Really nice all original examples in perfect condition.  Always good to see those "short" ribbon drape lengths- long ribbon lengths on the first "No." issues indicates a ribbon replacement.  Certainly not the end of the world, but being all original like these 3 is always great.

Can you provide reverse shots of the Chief Engineer  hat badge and Chief Engineer collar pins?  That may provide a clue as to originality.   If the center  of the hat badge is an original prop insignia that was added to a random wreath,  is there evidence of a pinback assembly being removed/ground off? And, are the center silver disks on the 2 collar pins identical in construction (based on a reverse view)?  

Can anyone tell me what patch the 1st Field Force wore in Vietnam in early 1966?  From what I read the I Field Force patch was not authorized until early October of 1966.  Any help appreciated.   Thanks.

Really nice find!!!!!!

That's great input. Glad to hear he wasn't the Barber that was MIA in Guadalcanal.  Regards Laurence

Found these at the fleamarket today.

Found the first three today. The others I took outside for the picture. I probably  have more somewhere. The 2nd army is hand painted. I can't find anything with the 2nd Army and 372. Is it a fantasy piece.Thanks.

Go here to find his medal issue cards:   https://catalog.archives.gov/search-within/601682

Really nice! Thanks for sharing.

Hi! I find it so fun to do these, and patches aren't even my thing in militaria really. But I love making them. So, I don't think I really have many "tips", as I just sort of did these and I'm not really doing anything by the book, so to say. The wool is definitely nicer to do. If I am using a thin cotton, I have used interfacing on the back to stiffen it. I don't use a hoop, as I find them clunky, but that means I am keeping the fabric taught with one hand where I am working with the other hand. The back neatness . . . Mom's Grandmother taught her to sew and cross-stitch, and while we never got to meet her, Mom has always talked about her, and that she always insisted the back be neat. Almost neat enough to mistake for the front if you didn't pay attention. When I went to do this first patch, I just thought it would be fun to think of Great-Gramma and do it like she would approve, so I made sure to hide all the knots and not have threads travelling to other places, etc. I do have a pair of very sharp-tipped snipping scissors, which are mandatory for these things, to make sure you can get the thread at the lowest point without damaging work. Also, I use older sewing needles. For the patches, I use a finer needle than would be recommended for the amount of thread I am using at once. This does stress the needle and I usually break one needle per patch. Just part of the "materials", I figure. I like Embroidery 8s, but I do have some assorted Sharps. You don't want big holes in the base, that's why I'm using a fine needle. I also like the Made in UK gold-heads, but I do have others! :) Personal preference for feel of the needle, really. Also, the thread itself makes a difference, as some really don't lay together well and some tangle more than others. I generally use three or six strands at a time that I've put together. Very fine detail can be one or two, but three or six is generally the base.    Hope some of this helps! But feel free to ask any questions or send me a PM! Elizabeth