{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-20th-air-force-bullion-blue-velvet-shoulder-patch","title":"Original U.S. WWII 20th Air Force Bullion \u0026 Blue Velvet Shoulder Patch","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a particularly attractive original \u003cstrong\u003eU.S. WWII 20th Air Force shoulder patch\u003c\/strong\u003e executed in high quality bullion embroidery on a rich blue velvet base. The insignia measures approximately \u003cstrong\u003e3 ⅛” in diameter\u003c\/strong\u003e and features the distinctive globe motif with bullion latitude and longitude lines, the winged U.S. Army Air Forces star, and the number \u003cstrong\u003e20\u003c\/strong\u003e above. The combination of velvet and bullion gives this example a much more luxurious appearance than standard machine embroidered wartime patches, and its excellent state of preservation makes it especially desirable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eTwentieth Air Force\u003c\/strong\u003e was established on April 4, 1944, in Washington, D.C., as a strategic bombing force of the United States Army Air Forces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts mission was unique.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than being assigned permanently to a conventional theater command structure, the Twentieth Air Force was created specifically to direct the growing American strategic bombing campaign against Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts principal weapon was the new:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eB-29 Superfortress\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInitially, B-29 operations were conducted from bases in India with forward staging through airfields in China.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese early missions were logistically difficult because fuel, bombs, spare parts, and other supplies had to be transported across the Himalayas before the aircraft could even begin operations against targets in Japanese controlled territory and the Home Islands.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBy late 1944, the strategic situation changed dramatically.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter the capture of the Mariana Islands, B-29 groups began operating from newly constructed bases on:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSaipan\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTinian\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGuam\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese islands placed much of Japan within practical bombing range and allowed the Twentieth Air Force to conduct an increasingly intense strategic air campaign.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the Marianas, B-29 crews attacked industrial centers, aircraft factories, transportation systems, military facilities, and major Japanese cities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe campaign eventually shifted heavily toward low altitude incendiary attacks, which devastated large sections of Japan’s urban and industrial areas during 1945.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Twentieth Air Force also included one of the most famous units in American military history:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e509th Composite Group\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 509th was specially organized and trained to deliver atomic weapons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOn August 6, 1945, the B-29 \u003cstrong\u003eEnola Gay\u003c\/strong\u003e dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThree days later, the B-29 \u003cstrong\u003eBockscar\u003c\/strong\u003e dropped the second atomic bomb on Nagasaki.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThese missions remain the only wartime uses of nuclear weapons in history and permanently linked the Twentieth Air Force with the final stages of the Pacific War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe insignia itself reflects the global strategic mission of the command.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe central globe is rendered with bullion embroidered latitude and longitude lines.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAcross it is the winged star insignia of the U.S. Army Air Forces.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAbove is the numeral:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e20\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe embroidery is applied to a deep blue velvet base, giving the patch a particularly rich appearance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBullion patches of this type were privately purchased or theater made rather than ordinary mass produced issue insignia, and they were often intended for wear on dress uniforms or jackets where appearance mattered more than rugged field durability.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe workmanship on this example is especially fine.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe bullion remains well defined.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe velvet base retains strong color and texture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe patch shows only light age toning with no serious damage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThere is paper residue visible on the reverse.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis strongly suggests that the patch was mounted in a scrapbook or display album for an extended period, which likely helped protect the front from the heavy wear, moth damage, oxidation, and handling frequently encountered on loose bullion insignia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat long term storage may also explain why the embroidery has survived in such attractive condition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Twentieth Air Force occupies a particularly important place in U.S. aviation history because it represents the culmination of American strategic bombing doctrine during WWII.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts aircraft operated at unprecedented ranges.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts crews flew some of the longest and most demanding bombing missions of the war.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIts bases in the Marianas became the center of the final aerial campaign against Japan.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAnd through the 509th Composite Group, the command became directly connected with the atomic missions that helped bring the Pacific War to its conclusion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the collector, this patch combines that major historical association with unusually attractive wartime construction. The \u003cstrong\u003eblue velvet base, extensive bullion embroidery, globe motif, winged Army Air Forces star, clear 20 designation, and excellent overall preservation\u003c\/strong\u003e make it considerably more visually impressive than a standard embroidered shoulder insignia. The minor age toning and scrapbook paper residue on the reverse are fully disclosed. It would make an excellent addition to a \u003cstrong\u003e20th Air Force, B-29 Superfortress, Pacific Theater, 509th Composite Group related, U.S. Army Air Forces, bullion insignia, or WWII aviation collection\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44850168332357,"sku":"ONSV26PCS280","price":150.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26PCS280__01.jpg?v=1775142807","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-20th-air-force-bullion-blue-velvet-shoulder-patch","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}