Unknown naval badge

[Alex Rice]

Hi All
Can anyone ID this naval badge. It looks like it may be a 'SEALS' type qualification badge with the parachute over the anchor.
Excuse the photo quality, it isn't mine.
Thanks, cheers,
Alex

[MOTLEY4]

I would try searching for Ukraine Naval Para-divers or similar unit. It has similarities with other Ukraine badges I know of. Hope that helps.

[mike_vee]

My initial thought was U.S. Naval Services , the seahorses reminded me of Master Diver / Medical /Specialist badges. The anchor and parachute confused me but the anchor was also used by the USCG (coast guard) and I found this in an article :

Parachutist Wings

Never one to avoid muddying the waters further, might I suggest that there was one additional set of wings worn for a very limited period from 1969-1971. That of a parachutist.

I was recruited into the United States Coast Guard and assigned to the Coast Guard Air Station, Saint Petersburg, Florida as an experiment in the use of a fully-qualified para-scuba rescueman.

When the Rescue Swimmer program was initiated within the Coast Guard, it followed the pattern of the US Navy Aviation Rescue Swimmer, not the model of the USAF “PJ”, which my training and prior experience represented.

I'm probably completely wrong but it's something to consider .

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[Alex Rice]

Thanks for the replies, gave me some useful search tips but no exact match yet.
Cheers,
Alex

[Milmed]

Argentina Navy Tactical Divers Group - Officers in Gold and enlisted in Silver

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by Milmed

Argentina Navy Tactical Divers Group - Officers in Gold and enlisted in Silver

I initially ruled them out as seahorses faced the wrong way .

[Wooffy]

Listed here:
https://allbadges.net/en/badge/16274

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by Wooffy

Listed here:
https://allbadges.net/en/badge/16274

I saw that but wonder where they get their information from ? A lot of sites use descriptions listed by other sellers/dealers without any proof/provenance to back up their claims.

A very well known dealer lists a "WW1 His Majesty's New Zealand Transports On War Service" badge with the following description :

Non-combatants who volunteered to drive ambulances during the First World War were designated 'His Majesty's New Zealand Transports' (HMNZT).

This 'claim' has since been repeated on at least two other dealer sites .


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[mike_vee]

Argentina does use the two seahorses on their badges but so do other countries ,

[Alex Rice]

Thanks guys, appreciate the help. I did some extra searching and I think the Argentina ID is correct.
Cheers,
Alex

[mike_vee]

Originally Posted by Alex Rice

Thanks guys, appreciate the help. I did some extra searching and I think the Argentina ID is correct.
Cheers,
Alex

You are probably correct but the only 'evidence' I can find is the photo from the "all badges" site (which is used on other sites) . I just find it strange that there are no other photos/patches/documents showing this insignia of a 'special forces' unit that was involve in the Falklands War. I also can't find any images of the rear of the badge which would show fitting and possibly maker.

There seem to be three options :

1. It is a 'rare' Argentinian special forces badge (but priced at $8-$15).
2. It has been misidentified and is for a different unit/country.
3. It is a fantasy badge.

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