New York Wing Patch History and Significance
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CAP History LibraryNew York Wing Patch History and Significance
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CAP History LibraryThe New York Wing Patch
The purpose of any unit insignia is to identify the unit and help to build pride, morale and esprit
de corps. In our own New York Wing, we should all know the history and meaning of our Wing
Patch and be proud to be identified with a Wing with such a prominent role in Civil Air Patrol.
Wing patches were first authorized in 1948 and worn optionally on the right shoulder of the tan
and olive drab Army-type uniforms worn by members at the time.
The Patch design was selected by Colonel Cord Meyer, CAP, the Wing Commander from
September 1949 to January 1952. The design was one of many submitted by the membership
during a Wing-wide contest. The winning design was submitted by Warrant Officer Anthony
Peters of the Brooklyn Detached Squadron (which later became the Brooklyn Group).
Peters’ design combines elements of New York State, New York Wing and Air Force history.
The colors are blue and gold—the official colors of New York State as well as the Air Force
colors of ultramarine blue and golden yellow. The state outline and the letters “NY” represent
the state, with the red and silver colors of the wings and propeller representing the wartime
colors of Civil Air Patrol, a nod to our Wing’s significant contribution to World War II.
The silver droopy wings, emblematic of CAP pilots, had been previously designed by New
York Wing member, Lt Col C.B. Colby, who at that time was Chairman of the National Printing
and Engraving Committee. Colonel Colby later returned to the New York Wing staff in the
1950s as the Civil Defense Director. (Note: Colby was the author of a large number of
children’s pictorial hardcover on a broad range of topics, including one entitled “This is Your
Civil Air Patrol.”)
All of these elements were combined on a 2 ½” circle, the same size as the previously worn
Civil Air Patrol organizational insignia (the red 3-bladed propeller on a white triangle on a blue
disc). With the phase-out of the Army tans and the introduction of the Air Force blue uniform,
the wing patches became a required uniform item in 1955.
For 50 years, the Wing Patch clearly identified members of the New York Wing, whether they
were performing life saving and disaster relief missions within the State, or attending CAP
activities throughout the nation.
Per uniform change made by the National Board in March 2006, the wing patch is no longer
authorized for wear on the Air Force-blues uniform. It is now optional for wear on the BDUs,
flight suits, CAP field and utility uniforms.
(Note: Primary contributions to this document come from original articles believed to have been
authored by Lt Col Allan Pogorzelski, a former New York Wing Historian.)