Buy Officially Licensed USMC VMF-1 Patch

Product Information

This is a 3" shoulder patch with Hook & Loop.

This is a very rare design and finding it took some help from the Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico:

NMMC has the original documentationthat VMF-144 submitted to Chief of Naval Operations in the spring of 1953looking for approval of the design. I have attached a color image of thedesign which we have in the form of a period produced sticker. VMF-144 wascommissioned as a reserve unit on 1 July 1946. I don't know when it wasre-designated as VMA-144, but I know that it happened sometime before 1962,as VMA-144 is noted in the official history of the USMC Reserves as beingthe first reserve squadron to participate in a major training exercise(Operation Unity) outside of the continental US for its summer maneuvers.Given that the first USMC active duty squadrons didn't get their first A-4A(then the A4D-1) until 1957, I doubt that the 1953 VMF-144 unit insigniadesign was meant to mimic the A-4. I am unable to confirm what aircrafttype VMF-144 was flying in 1953, but it likely to have be either the FH-1 orF2H. Looking at the patch and the two aircraft types, my money is on theunit patch riffing off of the FH-1, which had a very short career withactive duty USMC squadrons, but equipped 11 reserve units through 1953.

Product Description

Officially Licensed USMC VMF-144 Squadron Patches — A Rare Piece of Reserve Aviation History

Because some patches are so rare, it takes the Museum of the Marine Corps to find the design.

VMF-144 was a Marine Reserve fighter squadron with roots tracing back to VMSB-144, formed at NAS San Diego in September 1942. The original scout bomber squadron saw combat in World War II as part of the Cactus Air Force during the Battle of Guadalcanal and provided close air support during the Bougainville campaign. After the war, the squadron was reactivated in the reserves and redesignated VMF-144, commissioned on July 1, 1946. This patch design was sourced with help from the National Museum of the Marine Corps in Quantico, based on the original documentation the squadron submitted to the Chief of Naval Operations in 1953 for insignia approval — making it one of the rarest and most historically authentic squadron patches available.

Perfect For: Marine Reserve aviation historians, Cactus Air Force collectors, VMF-144 descendants, and anyone who appreciates a patch that required museum research to reproduce.

From Guadalcanal to the reserves. History this rare deserves to be worn.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the right backing?

If you want to swap patches on/off gear, choose hook & loop (velcro). If you’re attaching permanently to uniforms or fabric, choose sew-on. If you want quick application on compatible fabric, choose iron-on / heat seal (when offered). Backing options are shown on the page and update based on the variant you select.

What size is this item?

Size is shown on the product page and updates with the variant you select (example: 3"). If you’re mounting on a hat or small panel, choose smaller sizes; for plate carriers and display boards, larger sizes fit better.

Are these Officially Licensed?

If the product is officially licensed, it will say “Officially Licensed” in the title and/or in the product details. If it doesn’t, it’s still a legitimate product—just not part of a licensed program.

Do you offer bulk or reruns for units/squadrons?

Yes. If you see a note like “bulk reruns available,” that means we can support group orders or reruns. If you don’t see it, contact us with the unit/squadron and quantity and we’ll confirm options.

Can you make a custom patch / name tag / lanyard / apparel?

Yes—custom solutions are available (patches, name tags, lanyards, apparel). Use the custom request page and include artwork, size, backing preference, and quantity.