Disney WWII Unit Insignia
During World War II, the Disney Studio was taken over by the military as part of the war effort. Disney studios created training, propaganda, and educational films for the Armed Forces.
The studio took on a less formal role of helping the military when they were asked to create a humorous logo for a Naval Reserve Squadron stationed at Floyd Bennett Field in New York. When other military units learned of the design, the Disney Studios quickly found itself inundated with requests to draw emblems for them as well. Disney ultimately had to assign five artists full-time to the task. Disney insignia were emblazoned on aircraft, ships, boats, jeeps, tanks, bomber jackets, trinkets, and bombs and torpedoes. An emblem was even created for airmen confined in German prisoner of war camps. By the time the war ended, the studios had created some 1,200 cartoon insignias for all of the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as for many Allied troops. Patriotically, no fees were ever charged for creating the insignias, as Walt Disney felt it was a way he could contribute to the morale of the soldiers, sailors and airmen.
The studio took on a less formal role of helping the military when they were asked to create a humorous logo for a Naval Reserve Squadron stationed at Floyd Bennett Field in New York. When other military units learned of the design, the Disney Studios quickly found itself inundated with requests to draw emblems for them as well. Disney ultimately had to assign five artists full-time to the task. Disney insignia were emblazoned on aircraft, ships, boats, jeeps, tanks, bomber jackets, trinkets, and bombs and torpedoes. An emblem was even created for airmen confined in German prisoner of war camps. By the time the war ended, the studios had created some 1,200 cartoon insignias for all of the branches of the U.S. Armed Forces, as well as for many Allied troops. Patriotically, no fees were ever charged for creating the insignias, as Walt Disney felt it was a way he could contribute to the morale of the soldiers, sailors and airmen.
A surplus shoulder sleeve patch is owned. The emblem on the patch was designed by Disney Studios for a Mosquito Boat Fleet, and depicts a mosquito flying above the waves while holding a torpedo between its legs. While the patches were unofficial, they were commonly worn by crew members.