Original Ww2 B-29 Bomber Patch 485th Bomber Squadron Usaaf 20th Army Air Force

DON’T HESITATE TO SEND OFFERS OR ASK QUESTIONS????? 1 Original World War ll 485th Bombardment Squadron Large Unit Bomber Patch(great condition). This is an original guaranteed authentic patch from a World War ll bombardment squadron. The patch itself is a large jacket patch that pilots would have worn on their leather A-2 flight jackets to show off what squadron they were with. This particular patch appears to have been sewn on a jacket or some article of clothing previously before getting detached based on the yellowish color of the back and the threads. The unit this bomber patch belonged to was the 485th Bombardment Squadron which was assigned to the 501st Bombardment Group. The 485th BS was a unique B-29 unit equipped with an AN/APQ-7 radar system for bombing. The patch depicts a cartoon bird using a radar scope to drop the bomb which is held in his claw. The bomb as you can see is stitched with “485th” showing the number this squadron was assigned to. I have not been able to locate a particular pattern anywhere that has the color variation of this patch meaning this particular unit is hard to come across, especially with this pattern. The 485th Bombardment Squadron was first organized in 1917 as an Aero Squadron during the First World War and remained active until it was deactivated shortly after the start of World War ll. With the introduction of the B-29 Superfortress was the most advanced US bomber of the Second World War with pressurized cabins, remote control guns, 2,200 horsepower engines, and long mileage. (This strategic bomber would later be used to deliver the final blow to Japan in 1945 with Little Man and Fat Boy). With this highly advanced bomber for its time, it needed personnel. So on June 1 1944 months before the B-29’s first mission, the 485th Bombardment Squadron was reactivated at Dalhart Army Air Field. Assigned to the 501st Bombardment Group it departed for the Pacific in early 1945. The squadron had its B-29 equipped with AN/APQ-7 Eagle radar for bombs which was the first of its kind in history and the AN/APG-15 for aiming the tail gun. Giving the 485th Bombardment Squadrons B-29s a huge advantage over their Japanese enemies. The 485th Bombardment Squadron arrived in Guam on April 14, 1945, but despite arriving late made up for their bombing runs. Attacking Japanese positions on Truk, Japanese petroleum installations on Honshu, the Maruzen & Utsobo Oil refinery, and the petroleum center at Kawasaki. For the bravery of the men of the 485th Bombardment Squadron, they were awarded the Presidential Unit Citations for their heroic actions. After V-J Day the squadron helped drop supplies to Allied prisoners of war in Japan, China, Korea, and Manchuria. It remained in Guam until May of 1946 and was inactivated there on June 10, 1946. Considering this unit only existed technically for a little under a year this unit patch is rare. It also is in great condition despite being over 80 years old and the colors as I mentioned are unique and there are no examples of anywhere seen. This is an amazing patch that tells the story of the 485th Bombardment Squadron that flew with honor during the Second World War risking their lives for their country. This would make an amazing gift for any history buff or an amazing addition to any collection.