Description:

8TH AIRDROME SQUADRON CHEST PATCH
Excessively rare cloth chest patch of the 8th Airdrome Squadron. The embroidered cloth-shaped patch, 5.25 in. tall and mounted to leather, appears to be theater made. It depicts the number '8' with feet and arms which seem to hold tools or some other objects. A machine gun and falling bomb appear at the top. Some old red die appears to have slightly affected the leather, else very good. With two calling cards belonging to Sgt. John P. Kelly of the 1641st Ordnance Co., an aviation supply and maintenance company servicing bombers and fighters in North Africa, Italy, India, and finally at several locations in China until the Chinese Civil War forced Americans to evacuate the country. A copy of a war-date document identifying Kelly is included as well. The 8th Airdrome Squadron was activated at Baer Field, Fort Wayne Indiana on November 26, 1943. In June 1944, the squadron was based at Yang Tong Air Base, Kweilin, China. July continued with the movement of men throughout East China with eight men returning from Kanchow, nine returned from Lingling Air Base, and seven traveling to Poaching on temporary duty. Thereafter, the men travelled widely throughout unoccupied China on various tasks, including locating crashed aircraft and stranded airmen, and providing a wide range of services. As this squadron rarely exceeded 300 men, these patches are extremely rare.

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June 15, 2023 10:00 AM EDT
Elkton, MD, US

Alexander Historical Auctions LLC

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