History of the Patch

	VA-102 Prince William Composite Squadron 102 Version 2, 1989

The essential design of the Prince William Composite Squadron crest emulates a royal coat of arms. Adopting this style pays tribute to the unit's namesake, Prince William, the Duke of Cumberland (1721-1765) and to the county in Virginia named for him which is the unit's home. The depiction of a knight's helmet in the lower sector of the crest reminds us of a heritage of chivalry.

The central feature of the crest is the chevron. Deviding the crest into sectors, it resembles an arrow pointing skyward, and symbolizes the unit's continuing efforts toward betterment. The checkered pattern of the chevron is reminiscent of the checkered flag marking the end of a race for a triumphant competitor. As a competitive spirit is the cornerstone of Prince William's strategy for achievement, this pattern is very significant.

Three start adorn the upper sector of the crest. These, of course, symbolize the three missions of Civil Air Patrol: Aerospace Education, the Cadet Program, and Emergency Services. The combination of the chevron and the stars captures the essence of the unit's adopted motto: "Ad Astra Per Aspera". Translated from Latin, this means: "To The Stars We Aspire". Our motto indicates the high standards expected of Prince William's members.

The stars also reflect Prince William's commitment to excellence in all three endeavors. They are patterned after the ancient mariner's compass rose in the hope that we may never lose our way in the arduous journey toward these lofty goals.

The squadron crest was designed by former Squadron Commander, Lt Col B.T. Marking, and was approved for use as a squadron patch by the Virginia Wing uniform committee on May 5, 1989."

Information provided by:
1st Lt Al Jaques, CAP
January 1996