 |
|
| U.S. Vietnam War Period Patches & cloth Insignia, Unit Patches, Squadron Patches, Rank Chevrons, Party Patches, Theatre Made, Machine Embroidered, etc., as available. | |
| Please Note: The patches and cloth insignia listed here as "Vietnam Theatre Made," "Locally Manufactured," or " Handmade," refer to vintage, Vietnam War period, patches that are not like the mass-produced patches that we are familiar with today. These highly collected patches were produced individually by hand sewing or hand sewn on a sewing machine, in small shops, throughout Vietnam, as well as, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos. Some patches were somewhat more professionally machine embroidered in Korea, Okinawa, Taiwan, Japan and the Philippines. The collector interest and value of these patches lies in the individual artistic handmade rendering and crude quality of each patch. | |
| Vietnam War Period Civil Affairs Guidon – Dated Nov 6 1972 | |
 |
1VNP-1. Approximately 29-inch wide x 20-inch high, purple wool, swallow-tail shape, Guidon flag bearing the separately applied, (both sides), white and purple symbol for the U.S. Military Civil Affairs branch of service. One edge of the Guidon has a 2-inch hemmed sleeve, which is designed to slip over the Guidon pole; the Guidon is secured to the pole by means of a short leather strap with a buttonhole, which is sewn into both ends of the sleeve. There is a white cloth label sewn inside the sleeve on one end; the label is printed “Guidon civil Affairs, Separate companies (blank), Nylon-Wool, 1’8” x 2’ 3 ¾”, Contract No. 703-73, 8345-986-6462, DPSC Dir. Of Mfg.;” the date “Nov 6 1972” is ink stamped on the white label; the label bears hand annotated inspectors initials as well. The Guidon is in excellent + condition. An original military issue Guidon. $125.00 |
| Short Timer | |
 |
1VNP-2. 5-inch diameter, yellow novelty patch, machine embroidered, depicting a sailor, apparently coming off of shore leave. The machine-embroidered sailor is wearing Japanese style sandals, carrying a Japanese parasol and carrying a bag in his right hand. The backside has, tight, cheesecloth backing. The design, style of embroidery and material used is consistent with those machine-embroidered patches made in the Vietnam Theatre of Operations. Moderate, (some heavy), signs of age and soil from storage. Backside exhibits heavy areas of brown spotting, some of which has bled onto the front of the patch. Unfortunately, the description sounds worse than the patch really is and not as soiled looking as it appears in the image. Vg-. $45.00 |
| USS Iwo Jima LPH-2 | |
 |
1VNP-3. The USS Iwo Jima was designed
as an amphibious assault ship and was commissioned on August 26, 1961.
The ship carried a squadron of 24 Marine helicopters plus a Battalion
Landing Team of 1500 Marines with a primary mission of an amphibious
assault ship able to land Marines anywhere in the world when needed. The
Iwo Jima also performed mine countermeasures, search & rescue,
refueling, evacuation of Americans and persons of friendly nations from
hostile situations in foreign countries. The ship contained a 100 bed
hospital and was designated the primary casualty receiving ship when
operating in a task force. In addition the ship participated in nuclear
tests at Johnston Island, evacuating non-essential personnel during a
test and returning them to the island after the test. The Iwo Jima
patrolled south of Puerto Rico during the Cuban Missile Crisis in case
an invasion of Cuba was ordered. In August 1963 the ship was deployed to
the Western Pacific and played an active role in Southeast Asian
operations participating in over 30 amphibious landings in Vietnam
through May 1971. In August 1990 the ship was deployed the Persian Gulf
for participation in Operation Desert Shield taking part in deceptive
maneuvers that would influence Iraqis to believe an amphibious assault
would be eminent. In October of 1990 the ship experienced a tragic steam
turbine mechanical failure that cost the lives of 10-crew members the
ship underwent repairs in Bahrain and continued its mission in the
Persian Gulf. In July
through November of 1992 the Iwo Jima sailed in the Adriatic off the
coast of former Yugoslavia, providing search & rescue support for
United Nations flights as part of Operation Provide Promise, as well as
providing medical support to the USS Saratoga and the Turkish destroyer
Mauvenet after an unfortunate accidental missile-firing accident. After
a long, decorated, historical and varied history, the USS Iwo Jima was
decommissioned then scrapped in August of 1996. The island structure of
the ship was purchased by the Texas Air Museum; it was disassembled and
reassembled where it resides at its present location in Rio Hondo,
Texas. Nice early style construction. A little age from handling and
storage, otherwise, Vg+. $55.00 |
| 1st Aviation Brigade - Theatre Made - Hand Embroidered | |
 |
1VNP-4. 2-inch wide x 3-1/2inch high, blue twill patch, depicting a loosely hand woven design of gold eagle superimposed on a vertical sword with a white blade and red hilt; the eagle, and sword are outlined with, hand applied, black thread. Outer border is hand applied with a regular sewing machine. The backside is covered with lightweight open weave cheesecloth. The unit was formed in 1966, as a Regular Army Unit, for service in Vietnam. Their mission included, but was not limited to, combat assaults, medical evacuation, aerial reconnaissance, fire control, etc. The patch has been used and removed from a uniform; most of the original sewing threads still remain. Light signs of age, associated with actual use. Vg. $45.00 |
| Silver Bullion US Air Force A1C Rank Chevrons - Theater Made | |
 |
1VNP-5. Air Force rank chevrons for an Airman First Class, (old rank structure). Standard size and design, these unofficial insignia were probably purchased in Okinawa while on R & R. They are handmade with raised silver bullion thread on dark blue wool. Backside of chevrons exhibit bits of paper with printed Japanese writing, as well as, hand annotated Japanese characters. It was customary to see the use of this paper in the construction of various insignia. Chevrons have been removed from a uniform, edges lightly frayed, they exhibit moderate age, use, wear and tarnish. Two small strands of bullion are missing on one chevron, otherwise overall Vg. A nice matching set of, handmade, bullion US Air Force rank insignia. Vg. $12.00 for the pair. SOLD |
| 391st Tactical Fighter Squadron | |
 |
1VNP-6. 3-inch diameter, fully embroidered blue patch with lower scroll tab. The multi-colored central design depicts a “skull face” monkey, holding a yellow lightning bolt, riding a red bomb. The white embroidered scroll bears the unit designation, “391st Tac Ftr Sq.” The unit was redesignated from its WW2 and 1950’s designations to the 391st Tactical Fighter Squadron and was attached to the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing, 26 Jan 1966; the Seventh Air Force, 1 Apr 1966 and the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing, 23 Jun 1966 to 21 Jul 1968. The 391st was stationed at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, South Vietnam, from 29 Jan 1966 to 21 Jul 1968 and flew F–4C’s, with the tail a code, “XI;” the unit participated in combat operations in Southeast Asia, from 2 Feb 1966 to 21 Jul 1968, and received the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award w/Combat, "V," Device and the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm. The patch is in excellent condition and exhibits classic Vietnam War period machine embroidering techniques. $55.00 SOLD |
| 1st Signal Brigade - Theatre Made, Machine & Hand Embroidered | |
 |
1VNP-7. 1-3/4-inch wide x 2-3/4-inch high, olive green twill patch, machine and hand embroidered with black thread, depicting a sword with lightning bolt blade; the black thread side panels are hand embroidered in a horizontal pattern. Reverse is un-backed. The patch has been used and removed from a uniform; some of the original sewing threads still remain. Light age and wear. Vg. $26.00 |
| Combat Infantry Badge, First Award -Vietnam War Period – Color Embroidered | |
 |
1VNP-8. 2-3/4-inch wide x 1-3/8-inch high olive green cotton fatigue material depicting a, full color, machine embroidered, U.S. Combat Infantry Badge. A coveted badge, awarded for meritorious combat performance, which is worn over left pocket. The use of colored cloth insignia was discontinued sometime after the Vietnam War; this insignia is still awarded but appears only in silver & enameled metal and black embroidered cloth. The patch has been used and removed from a uniform; most of the original sewing threads still remain. Extremely light age, wear and insignificant soil consistent with very light use. Vg+. $24.00 SOLD |
| Vietnam War Period Patch, (?), APO 157, 849 IAC&W DET, Oshima, Japan - Theatre Made – Unknown Unit – Unknown Period | |
 |
1VNP-9. Loose
weave, machine embroidered, multi colored, patch, 3-1/4-inch wide x
4-inch high, depicting a black bat with red legs and claws standing with
one foot on a yellow island. Right side of patch exhibits a helicopter;
left side depicts a drone or some type of a missile, a Japanese arch is
embroidered above head of bat. Tab above patch is embroidered, “APO
157,” with “Oshima Japan” embroidered below. The patch is woven in
the classic, crude, loose weave characteristic of theatre made patches
of the Vietnam War. If APO 157 is actually an “Army Post Office,”
number, it’s the APO number for U.S. soldiers in the Vinh Long,
Vietnam area. An interesting design but an unknown unit. Light signs of
age and possible use. UNIQUE. Excellent. $65.00
|
| South Vietnam Basic Paratrooper Qualification Wing - Theatre Made, Hand Embroidered On OD Rip-Stop Cotton With “golden yellow star” | |
 |
1VNP-10. 2-1/8-inch wide x 1-1/16-inch high white cotton thread winged parachute with a “golden yellow star” suspended at the bottom, hand embroidered, on a piece of OD rip-stop cotton material, 3-1/2-inch wide x 2-1/4-inch high. The reverse is un-backed and it exhibits a multitude of thread showing the significant amount of handwork that went into the construction of this patch. Unused. Excellent. $32.00 |
| South Vietnam Basic Paratrooper Qualification Wing - Theatre Made, Hand Embroidered On OD Rip-Stop Cotton With “bright yellow star” | |
 |
1VNP-10a. 2-1/8-inch wide x 1-1/16-inch high white cotton thread winged parachute with a “bright yellow star” suspended at the bottom, hand embroidered, on a piece of OD rip-stop cotton material, 3-1/2-inch wide x 2-1/4-inch high. The reverse is un-backed and it exhibits a multitude of thread showing the significant amount of handwork that went into the construction of this patch. Unused. Excellent. $32.00 |
| Specialist 4 Rank (Sp4) - 1st Type Subdued - Factory Machine Embroidered Variation | |
 |
1VNP-11. 3-inch wide x 3-7/8 inch high, olive-green cotton twill patch, machine embroidered with black thread, depicting a US Army style eagle in the center. Outer border is, 1st type, machine embroidered, using a light olive thread having a slight gold tinge; the border is not merrowed. The specialists’ series ranks were adopted in 1955; in 1958 the ranks were restructured and the insignia was made larger, like the one offered here. The Sp4 rank is still used today but it has not been used as a subdued sleeve rank since the end of the Vietnam War. Exact matching pair. Unused. Excellent+. $22.00 SOLD |
| Return to Vietnam War Militaria Index | |