Lot 1252

Five U.S. World War II Bomb Squadron Patches

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Five U.S. World War II Bomb Squadron Patches

Estimate: $2,000 - $3,500

Starting Bid: $1,500

(0 Bids)

by Rock Island Auction Company
August 22, 2026 9:00 AM CDT
Live Auction
3600 Harwood Road
Bedford, TX, US 76021

Five U.S. World War II Bomb Squadron Patches 1) 767th Bombardment Squadron/461st Bombardment Group patch, 5 1/2" diameter, painted leather construction with the 767th "screaming eagle and stars" emblem on the right and 461st "LIBERAIDERS/AL ATAQUE" emblem on the left. Deploying to Italy in 1944, the 767th Squadron participated in the Army Air Force's campaign against Axis industry, while also supporting the invasion of Southern France and Northern Italy. Two Distinguished Unit Citations were earned, one for the Ploesti Raid. 2) 316th Bombardment Squadron patch, 4" diameter, dyed leather depicting a bomber dropping a single bomb, with a faint hand marking (possibly "McCabe") on the back. Active 1942-1944, the 316th acted chiefly as a training unit for replacement bomber crews in the U.S. 3) 552nd Bombardment Squadron patch, 5 1/2" wide, embroidered felt, depicting a winged skull riding a falling bomb. Deployed to England in 1943, the 552nd initially focused on enemy airbases and marshaling yards, and also participated in Operation Crossbow, the Allied effort to suppress German V-1 and V-2 "vengeance weapons". It would also participate in the preparation and execution of D-Day, the attack on Caen, the breakout at St. Lo, the closure of the Falaise Gap, and the Battle of the Bulge. 4) 559th Bombardment Squadron patch, 5" diameter, painted canvas construction with a cartoon frog man holding a cartoon bomb. Moving to the European Theater in 1943, the 559th was first tasked with suppressing Luftwaffe establishments on the French Coast, while also participating in the Operation Starkey (a sham invasion of the Boulogne area in 1943) and Operation Crossbow (described above). The squadron also participated in D-Day, St. Lo, and the Battle of the Bulge. 5) 441st Bombardment Squadron patch, 5 1/2" diameter, painted and carved leather construction featuring a bomber under a scroll reading "FINIS ORIGINE PENDET" (The End Depends on the Beginning). Deploying to Europe late in 1942, the 441st paused briefly in England before proceeding to Algeria, engaging in sea mine laying and shipping interdiction, while also lending support to the invasions of Pantelleria, Sicily, and the Italian mainland, which included missions against Anzio and Monte Cassino. As the war continued, they would continue to support the Allied advance, including bombing the Siegfried Line. Post-war, the Squadron participated in Operation Eclipse, the disassembly of the Luftwaffe, which included packing up the choicest pieces of equipment to send home to the States for study.

Manufacturer: None

Model: None

Class: Other

  • Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection
  • Condition: Fine overall, with mild wear and staining.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $199 $10
$200 $499 $25
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 $199,999 $10,000
$200,000 + $25,000