80th Fighter Squadron

History of the HEADHUNTER Patch

Click on all patches for better views

This is THE Original Patch which belonged to Yale Saffro. It is now owned by his son, Dr. Richard Saffro. The patch immediately below can be seen in the top left corner, and the picture frame to the right. Our many thanks to Dick for sharing this photo with us.

The original Squadron patch, showing Donald Duck emptying a chamber pot on a Rising Sun, was designed by an 80th crewchief, MSgt Yale Saffro (a pre-war Walt Disney Studios artist), and distributed to Squadron personnel in April 1943. It was chosen over a design submitted by the Disney Studios which showed a black sheep. While Saffro’s design very accurately reflected Squadron sentiments, flight personnel began to have second thoughts and felt that it could provoke the Japanese into additional brutality in the event they were shot down and captured. Thus, it was never officially adopted by the 80th Fighter Squadron.

THE First WWII Headhunter Patch which belonged to Yale Saffro. Notice it is "figure eight" shaped, and not round or oval. It, and the one above, are in a wall picture frame display, which can be seen on the left. This patch is now owned by his son, Dr. Richard Saffro. Our many thanks to Dick for sharing this photo with us.

On 8 April, 1943 Capt Edward "Porky" Cragg assumed command of the 80th Fighter Squadron. The Squadron was then flying out of Port Moresby, New Guinea, fighting some of the toughest battles of the Second World War. During these battles, many an 80th Fighter Squadron pilot was returned to the Allied lines by sympathetic local headhunter natives--who hated the Japanese because of their brutality towards the local tribes. In tribute to these brave local headhunters, and to reflect the fighting spirit of the 80th, Capt Cragg decided to name the Squadron the "Headhunters". A simple patch representing the likeness of the proud Papuan Chief of New Guinea was also designed by MSgt Yale Saffro and was soon adopted by the Squadron. The new design was based on photos of headhunters which were prominently displayed in every story about the New Guinea campaign in magazines coming from Australia. Below the headhunter image was a broken bone positioned to form a "vee" which, as a Roman Numeral, signified the Squadron’s Fifth Air Force assignment as well as a "V" for victory. It is still proudly worn today.

Another early painting by Saffro on our tablecloth. It is designated "Saffro 3."
Sent in by JP Reilly

80th Fighter Bomber Sq -- 1950

Different versions of the yellow "Headhunters" patch first appeared during the Korean War period, but didn’t enter wide use until the early 1960s while the 80th Tactical Fighter Squadron was stationed at Yokota AB, Japan.

80th Fighter-Bomber Sq -- 1954-57

This photo, sent in by Albert Marcello, depicts the Squadron patch of the 80th Fighter Bomber Sq in the mid '50's. Al says, "The patch was given to me when I joined the 80th FBS in 1955 in Okinawa. I am very proud of it and have kept it all these years. Also thrilled to contribute my photo of it to the achieves. I still have that same patch with the worn spot under the "d" In the HEADHUNTER banner."

80th Tactical Fighter Sq -- 1960's to early 1980's

The yellow "Headhunter" patch on the Norman-style shield was later worn extensively during the Vietnam War, modified as shown above.

In the summer of 1971 when the Squadron picked up the nickname of JUVATS, the above patch was modified again by replacing "HEADHUNTERS" with "JUVAT" on end-of-tour plaques and coffee mugs; however, the "HEADHUNTER" patch was not changed for flight suits. It was discarded in favor of the original-style WWII patch during the early 1980s, but is still worn sometimes today on special occasions.

Early 1980's Patch

The two smaller-sized round patches with the "Headhunters" and "80th Tac Ftr Sq" rockers entered use in the early 1980s. They were brought about by new Air Force regulations requiring unit designations to be on every squadron patch.

Current Patch

Fortunately, after several years of patience and hard work by Lt Col Dana Duthie, Maj Richard M. "Woody" Woodward, and Yale Saffro, and several pounds (literally) of paperwork, we were finally able to convince the Air Force Heraldry Division that the original "Headhunter" patch design should not be changed. Our Unit patch is now the only official patch in the United States Air Force without any unit designation markings--something our active Squadron is very proud of, and it is captured in our Squadron Song..."...known, not as a number, but as a name, denoting fear...."

Subdued
(c1982-1983)

This subdued patch was sent in by LtCol Marshall Smith, USMCR, on 16 July 2001. It is thought to be an early version sewn on flight suits and non-flying personnel fatigues before Velcro, but after the Squadron returned to the original version of the patch in 1982. They are patches worn by both pilots on their flight suits, and on Battle Dress Uniforms (BDU's) of all Squadron ground personnel beginning in the 1982-83 era when the new patch was accepted and approved by USAF.

Subdued
(1983-1984)

This patch, sent in by Dick Jonas on 17 July 2001, was worn by him on his flight suit while flying in the 80th in 1983-1984. It has Velcro to allow removal before flight.

Shortly thereafter, about 84-85, The pilots went to the bright-colored patches with Velcro, while the non-fliers had these subdued ones on their BDU's. This is the patch that all our ground personnel wore on their fatigues---our life support, 702's, admin officer, and maintenance troops--- in 1985-1986. It was sewn on above the right breast pocket.

(Awaiting photo)

About 1992-1993, these subdued patches were toned down even more to conform with USAF subdued patch policy. The actual BDU patch was completely Black and OD, with no brown border. They didn't have Velcro backing, because they were sewn directly on the BDUs.

Today we are once again called the 80th Fighter Squadron (and stationed under a direct descendant of our original 8th Pursuit Group), we once again proudly bear the name given to us by Capt Edward "Porky" Cragg in 1943, and we once again wear patches very similar to the original "Headhunter" patch designed by Yale Saffro.

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