Jump to content

An unusual theatre made VMO-6 patch


Patchcollector
 Share

Recommended Posts

Patchcollector

Hi all,
Here is a patch that appears to be Japanese made and I believe,Vietnam war time era made.There are a number of things that I find interesting about this piece.First,it's a VMO-6 variation that I've never seen before.Then there's the Vietnamese writing.I would like to find out what that says.The design is unusual with the peace sign within the rotors and the multicolored flower(?) in the background.Last but not least it looks like a callsign at the bottom.

If anyone knows more about this variation please let me know.Sellers pics.

 

Thanks!

 

 

post-13386-0-80603500-1464233224.jpg

Link to comment
Share on other sites

firefighter

So it looks like SEAWORTHY was their call sign for FAC pilots.So I would think Seaworthy 99 was a Marine's personal call sign.

In August 1965, VMO-6 was among a Marine Air Group that sailed for Vietnam. The next month, transport, gunship, airborne forward air control and medivac missions were being flown on a daily basis. Using the call signs “Klondike” and later “Seaworthy”, VMO-6 crews fought valiantly, losing numerous aircraft and men in the process. On August 19, 1967, VMO-6 Captain Stephen Pless and three other Marines flew a rescue mission in their UH-1E gunship that earned him a Congressional Medal of Honor, and the others the Navy Cross for their gallantry. Under intense enemy gunfire, Capt. Pless used his helicopter to shield four wounded American soldiers as they were assisted into his helicopter, all the while beating back repeated attacks. The overloaded helicopter then limped out to sea and escaped the enemy.

 

 

http://www.popasmoke.com/visions/displayimage.php?pid=3098

Link to comment
Share on other sites

firefighter

From what I can find ; toi tiet = MURDER : CONG SAN = COMMUNISM : ngay how binh = Day of Peace. So probably something like, KILL COMMUNISM AND WE HAVE PEACE.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Patchcollector

Thanks for the helpful info FF.Since it is personalized with a callsign,I'm thinking that a Marine had it made for himself.It may even be unique,with no others made.I'll have to keep an eye out to see if more of this design surface.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

firefighter

Thanks for the helpful info FF.Since it is personalized with a callsign,I'm thinking that a Marine had it made for himself.It may even be unique,with no others made.I'll have to keep an eye out to see if more of this design surface.

 

Thats the way it's looking.Very cool design.After looking at your patch I'm thinking it's for a gunship, not FAC.Looks like rocket pods on the side.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Patchcollector

Yes I agree that does look like a Gunship.I was doing some research on the unit and it looks like VMO-6's mission did include
Gunship duties.

 

Here's some info I found online:

 

Gradually, the mission of the squadron expanded
beyond its traditional roles of observation, medical
evacuation, and general utility. In addition to its
regular missions, it was training for landing zone
preparation, helicopter escort, and close in fire sup-
port of assault helicopter operations. It had become
quite apparent that squadron training was increas-
ingly oriented toward the type of missions conducted
in Vietnam.

By late September VMO-6 was operating in sup-
port of Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN)
forces as well as Marine ground units. In supporting
these joint operations the squadron's main tasks were
acting as gunship escorts for transport helicopters
and maintaining a 24-hour medical evacuation
(medevac) alert

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • 7 months later...

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
 Share

×
×
  • Create New...