A Vietnam war era Operation Ranch Hand patch

[Patchcollector]

Hi all,
I wanted to post these sellers' pics of a patch I recently picked up.It is a war period,incountry made Operation Ranch Hand piece that I have been seeking an example of for quite awhile.

I'll post some close up pics when I receive it.

 

Here is some info I found online:

 

Operation Ranch Hand was a U.S. military operation during the Vietnam War, lasting from 1962 until 1971. It was part of the overall herbicidal warfare program during the war called "Operation Trail Dust". Ranch Hand involved spraying an estimated 20 million U.S. gallons (76,000 ) of defoliants and herbicides over rural areas of South Vietnam in an attempt to deprive the Viet Cong of food and vegetation cover. Areas of Laos and Cambodia were also sprayed to a lesser extent. Nearly 20,000 sorties were flown between 1961 and 1971. The Vietnamese government estimates that 400,000 people were killed or maimed and 500,000 children born with birth defects as a result of this spraying of what were called by the Americans 'rainbow herbicides'.
The "Ranch Handers" motto was "Only you can prevent a forest – a take on the popular U.S. Forest Service poster slogan of Smokey Bear. During the ten years of spraying, over 5 million acres (20,000 km) of forest and 500,000 acres (2,000 km) of crops were heavily damaged or destroyed. Around 20% of the forests of South Vietnam were sprayed at least once.
The herbicides were sprayed by the U.S. Air Force flying C-123s using the call sign "Hades". The planes were fitted with specially developed spray tanks with a capacity of 1,000 U.S. gallons (4 m) of herbicides. A plane sprayed a swath of land that was 80 meters wide and 16 km (~10 miles) long in about 4½ minutes, at a rate of about 3 U.S. gallons per acre (3 m/km). Sorties usually consisted of three to five airplanes flying side by side. 95% of the herbicides and defoliants used in the war were sprayed by the U.S. Air Force as part of Operation Ranch Hand. The remaining 5% were sprayed by the U.S. Chemical Corps, other military branches, and the Republic of Vietnam using hand sprayers, spray trucks, helicopters and boats, primarily around U.S. military installations.

For most of the war, Operation Ranch Hand was based at Bien Hoa Air Base (1966–1970), for operations in the Mekong Delta region where U.S. Navy patrol boats were vulnerable to attack from areas of undergrowth along the water's edge. Storage, mixing, loading, and washing areas and a parking ramp were located just off the base's inside taxiway between the Hot Cargo Ramp and the control tower. For operations along the central coast and the Ho Chi Minh trail regions, Ranch Hand operated out of Da Nang Air Base (1964–71). Other bases of operation included Phu Cat Air Base (1968–1970), Tan Son Nhut Air Base (1962–66), Nha Trang Air Base (1968–69), Phan Rang Air Base (1970–72), and Tuy Hoa Air Base (1971–72). Other bases were also used as temporary staging areas for Ranch Hand. The Da Nang, Bien Hoa and Phu Cat Air bases are still heavily contaminated with dioxin from the herbicides, and have been placed on a priority list for containment and clean-up by the Vietnamese government.
The first aerial spraying of herbicides was a test run conducted on 10 August 1961 in a village north of Đắk Tô against foliage. Testing continued over the next year and even though there was doubt in the State Department, The Pentagon and the White House as to the efficacy of the herbicides, Operation Ranch Hand began in early 1962. Individual spray runs had to be approved by President John F. Kennedy until November 1962, when Kennedy gave the authority to approve most spray runs to the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam and the U.S. Ambassador to South Vietnam. Ranch Hand was given final approval to spray targets in eastern Laos in December 1965.

[firefighter]

Great looking patch.Probably used by the 12th Air Commando SQ.

[Patchcollector]

Hi FF,
Thanks,I think it is one cool piece too.It could be the 12th like you stated.The seller also had some theatre made 310th TAS patches for sale.
I found a reference to them in the article below.It seems that the "A" Flight of the 310th took over Ranch Hand OPs near the end of the program.
I don't know if the patches he sold are all related,I'll ask him,but to me anyway,my patch looks to be an early piece.

 

Here's the article I found online that mentions the 310th:

 

RANCH HAND
Defoliant Operations in South East Asia(SEA)

 

This article is taken from the USAF booklet "Air Commando, 1950-1975: Twenty-Five Years at the Tip of the Spear" written by USAF TSGT Dale K. Robinson. It is the story of a group of dedicated and brave airmen who flew low and slow to reduce the risks to our soldiers on the ground and to expose the enemy. The Agent Orange controversy which later became both a political and veterans' issue is dealt in the USAF Ranch Hand II report. Comments by Ranch Hand and cover support aircrew, who were exposed to it in flight will be added as I receive them.

 

In early November, 1961, Tactical Air Command was notified by HQ USAF to modify six C-123 Provider tactical transports for Project RANCH HAND, the name given herbicide spray operations in South Vietnam. Volunteer crews were solicited from the list of non-selected volunteers for the 4400th Combat Crew Training Squadron ("Jungle Jim") recently activated at Hurlburt Field, Florida.
Ranch Hand's first three aircraft and crew arrived at Tan Son Nhut Air Base near Saigon, South Vietnam, on 7 January 1962, for what was expected to be a 120 day tour. A successful test mission was flown on 10 January, with the first operational missions beginning three days later. The goal of the herbicide missions was to deny the communist Viet Cong the continued safety of their traditional strongholds in Vietnam's thick forests and jungles.
During the early spray missions, and Air Commando C-47 (from the original Farm Gate Detachment) preceded the spray missions by dropping thousands of leaflets, and conducting Vietnamese language voice broadcasts to the villages below. The communications explained to the population what the defoliant flights were, and why they were necessary. Within three months of their arrival the Americans would also be reminded this was no simple "Forest Service" operation.
On 2 February 1962, a Ranch Hand crew became the first Air Force fatalities in Vietnam. Captain Fergus C. Groves II, Captain Robert D. Larson and Staff Sergeant Milo B. Coghill were killed while on a training mission. Although there was no evidence the aircraft was struck by ground fire, Air Commando T-28s were tasked to fly armed escort on future missions. Ranch Hand operations continued unabated throughout the rest of the year.
Between January and June 1963, Ranch Hand was additionally tasked to transport cargo, munitions and personnel throughout South Vietnam. In August, the unit deployed to Thailand on a humanitarian mission at the request of the Thai government. Once there the Ranch Hand C-123s effectively sprayed crops in Thailand with an insecticide developed to combat a plague of locusts.
In December 1963, Ranch Hand began testing the feasibility of night defoliant operations in Vietnam. If night missions proved practical, they would seem to provide greater scheduling flexibility and reduced risk to enemy small arms fire. With one aircraft dispersing flares overhead for illumination, the lower-flying spray plane's runs were declared highly successful on the first night's test.
But the second night's mission was greeted by heavy small arms fire from an obviously alerted Viet Cong. As a result, night defoliant operations in the future were conducted only on a random basis. Whatever their tactics, the Ranch Hand crews found that as their skills increased with experience, so did enemy gunners who quickly grasped the defoliant spray mission flight patterns. By 1964, the Air commandos were being greeted by heavier and more effective ground fire virtually everywhere they flew.
In July, 1964, Ranch Hand was assigned to the 309th Air Commando Squadron, 315th Troop Carrier Group (later redesignated the 315th Air Commando Group). In 1965, the 309th's aircraft were re-designated UC-123s to differentiate them from standard cargo versions of the Provider. In December, 1965, the unit moved from Tan Son Nhut to Bien Hoa airfields (both near Saigon), and their Area of Operations expanded to include parts of Laos for the first time. Increased defoliation requirements created a demand for more aircraft and crews, and in May, 1966, eleven more UC-123s were authorized and scheduled for arrival before the end of the year.
In June, 1966, Project Ranch Hand recorded its first combat loss. Two Providers flying a defoliant mission over Quang Tri Province in South Vietnam's northern sector began taking sporadic hits from enemy ground fire on their runs. On their fifth pass over the target area, one of the twin-engine aircraft took a fatal hit in an engine and crashed. A U.S. Marine Corps helicopter nearby responded almost immediately, rescuing the three crewmen near the burning wreckage. A second aircraft was lost in October; its crew also rescued.
On 15 October, 1966, Ranch Hand became the 12th Air Commando Squadron, in the 315th Air Commando Wing. Three months later, the squadron lost a third aircraft to ground fire, this time over Laos and this time with no survivors. In February, Ranch Hand was ordered for the first time to fly missions over the De-Militarized Zone (DMZ) separating North and South Vietnam. These missions helped uncover infiltration routes from the north and expose stockpiles of supplies hidden in the DMZ. By June, 1967, the number of UC-123s had increased to 20, but in July, a fourth aircraft was downed with the loss of all four aboard.
During 1967 the Ranch Hand squadron typically flew 18 to 27 sorties each day, with three to four aircraft per spray mission. Each aircraft had a 1,000 gallon herbicide tank, feeding to dispersal spray booms mounted under each wing and the tail. Spray missions were flown at 130 knots and as low as possible, leaving a herbicide path more than eighty yards wide and up to ten miles long. Ranch Hand Providers normally carried a crew of three or four in addition to a Vietnamese observer. The Vietnamese was, ostensibly, the aircraft commander as required by the Rules of Engagement.
In January, 1968, Ranch Hand flew 589 sorties before standing down for the traditional Vietnamese Tet holiday. This brief respite ended abruptly on 31 January, when their airbase at Ben Hoa (and every other city in South Vietnam) was attacked by Viet Cong forces in the largest coordinated enemy offensive of the war seen to date. In response the Ranch Hands crew flew 2,866 emergency airlift sorties throughout the country.
Defoliant missions resumed two months later and in May, a fifth Ranch Hand aircraft was downed with all hands lost after encountering heavy fire. Also in May, the first UC-123K arrived. The K-model boosted the -123's twin piston engine power with an additional two, J-85 jet auxiliary engines mounted under the wings; much appreciated insurance as it improved the odds for survivability in the event of single-engine loss.
On 1 August 1968, the 12th Air Commando Squadron became the 12th special Operations Squadron (12 SOS), and in February 1969, all operational Ranch Hand aircraft were moved north from Bien Hoa to Phan Rang in anticipation of another Viet Cong Tet offensive. In spite of increased enemy activity the unit continued to fly herbicide missions without loss.
By April 1969, all Ranch Hand aircraft had been modified to the K-model version. Ground fire was still a problem, however, and in July, new escort tactics were adopted. propeller-driven A-1 Skyraiders would provide flank protection while F-4 jet fighters orbited overhead to attack enemy positions after the spray pass. The new tactics proved successful in reducing the number of hits Ranch Hand aircraft took on when escorted in this fashion.
As 1969 wound down, so did Ranch Hand missions. From an average of 400 sorties per month in 1969, the number of sorties decreased to only 43 in the last quarter of 1970. the 12th SOS was inactivated on 31 July 1970, with the UC-123Ks becoming "A" Flight, 310th Tactical Airlift Squadron. Ranch Hand flew its last mission defoliant mission on 7 January 1971, passing out of existence later that month.
In nine years of defoliant operations, Ranch Hand aircraft and crews had dispensed between 17.7 and 19.4 million gallons of herbicide in Southeast Asia. Just over half, approximately 10.6 to 11.7 million gallons, was the controversial herbicide "Agent Orange."
President Gerald Ford issued Executive Order #11850 on April 8th, 1975, renouncing first use of herbicides in war by the United States, except for control of vegetation on and around the defensive perimeters of U.S. bases. With this order, President Ford ensured that an operation like Project Ranch Hand could never happen again.

[Patchcollector]

I found some info and photos at the USAF museum site.

 

Heres the info that goes with the patches:

 

Insignia
The Ranch Hand insignia was designed in 1962 by Capt. Alan Kidd and Lt. John Hodgin, and it contains several elements of the Ranch Hand tradition. The symbol in the middle is the Chinese character for purple. The brown stripe on a green field represents a defoliated strip of jungle. Yellow and red represent the national colors of South Vietnam.

Patch
This unofficial mosquito-spraying patch and aircraft fuel charge card were donated by Robert Norton, Patches last crew chief in Southeast Asia. MACV (Military Assistance Command - Vietnam) was the joint command headquarters for the U.S. forces in South Vietnam. The fueling card (not from Patches, but from a different C-123) normally stayed with the aircraft, but Norton put it in his pocket and inadvertenly brought it back home.

Beret and Hat
Berat and "Go to Hell" hat with Ranch Hand purple band worn by Lt. James P. Hamilton. The gold insignia was the South Vietnamese air force rank equivalent to a U.S. Air Force 1st lieutenant.

Lighter
Lighter with the Ranch Hand insignia. The phrase "Only We Can Prevent Forests" was a pun on the then popular Forest Service campaign "Only You Can Prevent Forest Fires."

Wings
South Vietnamese air force pilot's wings awarded to Lt. Grant Nicolai at the end of his tour.

[Patchcollector]

Another photo of one of the planes used in the OP,and some info on the unit.

 

 

DOWN IN THE WEEDS: RANCH HAND

Posted 1/20/2012
The dense jungle in Southeast Asia allowed the enemy to ambush vehicles and boats on transportation routes, creep close to stage attacks on bases, move men and materiel and hide their own camps. Ranch Hand crews denied the enemy this cover by spraying herbicides in key areas.

To accomplish the mission, Ranch Hand crews flew their UC-123 transport aircraft on straight runs at very low altitude over a well-armed enemy. Ranch Hand UC-123s received over 7,000 hits, developing a reputation as the most shot-at U.S. Air Force aircraft in Southeast Asia.

Creating the Mission: 1962-1964
In 1961 South Vietnamese president Ngo Dinh Diem requested USAF help to remove enemy cover. The USAF's Special Aerial Spray Flight was already using C-123s in the U.S. to control mosquitoes. After some modifications to the aircraft (which included adding armor for the crew), three C-123B aircraft arrived in Southeast Asia in January 1962 under the code name Ranch Hand.

The defoliation mission was a new one, and Ranch Hand crews experimented with techniques against different types of plants using a defoliant called Agent White, and they learned much in the process. Early on, Ranch Hand primarily cleared friendly transportation routes to deny the enemy ambush cover. In late 1964 the crews also began flying anti-crop spraying missions to deny the enemy food and divert resources to food production.

During this early period, Ranch Hand never had more than five C-123Bs. Sometimes these aircraft had their spray equipment removed to conduct regular airlift flights, and it appeared that the defoliation mission might be eliminated altogether. With the increased U.S. commitment in South Vietnam in 1964 and 1965, however, requests for defoliation soared.

Ranch Hand Matures: 1965-1969
Ranch Hand grew into an essential part of the war effort, with over six million acres sprayed in South Vietnam between 1965 and 1969. Beginning in 1965 with only four aircraft, by the middle of 1969 Ranch Hand had about 25 UC-123 aircraft available for missions.

In 1965 Ranch Hand began using a very effective defoliant called Agent Orange, and the range of targets grew considerably. Operation Sherwood Forest sprayed the key Viet Cong-controlled Boi Loi Woods northwest of Saigon, and Operation Swamp Fox targeted the mangrove forests used by the communist for shelter in the Mekong Delta. Late in the year, operations extended into the Ho Chi Minh Trail in Laos. A flood of defoliation requests came in, and the small number of crews flew constantly.

The defoliation of vital enemy strongholds, transportation routes, and crops forced the communists to vigorously defend against the spraying. Ranch Hand aircraft regularly received damage on missions -- considering their low altitude, low speed and large size, they were easy to hit. Ranch Hand maintainers worked constantly to repair the damage and get their UC-123s ready for the next mission. In addition to engines and flight controls shot out, and several crewmen wounded and killed, Ranch Hand lost five UC-123s in combat between 1966 and 1968.

During the Tet Offensive in early 1968, spraying operations were temporarily halted in favor of airlift missions. Between Feb. 5 and March 20, Ranch Hand UC-123s flew 2,866 airlift sorties.

Ranch Hand Ends: 1970-1971
With the Vietnamization drawdown in 1969, Ranch Hand was reduced from 25 to 13 aircraft. In 1970 Agent Orange was discontinued, and the existing stocks of Agent White ran out in May 1970. After the last anti-crop mission in January 1971, anti-mosquito spraying continued for a short time after, and then Ranch Hand ended.

A Typical Ranch Hand Mission
Each Ranch Hand mission took careful planning and expert execution. A request for defoliation went through a complex approval process to ensure friendly areas were not sprayed. The missions took place early in the morning or late afternoon when the temperature was less than 85 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent the herbicide mist from rising rather than falling. Also, the wind speed had to be less than 10 mph to keep it from drifting off the target.

Typically, a tight formation of UC-123s would approach the area as low as 20 feet above the treetops, climb to a slightly higher altitude, then fly straight and level for about 8-10 minutes until the defoliant ran out. They would then drop back down and exit. Excellent navigation and airmanship were essential to ensure they precisely sprayed the target area only and didn't fly into any obstructions or the ground.

Fighter and attack aircraft, directed by a USAF FAC (forward air controller) usually accompanied Ranch Hand UC-123s to suppress enemy ground fire. Also, air rescue helicopters flew nearby to pick up downed crewmen if necessary. As Ranch Hand missions drew greater enemy reaction, a tactic called "heavy suppression" was used whereby several fighter aircraft bombed the target area a few minutes before it was sprayed. If the primary target was too "hot," the Ranch Hand flight would spray a pre-planned secondary target.

Defoliants
The defoliants sprayed by Ranch Hand crews were common agricultural herbicides that had been used commercially for several years in the U.S. and abroad. The formulas were named by the color band used on the barrels to identify them. Ranch Hand primarily sprayed Agent Purple, Agent White, and the most widely-used herbicide, Agent Orange, for defoliation. Agent Blue was used for crop destruction.

Ranch Hand Esprit de Corps
The roughly 1,250 Airmen who served in Ranch Hand had strong unit pride, or esprit de corps. Ranch Hand personnel, nicknamed "Cowboys," made purple their signature color. Also, the fact that they were shot at so often became not only a source of great respect, but also the subject of humor.

[Patchcollector]

My Operation Ranch Hand patch has arrived,so I'm posting some images.I've been experimenting with the settings on my scanner,and I think I'm getting some excellent results.I may just stop taking photos and start using my scanner more!The detail on this piece is incredible.For the green background and the brown stripe,what appears to be pieces of cloth at first glance upon closer inspection turns out to be countless individual threads woven so densely together that it appears solid!Everything is handsewn except the yellow background.Turning it over reveals a great example of the "minimalist" back thread sewing technique used many(but not all) times by the Viet patch makers.There is a loosely woven "netting",or cheesecloth backing applied as well.This backing is sometimes also seen on the modern copies coming out of Asia,but as you can see,occasionally shows up on the authentic pieces too.

The piece is mis-shaped due to washing,as it has been on a uniform.

[Patchcollector]

Back view

[Patchcollector]

Here is a GREAT photo of some Ranch Hand guys in their uniforms.Notice the "Air Commando" hats with the purple sash that most of them wear.These guys flew very dangerous missions,low and slow,and more than a few planes were shot down.

[patches]

Here's one more photo of the Ranch Hand Scarf. Nice nickname for the ship EH!, though this PATCHES came first

 

[hayc59]

Here is a GREAT photo of some Ranch Hand guys in their uniforms.Notice the "Air Commando" hats with the purple sash that most of them wear.These guys flew very dangerous missions,low and slow,and more than a few planes were shot down.

Patchcollector , Hello My name is Gordon Hay-Chapman in the photo you posted bottom right is my dad(who passed away 2003)he died from complications over the years from agent orange! thank you for the post and if you have an extra ranch hand patch let me know,

http://www.sfgate.com/news/article/HAY-CHAPMAN-Lorimer-W-Chappy-2560967.php

 

HAY-CHAPMAN, Lorimer W. "Chappy"

 

Published 4:00 am, Sunday, August 17, 2003 HAY-CHAPMAN, Lorimer W. "Chappy" - Lt. Col. Reg USAF, Ret. Age 80, died at his home in Albany on Sunday, August 10, 2003. He was a graduate of Richmond High School in Richmond. "Chappy" served in the U.S. Air Force during WWII, the Korean War, and Vietnam. In Vietnam he flew C-123s, which were "Agent Orange" specially equipped aircraft. He flew a total of 175 combat missions and received the DFC, BSM, and the AM. He was then assigned as commanding officer of the Civil Air Patrol Wing in Reno, NV. Following his assignment in Reno, he finished out his 27 year Air Force career in Japan, and retired with his loving wife, Mieko in Albany. They are inseparable, even in death. He is survived by his wife, Mieko of Albany; brother & sister-in-law, Richard and Shirley of Santa Rosa; daughters and sons-in-law, Connie and Ed of Ypsilanti, MI, and Jennifer & Bill of Silverton, OR; sons, Larry of San Francisco, Mark of Silverton, OR, Matthew of Pacifica, and Jerry of Reno, NV; sons and daughters-in law, John & Patty of Madison, WI, Steve and Kathy of Reno, NV, Gordon and Nancy of Salem, OR, and Michael and Julie of Madison WI; and 16 grandchildren; & six great-grandchildren. Private graveside services have already been held at Sunset View Cemetery, El Cerrito. Memorial donations may be sent to St. Mary Magdalen Church, 2005 Berryman St., Berkeley CA 94709, attn: Barbara. SUNSET VIEW MORTUARY & CEMETERY Tel. (510) 525-5111

 

[Patchcollector]

Hi Gordon,
Thanks for the info about your Father.Ranch Hand Ops were very dangerous,from the chemicals to flying unarmed"low and slow",and my hat's off to the brave men like your Dad who flew these missions,many who died after the wars end due to exposure to the toxic chemicals.Thanks for your Fathers service,if I had a spare patch I would give it to you.

 

Best,
PC

[hayc59]

Do you know where I can acquire one?

[firefighter]

Do you know where I can acquire one?

 

Besides checking eBay you can try these sites.

 

http://www.vintageproductions.com/

http://LJMilitaria.com/

[Patchcollector]

As FF stated,keep checking online Militaria sites and eBay.I found mine on eBay and I'll be honest with you,they don't come up for sale too often and when they do,bidding and prices can get very competitive as the Ranch Hand stuff is hard to find.Patience is key,I finally got mine after a few years of searching.If I see one come up for sale I'll let you know.

[River Patrol]

I just sold a super rare Ranch Hand patch from my site...pic is attached.

[hayc59]

Thank you gentleman means alot

Gordon

[firefighter]

RP that is a cool variation.

[River Patrol]

It's an early one

[firefighter]

It's an early one

 

I like Snoopy on it.Also looks like a flare drop?

[River Patrol]

 

I like Snoopy on it.Also looks like a flare drop?

 

Early Ranch Hand operations were flareship, leaflet drops (psywar), camp re-supply, etc. prior to defoliation work

[firefighter]

 

Early Ranch Hand operations were flareship, leaflet drops (psywar), camp re-supply, etc. prior to defoliation work

 

Thats true. I forget they were Air Commando/Special Op units. I'll have to look in my YANKEE AIR PIRATES book because I don't remember your design in the book

[nguoi tien su]

RP's patch is a killer. It is unfortunately not in Yankee Air Pirates (there is a LOT about Ranch Hand though).

A beercan also exist with the Snoopy design.

 

PC's patch is very desirable too.

[RanchHandVN66]

Gordon Hay-Chapman

 

We have a patch for you, from a flying mate of your Dads. (Maj. James "Geech" Hamilton) Contact me with an address and you will find a patch in your mailbox.

 

Joe Potter (Vice President of the Ranch Hand Vietnam Association)

[firefighter]

Here's one more photo of the Ranch Hand Scarf. Nice nickname for the ship EH!, though this PATCHES came first

 

unnamed.jpgunnamed2.jpg

 

PATCHES is at the National Air Force Museum in Dayton. I have some pics on my phone.What a ship and crew.

[River Patrol]

 

PATCHES is at the National Air Force Museum in Dayton. I have some pics on my phone.What a ship and crew.

 

It's a stunning display!