AboutJohn Vargas Expertise I can answer both specific and general questions about US Army, and Naval Aviation from 1913 to 1946, and WWII US Airborne, to include key personalities, units, commands, and doctrines.
My specialty is US Aviation Badges (all Branches of the Service, from WWI to the Present), US Airborne Badges (from WWII to the Present) as well as Aviation, Airborne, and Infantry Insignia (from WWI to the Present), both authorized and unauthorized, of the period.
I have access to a vast library of text that is specific to this period of history.
Experience I have over 20 years experience in collecting and cataloging WWI, and WWI US Army Aviation, WWI, and WWII US Naval Aviation, and US Airborne Badges and Insignia.
I was the former assistant curator at the Gen. Wm. C. Lee Airborne Museum, when I lived in NC.
I am a consultant on regular basis to many museums (including the USAF, and the Institute of Heraldry), and I am regularly called upon to authenticate US Aviation Badges and Insignia (all Branches of the Service) for Fine Auctions Houses such as Bonham’s and Butterfields, and many others.
Education/Credentials I am perusing an advanced degree in history with a concentration in WWI, and WWII US Aviation (Ph.D.)
I spent several years on Active Duty in the US Army as a Paratrooper.
The badge that you have is officially called a Distinctive Unit Insignia, commonly called a D.U.I. or D.I., from the Vietnam War.
The D.I. that you have was for the 149th Aviation, and was approved on March 3rd in 1971.
Here is the history of the D.I. that you have, see page 73, Number 3 “149th Aviation” in the book “U.S. Army Heraldic Crests: A Complete Illustrated History of Authorized Distinctive Unit Insignia” by Barry Jason Stein Barry, and P. J. Capelotti.
There were two D.I.’s, one on each side, when worn on the Uniform.
Here is how they Distinctive Unit Insignia would have been worn in Vietnam (although this say it is for Korea, the insignia placement is the same for Vietnam).
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I hope that I have been able to answer your question. If you have any more questions, please feel free to contact me and I would me more than happy to answer them.
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