{"product_id":"original-u-s-korean-war-era-devil-s-own-grim-reapers-13th-bomb-squadron-bullion-shoulder-sleeve-insignia","title":"Original U.S. Korean War Era “Devil’s Own Grim-Reapers” 13th Bomb Squadron Bullion Shoulder Sleeve Insignia","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a wonderful example of a Korean War era blue felt with gold bullion 13th Bomb Squadron patch. The patch itself appears to have never been sewn to a uniform and is offered in wonderful condition. The patch features an image of a skeleton “grim reaper” holding a scythe in hand. There is some discoloration on the bullion wire, but the gold color is still easily discernible.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA lovely example ready for further research and display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 13th Bomb Squadron is a squadron of the United States Air Force. It is assigned to the 509th Operations Group, Air Force Global Strike Command, stationed at Whiteman Air Force Base, Missouri. The squadron is equipped with the Northrop Grumman B-2 Spirit Stealth Bomber.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 13th is one of the oldest units in the United States Air Force, first being organized as the 13th Aero Squadron' on 14 June 1917 at Camp Kelly (later Kelly Field), Texas. The squadron deployed to France and fought on the Western Front during World War I as a pursuit squadron. The unit was demobilized after the war in 1919. On 16 October 1936, the squadron was consolidated with the 104th Aero Squadron, another AEF combat squadron on the Western Front, which was organized on 25 August 1917.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eReorganized in 1921 as part of the permanent United States Army Air Service, the squadron became part of Fifth Air Force in the Pacific Theater of Operations of World War II flying North American B-25 Mitchell medium bombers. During the Cold War, it fought in the Korean War and Vietnam War as a Martin B-57 Canberra tactical bomber squadron.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\"When North Korea invaded the south in 1950, the squadron, [f]lying . . . Douglas B-26 Invaders, conducted interdiction missions during daylight raids on enemy troops and lines. On 25 June 1951, the squadron was redesignated the 13th Bombardment Squadron[,] Light-Night Intruder to reflect the unit’s \"Hoot Owl\" night missions. Following the end of the Korean War, the 13th remained forward deployed to Kunsan Air Base, Korea until ordered to Johnson Air Base, Japan, in 1954 to begin conversion to the Martin B-57 Canberra. On 1 October 1955, the unit was redesignated the 13th Bombardment Squadron Tactical.\"\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":40577972305989,"sku":"ONSV23PCS248","price":225.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV23PCS248__01.jpg?v=1684553405","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-korean-war-era-devil-s-own-grim-reapers-13th-bomb-squadron-bullion-shoulder-sleeve-insignia","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}