Wanting to clarify the sequential order of the various VT-5 patches, I decided to do a deep dive on them and here is my take on the subject. The Valkyrie patch was used aboard the first carrier USS Yorktown (CV-5) when the squadron flew the TBD and as R. Leonard had stated, the squadron is unrelated to the VT-5 “Torpcats”. According to the Dictionary of American Naval Aviation Squadrons Vol 1, the “Torpcats” VT-5 was established 15 Feb 43 and flew from the new USS Yorktown (CV-10) from 1943-1944. The squadron was later aboard the USS Franklin (CV-13) in 1945. The red “Torpcats” insignia was apparently never submitted or approved by the CNO although it was clearly used at least through Sep 45 as evidenced by the proof provided in this thread by pararaftanr2 and very likely until 1946 at which point VT-5 was redesignated VA-6A 15 Nov 46. The cat with the torpedo in its mouth was approved by the CNO 10 Jul 46. VA-6A was redesignated VA-55 16 Aug 48 and again, according to DANAS Vol 1 was the insignia used by VT-5, VA-6A & VA-55 until at least 27 Sep 55 when the new “Warhorses” insignia was approved. Stick with me here, because the answers we’re looking for are coming up next. I believe that the Cat with torpedo insignia approved for use by VA-6A 10 Jul 46 was used through their redesignation as VA-55 16 Aug 48 up until the squadron began receiving the new AD-1 Skyraider on 18 Jun 1949. Prior to this point the squadron was still flying the TBM (hence the torpedo in the cats mouth). After switching to the AD-1 Skyraider 18 Jul 49, the squadron was no longer delivering torpedoes and switched to bombs as their primary ordnance and that is when they began using the insignia with a bomb in its mouth which was used until 27 Sep 55 when the new “Warhorses” insignia was approved by the CNO. During the USS Essex cruise from 1953-1954 and possibly sooner the squadron was actually nicknamed the “Skyraiders” and used the cat with bomb patch. In 1955 the squadron was aboard the USS Philippine Sea (CVS-47) during its Westpac cruise from 01 April- 23 Nov. the jacket shown by Jerry K displays both the old (Skyraiders) and new (Warhorses) VA-55 patches as he was the XO and a Commander during that cruise. Hope this helps differentiate the patches and time periods of use for everyone. Jeffro

. Hi mikie,   Thank you, an eggcellent post !!!!!!   Norman D. Landing, Forum Normandy Correspondent, April 20 2O25.   ….

A month or so ago I picked up with a buy it now option on eBay an advertised unidentified paratrooper wing that the seller thought might be fake however I felt it was a WW2 era Chinese Commando paratrooper wing so I wasted no time in purchasing it.   If you go to Les Hughes website It is pictured amongst the various iterations of metal WW2 era Chinese Commando paratrooper wings (link attached).  I'm assuming these were made somewhere in the CBI Theater and it is also hallmarked 925 like the above pilot wing.  I know that OSS Detachment 101 wore their version of the CIB that they referred to as the Burma Bar which was made in India and stamped STERLING.  The Chinese Commandos were I believe formed and trained by OSS Detachment 202 in China so is it possible that a jeweler in the CBI Theater used the European 925 (9.25 percent sterling silver) mark?       http://www.insigne.org/OSS-commandos.htm    

After all this time and still no one figured it out,  the most obvious IMPOSSIBILITY  about Captain DAVID CHRISTIAN..... there is no way in hell to be a member of the Co A 3rd SPG Airborne then August 1968 he is in  F Co  52 Infantry  LRP, then in September 1968 he is both HHC then Combat Support Co B 1st Infantry Bat 26th Infantry Regiment 1st Infantry Division, now he claims  I Co.  75th Rangers LRRP ( At the same time in October 1968 he awarded Black Stallion Trooper with the 11th Armored Cavalry  all at the same time or even within a 6 month period.      

It always amazes me how small some of these Nazi helmets are.  

Thank for the information.  I was pretty happy to come across it.

Great story Bill, thanks for sharing!

Peterson is now a very dated source and is unlikely to have the information you want. It was one of the first to tackle the field and so is still quoted for that reason but it really shows its age for modern study. I bought the Kindle version just to have it, but rarely consult it since so much more detailed and accurate information is available. He was a pioneer for sure, and not just for swords.

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Here are two period photos of the M2s repaired with mess kit loops in use during a July 1943 training jump. The large rivet used to fix the mess kit loops is visible in the first photo. In the second photo the mess kit loops are visible and hang low below the helmet’s rim.