M422A patch mystery

[David Farnsworth]

Hi,

Does anyone recognise this patch on an M422A. It appears to be a winged bull with crossed torpedo and a baseball bat (?)?? Any help gratefully received. Named to Lieut. C.W. Smith USNR. I'm assuming a torpedo Sqaudron..

Thanks

 

[B-Man2]

David
Looks more like a winged goat to me than a winged bull . We have a few people here who can help you ID this patch . Unfortunately I’m not one of them but I assure you someone will be by to help you.

 

[David Farnsworth]

Sorry, mental block there, I did know it was a goat!

 

[Skyhawk]

Reminds me of the Gunners Mate Badge, but it is not. It has a torpedo too (And a goat):

The "Bat" is a machine gun:

 

[David Farnsworth]

Yes, see what you mean... cheers

 

[STEVE S.]

Looks more like an M2 50 cal machine gun vs a baseball bat…

 

[Skyhawk]

One thing that was very noticeable when I was on the USS Midway during Desert Storm. When we went into combat there were suddenly manned 50 cals everywhere along the outer decks. During peacetime, all the mounts were just empty tubes sticking up. It was like... "oh that's what those are for" It certainly gave an air of seriousness when walking around the decks. 50 cals are still a favorite for warding off those close in attacks. For sure 50 cals on the badge and patch.

 

[ausreenactor]

Looks more like an M2 50 cal machine gun vs a baseball bat…

Goat, torpedo and Ma Deuce.

 

[David Farnsworth]

OK, so we know what's on the patch but which Squadron is it for?!

 

[Wholenineyards]

Hi, not offering a definitive solution but although the patch has been found on an M422 flight jacket it is not necessarily a patch of a flying squadron. I thought it might be a local 'pride' patch of Aviation Ordonance/ Weapons Ratings. Goat is Navy, Wings is Aviation, Torpedo and Gun were the weapons of choice for TBDs and TBF/TBMs. .30 cal and .50 cal. Just an Idea. Even less likely is the idea of it having to do with the US Naval Air Station Porto Corsini in Italy (WW1). The base, however, used a winged goat. For your reference:

https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=1354&MemID=1771

Still a mystery...

 

[David Farnsworth]

Hi,

Thanks for your input - appreciated. The original owner was a pilot so it seems likely to be a flying squadron patch...

 

[Chandler]

Hi,

Thanks for your input - appreciated. The original owner was a pilot so it seems likely to be a flying squadron patch...

You know who the original owner is, have you tried researching his service?

 

[David Farnsworth]

Yes, but his name is Smith which doesn't help!

 

[VeraVoulik]

This insignia makes me think on the first VA-174 "battering rams" but no torpedo there. So, my guess is a VT squadron, but no reference in any of my books.

 

[David Farnsworth]

Thanks for looking...

 

[STEVE S.]

Yes, but his name is Smith which doesn't help!

I got lucky on one of mine, name was Kipperash. Not quite as many of those floating around as Smiths….

 

[David Farnsworth]

I found a couple of contenders but no 100% +ve ID...

 

[Micawber]

I found a couple of contenders but no 100% +ve ID...

Are you THE David Farnsworth of Historic Flying Clothing Co fame?

 

[David Farnsworth]

Guilty - that is indeed me...
Patch turns out to be USN Composite Squadron 71 (VC-71) circa 1944-46 and uhe unit served aboard CVE-61 USS Manila Bay...

 

[Yogie]

David is absolutely right. It's the VC-71. Click on the emblem on the website and it will be zoomed.

VC-71