USAF / 41st ARRW / Det 13 / HH-3 & HH-53 / Jolly Green Giant

41st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Wing

Detachment 13

Osan AB, South Korea

Full Colour

Early to mid 1970's

This was obtained from a dealer in the US who said he said that he obtained this with some other patches from an estate sale in Albuquerque. He was told it was from a pilot who served in the Korean war & had some association with the USAF demonstration team the Thunderbirds. He also flew F-105 Thunderchiefs as a Captain from McConnell c.1964.

I was subsequently told by the seller that he'd found the gentleman's name & this was Harold Allen Shelton. I did a little research online and found out that he was a Major in the Air Force & was the maintenance officer with the Thunderbirds while they were flying the F-100 Super Sabre & transitioning onto the F-4 Phantom II. He was with the team between 1968-1969. The photos below show the Super Sabre & Phantom.

The Thunderbirds were formed in 1953 & have flown the 

F-84G/F, 

F-100C Super Sabre, F-105B Thunderchief, F-100D Super Sabre, F-4E Phantom II, T-38A Talon & are currently flying the F-16C Fighting Falcon.

I couldn't find any info regarding his time in Korea or with Jolly Green Giant detachment.

Major Shelton passed away in Albuquerque on the 14 June 2005.

The patch dates from the early to mid-1970’s as the wing was only an ARRW between Feb 1969 until Sep 1975, & looks like a handmade version from Korea. Its the first Det 13 patch from the 41st as a later version was made when it was the 41st RWRW. The detachment also served at Osan AB, Korea before the 33rd ARRS took over the role.

Embroidered on twill with a selvedge edge & the Giant in Dexter.

A (grainy) picture of Maj. Shelton & the team after a show, this picture taken from the Air Force & Space Digest dated July 1968.

This was also found on eBay & shows his signature & role within the team.

A Jolly Green Giant from the 1970's.

(USAF Photo)

41st Rescue Weather & Reconnaissance Wing

Detachment 13

Osan AB, South Korea

Full Colour

Early to mid 1970's

This is an incredibly difficult to find, as I've only ever seen one & this is it! Worn by crews that were based at Osan AB, although the exact date is difficult to know for certain, as the Detachment 13 dates are VERY difficult to find & pin down. This being said the patch has to be dated between Sep 1975 to Aug 1989, as that's when the Wing was the 41st RWRW after previously being the 41st ARRW. Looks to have been made in the 1970's or early 1980's.

Partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge & shows signs of being worn on a flight suit or sewn onto hook & loop, with the Giant in Dexter.

A HH-3 takes off from Osan tucking the undercarriage up.

(Photo courtesy of Stephan Brodsky)

41st Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Wing

McClellan AFB

Full Colour

1970's

This patch dates back to the the mid to late 1970's when the wing was based at McClellan.  Many thanks to Eric Bosch for allowing me to copy his patch for the blog.

If you have one of these patches you'd be willing to sell, trade or donate, please get in touch, I'd love to hear from you.

41st Rescue Weather & Reconnaissance Wing

Detachment 1

Osan AB, South Korea

Full Colour

Early to mid 1970's

If you have one of these patches you'd be willing to sell, trade or donate, please get in touch, I'd love to hear from you.

41st Rescue Weather & Reconnaissance Wing

Detachment 1

Osan AB, South Korea

Full Colour

Early to mid 1970's

If you have one of these patches you'd be willing to sell, trade or donate, please get in touch, I'd love to hear from you.

If you have any additional information about this patch please contact me & I´ll get back to you.

Thanks👣