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18th Transporation Co


all-bull
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Hello,

When I read itshistory's response on my Turtles patch under the 18th Avn thread, I started to do a little research. He was absolutely right about the ID. Here is the patch in question. It reads 18th Turtles.

 

And here is the information written by IH : "To the best of my knowledge the Turtles patch is the 18th Transportation Company located in Germany and the design is from 1960. I can not account for the patches seeming to be made Vietnam "style". I have seen this patch most definitely German made."

post-2063-1315486377.jpg

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Here is the back showing how it looks to be manufacture in typical machine embroidery in Vietnam. HOWEVER, I can find no history of them ever having been in VN. This is a good topic for you, River Patrol! :lol: This might be made for collectors OR made and then given to the guys in Germany by a former member who saw service in Vietnam.

post-2063-1315486513.jpg

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Here is a photo of one of the crews in 1962. I find it VERY likely that one of these guys got sent to Vietnam and had the patches made up for the other crew members. All that's left now is seeing one being worn on a uniform.

 

The file is too big, but the crew can be seen here: http://www.usarmygermany.com/units/army%20...20Trans%204.htm

 

 

Any one know why they were called Turtles? Or perhaps maybe the sample given to the Tailor was hard to read in cursive, and the tailor did what he thought was right?

 

I do not know whatever happened to the 18th Trans Co during/after Vietnam. Hope someone can help here!

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I have spent considerable time in the past reviewing the site about the US Army Germany. I have 90% of the aviation/transportation patches shown there and trust the information documented there. Sadly, the 18th seems to be one of the units that suffered inactivation in the 60's rather than redesignation and shift to newer UH-1B helicopters. Nothing I can find speaks to their fate for sure. One can see clearly that many of those units existing in the late 50's and early 60's did undergo re-alignment and restructuring along with the whole force structure of the US Army in Germany. I'm at a loss to be of any help beyond what we have already seen.

 

IH

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Patchcollector

I was looking online and found this reference to a KIA in Nam early on in the involvement.Here is the text:

 

 

Michael Peter Martin Jr - 22

 

Specialist 4

18TH Transportation Company, 145TH Aviation Battalion, United States Army Support Group Vietnam

Monaca, Pennsylvania

12-12-1963

South Vietnam

Hostile - Helicopter - Crew Air Loss Crash On Land

Recovered

Panel 01E - Line 37

 

I'm no expert,but it DOES mention the 18th Trans Co. :think:

 

Here is the link to the site where I found it:

Site

 

As for why they were called the Turtles,I'm guessing it may have to do with the Helos they flew,

slow,and perhaps resembling a turtle with the curved back?I can't figure out why they put an image

of an eagle on the front though :lol:

 

 

Nice patch,anyway!

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It's very reasonable for an individual to be TDY to Vietnam during the the earlier years. Army requirements were often met by seeking volunteers and short of that just putting an individual on orders. An E-4 in 1963 was a man of substantial experience whose expertise may be needed during a shortfall of regular personnel. This poses an interesting possibility, he may have had an insignia that was duplicated during his time in country. And that design may have been replicated at the behest of others.

Another example of what TDY can mean is the move of some CH-37 Helicopters of the 19th Transportation Company from Korea to Vietnam. 4 aircraft were moved to Vietnam in June of 1963. By the end of October the TDY personnel were relieved but the helicopters remained. They were absorbed by the 611th and 339th Transportation Companies.

But, you will not find anything documented crediting Vietnam service to the 19th Transportation Company.

 

IH

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Having had a little time to think about this 18th Turtle patch, there are some possibilities to consider. If the TDY individual, or individuals for that matter, had these patches made and forwarded to Germany it would help account for their existence. This action puts the design in some patch makers catalog, play book or wall display. At any time in the following years of American presence in Vietnam, that patch could be remade. For collectors. And that we know HAPPENED. Most of these patches that I have seen and have myself, look like a Vietnamese made patch. The truly German made ones are superior in execution and materials. That's what I'm looking for. :thumbsup:

 

IH

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...Any one know why they were called Turtles?

Here's one idea: In Army slang ca. 1960s, "turtles" were replacements, so called because it took so long for them to arrive where they were needed. It seems plausible to weave a legend for this 18th Turtles patch from this factoid.

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Patchcollector

IH,yours and All Bulls explanations make sense.Now that there is proof that there were 18 Trans. Co personnel incountry,

whether on TDY or for whatever reason,there is now factual basis for the existence of an incountry made 18 Trans. Co patch.

 

I found some pics online:

post-13386-1315543463.jpg

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Patchcollector

Here's an interesting one,I have the caption for it too:

 

 

18th Transportation Company (Helicopter)

(Source: Andy Hill, 18th Trans Co)

This photo is of A/C tail number 707. At the time this was the only VIP A/C in Germany or any where near it. This photo was taken as we were getting 707 ready to fly President Kennedy. We were to fly to France and fly Kennedy around. After getting it ready and the inspection of the A/C, the flight was canceled two days before it was to happen. Photo was taken in the hanger of the 18th Trans. It is hard to believe the securty when it comes to the President or the Vice President.

post-13386-1315543578.jpg

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Patchcollector

Earlier I said that I thought that the animal depicted on the patch was an Eagle,but now,after a closer look,I'm thinking it may be a Griffin! :think:

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For a long time I thought this patch was for the 18th Aviation Battalion because that was what written on the back of the first patch I saw. The patch had been purchased off of a list circulated by Ray Morrone in August 1972. The same patch shows up on a list circulated by Richard Smith in September of 1973. I got these lists from Carl Robin. If this is indeed the same patch then there is no wonder it looks like a Vietnam made patch because it is. The circumstances now lay out for us that the design could have been introduced into the patch makers shops as early as 1963 and could have been made as late as 1972-1973. It's not the first time a unit patch has been made in a country other than where the unit is located. But if they could have their patches made there in Germany, why Vietnam? Price maybe?

As an extra kicker, Ray Morrone advertises that the list has patches made in Vietnam, Korea, Germany and the US. Until someone steps forward and says "I did it" we will probably only be able to guess at why. We know for sure that the unit and insignia existed at a certain point in time.

 

IH

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Patchcollector
For a long time I thought this patch was for the 18th Aviation Battalion because that was what written on the back of the first patch I saw. The patch had been purchased off of a list circulated by Ray Morrone in August 1972. The same patch shows up on a list circulated by Richard Smith in September of 1973. I got these lists from Carl Robin. If this is indeed the same patch then there is no wonder it looks like a Vietnam made patch because it is. The circumstances now lay out for us that the design could have been introduced into the patch makers shops as early as 1963 and could have been made as late as 1972-1973. It's not the first time a unit patch has been made in a country other than where the unit is located. But if they could have their patches made there in Germany, why Vietnam? Price maybe?

As an extra kicker, Ray Morrone advertises that the list has patches made in Vietnam, Korea, Germany and the US. Until someone steps forward and says "I did it" we will probably only be able to guess at why. We know for sure that the unit and insignia existed at a certain point in time.

 

IH

 

 

Interesting.I learn something new from every one of your informative posts IH! :thumbsup:

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  • 1 year later...

My name is Barry J. Stein, author of many books on military insignia including my latest publication “US Army Patches, flashes and Ovals” which I am currently in the process of updating. I would like to include in this new publication the 18th Transp. Co patch that you show on your website. This will be an important insignia reference book which I believe is worthy of your consideration.

Among the organizations helping me in this endeavor are the Vietnam Dustoff organization, The Vietnam Helicopter Pilots rump, The Old Spooks and Spies website (ASA insignia), Mark Bando’s 101st Airborne WW II website, The Vanguard Military Insignia Co., as well as many veteran’s organizations and private collectors. Your approval of this request will be most appreciated and I will be more than happy to promote your organization in the chapter on Aviation insignia. Thanking you for your consideration of this request.

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