United States Army Air Corps - Balloon Pilot

An early and scarce USAAF Balloon Pilot, hook pin back example, some tarnishing (will clean up if desired)

1921 the Army authorized the "Airship Pilot Badge" to specifically recognize airship pilots (as opposed to other types of lighter-than-air craft). Originally known as the Aeronaut Badge, the Balloon Pilot Badge was created in 1918 and awarded to pilots of military observation balloons. The badge consisted of a balloon centered on a standard Pilot's Badge and was issued in two degrees. The senior degree of the Aeronaut Badge was denoted by a star centered above the winged balloon.

Code: 58158