Original Item: Only One Available. This is a very good condition U.S. WWII Army Air Forces "Flight Surgeon" Badge, usually called "Wings". There were a multitude of different manufactures of the various flight badges, and many did not mark the badges made. These however are clearly marked on the back with A.H. DONDERO INC. / WASH. D.C. in the center. The Winged 'Caduceus' emblem in the middle of the badge clearly identify these as Flight Surgeon Wings. These are quite hard to find, and there were various different designs. These measure approximately 3 1/8" x 1".
The requirements for a Flight Surgeon have changed over time, but in general the were medical officers who underwent training specific to the needs of pilots and airmen. Problems such as hypoxia, hypothermia, g-force stress, and many others were examined and rectified by flight surgeons over the years. They were also required to undergo standard air crew training, and in some cases, basic pilot training.
These wings are in great shape, and still mostly bright, with all the original detail. Ready to display!
Nothing symbolizes a flying person more than his or her pair of wings, whether the wing be constructed from cloth, plastic or metal. A wing identifies a person as a individual trained in airmanship to a specific level of expertise, and is usually awarded to the trainee pilot on successful completion of their exams and first solo flight.
Most individuals awarded a pair of wings cherish them as they represent an accomplishment or milestone in the person's life. It's this human involvement and sense of accomplishment, encapsulating: adventure, excitement and romance that creates a portal into the golden years of aviation, that sparks an interest to collect aviation wings.
Aviator wings are symbolic of a specific job performed by an individual; the style of wing indicating which job. The US Army Airforce (USAAF or AAF) during the Second World War required wings to be produced for several standard aircrew functions: pilot, engineer, air gunner, navigator, bombardier and observer. Sub variants of these wings were also produced to be issued to: glider pilots, balloon pilots, liaison pilots, technical observers, flight nurses and flight surgeons.
