About Our Hallmark

In 1917 service members developed a way to identify people assigned to various aviation units. Those in a support role (i.e., administrative clerks) wore a patch on the right sleeve of their uniform featuring a blue field and a white propeller. For aircraft mechanics, a white circle was added to the patch, and aircrew members added the wings.

Many years later, in 1986, the first director of the Enlisted Heritage Hall added the red stripe. Red is the traditional color worn by NCOs and it allows the hallmark to reflect the red, white, and blue colors of the U.S. flag.