Posted: 1/31/2009 1:52:02 AM EDT
My grandfather joined the Navy during World War II. This is his patch that I scanned in to the computer. All I know is that he was a Radar man 2nd Class. Could someone tell me about this patch? I am also unsure about the knot that is under the eagle.
Thanks |
| Although I'm a retired Army officer, my father served in WWII and Korea in the Navy. He was, in fact, a Petty Officer First Class with the rate of Radarman. The three red stripes you show are those of a Petty Officer First Class. The rate indicated by a square knot is not familiar to me, but dad would have known – it's too bad dad is gone now. His 1940 published "THE BLUEJACKETS MANUAL" doesn't show any ratings. As a radarman, his WWII rate is the one shown above of an arrow through three lightning bolts. His Korean War era rate insignia had changed to a circular radar scope with an arrow through it. This rate symbol still exists today but is listed as "Operations Specialist" and operate equipment in CIC. |
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Marine here, not sure if this it it.....
The CV6 organization defines a Seaman as, Seaman: Know naval drill duties, knots, steering and signaling. Stand watch and gunnery duties. I figure this is it based on the knot under the eagle, this is the only rating that I was sure was responsible for ropes. Hope this helps and I am sure one of our swabbie friends will come along and set this straight. No offense intended to the swabbies that read this , love you all for getting my butt to the beach in one piece. 
Edit: for those that don't know....CV6= USS Enterprise, the most decorated ship in WW2, God bless them |
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Thanks for all of your help. Hopefully someone will be able to find something about this patch.
edit. Ok, here is what I know. He is petty officer first class and not a radar man. I found his blue jacket manual (1943) and couldn't find a thing on it. Any ideas on where to look next, naval archives or something? |
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I think the rating belongs to an Ex-Apprentice. http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq78-1.htm SEE: "Apprentice Boys"
The apprentice training system in the Navy ended in December 1904 when it became merged with the landsman training system of that time. The main emphasis shifted to basic training ashore, with a three months' course of instruction at one of the Navy's three training stations. These were Newport, Norfolk, and San Francisco. The last Apprentice Boy payed off was Harry Morris, TMC who served from 1903 to 1958. Chief Morris, like the other ex-apprentices, wore a figure eight knot insignia on his uniform.
I realize the knot below the eagle is a square knot and not a figure 8 but that's all I could find. |
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Pre-dates me by forever.
That is a first class petty officer (E-6) "crow" and that is a square knot below it but I've never seen such an insignia. The ET's now repair them and the OS's now operate the radars but back then radar was a brand spanking new concept so I haven't a clue as to which rating would have used them. |