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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
Naval Aviation Insignia
Related Resources:
The U.S. Navy does not issue or provide
the funds for squadron or other aviation unit insignia patches.
A naval aviation squadron or aviation command is not required
to have an insignia. If a unit chooses to have an official insignia,
the unit must have the insignia approved by the Office of Chief
of Naval Operations, Director, Air Warfare (N88H). After approval,
the individual unit has the responsibility of ordering the patches
from a private company or organization that makes this type of
item. Below is a list of companies involved in making patches.
Individual aviation commands sell their patches to cover the cost
of producing them. Patches of active duty aviation squadrons or
units can only be obtained by writing directly to each squadron.
Addresses for active duty commands may be obtained by writing
to the Chief of Naval Operations, Code N09B22, 2000 Navy Pentagon,
Washington, DC 20350-2000.
Insignia approval records, for naval aviation units only,
are maintained by the History Center's Aviation
History Office. The insignia records usually include a drawing
or photograph of the insignia. However, the office does not have
custody of the actual patches. Patches for units that have been
disestablished can be obtained from private collections, from
military goods dealers, and by ordering a patch prepared by a
private company or organization, as listed below. The American
Society of Military Insignia Collectors may be able to assist
personnel in obtaining patches on units no longer active. Their
address is 1331 Bradley Avenue, Hummelstown, Pennsylvania 17036.
Many World War II squadrons and Naval Air Reserve Squadrons
prior to 1970 did not get their insignia officially approved even
though the squadrons may have used an insignia. The Aviation History
Office does not have any records for commands that did not obtain
official approval of their insignia. The office only maintains
insignia for naval aviation commands. It does not approve or maintain
insignia records for any other Navy commands, including ships
that are aviation related, such as aircraft carriers, amphibious
assault ships, seaplane tenders, etc...
12 May 1996