Vietnamese Ranger Insignia,Headgear & Uniforms.

[D. Michael Kim]

The Biet Dong Doi Patch, is a hand embroidered early pocket patch relating to a Ranger Section or Unit.

The bottom patch is bevo made patch for the 11th Ranger Bn. “CAN DAM DE CHIEN THANG”, translated means To Have The Courage to Win, “BDQ 11”, 11TH Ranger Bn.

[D. Michael Kim]

The top patch is a printed pocket patch worn by the 41st Ranger Battalion.

The bottom patch is printed pocket patch for Ranger units assigned to and conducting special operations. The letters SGU refers to Special Group Unit. The number 3 above the letters refers to III Corps where the unit was conducting the operations. When the patch was worn in other Corps, the numbers 1,2,or 4 may be found in lieu of the number 3.

This patch was not shown in Cecil Smyth's book.

[Beezman]

I thought the 3 SGU patch was a Laotian Special Guerilla Unit patch using the BDQ design?

[D. Michael Kim]

I thought the 3 SGU patch was a Laotian Special Guerilla Unit patch using the BDQ design?

I broached the use of this patch with a former BDQ who has been working on researching
the history of the BDQ, for the past 20 years. He is the same person who provided me the information on the unidentified patch which he confirmed was for the Ranger Commando Company. He recently sent me a map of the Duc My Training Center which he drew from memory which is very detailed in describing the center.

In all of my conversations with him, I feel very comfortable with his knowledge and the answers he has provided to me. I say this because during our conversations he mentions events and people that I myself can confirm. Based on what he said, I defer my post to his knowledge.

I have seen the same patch machine made; now I have to find where I saw it. It may identify country it was manufactured in.

The patch was not shown in Cecil's section on Laos Insgnia.

Bob, would you be ablke to shed light on this patch?

[D. Michael Kim]

The top patch is a Ranger Reconnaissance Pocket patch. There is a similar patch with T.D. 44 BDQ written above the Tiger that was specifically used by the 44th Ranger Battalion.

TRA CU is located on the VAM CO DONG RIVER west of CU CHI near the PARROT'S BEAK of CAMBODIA and VIETNAM. There was a Special Forces "A" TEAM BASE located in the area.

The bottom patch with the Tra-Cu written under. As can be seen this patch design was modified and used by others.

[D. Michael Kim]

The top patch was for the 91st Ranger Bn. (Airborne). When you add 9+1 this equals TEN, We consider 10 as being the best, however for the Vietnamese it is a bad luck number. This resulted in a re-designation, and the Bn. was re-designated as the 81st Airborne Ranger Bn.

This unit later became a special strike unit, Lien doan 81 Biet Kich Du (the 81st Airborne Ranger group), under the Special Forces command and later placed under direct Joint-Staff's command.

This unit was one of the most feared Vietnamese fighting units which was heavily bloodied during the 1968's Tet Offensive and the 1972 NVA's Easter Offensive when it was launched into battle to relieve the garrison of An Loc, North West of Saigon from a NVA siege that threatened to choke off Saigon.

The other two insignia are shoulder loops for the III Corps 74th Ranger Battalion and the 7th Ranger Artillery Group.

[D. Michael Kim]

TRA CU is located on the VAM CO DONG RIVER west of CU CHI near the PARROT'S BEAK of CAMBODIA and VIETNAM. There was a Special Forces "A" TEAM BASE located in the area.

The bottom patch with the Tra-Cu written under. As can be seen this patch design was modified and used by others.

I found my notes, the Tra-Cu patch as used by the Districts' Popular Force Company.

[Patrick Dempsey]

Aloha Dennis,

as ever, many thanks for your continued efforts to develop a quick reference thread on these insignia.

Due to the broad scope of the subject, the nature your efforts are very much appreciated.

[thefallenbuddha]

Dennis,

Absolutely spot on excellent items, and great information to accentuate them even further. Knowing more about the history behind "a bit of cloth" definitely adds to its appreciation.

BDQ items are a strong interest of mine, and September also proved to be a productive month for me in that category.

Below are two patches I had been looking to find for quite some time. Also, I have always wanted to see a period photo of a ranger with the shellburst patch, but as of yet have not come across one. It would be great if one of the many excellent photo historicists in this forum might have such a photo to post....

[thefallenbuddha]

Also, to add to Dennis's excellent #65 Post, here is an image of a 44th Battalion Patch with the "Tra Cu", and a photo comparison of a 21st Battalion versus the already posted reconnaissance patch. It is interesting how the tiger is highly similiar, just facing the opposite direction.

[thefallenbuddha]

Lastly, I had one question to pose to more knowledgeable members on the forum. I've always wondered if there was a specific reason why the 33rd Battalion seems to have more prevalent variations in SSIs than other battalions? Smyth lists this battalion as having more variations than others, and in my little experience more variations do come up for the 33rd battalion than others. Below are standard camo machine made ones for when the battalion was under the 32nd and 33rd Group, as well as three different variations for the standard patch: silk background, yellow machine made, camo machine made. I was just wondering if there was some part of this battalion's history that accounted for the greater variation?

[D. Michael Kim]

Beautiful Patches!!!!!

My intent on posting insignia is to allow collectors the capability to view the patches in its’ full glory. Most reference material has been done in black and white Xerox or line drawings, which are not in detail. I can remember looking at reference material of these patches and comparing them to what was on the web for sale. Not a definitive way to identify items.

Within the next few weeks I will finish off the Vn. Marine thread. It will show variants of the marine patches as well as examples of what to look for in reproductions and fakes. I will provide a list the men in black who are ruining the hobby as well as other information and guidelines in collecting marine insignia. It will then be a reference that any new collector could go to and learn before he buys. The old adage that “Knowledge is Power” is so true in collecting Indochina militaria. The more we know the better it is for all.

I will pass on the BDQ pocket patch to the Vietnamese Ranger community in hopes of finding you that elusive picture. Good hunting.

Regards,
D. M.K.

[D. Michael Kim]

Also, to add to Dennis's excellent #65 Post, here is an image of a 44th Battalion Patch with the "Tra Cu", and a photo comparison of a 21st Battalion versus the already posted reconnaissance patch. It is interesting how the tiger is highly similiar, just facing the opposite direction.

The 44th Bn. was the first ARVN Ranger Bn. to receive the US Presidential Unit Citation. This is an elusive patch that I am still looking for. In relation to this Bn. Check this web on the Tiger Lady of the 44th.

http://www.vietnamgear.com/Article.aspx?Art=17

The 21st Bn, may be a variant for if I remember correctly one will also have a number 21 in the middle of its nose.

I met Major Dan after he was released from prison as the Bn. Commander of the 49th Infantry Regt. One night the V.C. pulled a raid on the house where they were stationed and kidnapped him. He, knowing what a coup it would be for the V.C., resisted so violently that he was shot and left on the trail.

[D. Michael Kim]

Lastly, I had one question to pose to more knowledgeable members on the forum. I've always wondered if there was a specific reason why the 33rd Battalion seems to have more prevalent variations in SSIs than other battalions? Smyth lists this battalion as having more variations than others, and in my little experience more variations do come up for the 33rd battalion than others. Below are standard camo machine made ones for when the battalion was under the 32nd and 33rd Group, as well as three different variations for the standard patch: silk background, yellow machine made, camo machine made. I was just wondering if there was some part of this battalion's history that accounted for the greater variation?

I know not why this would be the case. The group patches refers to the ranger groups of which they were a part. The other three patches are just variants of the patch when it was with the 33rd Bn.

Please show the tabs you have.

[VALERY226]

The top patch was for the 91st Ranger Bn. (Airborne). When you add 9+1 this equals TEN, We consider 10 as being the best, however for the Vietnamese it is a bad luck number. This resulted in a re-designation, and the Bn. was re-designated as the 81st Airborne Ranger Bn.

This unit later became a special strike unit, Lien doan 81 Biet Kich Du (the 81st Airborne Ranger group), under the Special Forces command and later placed under direct Joint-Staff's command.

This unit was one of the most feared Vietnamese fighting units which was heavily bloodied during the 1968's Tet Offensive and the 1972 NVA's Easter Offensive when it was launched into battle to relieve the garrison of An Loc, North West of Saigon from a NVA siege that threatened to choke off Saigon.

The other two insignia are shoulder loops for the III Corps 74th Ranger Battalion and the 7th Ranger Artillery Group.

Michael,
You present here highly desirable patches! More a "rag" collector than a patch collector, here is my small contribution:


This tiger shirt is originally patched to the 81st Airborne Ranger group.
Like the shirt, sun faded, the patch shows some age and discoloration.


Cheers

Valery