Original Items: Only Pair Available. After WWII, the 11th Airborne Division was stationed in Japan as part of the post war occupation forces. Always in need of insignia, American troops had a large demand for badges that were quickly met by local post war merchants and shopkeepers who met the needs. Both metal paratrooper jump wings and glider badges were produced with the markings SENDAI JAPAN. Some were even marked STERLING even though they were made of plated brass. Many were dated “1946” in addition to “SENDAI JAPAN”.

This is a great example of a Japanese made set of gilder wings, made of plated brass. The reverse still retains most of the plating. The reverse is marked:

1946
SENDAI JAPAN

Most of the badges made in Sendai were made in 1946 and it’s extremely uncommon and rare to find badges with a later year marked on them. This is a fantastic example, ready for further research and display!

History

The badge was authorized on 2 June 1944 and discontinued on 3 May 1961 but may continue to be worn on U.S. Army uniforms.

Following the close of the Second World War, the Glider Badge was authorized to any service member who had completed glider unit training at the Airborne School.

In the post-World War II years, the US Army converted its remaining glider units to parachute. For example, the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment of the 82d Airborne Division was reorganized and redesignated on 15 December 1947 as the 325th Infantry Regiment (no longer glider infantry), and then reorganized and redesignated again on 15 December 1948 as the 325th Airborne Infantry. Likewise, the 319th Glider Field Artillery Battalion, also part of the 82d Airborne Division, was reorganized and redesignated on 15 December 1947 as the 319th Field Artillery Battalion, and then reorganized and redesignated on 15 December 1948 as the 319th Airborne Field Artillery Battalion. Although glider units had ceased to exist, the badge was not formally rescinded until 3 May 1961; however, it remained authorized for wear by those who earned it.

Glider training was included in the United States Army's basic Airborne course until 1949, which at that time lasted five weeks. The first week of the course covered air transportability training, which included glider training. During late summer of that year, a glider crashed, killing many of those on board, and glider training came to an end.