Pin placement-USAAF

[USAAFAcePilot]

Anybody know or have any pictures of a colonel's eagle pin badge on the collar of the officers shirt in WWII?

Thanks guys.

 

[USAAFAcePilot]

Was the colonel pin in WWII an eagle?

 

[Lone_Ranger]

Full Colonel is an eagle, Lt Col is a silver oak leaf.

 

[Silver Dollar]

There were two types of colonel's eagles. One is exactly the same as it is today and the other is a bit different. The first most common type is an eagle holding arrows and olive branches in it's talons. The eagle is facing towards the olive brances and away from the arrows. This was thought to be worn during peace time. Nowadays, this is the only type available. The second type which is super rare and can be older than the WWII eagles is the war eagle thought to be worn only during times the US was at war. The eagle faces towards the arrows and away from the olive branches. I had a set once but I can't seem to find them. I may have lost them with the rest of my stuff in Hurricane Andrew. One thing I forgot to mention is that the WWII colonel's eagle whether it's type one or two was a pin back type. The ones that were post war attached to the shirt by two pins held by two clips called frogs. They call this type clutch back. If anyone tries to sell you a WWII set and they're clutch backs, run the other way. Finally, the WWII eagles were made of sterling silver with a hallmark. Hope this helps somewhat.

 

[Dixon Cannon]

Here's how Hub wore his - cloth eagle. Excuse the nose hair, I didn't scan this one!

-dixon cannon

 

[Dixon Cannon]

Another famous Colonel....

The infamous Col. Robert E. Hogan shows his bird on his right collar.

-dixon cannon

 

[Lone_Ranger]

I believe placement depended on whether it was Class-A's, or Class-B's.

Class-B's, like Hogan above, the rank is worn on the right collar, and the branch insignia was on the left. (Air Corp - wings with propeller)

Class-A's the rank was on the blouse coat's epaulets.

 

[Story]

AAF uniforms were subject to Army Regulations, specifically AR 600-40, authorizing wear of emblems, badges, and insignia on the uniform.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_Army_Air_Forces


AR 600-40 Personnel. Wearing of Service Uniform (31 March 1944); 40 pages, 8 illus. Price 4.00 {Item No.3362}
http://www.military-info.com/MPHOTO/new2a99.htm