Hunter-Killer Patches - 1969-73
Cobra and LOH crewmembers wore this patch on their left shoulder over the 25th Infantry Division and then later the 1st Aviation Brigade patch to indicate that they were part of a "Hunter Killer Team". John Jones, Peter Barber, Dennis Rogers, Don Borey, Brian Harrison.
Also see "Patches & Insignias" War Essay buy J Jones
John Jones: Although several Air Cavalry troops in Vietnam, wore Hunter Killer Scrolls. I believe the D - 3/4 version, was the only one conceived as an after mission award and not purely as a unit designator. The original design (see Dennis Rogers comments below) remained pretty much the same, until the Troop became F - Troop in early 1971. The tradition continuedwith some changes in scroll design and coloring as the unit switched bases. Don Borey (71-72) received his in the 1st Cavalry colors, when he qualified for the award. I believe there are other variations, which I hope to share in the next available Newsletter. Thank you to all those contributors noted.]
Peter Barber: I became the F-4 lift platoon leader in 1972 following the fall of Quang Tri. The gun and loach platoons were wearing the Hunter Killer patch, but the lift platoon did not have one. We were on the same missions as the scout teams, taking the same risks, and going in to pick up crews from the AH-1Gs and OH-6s when they were shot down. Something that began happening much more often than earlier in the year. I got permission to have the attached patch made for the Huey crews. To earn the patch, you had to be on a Huey crew that rescued one of the more famous members of the troop. It didn't take too long before nearly all of us had a patch.
Peter Barber 1972 - 1973
Dennis Rogers: (1969) I believe a 2nd Lt. came to me with a handmade proto type patch in late May or early in June, 1969 to ask if I liked it. He said that they were waiting on authorization from the higher ups for official approval. A week or two later he came back with the first batch of badges for me to give to the LOH crews and he was giving them to the Cobra crews and that it was now official.
He said that they were only for the LOH and Cobra hunter killer teams and we would be the only ones allowed to wear them. I still have the proto type and letter I sent home with the patch to show my Parents (see below). My Mother gave the letter and patch back to me a few years ago. The letter is dated and on Viet Nam army stationary. I have been thinking about reproducing the patch so I could send one to any LOH or Cobra crewmember that can show they flew with us. Dennis Rogers
Don Borey: The patches were in use in F Troop when I joined the troop in March 1971. Most people who had them on their flight suits were wearing patches with D Troop on them. I don't know who took care of having them made, but I do know that they weren't given to you just because you were in the unit. As I recall, you only were awarded the patch if you had a mission that resulted in a confirmed body count. If you did, then that evening in the Lai Khe After Dark O'Club, there was a ceremony where you were awarded the patch. I want to say that the patch was pinned on your shoulder sleeve and then "wetted" down with some alcoholic beverage, but I am not certain if my memory is accurate on that recollection. By the time we got to Lai Khe the patches had F Troop on them. I still have one that I sent home to my dad. I am not sure if the tradition continued after I left in January 1972 especially after the move north. We got a huge turnover of pilots in January as other units stood down. Some of the guys who were in the troop until Feb 1973 can shed more light on whether the tradition continued. It was sort of like an acknowledgment that you were "blooded."
Brian Harrison / Wayne Moose/ Michael Woods:
Here is the patch from 1972:
1971 Patch on right from Tom Olsson's flight suit.