The Balloon Pilot Badge is a military badge of the United States Armed Forces which was issued during the First and Second World Wars. The badge was issued by both the United States Army and the U.S. Air Force with the Navy equivalent known as the Dirigible Pilot Badge.
Originally known as the Aeronaut Badge, the Ballon Pilot Badge was created in 1918 and awarded to pilots of military hot air balloons. The badge consisted of a balloon centered on a standard Pilot’s Badge and was issued in two degrees. The senior degree of the Aeronaut Badge was denoted by a star centered above the winged balloon.
The Aeronaut Badge was awarded under the authority of the Army Air Corps and was issued until the mid 1930s. The badge was then redesigned as the Balloon Pilot Badge and, during the Second World War, was issued by the Army Air Force. Like its predecessor, the Balloon Pilot Badge was issued in a junior and senior degree.
The Army Air Force also issued a Balloon Observer Badge for those who served as co-pilots and support crew onboard military balloon craft.
Due to the aircraft technology advances of the 1940s, balloon aeronautics became militarily obsolete by the 1950. At that time, the United States Air Force discontinued the Balloon Pilot Badge. By the close of the Korean War, the Balloon Pilot Badge was considered obsolete.
