Posted 7 years ago
Smurfed
(1 item)
Metal that was in my Grandfather's stuff when he passed. Would love to know what it's for and if it's Vietnam era.
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U.S. Air Force Senior Missileman Badge - Pocket Rocket
The Missile Badge is a military decoration of the United States Air Force which was first created in the 1960s. The badge recognizes those commissioned officers and enlisted personnel of the US Air Force who have qualified as missile personnel (both Tactical and SAC, now AFGSC, ICBM) that have been trained in the launching of landbased nuclear weapons under the direction of the National Command Authority. Originally known as the Missileman Badge, the Missile Badge later became known as the Missilier Badge or more informally the Pocket Rocket and is still often referred to by this name.
Following its creation in the 1960s, the badge came in only one style with basic, senior and master versions. Although primarily issued to Atlas, Titan I/Titan II, Minuteman I/II/III and Peacekeeper missile crews of the Strategic Air Command (SAC), it was also issued to Tactical Air Command (TAC) Matador and Mace missile crews of the 1960s and Gryphon Ground Launched Cruise Missile (GLCM) crews of the 1980s and early 1990s. In the late 1980s, this badge was redesignated as the missile maintenance insignia while a new version bracketed by an oak wreath became the missile operations badge
Markings on the back would put this in the Viet Nam era. "Sterling" with the "M-22" identifies this as a N.S. Meyer product made between 1965- 67.
scott
I love the design, if I knew nothing about this item and it was large, I would almost swear it was Soviet. Has that feel to it.
Thank you so much Scruples! Was very happy to see a reply so fast! Also to learn about my grandfather's history in the military makes me happier than most things. Thank you again!
-Robert P.