The Dirigible Pilot Badge is a military decoration of the United States Navy that was issued to those service members who received training and qualification as dirigible pilots. The badge was first created in the 1930s, during which time the Navy was experimenting with lighter-than-air craft, as opposed to conventional, fixed-wing aircraft.
The Dirigible Pilot Badge was issued well into the 1970s, with occasional awards, on a case-by-case basis, to the end of the 20th century. In the modern Navy, however, the Dirigible Pilot Badge is considered obsolete, but still may be found on various insignia and badge charts promulgated through U.S. Navy instructions and publications.
The Dirigible Pilot Badge appears as a “half-wing” version of the Naval Aviator Badge. Its design was based on early versions of the Observer Badge, used in the United States Army Air Corps.
Famous quotes containing the words pilot and/or badge:
“The river knows the way to the sea;
Without a pilot it runs and falls,
Blessing all lands with its charity.”
—Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803–1882)
“It would much conduce to the public benefit, if, instead of discouraging free-thinking, there was erected in the midst of this free country a dianoetic academy, or seminary for free-thinkers, provided with retired chambers, and galleries, and shady walks and groves, where, after seven years spent in silence and meditation, a man might commence a genuine free-thinker, and from that time forward, have license to think what he pleased, and a badge to distinguish him from counterfeits.”
—George Berkeley (1685–1753)