Identify Mystery Patches/Items

Lee-Jackson Militaria

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Unidentified-Mystery Page

Items that are Unidentified - any help would be greatly appreciated!

UI#2 - VF-5 "FIGHTING HELL CATS", used during WWII when they were flying the F6F "Hellcat" Fighters.

V-5A was redesignated VF-51 and was dis-established in 1990s.

Questions: -Does anyone have an Original Cloth WWII era VF-5 patch that could be compared to the construction of the patch shown below?

-Are the 2 x smaller VF-5A "Fighting Five Able" patches for re-unions (pre-WWII insignia design)?

(stored in "Patch" box in H-5)

UI#4 - "RED NOSE TIGERS", Japan made, Korean War Era(?), USAF Air Cargo Delivery?

Possible "Army Special RECON Unit"?

( also on Army 1950 to early RVN page )

UI#8 - Black Dress Uniform Jacket with U. S. Army Buttons, 8" tall Bullion Corporal Stripes,

"WPL 444" (I don't have a WPL issue list so I can't determine the date), any ideas?

(additional input: "possible Dress Uniform for the Unknown Soldier's Honor Guard...for Special Occasions"?)

UI#9 - WWII Army style Khaki Shirt (PX Purchase), tailored shirt with crotch-strap & sweat-guards in the armpits.

Maybe for an Honor Guard, movie item, or etc., Any Ideas?

UI#10 - 5" FE Thunderbird patch came with a 456th FIS patch, maybe a "Flight" withing the 456th?

(I have seen a similar Red & White patch - owner had no idea what Unit had used it - probably 1950s era)

UI#14 - SOLD "Teeny Weeny Airlines" patch from Vietnam Era (Southeast Asian made) ("TEEHY" should read Teeny), Unit?

(ID'd: Command Airplane Company flying U-21's based at Long Thanh North AAF; about 15 airplanes that carried: beer, cokes, pigs, and folks.)

( This patch is also claimed by the ARDF Section of the 3rd RRU based in Saigon flying missions out of TSN. )

"Bombardment" patch?

Eagle with Bomb patch, possible unit number is "6", "33", or etc.?

UI#15 - Voice of America, Poro Point, Philippines, anyone know History on this VOA patch (PI made)?

17. Possibly an Aviation Patch, Asian made, circa late-1960 to 1970s, ever see one?

(ID'd as a Philippine Air Force Squadron that flew F-8 Crusaders out of BASA AFB)

Could be the 52nd or 7th or etc.

18. Possbily the VP-26 Tridents? 1960s era made in Japan, ever see one?

(shown on the Navy Patch Page "Other SQDNs")

25. Trans Choge Airlines for an enlisted Crewmember, embroidered on an old GI Wool Blanket:

"CHOGE" = "Cut a Choge"(Japanese for "leave in a hurry") ?

( ID'd as the 6175th ABS - see on Flying SQDNs page )

UI#28 - "Silencium Vel Letum"(Silence or Death), in his eye socket is a "III"; found with some SOS patches, Asian made, a Gunship squadron?

(could the "III" mean an AC-119(Shadow or Stinger) as they were the 3rd Gunship version?)

UI#29 - "F I Gung-Ho", I have a seen a larger version of the patch. Listed in the Trading Post Oct-Dec 1991 issue, page 50?

(also shown on the: SOS/ACS and 1st - 43rd Flying Squadron pages)

UI#30 - "Raider Flight", probably made in Korea in the 1960-70s, maybe 2nd Infantry Division Aviation?

(ID'd as the 2nd Infantry Division, Division Artillery Aviation section, Camp Stanley, Oui Jon Bu, Korea 1975-77)

UI#31 - "Fragrant(?) Region 5", any ideas? On the reverse is written "Dragons Region 5", "1175 7", could be 1960s, civilian or ?

UI#35 - Crown Ranch, cheesecloth backing, any idea?

( Idea on ID from a viewer: ""Crown Ranch" patch, possibly a promotional item from the 1950's "Sky King" TV show starring the late Kirby Grant.

He was based at his fictional Flying Crown Ranch." )

UI#36 - HUEY Starlifters, cheesecloth backing, got an Air Force look but?

UI#37 - Para SCUBA looking, Japan 1960s(?), ?

UI#38 - "B" Shift, "A B C", "We Carry the Load", coarse gauze backing-high quality patch, Okinawa, Japan, or Korea?

UI#39 - "SKYBORN" gauze backing, cut-edge Hornet patch, ?

UI#40 - Seagull with Bomb....ID'd as the 371st BS(M), 307th BW(M) circa 1952 - 1965.

This patch looks like a 1970s manufacture(?) with the white Polyester Twill backing material?

UI#41 - "Black Magic", Pellon backing, a note came with the patch: "660th Special Operations Group C-130 Light Ship

Callsign: "Black Magic", sounds good to me....any ideas?

UI#42 - RANGER C 9 "M", came from an old-time Military Family, possible Japan made in the 1950s(?).

Looks like an Ice Axe hanging on the left ski; a coiled rope on the right ski; sled leaning on the skis(?).

(A thought on the patch origin: Charlie Company, 3rd Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment was Inactivated on June 20, 1959

and relieved from assignment to the 2nd Infantry Division while stationed in Alaska. On the same day it was Redesignated HQs & HQs

Company, 3rd Battle Group 9th Infantry Regiment. The "M" on the mountain could be for Mount McKinley?)

( Also on Army 1950 - early Vietnam page )

UI#48 - Kangaroo with baby in pouch, older high-quality workmanship, probably Japan made, Army Dustoff or ?

( Although it is very similar to a 82nd MED DET patch from the RVN era it has one major difference, the baby's head does not have a white bandage.

Mr. Hough does not have one depicted in his book "United States Army Air Ambulance" and states he has never been able to ID this Japan made patch to any Army Unit.

A longtime USAF Collector says he owns one and believes it to be a UI USAF unit also????? )

( also on Army Patch Main page )

52. 2" older Wing and Wheel, ID'd as Civil Air Patrol (CAP) Transportation Technician for 1950s

(Needs to be rotated 90 degrees to the right)

53. 3" insignia from Fort Crook (now Offutt Air Force Base(?)), "OAS" "Civilian Instructor", pre-1948?

56. WWII Italian made for a B-25 Unit, this may have been ID'd in the Trading Post, per a few collectors????

( see details on USAAF page )

( stored with USAAF patches )

63. Large WWII Era German one-sided Flag/Banner/etc., found with several NAZI items. Ever see one?

( click on picture for details )

65. 4 5/8" older merrowed edge with cheesecloth backing, removed from clothing, any ideas?

stored in gray cabinet

68. written on the back is: "Flying Fish" and "1961", possbily a VAH A-3 unit??

(could be from a VAH outfit flying the A3...guy looking backward hanging from the lower fin is the way the 3rd Crewman faced in the A3 Sky Warrior "Whale")

also on the Navy VA page

71. A similar patch was shown on the back of a Marine Flight Jacket in a Japanese Magazine/Book dated late-1980s or early-1990s.

Does the Patch depict Cam Ranh Bay (CRB)?

The motto is ID'd in the ASMICmotto book as the Army's 45th Aviation Battalion( which was renumber 145th AVN BN in 1963? )?

Patch was ID'd in the ASMIC Trading Post, April-June 2008 Issue, pages 39-40 as the "45th AVN BDE"?

also on Marine VMA and Army RVN pages

72. Large "STAR COM FAC CONT", Japan made, probably late-1950s or into the 1960s, a Signal Corps Novelty Patch as the D.ck even has Orange parts.

The writing may mean: Star Communications Facility Control??? Came with a Signal Corps Bowling patch.

also on Army 1950 to early Vietnam page

79. "85th Pacification Wing" "Moc Hoa Airforce", Moc Hoa is in the Kien Tuong Province of IV Corps, RVN.

Special Forces Camp A-414 was in the area along with several other American Activities, any ideas?

MACV Team 85 was at Muc Hoa.

Maybe one of the Bird Dog Aircraft units that were armed with Rockets and/or Machine Guns?

How do these IDs sound:

22nd TASS Detachment at Moc Hoa with MACV TEAM 85

or, an Army Bird Dog Team at Moc Hoa?

also on the USAF 22nd TASS & Army Aviation 199th RAC Patch Pages

81. "4th BUT FIRST", motto of the 4th FW but the color of the Bavarian State Flag??

Possible help in IDing the patch:

"LeKG 44" patch probably belonged to the German Ground Attack Squadron based at Leipheim flying FIAT G. 91s.

Possible connection with an older LeKG 44 squadron or something in the Province or a U. S. 4th FW deployment to the Leipheim area in the 1950s(?)

( also on 4th FW page )

83. made in Trier, Germany by Lonquich, depicts a U. S. Army 3-star General, well made, any ideas?

also on WWI to WWII U. S. Army patch page

85. Older patch with "HT" ?

( possible Territory of Hawaii insignia? )

86. Army Aviation Patch?

(also on Army AVN Patch)

UI#89 - "Strike Recoil Strike", European made small DI, motto is listed in Mr. Polder's Book as the 77th Bombardment Group but I can find no other records?

( also on USAF Patch Wing/Group page )

UI#90 - These guys must have had the worst luck? Japan made, probably late-1950s to 1960s?

( also listed on: USAF, USN, & USMC patch pages )

92. "Select Lead Crew", older cheese cloth backing, aircraft look like: C-130, C-141, & C-5(?); Tac Airlift patch ?

ID'd as the Insignia for Lead Aircraft Crewman on Combat Air Drops - see on C-130 Aircraft page

93. "Run for your LIfe", thick patch (1960 - 1970s (?)), was on a Blue Jacket/shirt, SAC ?

( Vance AFB, 71st FTW circa 1979; morale patch from CO to individuals who ran a certain mileage in physical fitness program )

94. "66B" "Testi ad Murem", I assume it is a Training Class patch from 1966 ?

ID'd as a Class patch at Vance AFB - moved to USAF Training/Class page

95. "LFG", Redwing Canada Goose, older cheese cloth backing, a Glider/Soaring club or etc. ?

99. "SEMPER PRIAPUS NON REMORSUS" (could mean "Alway Erect, No Remorse"), Could be for a "Horny" Airman in Thailand ?

Update on meaning:

symbol = vasectomy, "Semper Priapus Non Remorsus" = always hard, no regret

I would guess this was not a patch a "Straight-arrow" would wear.

100. "401 CleanLivers", Thai made, I assume it means "Straight Arrow"(?) ?

101. "SPOOKS INC.", Thai made, Looks to be an Army Security Agency or Air Force Security Service Airborne Radio Direction Finding(ARDF) unit ?

(Notice the Spook has earphones on the two "O"s)

(probably a USAFSS unit as it was made in Thailand(?))

( also on the ASA and Air Force SS pages )

102. "B-4-251" "SNAP '69", apparently it is from 1969?

103. Red Devil, Civilian, Military, or ?

104. "FLY UNITED", a novelty patch or for some unit, cheesecloth backing ?

One ID is: 23rd Artillery Group from RVN Era ( NOT corroborated )

110. UI, probably Army, patch, any ideas on unit?

( also on Army RVN era Patch page )

111. with Rapier and Spider ?

Possible 421st Tactical Fighter Squadron novelty patch = combining the old and new insignia?

113. 3509BM, 14th USAAF Officer's bringback from China, "from the People of Wuhan", see this link for details, any ideas?

click left-picture for details

( also on: Souvenir, htm, USAAF patch page, & Army WWI - WWII patches )

114. USAF Pilot's Grouping from his K-2B, Thai/Lao associated but may also have VNAF connections(?)

( also on pages: AF #1 Squadrons, Vietnamese, & AF Advisors )

( click Picture for details )

117. Marine Corps or Army? Large Patch Construction/size & "4.0" point to the Marines but "The Ground Pounders" may be Army?

118. USAF HOBOS patch, cheesecloth backing material, is this the GBU-9 Weapon system?

121. "Commandos" Arc/Tab, came out of Vietnam, usage unknow.

Attributed to the 19th SOS by a unit Veteran - moved to the 19th SOS section

( click on picture for details )

126. Raptor-Hawk on felt, older patch, possibily NAVAL Aviation, WWII to 1953 era?

also on Navy VA page

127. 9822nd SCU "Robinson Ponies", possibly an Army "sports" team patch, German made in the 1950s?

Stationed at Robinson Kaserne (Barracks), Stuttgart-Zuffenhausen, West Germany

Possibly a Medical Unit/Hospital due to the Maroon color?

What does "SCU" expand to:

9822nd Special Care Unit?

also on the Army 1950 - RVN page

( in site done box )

130. "small nails"....made on Okinawa or in Japan? Any ideas why this was made or who used it?

A note from a Viewer: "It looks to me like a beret flash attachment for the Fifth Special Forces Group.

I understand that when the Special Forces Provisional Units went to Vietnam they added the 1st Special Forces insignia to their flash.

This change is shown in U.S. Special Forces Shoulder and Pocket Insignia by Harry Pough, Elite insignia guide 3."

anyone have further thoughts on this premise?

( also on SF page )

132. Larger, Air Force Reserve insignia.....what era and why is it on a gray twill material?

( The only uniform I know of is the Sage Green Fatigues used in the early 1950s )

Did the AF ever use a Gray Uniform for the Reserves in the late-1940s or 1950s?

( also on USAF Commands page )

140. found with the Japan made USS ABNAKI (ATF-96) patch, "aircrew 4" or ????

( see more details on Navy Ships patch page, USS Abnaki )

( also on Navy Main patch page )

147. "1954" brass medal, similar to an ARVN Jump Status insignia, has been repainted in Vietnam, had a screwback-stud on the the back, had a hole for a "chain" in the top but was "plugged"?

( also on the Vietnam page )

148. "US Pacific Command" homemade Pocket Hanger, what Unit wore this badge?

Answer--Worn by all service members assigned to this command, regardless of SERVICE affilation

149. Thai made, pre-1975 insignia for the "MGMT ENGR TEAM" (Management Engineering Team), must have been a rough-Team with the axe?

Many Branches of the Air Force had these Teams, any idea which Branch this one worked for?

( also on USAF 1 - 43rd SQ patches page, at bottom )

151. "EXITALIS" "D", came with a bunch of 1959 - 1969 Training Class patches?

( also on USAF 1 - 43rd SQ patches page, at bottom )

153. Possibly it is an Arrowhead and Boomerang on the shield ?

one feedback...may be associated with the CORDS Program

another thought...Army Riverine unit working with the Brown Water Navy

155. bronze metal flags, has a "Meyer" style trademark on reverse?

A viewer has one similar to this pin with the pennant colored: Yellow, Black, & Red (see below)

When he bought the pin it was only ID'd as "Venezuela", anyone know what unit in Venezuela used it?

UI#156 - WWII USAAF Tow Target Squadron ( ID'd as the 6th Tow Target Squadron (6th TTS), see on USAAF patch page )

UI#161 - Circa WWI with "J" post closure, imprinted "Sterling", a Signal insignia or a sweetheart pin, 1" x 1 1/16"?

( also on Army to WWII patch page )

UI#165 - "B" Flight, looks Japan made, maybe 1950s, small cap or neckbib type patch, know the Squadron?

( maybe a "Beeliner" patch from the 21st TCS ? )

( stored in gray cabinet )

( also on 21st TAS section )

UI#167 - "404 SQDN.", "get teady", only squadron I can find is the RCAF 404 Squadron but I cannot find any patch pics for them?

There is a Cobra on his shirt....could this be a Thai Unit?

( also on British page )

UI#168 - Nicaragaun Guardia Nacional Device worn by USMC personnel assigned to the Guardia, circa 1927.

Anyone have a detailed picture of this device being worn by USMC personnel?

scanned at 266dpi

click on picture for other details, if available

( also on Marine Patch page )

UI#170 - an Air Force load crew patch, made in Japan, anyone know the Unit?

( also on USAF main patch page )

7848AF. Air Defense Command OG cotton shirt with a probable 9th AAA BN pocket patch (circa 1950 - 1958)?

click on picture for details

UI#174 - "COMMANDOS", 2" with gauze back, I would guess at least 40 years old(?), any ID ideas?

( stored in gray cabinet )

( also on 1 - 19th SOS page )