USAAF 1st Arctic Search & Rescue Squadron Patch
Embroidered on orange twill, 4-3/4" round. Circa 1943/45'. Extremely rare (Only 2 are found in a collection), one of the toughest "Hard-to-find" patches in the collection.
This USAAF unit was based in Narsarsuaq, Greenland during 1943-1945. The Arctic Training School was activated in the summer of 1943 at Buckley, Colorado. This school produced the 1st Arctic Search and Rescue Squadron, which deployed to Greenland in 1944, the 3d Arctic Search and Rescue Squadron deployed to the North Atlantic Division, and the Alaskan Wing Squadron deployed to Alaska. In addition, the 10th Rescue Boat Squadron deployed to Elmendorf, Alaska. The units in Alaska used a variety of equipment including C-64 Nordless Norseman and L-5 Sentential light planes, OA-10s, C-47s equipped with rescue boats, and dogsleds.
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My father served on the search and rescue crew in Greenland in what was first known as the Army Air Corp. I have his metal pin which is identical to the patch. Dad never talked much about his time up there although he did take lots of photos. I am just trying to find out more information.
ReplyDeleteHi Nancy, certainly there's not much information about that destination back in Greenland. The pin you have is unique and VERY RARE. Feel free to email us some pictures from your dad, we would love to see how was there back in the day. Regards.
DeleteMy father was also a member of this unit. I also have two metal hat pins and two patches. One patch was used and worn on a flight jacket. The other was never used and is still showroom quality.
ReplyDelete