502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment Badge

Key Information about the Unit

The 502nd Parachute Infantry Regiment (502nd PIR) is an airborne infantry regiment of the United States Army that served as part of the 101st Airborne Division during World War II.

It was constituted on June 14, 1942, as the 502d Parachute Infantry Regiment and assigned to the 101st Division on August 15, 1942.

The unit took part in major operations such as the Normandy landings, Operation Market Garden, and Bastogne during the Battle of the Bulge.

About the “Winged Skull” Patch

There is indeed a patch popularly associated with the 502nd PIR that depicts a “winged skull” (bat-winged skull) beneath a parachute, surrounded by red, white, and blue rings.

However, historical records show that this patch was never officially authorized by command (or at least not approved by the Heraldry Office) during the war. For example: “The 502 PIR utilized an unapproved bat wings and skull pocket patch throughout WW2…”

It is also mentioned that this design originated around 1941, when the 502nd was still a battalion, and that it was used as a “pocket patch” on jump or flight jackets.

Therefore, while authentic period examples do exist and are highly sought after by collectors, most of the versions available today of the “502nd Winged Skull” patch are modern reproductions or commercial replicas.