Balloon Pilot Insignia

Not to be confused with the United States Army Balloon Pilot Badge.

United States Navy and Marine Corps Balloon Pilot Insignia (metal version)

The Balloon Pilot Insignia ^[1] (sometimes referred to as the balloon pilot badge, dirigible pilot insignia, or dirigible pilot badge) was a military decoration of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps that was issued to those service members who received training and qualification as dirigible pilots. The badge first appeared in Navy Uniform Regulations in 1922, during which time the Navy was experimenting with lighter-than-air craft, as opposed to conventional, fixed-wing aircraft. ^{[2] [3]}

The Balloon Pilot Insignia was issued well into the 1970s, with occasional awards, on a case-by-case basis, to the end of the 20th century. The 1978 U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations removed the Dirigible/Balloon Pilot Insignia from the authorized list of aviation breast insignia. ^[4] Although the Dirigible/Balloon Pilot Insignia is considered obsolete, it may still be found on various insignia and badge charts promulgated through U.S. Navy instructions and publications. ^[2]

The Balloon Pilot Insignia appears as a "half-wing" version of the Naval Aviator Insignia. Its design was based on early versions of the Observer Badge. ^{[2] [3]}

See also

• List of United States Navy enlisted warfare designations
• Badges of the United States Navy
• Obsolete badges of the United States military
• Uniforms of the United States Navy

References

1. Grossnick, Roy A.; Armstrong, William J. (1997). United States Naval Aviation, 1910–1995. Naval Historical Center, United States Department of the Navy. p. 660. ISBN   0-945274-34-3. Archived from the original on 2025-07-29. Retrieved 2025-07-29. ...the Balloon Pilot insignia...
2. Evolution of Naval Wings Archived December 2, 2012, at the Wayback Machine , Naval History and Heritage Command, last accessed 17 January 2013
3. Complete Guide to United States Marine Corps Medals, Badges and Insignia World War II to Present, Medals of America, last accessed 17 January 2013
4. Grossnick, Roy A.; Armstrong, William J. (1997). United States Naval Aviation, 1910–1995. Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy. p. 660. ISBN   0-945274-34-3. Archived from the original on 2025-07-29. Retrieved 2025-07-29. The 1978 U.S. Navy Uniform Regulations removed the Balloon Pilot insignia from the authorized list of aviation breast insignia.