also included is a pair of images
attributed as being Kennedy and Knight.
CONDITION: Fine overall, with minor wear and handling.
Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection.
Estimate: 3,000 - 5,000
LOT 1302
Five U.S. World War
II Bomb Squadron
Patches, Four from
the 93rd Bomb
Group - All patches
in lot are round and
embroidered. 1)
328th Bombardment
Squadron patch,
4 3/4” diameter
depicting a flying
whale with an
Uncle Sam top hat
circumnavigating
the globe. 2) 329th
Bombardment
Squadron patch,
4 3/4” diameter,
depicting an animal in aviator gear riding a bomb. 3) 330th Bombardment Squadron patch, 5 1/4”
diameter, depicting a green flying whale among clouds and lightning. 4) 19th Reconnaissance
Squadron/409th Bombardment Squadron patch, 5 1/2” diameter, depicting a panda running with a
bomb. As components of the 93rd Bombardment Group, the 328th, 329th, 330th and 409th Squadrons
participated in the Ploiesti Raid, with the 328th, 329th and 330th seeing action against Rommel’s Afrika
Korps in Tunisia and the 409th supporting the invasion of Italy. 5) 547th Bombardment Squadron
patch, 5” diameter, depicting a vulture preparing to drop a bomb wrapped with a bow decorated with
a swastika. The 547th spent most of the war bombing German industry, while also participating in the
build up and execution of D-Day, St. Lo, Market Garden and the Battle of the Bulge.
CONDITION: Fine overall, with minor wear and staining.
Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection.
Estimate: 2,000 - 3,500
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