Salvage Sailor Posted December 18, 2015 Share #1 Posted December 18, 2015 Aloha Everyone, This is a reference topic specifically for USN (or USCG) patches manufactured by Ace Novelty Tokyo, Japan, with the label attached USS TATNUCK (ATA-195) In service 1945 to 1971 They were primarily suppliers to the units of the Pacific and Sixth Fleet (Staff, Surface, Aviation, Support, etc) from the late 1950's to 1980 but I've also seen their patches made for Atlantic Fleet USN commands who participated in the Indian Ocean - Persian Gulf area (Gonzo Station) during the Iran Hostage Crisis (1980) They were particular favorites of USN auxiliaries and aviation squadrons during the Vietnam War. There are many, many Ace Novelty patches out there, especially rate/division/cruise specific and a ton for Naval Aviation units. Many of these patches are in our collections without the stick on labels as they were often removed or fell off. We may 'know' that they are Ace Novelty, but please only post those with the labels attached. Please post any examples you have of Japanese Ace Novelty patches as a forum reference Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted December 18, 2015 Author Share #2 Posted December 18, 2015 .....now, despite what I just requested of you all, here is an example of how the labels were attached to the patches. They were attached by glue which would often dry out and over time the labels would work loose. USCG AIR STATION SITKA ALASKA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted December 18, 2015 Author Share #3 Posted December 18, 2015 FLEET TUG USS PAPAGO (ATF-160) in service 1945 to 1992 Vietnam Era Naval Aviation VA-165 The Boomers (note the different style tag, there were two types) COMMANDER MIDDLE EAST FORCE (1970's) Bahrain, Persian Gulf USS FIDELITY (MSO-443) Ocean Minesweeper Atlantic/Sixth/MEF fleet unit They were also a favorite of the Pacific Fleet Submarine Force USS SCAMP (SSN-588) Unfortunately, Ace Novelty ceased production just after the 1980 Iranian Hostage Crisis. The EISENHOWER battle group was one of their last customers as she steamed out to the Indian Ocean to establish Gonzo Station USS EISENHOWER (CVN-69) SSES NAVSECGRUDIV 1980 CRUISE Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted December 18, 2015 Author Share #4 Posted December 18, 2015 EISENHOWER relieved the NIMITZ Nuclear Battle Group which placed a large order when they made a port call at Yokosuka in 1980 Crossing the Equator along the way USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) Shellback Ceremony 1980 (notice the bag, this is how they were wrapped in 1980. I got this entire batch from a Nimitz crewman) USS NIMITZ Battle Group - Gonzo Station 1980 Back and forth, back and forth, tearing holes in the Indian Ocean, 100 days at sea..... Which allowed them to enjoy a Naval Tradition belayed by the teetotaller Josephus Daniels in 1914 They got a Beer!!! With their CT detachment aboard to keep an eye on Ivan and the Iranians Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted December 18, 2015 Author Share #5 Posted December 18, 2015 USS HOLLAND (AS-32) Submarine Tender Another Atlantic/Sixth Fleet unit Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted January 2, 2016 Author Share #6 Posted January 2, 2016 USS PINTADO (SSN-672) Sturgeon class in service 1971 to 1998. 5 1/2" Ace Novelty patch from her third westpac deployment 1977-1978 "...Following her year of routine training, Pintado deployed to the Western Pacific in August 1977. She was operating with Republic of Korea Navy vessels on 6 December 1977 when a South Korean surface ship abruptly turned toward her. She executed a crash dive, but the two ships collided, and Pintado sustained damage to the top of her rudder. She returned to San Diego in February 1978...." Photo PINTADO with DSRV MYSTIC ready for deployement Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted January 29, 2016 Share #7 Posted January 29, 2016 Very cool Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted January 31, 2016 Author Share #8 Posted January 31, 2016 USS GRAYBACK (SSG-574) circa 1958-1964 Regulus Missile Submarine Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted February 6, 2016 Author Share #9 Posted February 6, 2016 Another Auxiliary Tug - USS SALISH (ATA-187) Sotoyomo class in service 1944 to 1972 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Patchcollector Posted February 6, 2016 Share #10 Posted February 6, 2016 Another great reference Salvage Sailor.You can see the timeline where the company began transitioning to the "computer" generated pieces.My favorite is the Grayback patch.I saw that one on eBay and had thought about going for it.Looks like you got to it before me Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted February 6, 2016 Author Share #11 Posted February 6, 2016 Yep, Here's another USS NIMITZ (CVN-68) Seasparrow - Phalanx close in weapons system circa 1978 from a Gunners Mate Reality check: The USN removed most of our guns as they were deemed "redundant" in the 1960's missile age. Around 1973 the bad guys realized that any speedboat than got under our Terrier missile or 5" 38 cal minimum range could literally run rings around our ships since the nimwits removed our 20mm and 40mm guns. Ever try to stop a torpedo or suicide boat with an M-14? Thus - the immediate implementation of the Sea Sparrow and Phalanx (gatling gun) close in weapons system. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
268th C.A. Posted June 30, 2016 Share #12 Posted June 30, 2016 one more for the collection front of patch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vintageproductions Posted June 30, 2016 Share #13 Posted June 30, 2016 ASMIC did a great article a few years ago by George Petersen and it was an interview with the owner of Ace Novelty and he gave a history of the company. I believe it was published shortly after the owner passed away. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted July 31, 2016 Share #14 Posted July 31, 2016 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share #15 Posted August 7, 2016 So when did Ace Novelty begin making patches for the USN? Here's a good clue - USS MAGOFFIN (APA-199) Still in the wrapper The Patch..... ...and the calendar card dated 1961, probably made in 1960 Take a look at what they made for the fleet besides patches "ANYTHING ELSE: You name it, we make it. When in town (Tokyo) give us a buzz" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share #16 Posted August 7, 2016 Helicopter Combat Support Squadron Two (HC-2) Fleet Angels USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV-67) 1973 Med Cruise 5" Ace Novelty custom bullion patch HC-2 Det 67 Fleet Angels "When they're in our palm, they're safe and calm" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted August 7, 2016 Author Share #17 Posted August 7, 2016 For Reference: Another Ace Novelty USMF topic started by topdcnut in 2008 which I overlooked when starting this topic Ace Novelty Unit Patches http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?/topic/32925-ace-novelty-japanese-unit-patches/ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted August 11, 2016 Author Share #18 Posted August 11, 2016 VP-47 Power Plants Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted August 12, 2016 Author Share #19 Posted August 12, 2016 USN Tangier Target Range, Chesapeake Bay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted August 13, 2016 Author Share #20 Posted August 13, 2016 The Blue Bolts VA-172 ATKRON Cap size patch, Vietnam era - Disestablished in 1971 The Lightning Bolt 'T' is a nice touch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted August 16, 2016 Author Share #21 Posted August 16, 2016 Boomer USS ULYSSES S. GRANT (SSBN-631) James Madison class fleet ballistic missile submarine in service 1964 to 1992 Ace Novelty 1970's Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted August 18, 2016 Author Share #22 Posted August 18, 2016 VAW-121 Vietnam Era - Carrier Airborne Early Warning squadron 121 Flying the smaller E-1B Tracers off of the older Essex & Midway class carrier decks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted August 28, 2016 Author Share #23 Posted August 28, 2016 1960's ball cap size, Training Command US Atlantic Fleet Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted October 1, 2016 Author Share #24 Posted October 1, 2016 Vietnam Era ballcap size VF-14 Tophatters Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted October 1, 2016 Share #25 Posted October 1, 2016 Vietnam Era ballcap size VF-14 Tophatters Great looking Top Hat Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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