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U.S. Aviator Wing Chart

This chart was produced to identify the various wings worn by aviators in the U.S. The wings shown are officially authorized, issued insignia. Once a wing pattern was authorized, it continued to be issued and worn until a new pattern replaced it. Wings were produced in at least 3 sizes. Wings that are approximately 3" wide were worn on the flight jacket/flying suit. Wings approximately 2" wide were worn on the uniform shirt, and a small version of around 1-1 1/2" were called "Sweetheart Wings" and could be worn on the garrison cap. Many unauthorized and novelty wings have been produced over the years but are not shown. When evaluating a pair of wings, the following information should be considered -

Many WW2 wings continued to be issued and worn for years after WW2.
Several makers are or were in business after WW2 and replacement wings could be ordered.
Many wings have been "re-issued" by the original makers for special occasions.
All wings have been reproduced, many as "museum quality" reproductions.

If anyone has questions or suggestions, please contact Vern@GermanDaggers.com.

© 2010, 2016 by GermanDaggers.com

U.S. Army Signal Corps Aeronautical Division - 1907 to 1918

Only one type of badge was produced for the Aeronautical Division at the Rock Island Arsenal in 1913. Several styles of "unofficial" collar insignia were produced for the Aeronautical Division beginning in 1914 and worn until banned by the Aug.1917 regulations. The Aug. 1917 regulations authorized the "winged propeller" as the official collar insignia of the Aeronautical Divison of the U.S. Army Signal Corps.




Aviator Badge - Produced 1913



Unofficial Aeronautical Division Insignia



Unofficial Aeronautical Division Insignia



Unofficial Aeronautical Division Insignia



Unofficial Aeronautical Division Insignia



Official Aeronautical Division Insignia


U.S. Army Air Service - 1918 to 1926

Wing designs produced by various makers based on the Aug.1917 regulations. The "winged propeller" continued as the official collar insignia of the U.S. Army Air Service.




Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
T.V. Allen



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
"Dallas" pattern - Bailey Banks & Biddle



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
E.A. Derher



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
Dibb Mfg. Co.



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
"Dallas" pattern - D.S. Dunham



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
D.S. Dunham



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
"Dallas" pattern - Eisenstadt Jewelry Co.



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
Eisenstadt Jewelry Co.



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
Green Co.



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
G.W. Haltom



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
Humrichous Jewelry Co.



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
Arthur Johnson Mfg. Co.



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
W.C. Link



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
Linz Brothers



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
N.S. Meyer



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
Meyer & Wenthe



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
Paye & Baker



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
Reed & Barton



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
Robbins Co.



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
Shreve & Co.



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
J.J. Sweeney & Co.



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
Tiffany & Co.



Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
"Dallas" pattern - maker unknown



Enlisted Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
maker unknown



Reserve Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
"Dallas" pattern - Bailey Banks & Biddle



Reserve Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
"Dallas" pattern - Eisenstadt Jewelry Co.



Reserve Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
Eisenstadt Jewelry Co.



Reserve Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
W.C. Link



Reserve Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
Shreve & Co.



Reserve Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1917
Tiffany & Co.



Aeronaut - Authorized Aug. 1917
D.S. Dunham



Aeronaut - Authorized Aug. 1917
"Dallas" pattern - Eisenstadt Jewelry Co.



Aeronaut - Authorized Aug. 1917
W.C. Link



Senior Aviator - Authorized Oct. 1917
"Dallas" pattern - Eisenstadt Jewelry Co.



Senior Aviator - Authorized Oct. 1917
G.W. Haltom



Senior Aviator - Authorized Oct. 1917
Robbins Co.



Senior Aviator - Authorized Oct. 1917
Tiffany & Co.



Observer - Authorized Oct. 1917
"Dallas" pattern - Bailey Banks & Biddle



Observer - Authorized Oct. 1917
D.S. Dunham



Observer - Authorized Oct. 1917
"Dallas" pattern - Eisenstadt Jewelry Co.



Observer - Authorized Oct. 1917
Arthur Johnson Mfg. Co.



Observer - Authorized Oct. 1917
N.S. Meyer



Observer - Authorized Oct. 1917
Tiffany & Co.



Bombardier - Authorized Oct. 1917
Eisenstadt Jewelry Co.



Bombardier - Authorized Oct. 1917
N.S. Meyer


Official designs authorized/approved starting in June 1919.




Aircraft Pilot - Authorized Jun. 1919



Observer - Authorized Jun. 1919
Abolished 1921



Aircraft Observer - Authorized Oct. 1921



Aeronaut - Authorized Jun. 1919
Abolished 1921



Balloon Observer - Authorized Oct. 1921
Renamed Balloon Pilot Mar. 1940



Airship Pilot - Authorized Oct. 1921
Abolished 1940


U.S. Army Air Corps - 1926 to 1941




Senior Pilot - Authorized Sep. 1937



Command Pilot - Authorized Mar. 1940



Aircraft Observer - Authorized Mar. 1940



Technical Observer - Authorized Mar. 1940



Balloon Observer - Authorized Mar. 1940



Senior Balloon Pilot - Authorized Mar. 1940


U.S. Army Air Force - 1941 to 1947




Service Pilot - Authorized Apr. 1942



Glider Pilot - Authorized Jun. 1942



Liaison Pilot - Authorized Jun. 1942



Bombardier - Authorized Jun. 1942



Navigator - Authorized Jun. 1942



Flight Surgeon - Authorized Jun. 1942 - 1st Type



Aircrew - Authorized Jul. 1942



Aerial Gunner - Authorized Apr. 1943



Flight Nurse - Authorized Dec. 1943 - 1st Type



Flight Surgeon - Authorized Jun. 1944 - 2nd Type



Flight Nurse - Authorized Sep. 1944 - 2nd Type



Flight Engineer - Authorized Jul. 1945


U.S. Air Force - 1947 to date

All prior aviator wings became obsolete in July 1949. All Air Force wings are issued in three levels designated as shown.




Pilot - Authorized Jul. 1949



Senior Pilot - Authorized Jul. 1949



Command Pilot - Authorized Jul. 1949



Aircrew - Authorized Jul. 1949



Senior Aircrew - Authorized Jul. 1949



Master Aircrew - Authorized Jul. 1949



Flight Surgeon - Authorized Jul. 1949



Senior Flight Surgeon - Authorized Jul. 1949



Chief Flight Surgeon - Authorized Jul. 1949



Flight Nurse - Authorized Jul. 1949



Senior Flight Nurse - Authorized Jul. 1949



Chief Flight Nurse - Authorized Jul. 1949



Navigator - Authorized Jul. 1951
Redesignated as Combat Systems Officer - Oct. 2004



Senior Navigator - Authorized Jul. 1951
Redesignated as Senior Combat Systems Officer - Oct. 2004



Master Navigator - Authorized Mar. 1959
Redesignated as Master Combat Systems Officer - Oct. 2004



Aircrew Officer - Authorized Oct. 1961



Senior Aircrew Officer - Authorized Oct. 1961



Master Aircrew Officer - Authorized Oct. 1961



Air Battle Manager - Authorized Oct. 1995



Senior Air Battle Manager - Authorized Oct. 1995



Master Air Battle Manager - Authorized Oct. 1995



Space Operator - Authorized Oct. 2004



Senior Space Operator - Authorized Oct. 2004



Master Space Operator - Authorized Oct. 2004



Cyberspace Operator - Authorized Apr. 2010



Senior Cyberspace Operator - Authorized Apr. 2010



Master Cyberspace Operator - Authorized Apr. 2010



Remote Piloted Aircraft Pilot - Authorized Dec. 2010



Senior Remote Piloted Aircraft Pilot - Authorized Dec. 2010



Command Remote Piloted Aircraft Pilot - Authorized Dec. 2010



Remote Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operator - Authorized Dec. 2010



Senior Remote Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operator - Authorized Dec. 2010



Master Remote Piloted Aircraft Sensor Operator - Authorized Dec. 2010


U.S. Army - 1947 to date




Pilot - Authorized Jul. 1950



Senior Pilot - Authorized Jul. 1950



Master Pilot - Authorized Feb. 1957



Flight Surgeon - Authorized Dec. 1956



Senior Flight Surgeon - Authorized Dec. 1956



Master Flight Surgeon - Authorized Aug. 1963



Aircrew Member - Authorized May 1962



Senior Aircrew Member - Authorized May 1962



Master Aircrew Member - Authorized May 1962


U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, & Coast Guard - 1914 to date




Aviator - Pre 1917



Aviator - Authorized Oct. 1917



Aviator - 1918 to mid 1920s



Pilot - 1920s to mid 1930s



Pilot - Mid 1930s to WW2



Pilot - WW2 "berry" pattern



Student Aviator - Authorized Aug. 1919
Redesignated Balloon Pilot 1922



Enlisted Flight Mechanic - Authorized Aug. 1919
Abolished 1922



Observer - Authorized Mar. 1922 - 1st type



Balloon Pilot - Authorized Sep. 1922
Abolished 1978



Observer - Authorized Jan. 1927 - 2nd type



Observer - Authorized May 1941 - 3rd type



Flight Surgeon - Authorized May 1942 - 1st type



Aircrew Badge - Authorized May 1943



Navigator - Authorized Mar. 1945
Abolished 1969



Flight Nurse - Authorized Mar. 1945 - 1st type



Radar Operator - Authorized Aug. 1945
Abolished 1969



Tactical Observer - Authorized Jan. 1946
Abolished 1969



Flight Surgeon - Authorized Feb. 1953 - 2nd type



Flight Nurse - Authorized Feb. 1953 - 2nd type



Combat Air Crew Badge - Authorized Apr. 1958



Flight Officer - Authorized Feb. 1965



Aviation Psychologist - Authorized Apr. 1967



Aviation Observer/Flight Meteorologist - Authorized May 1969



Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist - Authorized Mar. 1980



Aviation Supply Officer - Authorized May 1984



Professional Aviation Maintenance Officer - Authorized Dec. 2009



Aviation Cadet (V5) Program - Authorized Apr. 1935



Coast Guard - Pilot - Unofficial modifiation



Coast Guard - Rescue Swimmer - Authorized Feb. 1985



Coast Guard Auxiliary - Pilot - Authorized Jun. 1939



Coast Guard Auxiliary - Air Crew - Authorized Jun. 1939



Coast Guard Auxiliary - Pilot - Aulternate pattern


Civilian Pilot Training Programs

Civilian Pilot Training Program (CPT) - 1939 to 1941
Civil Aeronautics Administration - War Training Service (WTS) - 1941 to 1944




CPT Instructor



CPT Civilian Instructor



CPT Graduated Cadet



WTS Instructor - Type 1



WTS Instructor - Type 2



WTS Instructor - Type 3


Civil Air Patrol - 1941 to date




Pilot - Authorized 1943



Observer - Authorized 1943



Pilot - Authorized 1951



Observer - Authorized 1951



Pilot - Authorized 1962



Senior Pilot - Authorized 1962



Command Pilot - Authorized 1962



Observer - Authorized 1962



Senior Observer - Authorized 1962


Air Transportation Services (Civilian Contract Personnel)

Air Corps Ferrying Command (ACFC) - 1941 to 1942
Air Transport Command (ATC) - 1942 to 1948
Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP) - 1943 to 1944




ACFC Pilot



ATC Supervisory Officer - Chief Pilot



ATC Captain - Pilot



ATC First Officer - Copilot



ATC Flight Mechanic



ATC Flight Navigator



ATC Radio Operator



WASP - 1st Type (Unofficial - 1943)
Marked "W1" to "W8" for the 8 graduating classes of 1943



WASP - 2nd Type (Unofficial - 1944)
Unmarked for the 10 graduating classes of 1944


U.S. Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps - 1949 to date




Ground School Graduate - Authorized Jul. 1949



Pilot Training School Graduate - Authorized Jul. 1949



Solo Pilot Certified - Authorized Jul. 1949



Navigator/Instructor Certified - Authorized Jul. 1949



Air Battle Manager Graduate - Authorized Oct. 1995



Remote Piloted Aircraft Pilot School Graduate - Authorized Dec. 2010


Astronaut Lapel Pin & Device - 1964 to date

The Astronaut Lapel Pin is awarded in silver after astronaut training is completed and in gold after the individual's first successful space flight. The Astronaut Device is added to the military individual's previous wings after their first successful flight. Civilians are awarded a special set of wings with the Astronaut Device attached.




Astronaut Lapel Pin



Air Force Pilot Wings with attached Astronaut Device



Army Pilot Wings with attached Astronaut Device



Navy Pilot Wings with attached Astronaut Device



Navy Flight Officer Wings with attached Astronaut Device



Civilian Astronaut Wings


U.S. Government Civilian Aviation Wings

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Pilots - 1972 to date. Wings for civilian trained pilots without prior military service. Military trained pilots wear the wings of their branch of service.

Federal Aviation Administration Pilot Proficiency Program - 1996 to date. Available as Wings and Lapel Pins




NOAA Pilot Badge



Pilot Proficiency Program - Basic Level - 1996 to 2007



Pilot Proficiency Program - Advanced Level - 1996 to 2007



Pilot Proficiency Program - Master Level - 1996 to 2007



Pilot Proficiency Program - Additional Levels - 1996 to 2007 - Lapel Pins only



Pilot Proficiency Program - Seaplane Levels - 1996 to 2007 - Lapel Pins only



Pilot Proficiency Program - Basic Level - 2007 to date



Pilot Proficiency Program - Advanced Level - 2007 to date



Pilot Proficiency Program - Master Level - 2007 to date