• Role:Maritime patrols and anti-U-boat warfare.

• Aircraft:B-17, B-24 adapted for maritime patrol.

• Theatres:Atlantic & Mediterranean.

• Decorations:Distinguished Unit Citation (1942-1943).

• Badge (patch):None approved ( None).

• Role:Observation by tethered balloons.

• Aircraft/Equipment:observation balloons.

• Theaters:coastal and continental defense.

• Badge (patch):No crest registered.

1st Mapping Squadron

• Role:Strategic aerial mapping.

• Aircraft:B-24s modified with cameras.

• Theatres:Europe & Pacific.

• Badge (patch):No crest registered.

1st Photographic Mapping Squadron

• Role:Aerial cartographic photography.

• Airplanes:B-24, F-5 (photo P-38).

• Theatres:Europe & Pacific.

• Badge (patch):No crest registered.

1st Observation Squadron

• Role:Tactical observation and reconnaissance.

• Aircraft:P-35, P-39, P-47, P-51, L-5.

• Theaters:Pacific (Papua New Guinea, Western Pacific, Leyte, Luzon, Ryukyus, Japan, China Offensive).

• Decorations:DUC (Papua New Guinea, Borneo); Filipino and Korean citations.

• Insignia (patch):

  "On a blue disc bordered in yellow and strewn with white clouds, a silver circular saw in action, winged in red, leaving a trail of yellow shavings." (Approved October 4, 1941)

1st Pursuit Squadron

• Role:Early hunting unit (ancestor of transport/tactical units).

• Aircraft:P-36, P-39, P-40.

• Theatres:Philippines, Australia, New Guinea.

• Insignia (patch):None (None).

1st Reconnaissance Squadron

• Role:Long-range strategic reconnaissance.

• Airplanes:F-5 (photo P-38), photo B-17/B-24.

• Theatres:Europe and Pacific.

• Insignia (patch):
  
  

1st Transport Squadron

• Role:Air transport of troops and resupply.

• Aircraft:C-47 Dakota.

• Theaters:Europe (Normandy, Bastogne, airborne operations).

• Badge (patch):No crest registered.

The USAAF's "2d" squadrons (WWII)

2nd bombing

2nd combat shipment

2nd Balloon Squadron

• Role:Aerostation unit for observation and fire control.

• Aircraft/Equipment:Tethered balloons.

• Theaters:Coastal defense and rear areas.

• Decorations:—

• Badge (patch):No crest registered ( None).

2nd Anti-Submarine Squadron

• Role:Maritime patrols, anti-U-boat warfare and convoy escort.

• Aircraft:B-17 and B-24 adapted for anti-submarine warfare.

• Theatres:North Atlantic and Mediterranean.

• Decorations:Distinguished Unit Citation (Nov. 1942 – Oct. 1943).

• Badge (patch):No crest registered ( None).

2nd Composite Squadron

• Role:Multipurpose unit, combining reconnaissance, transport and light support.

• Aircraft:Light and twin-engine aircraft depending on the mission.

• Theatres:Pacific.

• Insignia (patch):

  "On a gold-orange silhouette of the Montgolfier brothers' balloon, encircled in blue, is a black ace of spades charged with a gold-orange fleur-de-lis."
  (Approved October 26, 1942)

  

2nd Fighter Squadron

• Role:Air combat and ground force cover.

• Aircraft:P-40 Warhawk, P-39 Airacobra, P-51 Mustang.

• Theatres:North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France, Germany.

• Decorations:—

• Insignia (patch):

  "On a white field, encircled by a ring or the Air Force crest, a black unicorn's head, sectioned in red, with wings facing backwards. Below, a white scroll edged in gold bears the motto SECOND TO NONE."
  (Approved March 5, 1959)

  

2nd Observation Squadron

• Role:Tactical observation for artillery and ground maneuver.

• Aircraft:O-47, L-5 Sentinel.

• Theaters:Pacific and continental American areas.

• Decorations:—

• Badge (patch):No crest registered.

2nd Air Squadron

• Role:Heir to the first air units, reconnaissance and support missions.

• Aircraft:Light reconnaissance aircraft.

• Theaters:Pacific and Continental.

• Insignia (patch):

  "On a light turquoise blue disc, a cartoonish brown eagle with a yellow beak and talons, diving towards the right base, wearing a GI helmet with orange chin straps, and holding a commando knife."
  (Approved May 9, 1945)

  

2nd Sea Search and Attack Squadron

• Role:Offensive maritime patrols and anti-submarine attacks.

• Aircraft:B-24s specialized in naval warfare.

• Theatres:Atlantic.

• Insignia (patch):

  "On a blue disc with a wide yellow border, a cartoonish light green airplane, yellow wings with red tips, blue eyes, red nose and tongue, chair-colored arms, holding a red aerial bomb in its left hand and extending its right hand towards a black periscope emerging from a blue-green sea, in front of a white cloud formation."
  (Approved January 9, 1943)

  

2nd Transport Squadron

• Role:Transport of troops and equipment, logistical missions.

• Aircraft:C-47 Dakota.

• Theaters:Europe (Normandy, Bastogne, airborne operations).

• Decorations:Allied unitary citations for airborne operations.

• Insignia (patch):

  "On a diagonally cut, serrated, or blue disc, a brown spear is placed horizontally, its tip golden, winged with red."
  (Approved May 5, 1942)

  

The USAAF's "3d" units (WWII)

3rd Bombardment

3rd Combat Cargo

3rd Tactical Reconnaissance

3rd Balloon Squadron

• Role:ballooning (observation / firing adjustment).

• Aircraft/Equipment:tethered balloons.

• Theaters:coastal defense / rear areas.

• Insignia (patch):

  "On a disc cut diagonally with a sawtooth pattern, a brown lanceplaced horizontally, its point golden, winged gules(red)."
  (Approved May 5, 1942)

3rd Bombardment Squadron

• Role:bombing (early war, anti-submarine then bombing).

• Aircraft:B-18 (1940–42), LB-30 (1942–43), B-17 (1942–43), B-24 (1942–43, 1944–46).

• Theatres / campaigns:Antisubmarine, American Theatre (then depending on the period).

• Insignia (patch):

  "On a blue disc, with a white and black border, a demolition charge..." (wording truncated in the OCR of the edition; available on the relevant page of the book)

3D Composite Squadron

• Role:multi-purpose unit (transport, liaison, light reconnaissance).

• Aircraft:C-47 (1944-45), C-119 (post-war).

• Theaters / campaigns:India-Burma; Defensive China; Central Burma; Offensive China.

• Decorations:Distinguished Unit Citation (French Indochina, China, Manchuria, 1–30 Sept. 1945).

• Insignia (patch):

  "On a light blue triangle(point upwards), the two upper sides edged inAir Force gold yellow; in the center, a stylized motif with blue Air Force suspensions." (long text abridged here; faithful to the register)

  

3rd Fighter Squadron

• Role:hunting (late part of World War II).

• Aircraft:P-51 (1944–46).

• Theaters / campaigns:Western Pacific (January 8 – July 7, 1945).

• Badge (patch): None(no approved crest in the edition).

3D Photographic Mapping Squadron

• Role:photographic mapping (strategic mission).

• Aircraft:specialized cameras (modified B-24s / F-5s depending on the theater).

• Theaters / campaigns:PTO/CBI (depending on periods).

• Insignia (patch):

  "On a light turquoise discbordered in blue-violet with a white edge, a caricatured figurein period costume (details visible), at the top a small black bird." (Approved July 24, 1943; description conforms to the text in the register)

3rd Search and Attack Squadron

• Role:anti-submarine maritime patrol and attack.

• Aircraft:bombers adapted for ASW (Anti-Submarine Warfare).

• Theaters:Atlantic / coastal areas.

• Insignia (patch):

  "On a blue triangle pointing downwards, a fantastic creaturewith the head of…" (heraldic text partially legible in OCR; I remain faithful to the available wording)

  

3rd Observation Squadron

• Role:tactical observation/reconnaissance in support of ground forces.

• Aircraft:observation aircraft (type O-47, L-5, depending on the period).

• Theaters:PTO / US continental areas (depending on assignments).

• Decorations:—

• Badge (patch): None(no crest recorded on the notice).
  

3rd Transport Squadron

• Role:tactical transport (troops / freight).

• Aircraft:C-33, C-39, C-53, C-47 (World War II).

• Theaters:air logistics (theater operations).

• Insignia (patch):

  "On a gold-orange discbordered in black, a caricatured winged wolf(brown, tawny and white) in sheepskin('wolf in sheep's clothing')." (Approved September 10, 1943)

  

3rd Anti-Submarine Squadron

• Role:anti-submarine warfare (convoy escort / ASW).

• Aircraft:B-18; B-25 (depending on the period).

• Theaters / campaigns:Antisubmarine, American Theater; Air Combat (Asia-Pacific), etc.

• Insignia (patch):

  "On and above a yellow discbordered in black, a black bat(red outline), wings outstretched, flying abovea mass of…" (long official text; faithfully preserved, wording summarized here)

The USAAF's "4th" units (WWII)

4th Bombardment

4th Bombardment

4th Combat Cargo

4th Fight

4th Anti-Submarine Squadron

• Role: Anti-submarine warfare and convoy patrols.

• Aircraft: G-27 (1935–37), C-33 (1936–41), C-39 (1938–42), C-53 (1942–43), C-47 (1942–44).

• Theatres / campaigns: Antisubmarine, American Theatre.

• Insignia (patch):

  "On a gold-orange disc bordered in black, a caricatured brown, tawny and white winged wolf, disguised as a white sheep , with a white halo hanging above its head."
  (Approved September 10, 1943)

4th Fighter Squadron

• Role: Air fighter.

• Aircraft: P-40 (1944), P-51 (1944-46).

• Theaters / campaigns: India-Burma; Defensive China; Central Burma; Chinese Offensive.

• Decorations: —

• Insignia (patch):

  "A black donkey , a caricature of itself, bounding along with orange wings , carrying a heavy brown load secured by two straps."
  (Approved July 17, 1944)

4th Mapping Squadron

• Role: Aerial mapping.

• Aircraft: P-40 (1944), P-51 (1944-46).

• Theaters / campaigns: Japanese air offensive; Chinese defensive; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Ryukyus; Chinese offensive.

• Decorations: —

• Badge (patch): None (none approved).

4th Search and Attack Squadron

• Role: Search and attack of submarines.

• Aircraft: B-18 (1942–43), A-20 (1942–43), B-24 (1942–43), B-34 (1942–43), B-17 (1942–44).

• Theatres / campaigns: Antisubmarine, American Theatre.

• Decorations: —

• Insignia (patch):

  "On a light blue disc bordered in red and edged in white, a golden triangle (with its tip pointing towards the base) , crossed by a black periscope emerging from the sea below, pierced by a silver sword with a red hilt , following the axis of the triangle."
  (Approved April 10, 1943)

4th Transport Squadron

• Role: Air transport (troops and cargo).

• Aircraft: O-47, O-52, P-39, B-25, F-5, O-49, B-18, C-45, C-47, etc. (1941-47).

• Theaters / campaigns: —

• Decorations: —

• Insignia (patch):

  "On a reddish-orange disc bordered with blue and edged with white, a caricatured black bird , with a yellow beak and legs, smoking a cigar, wearing a light blue turtleneck and a white aviator's helmet with goggles , carrying a splinter of wood on its left shoulder , and looking through a monocle ."
  (WWII approved pendant)

  

4th Balloon Squadron

• Role: Observation by balloons (legacy).

• Aircraft (reclassification): P-35, P-39, P-400, P-38, P-47, P-51, F-84, F-86 (World War II and post-war).

• Theaters / campaigns: Anti-submarine, American theater; East Indies; Papua; New Guinea; Bismarck Archipelago; Western Pacific; Leyte; Luzon; Ryukyus; China offensive; Japanese air offensive.

4th Air Squadron

• Role: Recognition / support (WWI legacy).

• Aircraft: P-39 (1943–44), P-38 (1944–45), P-47 (1945).

• Theaters / campaigns: Air offensive Europe; Normandy; Northern France; Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe; Air combat (EAME).

• Badge (patch): None .

The USAAF's "5th" units (WWII)

5th Air Squadron

• Role: Transport and logistics support unit (legacy).

• Aircraft: G-27 (1935–1937), C-33 (1942–1945), C-46 (1946–1947), C-39 (1939–1942), C-47 (1947–1949), C-54 (1949–1951), C-124 (1951–).

• Campaigns:

  • World War II: Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; Southern France; Northern Apennines; Po Valley; EAME Air Combat; India-Burma (with arrow).

  • Korean War: CCF Intervention; First UN Counter-Offensive; CCF Spring Offensive; UN Summer and Autumn Offensive.

• Insignia (patch):

  "On and above a blue disc bordered in black, emerging from white clouds at its base, a mule from the winged army , with a disgruntled expression, carries a green crate strapped to its back."
  (Approved September 17, 1942)

  

5th Bombardment Squadron

• Role: Strategic and anti-submarine bombing.

• Aircraft: C-47 (1944-45), C-46 (1944-45).

• Campaigns: Anti-submarine, American Theater; Japanese Air Offensive; Eastern Mandates; Western Pacific.

• Insignia (patch):

  "On a blue disc encircled in yellow, a yellow crescent moon accompanied by five stars . On the lower horn of the crescent, a black and white owl , holding a silver spyglass in its right talon ."
  (Approved May 27, 1924)

  

5th Fighter Squadron

• Role: Air fighter.

• Aircraft: P-40 (1941–42), P-39 (1942), Spitfire (1942–44), P-51 (1944–45).

• Campaigns: Air Offensive Europe; Algeria-French Morocco; Tunisia; Sicily; Naples-Foggia; Rome-Arno; Normandy; Northern France; Southern France; Northern Apennines; Rhineland; Central Europe; Po Valley; EAME Air Combat.

• Badge (patch): None (no crest registered).

5th Observation Squadron

• Role: Observation and tactical liaison.

• Aircraft: P-47 (1944-45), P-51 (1945).

• Campaigns: India-Burma; Central Burma.

• Badge (patch): None .

5th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron

• Role: Photographic reconnaissance.

• Aircraft: L-4 (1945), L-13 (1947-48), L-20 (1952-54).

• Campaigns: India-Burma; Defensive China; Central Burma.

• Insignia (patch):

  "On a pastel blue disc bordered in black, a cartoonish dark green airplane , flying to the right, has a red shark's mouth with white teeth, yellow binoculars for eyes , and red boxing gloves on its landing gear. In front of a large formation of white clouds , it drops a yellow crate and jerrycan towards the base. In front, a white cross bordered in red, with yellow wings , stands out against a small white cloud."
  (Approved December 22, 1944)

5th Fighter

6th Photographic

6th Troop Transport  

7th Bombardment

7th Combat Cargo

7th Fighter  

7th Photographic reconnaissance

8th Bombardment  

8th Fighter