Fabulous WWII USAAF 85th Fighter Squadron Patch Italian Made in Bullion & Silk on Wool

What we have here is a Fabulous WWII circa 1943 Italian Made Hand Embroidered USAAF 85th Fighter Squadron, 79th Fighter Group, 12th Air Force Flight Jacket Patch in Silk and TINSEL BULLION on Woven Wool. 

The 85th Fighter Squadron was Activated on 9 February 194Moved to Egypt, October-November 1942, and became part of Ninth Air Force.

Trained with Curtiss P-40 Warhawks while moving westward in the wake of the British drive across Egypt and Libya to Tunisia. Although many of the unit's pilots flew combat missions with other organizations, the 79th group itself did not begin operations until March 194By escorting bombers, attacking enemy shipping, and supporting ground forces, took part in the Allied operations that defeated Axis forces in North Africa, captured Pantelleria, and conquered Sicily.

Assigned to Twelfth Air Force in August 1943 and continued to support British Eighth Army by attacking troop concentrations, gun positions, bridges, roads, and rail lines in southern Italy. Operated in the area of the Anzio beachhead, January-March 194Participated in the drive on Rome, March-June 1944, and converted to P-47 Thunderbolts during that time. Flew escort and strafing missions in southern France during August and September 1944, and afterward engaged in air interdiction and close air support operations in northern Italy.

A huge, thick, exquisitely made patch, this was actually worn on the flight jacket of the pilot who originally owned it. Sadly his name has been lost to time. 

Luckily, given the delicate nature of the patch, it has remained in Very Fine+ condition, with only light overall wear, some small areas of moderate wear, and only one tiny moth nip in the wool that the moths always love so much! 

A squadron that traces its history back to North Africa as part of the Desert Air Force in 1942 an early 1943, this patch was made mid-late 1943 once the squadron ad reached mainland Italy. 

One of the most beautiful examples of this patch that we have owned, even with the combat wear. A welcome addition to any WWII USAAF collection.