USAF / 37th ARRS / HH-3E / Jolly Green Giant

37th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron

Da Nang

Full Colour

late 1960's, early 1970's

This patch dates back to the late 1960's early 1970 when it operated for the conflict in Vietnam. It was formed after the expansion of the rescue mission in SEA, during January 1966, with the squadron primarily responsible for rescues in North Vietnam, Laos, & the Gulf of Tonkin. The Squadron flew with a normal configuration of two ships on ground alert at Da Nang, two on ground alert at Quang Tri, and one or two flying Gulf of Tonkin orbits. 

In the picture you can see the crewman on the left wearing one of these patches on his right shoulder. This is a Japanese made patch and is pretty hard to find, plus there are LOTS of copies/fakes/reproductions around, so if you are looking for one be sure to check it before parting with your hard earned cash.

Fully embroidered with the Giant in Sinister & it also has been worn as you can still find some of the stitching holes plus some of the threads are still intact.

Larry Palmer & Curt Phythian pose in front of a 37th ARRS HH-3E at Da Nang in 1970.

(Photo courtesy of Larry Palmer)

A retrievement at Da Nang shows the poem for the squadron, a jolly green, plus how many saves its made, an impressive 613 satisfied customers.

(USAF Photo)

37th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron

Da Nang

Full Colour

early 1970's

These patches were used when they were based in Da Nang, South Vietnam, however this particular version was manufactured in the US. The version on the left is slightly larger in size (aprox 6mm) and the merrowed edge is slightly different. I suspect that they were Merrow edged by different machines at different times but the main embroidery machine was the same.

Both are partly embroidered on twill with a merrowed edge & the Giant in Dexter.

Blueboy assault team in the back of the 37th ARRS HH-3 the night of the Son Tay POW Camp rescue party.

(USAF)

37th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron

Da Nang

Full Colour

early 1970's

This patch has some history.

On the 24 October 1969 66-13281 from the 37th ARRS a HH-3E with call sign JOLLY GREEN 28 was on a SAR mission for the crew (pilot 1Lt Alvin D. Muller and WSO Capt. Jack K. Clapper) of a F-100F Super Sabre (56-3887, call sign MISTY 11) which had been shot down by anti-aircraft fire near Ban Bouag Nam, Laos. As the pilot had suffered a broken leg the pararescueman TSgt Donald G. Smith was lowered to the ground to prepare him for a stretcher hoist. As they were being lifted the helicopter was hit by intense automatic weapons fire, forcing its crew to drop them and carry out an emergency landing in a clearing about one mile away. Another HH-3E from the same unit acting as backup on this mission quickly rescued the three crewmen (pilot Capt. Charles D Langham, co-pilot Maj. Charles W. Bond and flight engineer SSgt James E. Smith) and the disabled helicopter was then destroyed by strike aircraft to prevent capture.

For the next few hours TSgt Smith protected 1Lt Muller, directed air strikes on enemy positions and defended against enemy attack. A HH-53 with call sign JOLLY GREEN 76 of 40th ARRS was damaged by ground fire in a recovery attempt and had to make an emergency landing at Lima Site 44 (LS-44) in Salavan, Laos. The two men were then rescued by a HH-3E with call sign JOLLY GREEN 15 of 37th ARRS, which also made two attempts to pick up the WSO from MISTY 11 but was damaged by ground fire that disabled the hoist and forced the helicopter to land at Lima Site 61 (LS-61) near Muang Phalan, Laos. He was eventually rescued by another HH-3E with call sign JOLLY GREEN 19 of 40th ARRS under intense ground fire. The pararescueman from JOLLY GREEN 28 received the Air Force Cross and the pilot LTJG Robert T. Ritchie, USCG from JOLLY GREEN 76 was awarded the Silver Star for their actions during this mission.
The Rescued by patch was given to the co-pilot of Jolly Green 28 Maj. Charles E. Bond.

( A huge thanks to Rick Versreeg for the amazing pictùres of the patches)

37th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron

Da Nang

Full Colour

late 1960's, early 1970's

This is one of a pair of 37th ARRS patches that are owned by David Smith who flew from Da Nang in 1972. These are superb patches from the era that are in country made, when the Squadron was operating HH-53's. Soon after half of the Squadron left for the US, while the other half moved to Nakhon Phanom in Thailand to join the 40th ARRS. 

A huge thanks go to David for letting me share them with you, and below is a picture of David at Da Nang.

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.

37th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron

Da Nang

Full Colour

late 1960's, early 1970's

This is a pair of 37th ARRS patches that are owned by David Smith who flew from Da Nang in 1972. These are two superb patches from the era that are in country made, when the Squadron was operating HH-53's. Soon after half of the Squadron left for the US, while the other half moved to Nakhon Phanom in Thailand to join the 40th ARRS. 

A huge thanks go to David for letting me share them with you, and below is a picture of David at Da Nang.

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.

37th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron

Da Nang

Full Colour

late 1960's, early 1970's

This is a lovely made SEA patch, from the old collection of John Wigzell.

Embroidered on twill with a schiffli edge, and the giant in Dexter.

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.

37th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron

Da Nang

Black Colour

late 1960's, early 1970's

This patch dated back to the 1970's and is made in Thailand. It shows that very early Jolly Green Giant patches were made on black material, a design feature that is still employed by Squadrons today operating Pavehawks and Jolly Green II's.

37th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron

Da Nang

Full Colour

late 1960's, early 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.

37th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron

Da Nang

Full Colour

late 1960's, early 1970's

This patch dated back to the late 1960's or very early1970's and is made in Thailand.

37th Aerospace Rescue & Recovery Squadron

Da Nang

Full Colour

late 1960's, early 1970's

This patch dated back to the 1970's and looks to be either made in Thailand or Vietnam. It is from the collection of Alec Fushi & has kindly gave me permission to display it on the blog from his website usmilitarypatches.com, which displays an awesome collection of USAF patches.

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 or anything to add, for example, photos or stories, please contact me at

usafjollygreen@gmail.com 

I will get back to you.

Thanks👣