US ARMY AIR FORCES WW II

50-MISSION CRUSH

UNITED STATES ARMY AIR FORCES FLAGS • 1944 REGULATIONS

Headquarters, US Army Air Forces (USAAF) was the command responsible for all Army air operations during World War II. It embodied the US Army Air Corps (USAAC) plus all the various support units (antiaircraft artillery, engineer, military police, medical, supply, etc.) required to sustain air operations. Thus the USAAF was an operational command headquarters, while the USAAC was an Army branch. Gradually, the USAAC's functions were assumed by HQ, USAAF and by war's end its existence as an Army branch was purely formal. The USAAF, on the other hand, had become an independent component of the armed forces in all but name.

The branch colors of the USAAC were ultramarine blue and golden orange; these colors were also used for USAAF flags. Higher formations, such as numbered air forces, generally displayed the authorized shoulder sleeve insignia (SSI) on their distinguishing flags. Operationally, numbered air forces were the senior field headquarters, equivalent to a corps; under them came commands, air divisions, wings and groups. USAAF distinguishing flags were made of wool bunting, 3 feet at the hoist by 4 feet on the fly. They were always carried or displayed with a National Standard, Service, made of wool bunting, 3 feet at the hoist by 4 feet on the fly plus 2 1/2-inch yellow silk fringe.

The group, usually composed of three or four squadrons, was the color-bearing echelon of the USAAC. Organizational standards for groups were of the standard Army pattern, made of silk, 3 feet at the hoist by 4 feet on the fly, plus 2 1/2-inch fringe. The field of the standard was ultramarine blue and the fringe was golden orange. USAAC squadrons and companies had guidons of the standard Army pattern, with the group designation above and the squadron or company designation below the branch insignia. Guidons were made of wool bunting, 20 inches at the hoist by 27 3/4 inches on the fly with a 10-inch fork. The field was ultramarine blue; numerals, letters and insignia were golden orange.

The Commanding General, USAAF, was authorized a silk color. Dimensions were 4 feet 4 inches at the hoist by 5 feet 6 inches on the fly plus 2 1/2 inch fringe. The field was ultramarine blue and the fringe was golden orange. Centered on the color was the USAAF SSI with its ultramarine blue disk indistinguishable against the flag's field. The SSI was flanked by four stars denoting the Commanding General's rank. A field flag version of the color was also authorized. Other general officers assigned to the staffs of the USAAF and the USAAC were authorized field flags, with stars according to rank. For major generals, the stars flanked the insignia as shown; for brigadier generals, one star was placed above the insignia. Field flags were made of wool bunting, 3 feet at the hoist by 4 feet on the fly.

Note: Active links in descriptions point to the flags and guidons of subordinate organizations.

Credit: The drawings on this page are based on the specifications given in Army Regulation 260-10 dated 25 October 1944, a copy of which was kindly provided by FOTW Mailing List member Joseph McMillan.

Images Added December 2006

Seventh Air Force • Fifteenth Air Force