WW2 U.S. AIRBORNE GLIDER OPERATIONS COMMAND PATCH

This is an original U.S. WW2 Army Airborne Glider Operations Command Patch.  With a red background  with a while glider and parachute along with an attached black tab at top with yellow text – Airborne. 

The Airborne Command patch was created for small, non-divisional Airborne units. Before troopers of the 506th and 501st ever wore the screaming eagle patch on their left shoulder, they wore the Airborne Command patch. 

The 506^th wore this in early 1943 after they completed jump school but before they joined the 101^st Airborne Division at Fort Bragg becoming members by attachment.  The 501^st PIR wore this patch starting spring 1943 until January, 1944, when they arrived in the U.K. 

Airborne units stationed state-side, continued to wear this patch into 1945.