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Cambodian Special Forces Khmer USSF advisor patches


Mitch
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I'm posting a beret flash for a USSF Khmer or FANK advisor. It is Viet handmade. Along with it is a group of 7 Cambodian Special Forces patches. The Cambodian Special Forces was creation of Lt. Col. Ronnie Mendoza, a Special Forces-qualified officer assigned to (MEDTC) earlier in June 1971. These guys were trained at the ARVN Airborne training school and the ARVN Special Forces LLDB training center by USSF b-51 and New Zealand Army instructors. Some were trained at Fort Bragg by 5th SF's and some at the Royal Thai Special Warfare school by members of the 46th USSF's. They were completely modeled after the the structure of the USSF's. These patches reflect some of the USSF patch designs and are rare and often copied. They were only a strength of 350 at one time. The Cambodian Special Forces patches shown below are.

1st row : Recon pocket patch, USSF Advisors beret flash, a rare 2nd Recon team

In the middle : Cambodian SF beret flash

bottom row: Cambodian Special Forces shoulder patch, Cambodian SF para wing, Shock Btn. patch and the 701st Shock Btn PP

 

NOTE: If these do not belong here please move to the Spoils of War section as they were brought back from Vietnam in the early 70's

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firefighter

Great looking group of patches.I really like the hand embroidered FANK beret flash.Thank you for sharing your collection.

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Mitch, thanks for posting. Great patches. I have the one with the crossed rifles. I knew it was from Cambodia but not what its use was. Given to me by a relative a long time ago. I have always wanted to get others especially the Cambodian commando wings and related patches.

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Patchcollector

Sweet stuff!If you have a chance Mitch,please post images of the backs.I would be interested to see what they look like!

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Thanks Bob, FF, Danny, Chris, PC and Doyler for the comments. I'm glad I can post them here. I thought some were worn by USSF but I didn't know for %100 sure.

Thanks ADMIN for the picture and link. Those are some way cool pictures !!!!

Regards, Mitch

PC, I sent you a pm with the pics of the reverse.

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Nice collection, if you are looking for a good reference on FANK insignia, Ken Conboy has recently published a book called, FANK A History of the Cambodian Armed Forces. Likely available on Amazon. On the bottom row the first wing with Angkor Wat Temple is for the 1st Khmer Para Brigade. "BPK" and a design that is a holdover from the French era. If I get time I will post some of my Khmer pieces

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Thanks for info Irish. I'm familiar with the book . I have seen some parts of it from a friend. Please add your patches when you get time. That would be great.

M.

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I'm glad you posted these. Khmer, Laos, and Thai units and insignia get so overlooked in this time period, yet they are much much harder to come by than other patches of the period.

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  • 7 months later...

Great stuff Mitch. Thought I'd share my FANK pics here also. I started a thread also for US ADVISORS/FANK personnel. Interested in finding pics of Advisors wearing these. Look forward to seeing more FANK goodies.

Stoney

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More. this pocket hanger is indentified in Ken Conboys FANK book as used by "2nd Commando Brigade", "First contingent of former Khmer Krom Mike Force soldiers that arrived back in Cambodia on 30 April 1970"

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Hopefully this is not stretching it a bit. But here is a 3rd Khmer Para Bn patch. Printed and Worn. You see these normally as machine sewn and never worn. This is the only worn example I have seen in my recollection.

 

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I don't collect these but I've always liked their look and the tie to our special forces can be seen in their choice of heraldry elements.

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I agree , Cambodian insignia for the most part has not built a large following except for those Units that have a clear U.S connection. Language being a huge barrier. Ken Conboys book has gone along way to understanding this fascinating field.

 

Mitch thanks for positive comments

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Glad you like Mitch. Irish, Nice board you put together. I agree with what Irish said, not a big following from what I can see. Guess that means more for us :) Personally I think some of the best designs produced.

Stoney

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