Vintage original Vietnam war in-country machine-embroidered subdued patch, size is 1" by 3.7" - used condition. A great find for any military collectible enthusiast.

Rather than create an entirely new unit designation for such an elite force, the Department of the Army looked to its rich and varied heritage and on I February 1969 designated the 75th Infantry Regiment, the present successor to the famous 5307th Composite Unit (Merrill's Marauders), as the parent organization for an Department of the Army designated Long Range Patrol (LRP) units and the parenthetical designation (RANGER) in lieu of (LRP) for these units. As a result, the 78th Infantry Detachment (LRP), assigned to the 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division (Separate), became Company O (RANGER), 75th Infantry (Airborne). Throughout history the need for a small, highly trained far ranging unit to perform reconnaissance, surveillance, target acquisition and special type combat missions has been readily apparent. In Vietnam this need was met by instituting a Long Range Patrol program to provide each major combat unit with this special capability. This history deals with the activities, personnel and accomplishments of Company O (RANGER), 75th Infantry (Airborne) during the periods, I February 1969 to 20 November 1969 (Vietnam) and 4 August 1970 to 29 September 1972 and makes reference to the units who proceeded the designation of Company O (RANGER), 75th Infantry (Airborne).

Company O (RANGER)'s tactical operations, which had collected valuable intelligence of enemy activities and had accounted for twenty (20) VC KIA or captured, was deactivated on 20 November, 1969 in the Republic of Vietnam, while under the command of CPT. Patrick Downing. Operating in the Nhi Binh area, from late February to the middle of May, the Rangers conducted numerous operations gathering valuable intelligence data an enemy activity in the area as wen as accounting for five (5) VC KIA. During April 1969, Company O (RANGER) suffered its first casualties, four (4), which were overcome by large superior forces. The latter part of May found the Rangers in the Hobo Woods area, although operating for only a short time in this area, Company O (RANGER) conducted some of its most successful operations which accounted for four (4) VC KIA. Continued success followed while operating in the Pineapple Plantation area from June to August, disrupting enemy activity throughout the area. No longer were the VC able to move freely, as his mysterious antagonist (whom he seldom, if ever, saw) seemed to be everywhere. Operation Yorktown Victor commenced with operations in the "Iron Triangle" in September, which proved that Company O (RANGER) could out guerrilla the VC guerrilla. In the southern Phu Hoa district, the Rangers were frequently employed as stay-behind forces. On one occasion, less than an hour after the line company was extracted from the area, the Rangers captured two (2) VC who provided valuable intelligence concerning VC operations in the area. September also accounted for Company O (RANGER)'s fifth and final friendly KIA. Late in October 1968, found the 3d Brigade in the Gia Dinh Province, a hot bed of rebel discontent and sympathetic to the Viet Cong. Forcing higher command interest in allocating proper reconnaissance assets.

On the 15th of December, 1968, the 78th Infantry Detachment (LRP) (ABN) was activated under the command of Lt. William E. Jones and stationed at Camp Red Ban, northeast of Saigon. At this time Company F (LR.P), 51th Infantry (Airborne) was still conducting patrol missions at a reduced rate and preparing and training Company D (LRP), 151th (Airborne) personnel, who were 'taken with" Company F (LRP), 51th Infantry (Airborne) personnel on their first missions, prior to being entrusted to conduct missions on their own. The 78th Infantry Detachment (LRP) was relocated to Phu Loi, under the command of CPT. Donald A. Peter on I February 1969. Their mission given was to provide the 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne Division (Separate) with long range reconnaissance and surveillance and if necessary engage and destroy the enemy. Every team leader and nearly every assistant team leader in the 78th infantry Detachment (LRP) (ABN) were either Recondo or Ranger qualified.

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