Great Mid-1960's Vietnam 1st Commando Squadron "1" Patch Handmade in Vietnam

ARTIFACT: Great mid-60's Vietnam War 1st Air Commando Squadron "1" Patch. The patch, in the shape of a number "1" displays a red, white, and blue embroidered eagle, wings spread towards the sky and clutching a blue circle in one talon and red arrows in the other. The entire patch is outlined with a white embroidered border and the base of the patch reads: "AIR COMMANDO". The 1st was activated June 17, 1963 under the Pacific Air Force, proceeding to Bien Hoa and being assigned first to the 34th Tactical Group. The 1st was reassigned several times over its career and on August 1, 1968 became the 1st Special Operations Squadron. The squadron saw extensive combat in Southeast Asia for a decade between 1963 and 1973 and during that time flew the A-26 Invader, T-28 Trojan, performed the first combat tests of the famous FC-47 gunship in 1964, and began flying the A-1 Skyraider. The 1st Air Commando missions were mainly reconnaissance, pilot rescues, and close air support for U.S. and Vietnamese ground forces. In addition, the 1st Air Commando Squadron also trained Vietnamese Air Force pilots beginning in the early sixties.

VINTAGE: Circa mid-1960's.

SIZE: Approximately 3-3/4" in height x 2-1/8" in width.

MATERIALS / CONSTRUCTION: Embroidered cotton twill, cotton/polyester thread.

ATTACHMENT: To be sewn onto Flight Clothing.

MARKINGS: None.

ITEM NOTES: This is from a USAF collection which we will be listing more of over the next few months. TRVAEJX15 TRAJM15 LBGEX10/15 SBEJX02/16

CONDITION: 8- (Very Fine—Excellent): The patch shows minor to moderate wear, light storage/age wear, overall very fine condition.