This section has a selection of patches that are very early Jolly Green Giant patches, some can be tied to a Squadron, but a lot can't. I've also taken the term "naked" Jolly, & used it for any patches that don't have any Squadron number in the top scroll, some don't even have top scrolls!
ORIGINAL
Tan Son Nhut
Full Colour
1970
These two absolutely amazing patches that date back to the late 1960's to very early 1970's, & were made for crews that flew the HH-3 Jolly Green Giant.
It all began when two CH-3's were deployed to Thailand in 1965 using the callsign Jolly Green, initially with 8 crewmembers.
The H-3 helicopter was christened as the Jolly Green Giant, so subsequent crews thought the H-3 was the original Jolly Green Giant so wore the patch with "ORIGINAL" in the top scroll.
This patch belonged to Sgt. Dave Dunkle, who very generously donated the patch that he had been issued. Dave served at Eglin AFB from 1969-1970, Kadena AB from 1970-1971 (with the 33rd ARRS operating HH-3's), Tan Son Nhut AB from 1971-1972 (with the 33rd ARRS) & Tyndall AFB from 1972-1973 (with the 44th ARRS Det.5). The ORIGINAL patch came to Dave when he was serving at Tan Son Nhut with the 33rd. The 33rd sent two HH-3's to Clark AB, Philippines to add the armour to the helicopters, along with two from the Philippines (31st ARRS), one from Hickam AFB (6593d TS) & one from Hill AFB (1550th ATTW). They then flew onto Tan Son Nhut in South Vietnam.
A huge thanks to Dave as these are really difficult to find & its an absolute honour to have them in the collection.
Two of the six HH-3's sitting on the ramp at Tan Son Nhut AB.
(Photo by Dave Dunkle)
37th, 38th, 40th ARRS & 21st SOS
Sikorsky Technical Rep
Full Colour
c. 1970
This patch looks like it was made by one of the technical representatives from Sikorsky who visited SEA during the Vietnam conflict. A lot of the technology on the H-3 was fairly new so visits to the theatre would benefit both Sikorsky and the USAF.
The patch is made in Vietnam or Thailand, with support being supplied to the 37th, 38th, 39th ARRS along with the 21st SOS, all of whom operated
HH-3's or later HH-53's.
I'm absolutely certain there is more information about this patch, and if you know something please get in touch.
The giant is in Dexter, in a single green colour, which is common for early giant patches. Its embroidered on twill & looks handmade with a schiffli edge, plus it still has evidence of threads on the patch from being sewn onto a flight suit or jacket.
Another example of the Sikorsky patch on the left, however this is much bigger, which you can see from the normal sized patch next to it.
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.
This is an unusual patch as it doesn't look completed & have seen only one that has a merrowed edge. The story behind this was this was given out by representatives from Sikorsky from the mid to late 1960's, so makes it an early Jolly Green Giant patch. They are often referred to as "Factory Patches".
Partly embroidered on twill with the Giant in Dexter & has an unfinished look.
A 40th ARRS HH-3 taxis out for a mission from Udorn AB.
(Photo by Ed Waldrup)
NAKED
Full Colour
I'm use the term "naked" as it doesn't have any Squadron number on it, so I'm not sure what Squadron this patch was from, but it looks like it was screen printed. I've never seen a screen printed Jolly Green Giant patch before.
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.
What looks like another early worn "naked"Jolly patch.
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.
What looks like another early "naked" Jolly patch.
This is a personally modified patch of a standard Jolly Green patch.
It tells the story of one man Tom Green Sr. It was originally made when assigned to Kadena AB, it chronologically catalogues the units he was assigned to (from the bottom up), these being the 40th ARRS at Udron RTAFB, the 76th at Hickam AB, the 55th at Eglin AFB, the 33rd at Kadena AB, HQ at Scott AFB & the 41st at McClellan AFB.
Tom gave the embroiderer the bottom generic patch, and they made the top tab before sewing/embroidering it together. If anyone ever finds one now, you'll know the reason behind the design.
Its absolutely unique (unless an airman has done the exact same assignments as Tom) and I've had kind permission to put it on the blog by Tom. A big thank you for allowing me to share his history and patch with you.
Thanks👣
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