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 [email protected].

© 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