Lot 1241

Four World War II U.S. Army Bombardment Squadron Patches

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Four World War II U.S. Army Bombardment 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

Four World War II U.S. Army Bombardment Squadron Patches, Including a Mediterranean Theater Patch with Personal Attribution Patches are round and painted leather construction except as noted. 1) 831st Bombardment Squadron patch, 5 1/2" diameter, featuring a cartoon mouse in a band leader uniform dropping bombs from the back of a B-24 Liberator bomber, with "(C) Walt Disney" signature. Activated in 1942 and briefly an anti-submarine unit, the 831st deployed to Tunisia and Italy in 1944, chiefly engaging in strategic bombing, including participating in the Ploesti Raid, while also supporting the invasion of Southern France and Northern Italy. 2) 456th Bombardment Group patch, 3 1/2" wide shield with heraldic shield designs. Active 194-1945, chiefly in the Mediterranean Theater in the strategic bombing and interdiction roles, and supporting the invasion of Southern France. 3) 428th Bombardment Squadron patch, 5" diameter embroidered cloth construction, featuring a skeletal figure holding a pair of bombs. Deployed to the Mediterranean Theater in 1942, the 428th acted in support of Operation Torch, the invasion of French North Africa, and attacking land and sea targets to disrupt the logistics of Rommel's Afrika Korps. It also supported the invasions of Italy and Southern France. An included letter from a Llewellyn B. Griffith, Jr, identifies this as having been his patch, which was acquired in Fano, Italy for his flight suit, which came home with him after the war and was retained as a personal souvenir until the 1980s. Records on Griffith are limited, but confirm him as an officer with the Army Air Force and later the U.S. Air Force, a multiple time recipient of the Air Medal, who initially separated from the service after WWII but was recalled c.1950; his wife Hilda (who is mentioned in the letter) was selected as the Air Force Logistics Command Wife of the Year in 1970, when he held the rank of Major. 4) Unidentified patch; a note on the patch attributes it to the 456th Bombardment Group, some online sources to the 459th Bombardment Group. 6" diameter, featuring a bucking bronco.

Manufacturer: None

Model: None

Class: Other

  • Provenance: The Putnam Green/Sycamore Collection
  • Condition: #2 and #4 show wear, flaking and paint loss, otherwise fine overall.

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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