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Vietnam war in-country machine-embroidered patch measures approximately 2.7" by 2.5", used condition. A valuable addition to your Vietnam war military memorabilia collection. Here’s an enhanced look at Vietnam War-era U.S. 5th Special Forces Group (5th SFG) MACV‑SOG Recon Teams (RTs), including their distinctive squad patches and operational insights:
🛡️ Who They Were Recon Teams (RTs) were small, elite units drawn from 5th SFG, specially selected and deployed under the ultra‑secret MACV‑SOG umbrella
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Comprised typically of 2–3 American Green Berets (One‑Zero team leaders and One‑One radio operators) plus 6–9 indigenous troops (Zero‑One, Zero‑Two), RTs conducted deep reconnaissance into Laos, Cambodia, North Vietnam, and South Vietnam for 3–5 day missions
🎖️ High-Risk, High-Reward Missions RTs performed strategic surveillance, direct-action raids, ambushes, sabotage, and prisoner raids—all at extreme personal risk
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According to the Army History Office, “75% of intelligence on the Ho Chi Minh Trail” came from SOG missions—underscoring their crucial role Teams faced fierce enemy resistance; many were extracted under fire or overrun
🏅 Notable RTs & Valor RT Kansas, led by 1LT Loren D. Hagen, conducted deep recon in the A Shau Valley and posthumously earned Hagen the Medal of Honor
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SFC Franklin D. Miller, assigned to an RT, received the Medal of Honor after heroic action leading Montagnard guerillas in Laos
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MSG Jerry “Mad Dog” Shriver, RT leader, earned two Silver Stars among other decorations for operations across Laos, Cambodia, and North Vietnam
🏴 RT Patches & Identification The image carousel shows several Vietnam-made RT unit patches, adorned with skulls, wings, state names (e.g., Arkansas, CCN), and guard dogs—used informally to identify team
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These patches often reference Command & Control North/Central/South (CCN/CCC/CCS) zones; CCN oversaw Laos operations
⚙️ Support & Structure RT insertions were lifted by helicopter and supported by Air Force Air Commandos, gunships, and CAS aircraft for rescue or firefight support
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Later in the war, withdrawal and “Vietnamization” pulled 5th SFG back to the U.S. in 1971, leading to SOG’s deactivation in 1972
✅ Quick Snapshot | Feature | Details |
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| RT Composition | 2–3 SF + 6–9 indigenous troops | | Mission Duration | 3–5 days deep in enemy territory | | Mission Types | Recon, ambush, sabotage, POW raids | | Key Teams | RT Kansas, RT Ohio, others | | Support Structure | CCN/CCC/CCS, Air Commandos, gunships | | Legacy of Valor | Medals of Honor, Silver Stars, unit awards |
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