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Rare Early OEF 3rd SFG Purple Heart patch for Afghan Security Forces


USMarineCorps
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USMarineCorps

Hi all,

 

I've had this neat patch for a while now, but wanted to post it for future reference.

This patch was made in Afghanistan during the early years of OEF (2002-2004) by advisors of C co, 2nd Bn, 3rd SFG(A).

It was modeled after the PH original patch award designed by G Washington himself during the Revolutionary War.

Embroidered on ripstop BDU material, the writing (in Pashtun I believe) reads something along the lines of "For wound received in combat against the Taliban".

The patch was worn by Afghan Security Force (ASF) soldiers who were WIA by anti-coalition forces. This paramilitary unit was trained by the US Special Forces and engaged in Direct Action SOF missions during the early days of the war.

 

Enjoy!

 

Fred

 

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A little further info.  Made in 2004 as you said by a member of team 361.  The patch was designed on a piece of paper, given to their terp who was instructed to find someone to have it made. The writing is in Dari.  Only 20 of these were produced, and the same soldier who designed this patch, also designed the ASF patch of which 140 were produced.

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Thank you Fred for posting an example of this patch.

 

Below is a picture of two Afghanistan Security Force personnel that had just been awarded their Purple Heart patch for wounds received in combat against the Taliban.

 

Also note the Afghanistan Security Force patches on their left shoulders.

 

 

Afhgan Purple Heart.jpeg

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USMarineCorps

Thank you for the comments and additional information. For the sake of context, here are some ODA 361 patches from the same time frame (2003-2005) as well as a later iteration of the ASF patch. The latter appears to be a cap sized patch and is partially computer made with additional details done by hand. 

IMG_0039.jpg

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3 hours ago, USMarineCorps said:

Thank you for the comments and additional information. For the sake of context, here are some ODA 361 patches from the same time frame (2003-2005) as well as a later iteration of the ASF patch. The latter appears to be a cap sized patch and is partially computer made with additional details done by hand. 

 

Very nice.  He also designed that later patch as well.  There are some differences but as you said, that one was at least partially done on a computer which would account for that.

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