308th Rescue Squadron Patch

The 308th Rescue Squadron's patch carries a caduceus over a globe — the symbol of medicine elevated by wings and pointed at the world below. Circular, royal blue with gray scrolls, the top arc reads "UT ALI VIVANT" and the bottom "308TH RESCUE SQUADRON." The caduceus at center is gold with a maroon serpent, white wings spreading wide, a gold star anchoring the base. The Latin motto translates to "That they may live" — not far from the three words every PJ carries.

The 308th Rescue Squadron's caduceus imagery reflects the dual nature of the rescue mission: get there first, provide the medical care that buys time, and get the survivor out. The people who wore this patch trained in emergency trauma medicine, combat diving, HALO parachuting, and survival skills, because the mission requires all of it before the first call for help ever comes in.

The patch is circular with a royal blue field and a lighter gray merrow border. The caduceus with wings is embroidered in gold and maroon, the white wings creating strong contrast against the blue. The gray scroll text is readable and clean. The gold star at the base adds a grounding visual element to what is otherwise a vertically oriented design.

For 308th RQS veterans or collectors interested in the USAF Combat Rescue lineage, this patch represents a specific unit in the history of American personnel recovery. Latin mottos on rescue patches aren't decorative — they're a unit's way of saying they take the mission seriously enough to say it in the oldest language of learning.

"Ut Ali Vivant." That they may live. The 308th's patch says it in Latin so there's no confusion about what they meant.