Silver Pin ID? - SOLVED

[Jeff In North Georgia]

I was house hunting last Sunday and got two silver finds. Got a 1941 Mercury dime. About 4 feet away got this medal. It's stamped "Sterling" and had a pin attachment on the back. It has an enamel finish on the front but some has chipped away.

I'm guessing that is some kind of base or post, unit insignia.
On the top is a red bird with wings spread.
In the center is a shield with a hand holding seven lighting bolts (blue back ground).
Along the bottom, a banner with "Prepare For Combat" (blue back ground).

Showed the dime for scale.

Any idea what service and unit?
~ How old is it?

Thanks!

Jeff

 

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[Montana Jim]

Re: Silver Pin ID?

I do believe this is a US Air Force pin... I'll look around and see what I can find.

The fist with lightning bolts is an old Strategic Air Command (SAC) symbol... also used in communications units and a few others.

 

[Felinepeachy]

Re: Silver Pin ID?

SOUTHEAST AIR FORCE TRAINING CENTER (USArmyAF)


SOUTHEAST AIRFORCE TRAINING CENTER COAT OF ARMS SHIELD: Azure, issuant from base a clenched fist in armor proper, jessant fanwise from the palm thereof seven rays beveled or. CREST: On a wreath or and azure a demi-griffin wings displayed gules, beaked or. MOTTO: Prepare for Combat. SYMBOLISM: The blue of the shield represents the sky throughout which the activities of ther South East Air Force Training Center take place. The clenched fist in armor represents defensive actiion. The fist is emanating from the southeast part of the shield to represent the SE AFTC. The seven bolts of lightning represent the seven phases of instruction which together prepre trinees for aerial combat. The crest, a demi-griffin, wings displayed gules, beaked or, symbolic beast of the East of unassilable spirit and enlightment - is believed representative of the objective established by higher authority for this activity, i.e., watchfulness, courage, preservence, and rapidity of execution. Old haralds gravely relate of this creature that when he attains his full growth he will never be taken. Rather than yield himself to his enemy he exposes himself to the worst of dangers and as such he is considered representative of the growth of the fledgling pilots who begin their flying training in the primary school and proceed by intermediate steps to their full status upon being awarded the pilot's badge upon graduation from the advanced schools. DISTINCTIVE INSIGNIA The distinctive insignia is the shield, crest and motto of the coat of arms, approved 10 November 1941. The sample of the distinctive insignia was approved 20 Janury 1942.

AWESOME FIND!!

 

[Montana Jim]

Re: Silver Pin ID?

Excellent work Peachy!!!