Beautiful Italian-Made Heavy Bullion US 79th Fighter Group, 12th Air Force Patch

ARTIFACT: This is a beautiful World War II Italian-made jacket patch for the United States 79th Fighter Group, 12th Air Force. The 79th Fighter Group was so named in May 1942, having formerly been the 79th Pursuit Group. The group flew P-40 Warhawks and commonly aided other groups, serving in North Africa and participating in decisive maneuvers in Pantelleria and Sicily. The 79th earned one of two Distinguished Unit Citations for assisting the British Eighth Army during the spring and summer of 1943, just before being assigned to the 12th Air Force. Moving on to Anzio and Rome, and later France, the 79th began to fly P-47 Thunderbolts. They remained in Europe as part of the occupation forces until disbanding in 1947. The patch is in heavy bullion on brilliant green silk with the Egyptian numerals for seven and nine near the top. The scene underneath shows a falcon in profile and a snake wearing the "Key of Life" draped over a sun.

VINTAGE: Circa World War II.

SIZE: Approximately 4-3/8" in height and 3-1/4"e; in width.

MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION: Silk embroidered in heavy bullion and silk/cotton threads, paper backing.

ATTACHMENT: None.

MARKINGS: None.

ITEM NOTES: This is from a United States Army Air Forces collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. TRAJJL02 LABJJX2/12

CONDITION: 8 (Excellent-): The patch shows some light wear and tarnish to the bullion.