5th Air Force Patch

WWII Army Air Forces numbered 5th Air Force patch measures approximately 3 inches. Fully embroidered sew on patch.

The Fifth Air Force (5th AF) was a major combat air force of the United States Army Air Forces during World War II and became one of the most prominent American air commands in the Pacific Theater. Activated in 1941 and initially based in the Philippines, it suffered heavy losses during the Japanese invasion but was later reconstituted in Australia under the leadership of commanders such as George C. Kenney. From bases in Australia and New Guinea, Fifth Air Force conducted aggressive air campaigns against Japanese forces, pioneering innovative tactics in low-level bombing and coordinated air-ground operations. It played a decisive role in the Allied advance across New Guinea, the Philippines, and toward Japan, providing air superiority, close air support, and strategic bombing. Through its combat effectiveness and tactical innovation, Fifth Air Force became a cornerstone of American air power in the Southwest Pacific.