USAF OXIDIZED "HAP ARNOLD" BUTTON

Known variously as the “Hap Arnold star” or “Hap Arnold wings,” the design on the buttons worn on the Air Force’s Service Dress and Mess Dress coats is taken from the Shoulder Sleeve Insignia of the United States Army Air Forces. The star with a red disc was used for a time on USAAF aircraft, but in May 1942 the disc was removed for fear that U.S. pilots could mistake it for the red disc at the center of the Japanese “Rising Sun” airplane insignia; it was replaced by horizontal bars on the left and right side of the star. This insignia was used as the inspiration for the trademarked United States Air Force Symbol that became the branch’s official symbol in 2004.

Use the chart below to determine how many buttons of each size you need, taking into consideration the wisdom of having extra buttons on hand in case of an emergency.