In 1933, a Navy Reserve Squadron in New York asked ... ‘R.T.’ Smith stands next to his P-40 fighter at Kunming, China. The ‘Flying Tiger’ insignia was created by the Walt Disney Company.

Navy wore uniforms and helmets that honored Fighter Squadron 17, also known as the “Jolly Rogers.” The squadron used the skull and crossbones insignia, in part because they flew F4U-1 Corsairs ...