Shields reflect varying missions of 442nd

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Mike Morrison
  • 442nd Fighter Wing historian
While researching the 442nd Fighter Wing’s history on the Air Force Historical Research Agency’s (AFHRA) Web site there exists an article titled A Guide to Air Force Heraldry, written by William M. Russell of the United States Air Force Historical Research Center and revised by Julian C. Godwin of AFHRA.

The subject of the study was how the symbolism of the past reflects the traditions of today’s Air Force. Applying the study to the 442nd, there is some interesting material on the wing’s most recognizable and prevalently used symbolism on its shields.

Modern heraldry has at its roots, the heraldic traditions of the middle-ages when, according to Russell, symbols distinguished friend from foe during times of warfare.

During the late 12th and early 13th centuries, knights used identifying symbols and devices painted on their shields and embroidered on cloth banners. These symbols were passed from one generation to the next and eventually became representative of noble families and served as personal signature devices.

Air Force heraldic emblems evolved for many of the same reasons the knights used symbols. During World War I, Brigadier General Benjamin D. Foulois, Chief of the Air Service, American Expeditionary Forces, established the first policy regarding the use of insignia for aerial units. The purpose of Foulois’ policy was to afford fighting units a simple way of recognizing each other. In fact, General Foulois allowed squadrons great latitude in the design of the insignia provided that “… the design should be simple enough to be recognizable from a distance.” Perhaps the most recognizable insignia from this era is the ringed top hat of the 94th Aero Squadron.

During World War II hundreds of both official and unofficial Air Corps insignia appeared. A new War Department policy directed that only approved organizational emblems would be allowed. When the Air Force gained its full independence from the Army in 1947, its leaders authorized the establishment of a heraldic program to avoid the use of unauthorized emblems. Ironically, to this day, the Air Force must have any and all heraldry approved through the United States Army Office of Heraldry.

Today, units of the Air Force Reserve Command submit requests for modified or new shields and discs to the Office of the Air Force Reserve Historian. This office ensures that any proposed changes meet the color and significance requirements of the heraldic program including the mandatory use of Air Force yellow and blue in all shields.

The history of the 442nd Fighter Wing reflects the use of four distinct shields since its constitution as the 442nd Troop Carrier Group in 1943.

The first emblem to grace the uniforms of the early members of the 442nd was an adaptation of the blue Airborne patch worn by Army Airborne troops. The emblem was enhanced by the addition of the groups’ numbers in a scroll applied on the bottom edge of the patch. Thus, nearly identical Airborne patches were worn by Troop Carrier Groups with the only difference being each group’s designation added to the patch.

Another prominent shield was used by the 442nd Troop Carrier Wing during the 1950s and 1960s. This shield closely resembles the classic shield shape worn on Air Force uniforms today.

According to an early description of the shield, “The emblems used inside the shield include a silhouetted parachute with a target base. An elongated arrow pointed on the target with a silhouetted Airman with head uplifted toward a stylized aircraft.”

For many years, while the 442nd was in the airlift business, the wing’s third shield included a stylized globe over a blue and red background with three stars above the globe. The three stars symbolized the three flying squadrons under the 442nd at the time the shield was approved. Two of the squadrons, the 304th and the 305th, would later be transferred to other units with only the 303rd remaining with the 442nd.

Another version of a shield is the current design worn by members of the 442nd Fighter Wing today. The emblems of the current shield were adopted when the 442nd Tactical Airlift Wing was re-designated the 442nd Tactical Fighter Wing in November 1983.

The significance of the current wing shield is reflected in the following description:

“The blue alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations. Yellow refers to the sun and the excellence required of Air Force personnel. The silver background of the shield and the inner ring of the gun barrel allude to faith in unit personnel and its mission. The shield, gun barrel, scroll background and stylized eagle accents are white, representing that unit members strive for perfection in the performance of their duties. Black, as used in the gun barrel and eagle’s body, reflects determination to respond when needed to complete the Air Force mission.”

The emblems of the wing shields and squadron discs of the 442nd Fighter Wing both historical and modern remind us of the espirit de corps and symbolic identification that unites all members of the wing both past and present.