USAAF 72nd Bomb Squadron, 5th Bomb Group Leather Jacket Patch with 13th AF Patch

This is a wonderful World War II United States Army Air Forces 72nd Bomb Squadron, 5th Bomb Group (13th Air Force) jacket patch and an accompanying 13th Air Force patch. These patches probably date to late 1942 or early 1943 when the 5th Bomb Group was attached to the 13th Air Force. Both patches were on a private purchase leather jacket that was literally falling apart. The 72nd patch is leather and is painted with a fearsome winged skull. A banner beneath the death's-head reads KIAI O KA LEWA ("Guardians of the upper regions": Hawaiian). A unique squadron/group patch!

Circa World War II.

72nd patch: approximately 5" in diameter; 13th AF patch: approximately 2-1/2" in diameter (not exactly round).

72nd patch: painted leather; 13th AF patch: fully embroidered in cotton/silk threads.

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This is from a United States Army Air Forces collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. VCEJX11 LHIEX4/12 TRHIEX3/13

7- (Very Fine-): The larger patch shows some light to moderate wear with some loose stitching and curling at the edge - very little of the painted areas have been affected; smaller patch has some moderate wear and medium soiling.

As with all my artifacts, this piece is guaranteed to be original, as described.