gulf of tonkin yacht club patch

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U.S. NAVY Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club Patch

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Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club Patch

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Description

Posted by Gary Stewart on Aug 22nd 2023

Excellent craftsmanship and professionally created

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• NAVY, COAST GUARD AND OTHER SEA SERVICES PATCHES

Navy Yacht Clubs, Seas and Station patches

By Patchcollector, October 15, 2011 in NAVY, COAST GUARD AND OTHER SEA SERVICES PATCHES

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Patchcollector.

Happy Saturday all,here is my Navy "Yacht Club" collection.

Over the years I have picked up a few of the original Tonkin Gulf ones,in various sizes and shapes,and every now and then,would see one from other places,so I decided to try and collect as many different ones as possible.

This first pic is a front view,group shot of my Tonkin Gulf patches

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A rear view,group shot of my Tonkin Gulf patches,all made in Japan,I believe

My BIG Tonkin,a back patch

Rear view of the back patch

A nice minty medium sized example

Another,if you look closely,you can find subtle differences in the boat shape,and other design elements

Here is a variation that has a red bar underneath the disc,it means that this is the second tour for the buyer of this patch

Another one,a bit bent!

A smaller second tour patch

Here is a recent addition to my collection,this one is shaped differently than the other standard designs.

Nice collection of variants. So where would these patches be displayed...on USN tour jackets/party suits etc?

Now after the Vietnam war,other Naval units picked up on the "Yacht Club" theme,so here are some ones from other parts of the world.Some are personalized to individual ships.First up,a Persian Gulf Yacht Club for the Cruiser Vincennes.

Back,looks P.I made.

Here is an Eastern Mediterranean Yacht Club.Notice the Jewish star and Egyptian pyramid!

I've seen this patch as an Ace Novelty item,I think that the tag was removed from the back.

Next is the Gulf of Sidra,Libya,when the US sank some ships from that country.Libya is back in the news again!

Here is a Mediterranean Yacht Club,this one is for the carrier Nimitz,and is dated 1983

In 1984 the USS King sailed in the Persian Gulf,and a Yacht Club patch was made for this "War Zone" cruise

Here is an unusual on that I picked up recently,for the Spratley Islands

Back,made in Japan,I think

Thanks Sabrejet!Yes these would be for jackets,or suits,if they had them.

Here is an interesting one,I did some research into Operation Plowback,and it was a training OP for pilots going to Nam.A little humor never hurts!

I found this image on a website.It appears that my patch has an error.It should read "Mexico"

Here are my Viet era yacht patches. All Japanese made and quite remarkably all 8 are different than the ones PC posted.

Regards, Mitch

Here are my Viet era yacht patches. All Japanese made and quite remarkably all 8 are different than the ones PC posted. Regards, Mitch

Awesome patches Mitch! :bravo: You have some sweet variations!I love the detailed boats on the patches to the left.

The center one is cool because it identifies the 7th Fleet,and the Attack Squadron 12 is,I believe,a scarce variation!

• 2 weeks later...

Here is a patch for the USS Charles E. Brannon,a Destroyer Escort.

I am including it in my Yacht Club collection because she may have

been one of the first US Navy ships to participate in the Tonkin area,

at a very early stage of the hostilities in Vietnam.Notice on the patch

an image of the familiar "Junk",seen on later Gulf of Tonkin Yacht Club

Patches!Sorry about the small pics,they are the sellers,not mine.

Here is her story:

After seeing action in WW2,she joined the Reserve Training Fleet,providing Reservists with hands on experience.In 1962 however,she was part of CORT DIV. 72(Escort Division 72),and while on this Pacific cruise,proceeded to Vietnam,assisting in training units of the South Vietnamese Navy,and also "showing the flag",maintaining American presence in that area.She then screened the Valley Forge (LPH-8), Navarro (APA-215), and Point Defiance (LSD-31) while that group took a Marine Corps expeditionary force to Bangkok,Thailand.The 3rd Battalion,9th Marines, embarked in the amphibious group were sent to Thailand in an effort to provide the friendly regime with troops to deter any Communist moves across the Mekong River.

DE-446 DEPLOYMENTS - MAJOR EVENTS

Add a DE-446 Shellback Initiation Add a DE-446 Deployment - Major Event

Month Year to Month Year Deployment / Event

FEB 1945 - - - Shellback Initiation - 15 FEB 1945 - Pacific Ocean

JAN 1961 - JAN 1962 Middle Pacific

JAN 1962 - JAN 1963 VIETNAM

DANFS History of DE 446

Charles E. Brannon, who was born 2 August 1919 in Montgomery, Alabama, enlisted in the Naval Reserve 14 April 1941 for aviation training. Ensign Brannon reported for duty in Torpedo Squadron 8 in carrier USS Hornet (CV-8 ) 3 February 1942, and was killed in action 4 June 1942 during the Battle of Midway. He was awarded a Navy Cross posthumously for his extraordinary heroism in pressing home an attack against a Japanese carrier.

( DE-446: displacement 1,350; length 306'; beam 36'8"; draft 9'5"; speed 24 knots; complement 186; arms: 2 5" turret guns; 2 twin 40mm guns; 10 20mm guns; 3 21" torpedo tubes; 8 depth charge projectors; 1 depth charge projector-hedgehog; 2 depth charge tracks; class: John C. Butler)

Charles E. Brannon (DE-446) was launched 23 April 1944 by Federal Shipbuilding Company, Newark, New Jersey; sponsored by Second Lt. D. Brannon, WAC; and commissioned 1 November 1944, Comdr. E.W. Todd in command.

Putting out from New York 27 January 1945, Charles E. Brannon escorted cargo ships by way of the Panama Canal, and the Galapagos and Society Islands to Manus, arriving 15 March. Routed on to San Pedro Bay, Philippine Islands, she began the important task of guarding inter island convoys. Late in April, she sailed in the screen of the assault forces bound for Tarakan, Borneo, off which she lay from 1 to 8 May, covering the landings and giving call fire support. Her effective gunfire won many compliments from the troops whose advance was thereby expedited. Charles E. Brannon gave similar support during the assault on Brunei Bay which began 10 June.

From beginning of July through mid-September 1945, Charles E. Brannon escorted convoys sailing from the Philippines to Okinawa, then participated in the occupation of China operating between Okinawa and Hong Kong. She returned to San Francisco 1 February 1946, and on 21 May 1946 was placed out of commission in reserve at San Diego.

From August 1946 into 1960, Charles E. Brannon was assigned to the reserve training program. In cruises along the west coast over weekends and in more extended periods, active reservists manned her in refresher training. From 21 November 1950 to 18 June 1960, Charles E. Brannon performed this service in commissioned status, and since the latter date has been in service under an officer-in-charge, with a reserve officer in command when she puts to sea with her reserve training group, until she was decommissioned in 1968. In 1969 she was sold for scrap.

Charles E. Brannon received one battle star for World War II service.

CHARLES E. BRANNON (DE-446)

Named for Ensign Charles E. Brannon, b. 2 August 1919, Montgomery, AL; served with Torpedo Squadron 8, HORNET (CV-8); KIA 4 June 1942, Battle of Midway; posthumous Navy Cross

Builder: FED

Keel laid 01/13/44

Launched 04/23/44

Commissioned 11/01/44

First CO: Cdr E. W. Todd

Decommissioned 05/21/46; one battle star

Recommissioned 11/21/50-06/18/60

Stricken 09/23/68

Sold 10/27/69, scrapped

Unit of CortDiv 77

From the research of Anne McCarthy,

with contributions by Pat Perrella and Pat Stephens, webmaster. March 2006

I love these. Wish I still had mine. Ian, we wore these on our Dungaree working Jackets, Cruise Jackets (tour jackets?) and sometimes on Foul Weather Jackets (Deck Jackets) if we could manage to hang on to one. Airdales would wear them on flight jackets. Not sure what a "Party Suit" is. Never saw/heard of anything like that.

Steve Hesson

I love these. Wish I still had mine. Ian, we wore these on our Dungaree working Jackets, Cruise Jackets (tour jackets?) and sometimes on Foul Weather Jackets (Deck Jackets) if we could manage to hang on to one. Airdales would wear them on flight jackets. Not sure what a "Party Suit" is. Never saw/heard of anything like that.   Steve Hesson

Steve,a party suit is the Air Force equivalent to a cruise jacket,except it is a one piece,like a flight suit.Sometimes two piece party suits were made as well.

Worn at casual functions,like after work parties,hence the name.

Here is some info I found online:

Party suits were a local and unofficial creation that arose in 1967 from the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, stationed at Tahkli Royal Thai Air Base. They created "special flight suits" in response to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wings' usage of black dyed cotton flight suits for social occasions. The use of these colorful, lightweight suits, popularly known as "Party Suits," was soon adopted by the Air Force flying units stationed at the large bases in Thailand. The tradition also quickly spread to units in South Vietnam and to a limited degree, other locations in Southeast Asia. Party suit usage was normally limited to flight personnel and those in direct support of flight operations.

Party suit colors were consistent within the unit and generally had some standard form of name, rank and unit identification. Additional insignia, unofficial patches (usually humorous) and other embroidery was purely up to the creativity of the individual. There were numerous local tailors near the air bases who specialized in making party suits and embroidering the many associated custom patches.

The light and comfortable suits were ideal in the tropical environment and were worn on-base only for special social occasions in lieu of official dress uniforms, which were not commonly used in Southeast Asia. The most significant social occasion was the famous "Sawadee" party. Named for the Thai language greeting appropriate for both "hello" and "good-bye," this party welcomed newly arrived personnel and bid good-bye to those returning home.

The party suit tradition, although superficially humorous, served an important role in Air Force organizations by promoting unit integrity and maintaining an esprit de corps under the most difficult combat circumstances, while being highly valued by those who served in Southeast Asia.

Steve,a party suit is the Air Force equivalent to a cruise jacket,except it is a one piece,like a flight suit.Sometimes two piece party suits were made as well. Worn at casual functions,like after work parties,hence the name. Here is some info I found online: Party suits were a local and unofficial creation that arose in 1967 from the 357th Tactical Fighter Squadron of the 355th Tactical Fighter Wing, stationed at Tahkli Royal Thai Air Base. They created "special flight suits" in response to the 8th Tactical Fighter Wings' usage of black dyed cotton flight suits for social occasions. The use of these colorful, lightweight suits, popularly known as "Party Suits," was soon adopted by the Air Force flying units stationed at the large bases in Thailand. The tradition also quickly spread to units in South Vietnam and to a limited degree, other locations in Southeast Asia. Party suit usage was normally limited to flight personnel and those in direct support of flight operations.   Party suit colors were consistent within the unit and generally had some standard form of name, rank and unit identification. Additional insignia, unofficial patches (usually humorous) and other embroidery was purely up to the creativity of the individual. There were numerous local tailors near the air bases who specialized in making party suits and embroidering the many associated custom patches.   The light and comfortable suits were ideal in the tropical environment and were worn on-base only for special social occasions in lieu of official dress uniforms, which were not commonly used in Southeast Asia. The most significant social occasion was the famous "Sawadee" party. Named for the Thai language greeting appropriate for both "hello" and "good-bye," this party welcomed newly arrived personnel and bid good-bye to those returning home.   The party suit tradition, although superficially humorous, served an important role in Air Force organizations by promoting unit integrity and maintaining an esprit de corps under the most difficult combat circumstances, while being highly valued by those who served in Southeast Asia.

WOW. Trying to imegine a Sailor wearing something like that :think: . Most likely, get beat up. :w00t:

sigsaye said: WOW. Trying to imegine a Sailor wearing something like that :think: . Most likely, get beat up. :w00t:   Steve Hesson

And What the h*ll is that sailor doing???? :w00t:

OK,OK,that's it,I'll quit there,'nuff said!

I think that "lady" has a pollywog in her panties!!! OK,OK,that's it,I'll quit there,'nuff said!

Seriously though, the explination makes complete sense. I had just never heard/seen one, so had no idea what they were. I guess just like Crossing The Line for the Navy/MC, Party Suits are an Air Force thing. neat patches though

HEHEEH That's just good fun Which brings up an interisting thing about Crossing The Line. The first time I went across, we did not know we were going. We just sort of got orders due to some incident in the south and were diverted from where we were originally going. But, when we had the Poly Wog Queen contest, All sorts of "Things not issued in a Male Seabag" showed up :think: May be those guys would have worn one of those "Party Suits" if thsy thought they could get away with walking down the street in one   Seriously though, the explination makes complete sense. I had just never heard/seen one, so had no idea what they were. I guess just like Crossing The Line for the Navy/MC, Party Suits are an Air Force thing. neat patches though   Steve Hesson

Well, I never was in the Wog Queen contest either, but did Kiss the Royal Babys Belly :w00t:

and he's wearing his underwear outside of his pants!! :w00t:

So that's what he is doing,that is one big baby That poor guy looks like he has crap smeared all over him, and he's wearing his underwear outside of his pants!! :w00t:

Yes, the Royal Baby was the fattest Shellback. yes, skivvies were worn on the out side, all other clothing was to be worn inside out. Different crossings had different rules. Yes, the Baby has much grease smeared all over his belly, and the wog is covered in about a weeks worth of galley garbage, old grease and assorted other "Stuff". Fun times. My son just informed me that one of the "training" lectures he had to give was "Why Crossing The Line Ceromoneys were a bad thing". Said he couldn't really think of anything, so just repeated the party line for 30 minutes. He was a shore duty type, nothing better to do I guess. Always semed like a waste of an enlistment to me.

Yes, the Royal Baby was the fattest Shellback. yes, skivvies were worn on the out side, all other clothing was to be worn inside out. Different crossings had different rules. Yes, the Baby has much grease smeared all over his belly, and the wog is covered in about a weeks worth of galley garbage, old grease and assorted other "Stuff". Fun times. My son just informed me that one of the "training" lectures he had to give was "Why Crossing The Line Ceromoneys were a bad thing". Said he couldn't really think of anything, so just repeated the party line for 30 minutes. He was a shore duty type, nothing better to do I guess. Always semed like a waste of an enlistment to me.   Steve Hesson

Oh...man....a weeks worth of galley garbage, old grease and assorted other "Stuff"...I'm not gonna ask what the other "stuff" was,but I can guess... :pinch:

• 1 year later...

Here is an Ace Novelty patch I bought while onboard the USS Independence in 1983.

firefighter

Great collection of Yacht patches.I'll have to post some of mine, when I figure out my camera and when I figure out where to crop/size my images.The Easter-Med made by Ace is beautiful, even tho I'm a Vietnam collector.

Cool thread! Here is my variant of the Gulf of Mexico patch, which reads Flight Instructor on bottom.

I have read somewhere that the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club was the nickname of the Seventh Fleet. But also that it was worn by pilots who had to eject over the Tonkin Gulf; is there any truth to that?

Also, what does the bottom red stripe mean? It appears quite rarely on the classic patch design, is it for a second Westpac cruise?

That patch was designed by a friend of mine during our '88 deployment to the PG. We had a contest aboard ship (sponsored by our CO) to design a "cruise patch" that embodied our time in the region. The crew voted on the submissions with the one being selected getting made in large quantities and sold in the ship's store.The winning artist would receive a handful of his patch, free of charge and the pride knowing his selection was the selected.

This patch was NOT the winner, however the skipper decided to have all of the entrants made up anyway so this one got produced in small quantities. I have one of each example (including my own submission).

One other patch design submitted by another shipmate also borrowed on the Yacht Club theme. This one has been reproduced a few times - I think that the manufacturer in the PI continued to manufacture it as it was so generic.

Cool thread! Here is my variant of the Gulf of Mexico patch, which reads Flight Instructor on bottom.     I have read somewhere that the Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club was the nickname of the Seventh Fleet. But also that it was worn by pilots who had to eject over the Tonkin Gulf; is there any truth to that? Also, what does the bottom red stripe mean? It appears quite rarely on the classic patch design, is it for a second Westpac cruise?  

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Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club patch

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4". (The yellow is more orange than yellow.) For the North Pacific Yacht Club patch, see P114.

Item #: P033

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Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club Vietnam Heat Seal Patch

• Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club Vietnam Veteran sew on or heat sealed patch
• Patch measures 3" x 3"
• Top quality, detailed embroidery
• Washable and durable
• Great for jackets or vest

Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club Vietnam Patch. It has a heat backing and is ideal for sewing or ironing. ThisTonkin Gulf Yacht Club Vietnam sew on patch measures 3” x 3" and is top quality. Perfect for display cases or sewing onto fatigues. Washable and durable.

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[Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club patch]

Description.

United States Navy service patch for the "Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club," circa 1966-1967. Features a junk ship in front of three red lines, representing the flag of South Vietnam.

Bibliographic Citation

Collection organization.

• Box: 1, Folder: 2 - Patches, 1965-1967

Tonkin Gulf Yacht Club Patch Cap

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