Manchu Warrior Posted May 22, 2016 Share #1 Posted May 22, 2016 It has been a good while since I posted anything and I was hoping to get info on this patch. I found the patch in a bin full of bowling patches at the flea market today for the price of $1.00. When I googled COMSERVGRU 3 the ship USS Ajax was right at the top. When I looked over the bio of the ship it stated that it was home ported in Japan. So, I at first thought the map on the patch was a poor depiction of Japan and Korea. But after reading more about the USS Ajax it stated that she spent a good bit of time in the Philippines and Vietnam. So I now believe the map is actually of Southeast Asia with the USS Ajax coming and going from the Philippines and up and down the coast of Vietnam. The patch is 6" across I do believe the patch is Japanese made but I'm not sure on the age. What are your thoughts on the patch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted May 22, 2016 Share #2 Posted May 22, 2016 It is Japanese made. I like the sea horse, like like Abe Lincoln riding him.So it looks like a Circuit Riding Chaplain would go to the different bases camps or post giving spiritual services. Lester Leon "Wes" Westling, Jr. (born October 19, 1930) is an American Episcopal Priest, retired U.S. Navy chaplain,Vietnam veteran, and author. His more than fifty years of ministry have included service to parishes, missionary work in the Philippines, and twenty-six years as a Navy Chaplain, including two assignments in Vietnam: first with the Third Marine Division medical and infantry battalions, and later as a circuit riding chaplain for 65 combat units throughout the Mekongand Bassac Rivers and along the Cambodian border. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lester_L._Westling,_Jr. http://www.marines.mil/Portals/59/Publications/Chaplains%20With%20Marines%20in%20Vietnam%201962-1971%20PCN%2019000309100_3.pdf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manchu Warrior Posted May 23, 2016 Author Share #3 Posted May 23, 2016 I appreciate the information. Any other thoughts on the patch? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sigsaye Posted May 23, 2016 Share #4 Posted May 23, 2016 I appreciate the information. Any other thoughts on the patch? My father served aboard USS Ajax from 1965 to 1967. SERVERS 3 was an embarked staff. They really had nothing to do with the ship. Ajax cruised to those ports to provide services to the Fleet. Quite often, the Flag would shift ashore in Sasebo when Ajax would go to sea. I remember a bit of animosity among us "Dependants" when the ship left but the flag guts got to stay home. Most Chaplains in the Navy are Circuit Riders. They are assigned to a staff and travel between the units if that group. For example, a CRUDESGRO, or PHIBGRU, what have you, may have 2-3 Chaplains assigned. When a squadron deploys, one will go with them. And bounce between ships. While we were stationed in Sasebo, the SERVERS chaplain would also rotate services at the base Chappell with the station chaplain. BTW, Chaplains are assigned without regard to religion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manchu Warrior Posted May 23, 2016 Author Share #5 Posted May 23, 2016 My father served aboard USS Ajax from 1965 to 1967. SERVERS 3 was an embarked staff. They really had nothing to do with the ship. Ajax cruised to those ports to provide services to the Fleet. Quite often, the Flag would shift ashore in Sasebo when Ajax would go to sea. I remember a bit of animosity among us "Dependants" when the ship left but the flag guts got to stay home. Most Chaplains in the Navy are Circuit Riders. They are assigned to a staff and travel between the units if that group. For example, a CRUDESGRO, or PHIBGRU, what have you, may have 2-3 Chaplains assigned. When a squadron deploys, one will go with them. And bounce between ships. While we were stationed in Sasebo, the SERVERS chaplain would also rotate services at the base Chappell with the station chaplain. BTW, Chaplains are assigned without regard to religion. I appreciate the information and do you believe that this patch dates to the Vietnam era? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearmon Posted May 23, 2016 Share #6 Posted May 23, 2016 I would think yes it does date pre 1975 the USN wasn't visiting some of those ports after that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manchu Warrior Posted May 23, 2016 Author Share #7 Posted May 23, 2016 I would think yes it does date pre 1975 the USN wasn't visiting some of those ports after that. I should have asked the question a little differently. Because I know little about patches and I was more so concerned if it was a reproduction. Are the Japanese known for reproducing patches or does it look as if it was made during the war? Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bearmon Posted May 23, 2016 Share #8 Posted May 23, 2016 it looks good to me as a Viet Nam era made patch Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manchu Warrior Posted May 23, 2016 Author Share #9 Posted May 23, 2016 it looks good to me as a Viet Nam era made patch Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted September 17, 2017 Share #10 Posted September 17, 2017 It has been a good while since I posted anything and I was hoping to get info on this patch. I found the patch in a bin full of bowling patches at the flea market today for the price of $1.00. When I googled COMSERVGRU 3 the ship USS Ajax was right at the top. When I looked over the bio of the ship it stated that it was home ported in Japan. So, I at first thought the map on the patch was a poor depiction of Japan and Korea. But after reading more about the USS Ajax it stated that she spent a good bit of time in the Philippines and Vietnam. So I now believe the map is actually of Southeast Asia with the USS Ajax coming and going from the Philippines and up and down the coast of Vietnam. The patch is 6" across I do believe the patch is Japanese made but I'm not sure on the age. What are your thoughts on the patch? chap pat fro.jpgchap pat bac.jpg Circuit Rider removable emblem for garments CHAPLAIN CORPS U,S, NAVY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manchu Warrior Posted September 17, 2017 Author Share #11 Posted September 17, 2017 Circuit Rider removable emblem for garments CHAPLAIN CORPS U,S, NAVY Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
firefighter Posted September 17, 2017 Share #12 Posted September 17, 2017 The patch is definitely Vietnam era. The map seems to show the PI, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Looks to be N.VN(Yankee Station?), S Vn, Thailand & Malaysia. Again great looking patch. https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&channel=ipad_bm&source=hp&ei=77i-WdvoIcXemAHEsY6IBQ&q=map+southeast+asia&oq=map+southeast&gs_l=mobile-gws-hp.1.0.0l5.4739.8609.0.9805.15.14.1.6.6.0.457.3393.0j3j7j2j1.13.0....0...1..64.mobile-gws-hp..3.12.1375.3..35i39k1j0i131k1j0i20k1.339.Am_wwVWn2Jw#imgrc=ye-c2rydabaBHM: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Manchu Warrior Posted September 19, 2017 Author Share #13 Posted September 19, 2017 The patch is definitely Vietnam era. The map seems to show the PI, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Looks to be N.VN(Yankee Station?), S Vn, Thailand & Malaysia. Again great looking patch. https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&channel=ipad_bm&source=hp&ei=77i-WdvoIcXemAHEsY6IBQ&q=map+southeast+asia&oq=map+southeast&gs_l=mobile-gws-hp.1.0.0l5.4739.8609.0.9805.15.14.1.6.6.0.457.3393.0j3j7j2j1.13.0....0...1..64.mobile-gws-hp..3.12.1375.3..35i39k1j0i131k1j0i20k1.339.Am_wwVWn2Jw#imgrc=ye-c2rydabaBHM: Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Salvage Sailor Posted October 20, 2017 Share #14 Posted October 20, 2017 Thanks!! You're Welcome......This one also goes with your SERVGRU THREE Chaplain circuit rider Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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