Army Air Forces Patches

Army Air Forces patches represent the air arm of the United States Army during World War II and the years leading up to it. Before the U.S. Air Force existed as its own branch, America’s military aviation units operated under the United States Army Air Forces (USAAF).

From iconic bomber and fighter groups to training commands and support units, these patches tell the story of the airmen who flew, maintained, and supported aircraft across Europe, the Pacific, and beyond during WWII. Many of the most recognizable aviation emblems in U.S. military history trace their origins to this era.

Why Army Air Forces Patches Are Under the Army

All U.S. military aviation units prior to September 18, 1947 were part of the Army. During World War II, air units were organized, funded, and commanded under the Army structure—even though their mission was entirely aerial. Because of this, Army Air Forces patches are historically and correctly categorized under the Army, not the modern Air Force.

This category exists to preserve that distinction and reflect how these units actually served at the time.

When the Air Force Became Its Own Branch

The modern United States Air Force was officially established on September 18, 1947, following the National Security Act of 1947. From that point forward, aviation units transitioned from the Army Air Forces into the newly formed Air Force, marking a clear organizational and historical divide.

Patches created before 1947 fall under the Army Air Forces legacy. Patches created after 1947 belong to the U.S. Air Force era.

What You’ll Find in This Category

• World War II Army Air Forces unit patches

• Bomber, fighter, reconnaissance, and training group insignia

• Early aviation emblems that predate the U.S. Air Force

• Historically accurate designs tied to specific units and time periods

These patches represent the foundational chapter of American airpower—before the Air Force had a name of its own.