"It's a Swiss Tex" USN, USCG, USNS, NOAA Patch Manufacturers

15,316 · October 25, 2020

1972-1973 Swiss-Tex logo and cellophane packaging

2,093 · October 25, 2020

Thanks, Salvage Sailor... I thought it might be later since it did not have the capital letter “S” on the cellophane.

6,857 · April 17, 2021

Now we know who manufactured these patches which were worn by a group of Air Force Academy Cadets who went through an abbreviated USN BUD/S course in an attempt by the Navy to recruit them into switching services.

15,316 · April 17, 2021

Excellent pick up.

This is exactly why I started these USN (etc) patch manufacturer topics so that we collectors can verify when and where these patches were made and for what purpose.

6,857 · April 18, 2021

6 hours ago, Salvage Sailor said:

Excellent pick up.

This is exactly why I started these USN (etc) patch manufacturer topics so that we collectors can verify when and where these patches were made and for what purpose.

Here are some pictures I kept off of eBay (eBay Seller 201staerosq) showing how this patch was worn by USAF Academy cadets. I don't know who ended up with this jacket as I believe I got outbid as I recall.

15,316 · April 18, 2021

USS RAMSEY (FFG-2) Brooke class guided missile destroyer escort in service 1967 to 1988. She was redesignated from DEG-2 to FFG-2 in 1975.

After shakedown off the west coast, Ramsey departed Long Beach, California, on 1 May 1968 for the western Pacific. Following duty off Vietnam and her return to Long Beach 9 November, she sailed again for the western Pacific 8 October 1969, and again operated off Vietnam, before returning to Long Beach 18 April 1970. Between January 1970 and January 1974, Ramsey alternated two more WestPac cruises with operations off the west coast of the United States.

Ramsey earned five battle stars for Vietnam service. She was classified as a Destroyer, Guided Missile Escort (DEG-2) from her commissioning until after her combat tours in Vietnam. The new designation was Guided Missile (Fighting) Frigate, (FFG-2), effective 30 June 1975. She was decommissioned on 1 September 1988.

Swiss-Tex ships' store patch circa 1975 and an unfinished Swiss-Tex FFG-2 patch

Photo from Navsource: USS RAMSEY (FFG-2) Operation Eagle Pull, Gulf of Siam, March 1975

15,316 · June 26, 2021

USS BELLEAU WOOD (LHA-3) 'Devil Dog', Tarawa class amphibious assault ship (general purpose) in service 1978 to 2005

1978 Swiss-Tex Commissioning Set, The Leonard Corporation, Patch, Covers, Decals, Welcome Aboard

Commissioning patch, September 1978

Ships' Store version on small box card

6,857 · July 3, 2021

Another one

15,316 · October 3, 2021

Destroyer Escort USS AINSWORTH (DE-1090) Swiss-Tex circa 1973

15,316 · November 7, 2021

Fighter Squadron 74 (VF-74) Be-Devilers in service 1944 to 1994 - F4 Phamtoms over Vietnam

In early 1972 they transitioned from the F-4B to the F-4J. Between July 1972 to February 1973 the squadron returned to combat in Vietnam on board USS America. During seven periods on the famous Yankee Station VF-74 did not lose a single aircraft to enemy action. VF-74 was just as successful in peace time, winning the CNO Safety "S" in 1974 along with the Battle "E". In 1975, they moved to CVW-8 and took part in the maiden cruise of USS Nimitz. In 1976 they won the Admiral Joseph Clifton Award, making them the top US Navy fighter squadron.

A F-4J of VF-74 during the deployment to Vietnam, USS AMERICA

COLD WAR - "There's a Bear in the Air..." We would constantly shadow and intercept the Commie Recon Bears until they left our airspace.

An VF-74 F-4S intercepting a Soviet Tu-95 "Bear D" in 1982.

15,316 · November 15, 2021

USS PELELIU (LHA-5) Tarawa class amphibious assault ship in service 1980 to 2015. A bit of naval trivia, the class was all named after USMC victories, and she was supposed to be named the Khe Sanh, and then the Da Nang, but that didn't quite work out after 1975......thus the Peleliu.

Swiss Tex Commissioning Patches

15,316 · December 22, 2021

MILITARY SEALIFT COMMAND

HISTORY (From the MSC website)

During World War II, four separate government agencies controlled sea transportation. In 1949, the Military Sea Transportation Service became the single managing agency for the Department of Defense's ocean transportation needs. The command assumed responsibility for providing sealift and ocean transportation for all military services as well as for other government agencies.

Only nine months after its creation, MSTS responded to the challenge of the Korean War. On July 6, 1950, only 11 days after the initial invasion of South Korea by communist North Korean troops, MSTS transported the 24th Infantry Division and its equipment from Japan to Pusan, South Korea, for duty.

Swiss-Tex patch circa 1970

During the Vietnam War, MSTS was renamed Military Sealift Command. Between 1965 and 1969, MSC transported nearly 54 million tons of combat equipment and supplies and nearly 8 million tons of fuel to Vietnam. MSC ships also transported troops to Vietnam. The Vietnam era marked the last use of MSC troop ships. Now, U.S. troops are primarily transported to theater by air.

Through the 1970s and 1980s, MSC provided the Department of Defense with ocean transportation in support of U.S. deterrent efforts during the Cold War years.

During the first Persian Gulf War's Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, MSC distinguished itself as the largest source of defense transportation of any nation involved. MSC ships delivered more than 12 million tons of wheeled and tracked vehicles, helicopters, ammunition, dry cargo, fuel and other supplies and equipment during the war. At the height of the war, MSC managed more than 230 government-owned and chartered ships.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, MSC ships have played a vital and continuing role in contingency operations around the world. As of January 2013, MSC ships delivered more than 25.7 billion gallons of fuel and moved 126.2 million square feet of combat equipment and supplies to U.S. and coalition forces engaged in operations supporting Iraq and Afghanistan.

In addition, MSC, the Navy and several non-governmental organizations have treated hundreds of thousands of patients in hospital ship deployments worldwide.

15,316 · December 23, 2021

USS SHENANDOAH (AD-26) Destroyer tender in service 1945 to 1980.

Sales and Service Division patch made by Swiss Tex 1978

15,316 · January 25, 2022

On 2/9/2019 at 2:57 PM, Salvage Sailor said:

USS SEATTLE (AOE-3) Sacramento class fast combat support ship in service 1969 to 2005

Swiss Tex ships' store patch in the plain wrapper circa late 1970's

Swiss Tex ships' store patch and Swiss Tex Operation Northstar, Scandanavia 1991

Here's a good example of a custom war cruise patch made by Swiss-Tex, the Leonard Company

USS SEATTLE (AOE-3) DESERT STORM, Swiss Tex 1991 'Beans, Bullets & Oil' - The Iraqis' took their shots but couldn't hit her.

In the first 48 hrs. after the assault on Kuwait by Iraqi forces under Saddam Hussein, the Seattle received immediate orders to be deployed from its new Homeport recently changed from Naval Station Norfolk to Naval Weapons Station Earle, New Jersey to incorporate and provide support with the fleets sent underway at first to exert military pressure to political negotiations but later, when the government of Saddam entrenched, to provide continued cover during Operation Desert Shield. During the course of operations, the Seattle would take a crucial and important part, while no substantial bases and ports existed yet in the Persian Gulf, in the earlier and later actions in the buildup to the Operation Desert Storm during the conflict of the First Persian Gulf War from the first weeks of August to the end of April next year, after the successful retaking of Kuwait and surrender of Iraq.

Swiss-Tex ships' store patch

Under its new captain, Wilbur Trafton, Vietnam veteran Naval Pilot, the Seattle was assigned an extra wing of Air crews and helicopters to provide faster and continued air cargo supply, around the clock, besides its main operations of replenishment while at sea to multiple ships on its starboard and port sides even while underway at fast speed. Most of the main ammunition and other supplies for the Kennedy and Saratoga Carriers task Force to provide Air cover on the assault to liberate Kuwait and pressure on Iraq itself done by these two American carrier battle groups and supply of Allies countries vessels was done from this AOE ship.

Swiss-Tex Desert Storm war cruise 1991 Indian Ocean, Mediterranean, Suez Canal, Aug 1991-Dec 1991 WE DID IT ALL

During the 7+1⁄2-month period of its active duty back and forth in the Persian Gulf and Red Sea theatre of operations, the Seattle was mostly well covered by the defense systems of the carriers and battle groups, but on two separate occasions Iraqi Forces spotted the vessel and tried to strike it with Scud missiles while away replenishing itself in allied ports (Jeddah, Saudi Arabia & Haifa, Israel), in order to hinder the fleets main source of provisions and thus, their continued presence and air raids on them.

USS Seattle (AOE-3) conducts an underway replenishment with the aircraft carrier USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) and the guided missile cruiser USS Vicksburg (CG-69) simultaneously in the Atlantic Ocean, on 11 June 2004. Seattle and Vicksburg are part of the John F. Kennedy Carrier Strike Group, currently involved in a joint exercise, known as Combined Joint Task Force Exercise. The exercise allows all services and several countries to train the way they fight - in a joint environment.US. Navy photo # 040611-N-4374S-015 by PH2 Michael Sandberg.