Military decal I. D.

[KevinB]

I may have found some info for you. I found a similar patch for the 21st fighter squadron "Gamblers" http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/21st_Fighter_Squadron

The LR could be the tail codes used on the planes to designate the base they were out of. LR indicates Luke Air Force Base. http://www.military.cz/usa/air/air_accessories/usaf_tail_cod/usaf_tail_cod.htm

Hopefully I'm on the right track. Any idea how old the owner was?

[KevinB]

Military issue would have one piece leather back and a red lining would of been added if the pilot had more than 5 kills.

[snowflake]

The only thing I could find was on the Cooper jacket itself. It is a good article though. Might help with timeline.

http://www.retrospectmag.com/articles/2005/78-the-type-a-2-flight-jacket.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A-2_jacket

Been looking for information on the patch and can't come up with anything.
I even got so desperate I was looking up elements on the charts! LOL! lr   2  1 wondering if it was for a type of bomb they were using.
I hope this mystery gets solved!

[Oceans64]

I went along KevinB's route of a card hand (tho not equating to a Unit)...

In Poker this isn't a great starting hand in itself (but it looks good) = Big Slick in Texas Holdem
Blackjack - Great hand but would probably depict a Jack... and black.

The only thing I came up with was the King of Hearts = "Suicide King" with sword through his head.
And then of course we all know what an Ace is...

So really...  I've got nothin' here!

[jondar]

Kevin - that's closer than I've come over two or three years. The colonel was in WW2, went in at 22 yrs and already a licensed pilot, first assignment was ferrying bombers to Britain, served also in Korea and Viet Nam's early years.  Wish that King had been Hearts.  Thanks for the info.