QCL, I know 2 amazing men who possess those well-earned caterpillars and was tempted to post about those brave men previously however I couldn’t bring myself to connect bravery with murder. Those who landed in water are entitled to a fish (can’t remember off-hand what breed) with a diamond eye, whereas the caterpillars have a ruby I believe.
One of the men mentioned above, who was shot down in Vietnam, was devastated recently when he lost his caterpillar from his tie while at an RSL club. Fortunately his family have been able to secure a replacement, minus the stone in the eye.
The parachute company mentioned, i I understand, was disbanded many years ago and contacted all recipients of a caterpillar to see if any had been lost/stolen as they had some spares. My aunt, wife of my now deceased uncle chose to purchase another caterpillar as she has 2 sons and felt it was a worthy memento to honour their father who was shot down in enemy territory in WWII. He survived and found badly burned and left wearing only his leather flying boots, lined with lamb’s wool.
I think the difference in caterpillar connections are fairly obvious.