100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation Logo

America’s Naval Aviation program includes three branches of the military: the Navy, the Marine Corps and the Coast Guard. All Naval Aviators wear the same badge of gold wings. The Foundation has created customized logos for the 100th Anniversary of Naval Aviation that incorporate the colors of each branch, in honor of their efforts. The focal point is a set of aviator wings enhanced with an embossed “100” on the shield in honor of the Centennial. The wings are set against backgrounds of blue for the Navy, scarlet for the Marine Corps, and light blue for the Coast Guard.

The first Naval Aviator wings were made by Baily, Banks & Biddle of Philadelphia. They were received by the Navy in December 1917 and issued early the in 1918. Although there have been minor changes over the years, the design essentially remains the same.

“In the case of pilots’ wings, they are always gold,” said Karl Zingheim, staff historian for the USS Midway Museum in San Diego. “You have a herald or shield in the center with stylized wings sprouting from each side. Behind the shield is a fouled anchor, the Navy emblem.” The men and women who wear gold wings have left their mark on history and carried flight to unmatched levels of sophistication. Their missions have changed the world. Historian Mark Aldrich, a volunteer researcher at the San Diego Air & Space Museum, said Naval Aviators and those who support them in the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard, continue to raise the bar for excellence.

  • To learn more about the Evolution of Naval Wings click here.
    • This is an excerpt from the book "United States Naval Aviation 1910-1995" by Mr. Roy Grossnick, published by the Naval Historical Center, Department of the Navy.