A Vietnam War era incountry made USS Mark AKL-12 patch

[Patchcollector]

Hi all,
This recent addition to my collection is a Vietnam war era incountry made USS Mark patch.War era theatre made patch making quality ranged from the downright awful
to the beautifully exquisite.This patch falls into the latter category,and is a great example of the Vietnamese ability to produce some outstanding handsewn pieces.

 

 

 

Here is a brief history of USS Mark that I found online:

 

USS Mark (AG-143), was built as the Aircraft Repair variant, Design 427, of the Army FS types as FS-214 for use by the United States Army. She was built at Higgins Industries, New Orleans, Louisiana, completed in December 1944. The ship was designed with the well deck covered to provide shop space for the work of repairing aircraft by an embarked Aircraft Maintenance Unit (Floating)
The ship suffered a casualty when the ship's starboard engine exploded on 13 April 1945. Albert M. Boe, the civilian Chief Engineer, stayed at his post to shut down engines despite burns that were fatal. He was awarded the posthumous Merchant Marine Distinguished Service Medal. Later a ship was named in his honor.
Toward the close of the war the vessels were assigned names and the ship was renamed Colonel Raymond T. Lester,
an Army Air Corps officer.
The ship was acquired by the United States Navy at Subic Bay, Philippine Islands, on 30 September 1947; and placed in service on 2 December 1947.
Service history
Mark served as a unit in the Subic–Sangley Ferry Service until reclassified AKL-12 on 13 March 1949. Then, as a light cargo ship attached to Service Force, 7th Fleet, she carried cargo and passengers to various units of that fleet operating in the Philippines area. The ship was placed 'Out of Service' in 1956, but continued operations out of Subic Bay.
With the escalation of U.S. Forces activities in Southeast Asia in 1963-64, the range of her resupply missions were extended to include frequent cruises to the Republic of Vietnam. As a result of these trips, she was placed in a commissioned status on 1 October 1965, Lt. F. R. Sanderlin in command. For the next eight months she continued to operate from Subic Bay; but with each passing month, the length of her visits was increased. In June 1966 she commenced full-time operations in the combat area. In addition to supply missions the ship surveyed waters critical to operations in the Dinh River, Dong Nia River and Bassac River of the Mekong Delta.[5] From 1966 to 1969 Mark, with only one interruption for overhaul, kept vital supplies moving from Saigon and Vung Tau to the riverine and coastal surveillance forces conducting operations "Game Warden" and "Market Time".
On 1 July 1971 Mark was transferred to Taiwan where she served in the Republic of China Navy as the intelligence gathering ship Yung Kang (AKL 514).

 

 

Here is some additional info I found online about the USS Mark,with more details on her Vietnam service:

 

Upon arriving in Vietnam Mark immediately demonstrated her ability to meet and carry out her commitments in providing food, spare parts, ordnance, and ammunition to the far flung field activities of the U.S. navy in Vietnam.
As a result of sounding and bottom surveys conducted in the Dinh River by Mark, a 1950 survey by the French Government was verified and the decision was made to establish a naval base on this river at Cat Lo for the maintenance of River Patrol Boats and United States Coast Guard Patrol Craft (WPB’s). Similarly Mark conducted the survey of the Dong Nia River, providing the feasibility of using anchorage at Cat Lai, near Saigon for deep draft ammunition ships.
In July 1966 Mark stood out of the mouth of the Mekong Delta’s Bassac River, thereby successfully navigating through uncharted waters previously considered so treacherous that the Mekong-Bassac pilot’s association had not piloted a ship through this area since 1951. The survey by Mark and the opening of the Bassac River to ship travel enabled considerable steaming time to be saved in the area by logistic resupply. At the same time it enabled the Navy to establish additional bases throughout the Mekong Delta. While guaranteeing the ability of Mark and similar ships to resupply them. Mark’s resupply trips were not limited to just the rivers of the Mekong Delta. In addition, Mark carried her logistic support to Naval Coastal Installations on the Gulf of Thailand side of South Vietnam. For her significant accomplishments in a multitude of area’s Mark received a Letter of Commendation from the Commander, U.S. Naval Forces, Vietnam in November 1966.
As part of U.S. Naval Support Activity, Saigon from March 1966 to 25 March 1971, Mark was awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for her significant contribution to the overall excellence of the U.S. Naval Support Activity.
In the execution of her resupply mission, Mark frequently came under attack by fire from the Viet Cong. Mark received her Purple Heart under attack by fire from the Viet Cong on 20 February 1968 when on a resupply mission on the Mekong River, she sustained a Viet Cong rocket hit amidships, wounding twelve personnel, none critically.
From 1 January 1968 to 1 July 1970 Mark steamed through 80,000 miles of rivers and coastal waters of the Mekong River Delta while delivering over 21,230,000 pounds of vital cargo, including ammunition, to United States and Allied Naval Forces.

 

 

Awards earned during the Vietnam War:
Combat Action Ribbon, (3) Navy Unit Commendations, RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm, RVN Civil Action Medal, First Class, with Palm, RVN Campaign Medal with 60's device, and (9) Battle Stars for her Vietnam Service Medal.

 

Here is some Decommissioning info I found when she was given to the Taiwanese Navy:

 

USS Mark (AKL-12)

Decommissioning Directive
From: Commander Services Forces, U.S. Pacific Fleet
Subj.: Lease of USS Mark (AKL-12) to the Chinese Navy
The Secretary of the Navy has approved the lease of USS Mark (AKL-12) to the Chinese Navy in Taiwan on 1 July, 1971. The Commanding Officer is hereby directed to decommission USS Mark (AKL-12) immediately prior to turning the ship over to the Chinese Navy on 1 July, 1971.
LT. William B. Robinson Jr., United States Navy, was commanding officer at the time of her turn-over.

 

While doing research on the Mark,the more I learned about these little ships,the more fascinated I became with them.Most of these ships had very interesting histories,many becoming Intel gathering vessels later in their lives,such as the USS Pueblo.The Mark,like most of the FP/FS ships,started out during WW2 as an Army ship.I found this great little website that is packed with interesting info regarding these often overlooked ships.

 

If anyone is interested,here is a link to that site:

 

 

http://patriot.net/~eastlnd2/rj/fs/fs.htm

[Patchcollector]

Back view

[Patchcollector]

Here are some pics of the USS Mark I found:

[Patchcollector]

Here is a photo that shows the damage sustained by the Mark after a 20 February 1968 rocket attack by the Viet Cong on the Mekong River,which wounded twelve personnel.