{"product_id":"original-u-s-wwii-thirsty-13th-13th-troop-carrier-squadron-embroidered-patch","title":"Original U.S. WWII “Thirsty 13th” 13th Troop Carrier Squadron Embroidered Patch","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. Only One Available. This is an excellent original embroidered \"pocket patch\" of the famed 13th Troop Carrier Squadron, better known by its wartime nickname, the \"\u003cb\u003eThirsty 13th\u003c\/b\u003e.\" The large circular patch features the squadron's whimsical insignia of a winged beer bottle flying through the sky, a design that reflected the unit's distinctive esprit de corps while serving in the South Pacific during the Second World War.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMeasuring approximately \u003cb\u003e5⅜\u003c\/b\u003e inches in diameter, this oversized embroidered patch was intended for wear on flight jackets or other unofficial garments and displays vibrant period embroidery throughout. The embroidery remains in very good condition overall, though there is noticeable moth damage around portions of the outer edge, as shown.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe 13th Troop Carrier Squadron was among the first U.S. Army Air Forces transport squadrons organized for overseas service and was the first transport squadron assigned to the South Pacific. Operating in one of the most demanding theaters of the war, the squadron routinely flew missions over vast stretches of open ocean, rugged mountain ranges, and through notoriously unpredictable tropical weather. Arriving in New Caledonia during the critical campaign for Guadalcanal, the squadron delivered the supplies and reinforcements that proved essential to sustaining Marine forces during one of the Pacific War's decisive battles.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAs Allied forces advanced, the \"Thirsty 13th\" continued to support operations throughout the Northern Solomons, Bismarck Archipelago, New Guinea, Western Pacific, Luzon, and the Southern Philippines. Assigned to the Thirteenth \"Jungle\" Air Force, the squadron flew vital cargo, troop transport, casualty evacuation, and aircraft movement missions, frequently operating from primitive forward airstrips under difficult conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe squadron earned an extraordinary reputation for both reliability and safety. During approximately three years of operations, flying nearly 9.7 million miles—almost entirely over water and often in hazardous weather—it lost only a single aircraft carrying passengers entrusted to its care, an exceptional record for any wartime transport unit.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA scarce and attractive piece of Second World War Army Air Forces insignia, this oversized embroidered \"Thirsty 13th\" patch represents one of the most accomplished transport squadrons to serve in the Pacific Theater and would make an outstanding addition to any collection of WWII aviation or airborne insignia.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45422776287301,"sku":"ONSV26CNB126","price":250.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONSV26CNB126__01.jpg?v=1785338937","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-wwii-thirsty-13th-13th-troop-carrier-squadron-embroidered-patch","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}