The most dangerous part would be psyching up to get into the tunnel, carl cory says, a former 25th infantry div tunnel rat. Please enjoy this vietnam tunnel rat shoulder patch. We will use this occasion to honour our 36 comrades who lost their lives while serving as tunnel rats with 1 troop, 2 troop and 3 troop of 1. A tunnel rat was equipped with only a standard issue. These were the terrifying dangers of being a tunnel rat in. The tunnels were very dangerous, with numerous booby traps and enemies lying in wait. This patch would be a great gift idea and a wonderful addition to your patch collection. Gartrell fort smith, arkansas crawls into a captured north vietnamese bunker during operation meade river, southwest of da nang. Feb 09, 2018 for the most part, the job of tunnel rat was a catchall name for the work that we did as combat engineers. Vietnam war patch us 1st cavalry division tunnel rat ebay. We were trained at the australian armys school of military engineering, located 20. Wear your pin proudly or offer as a military gift to friends or family that served.
Marine corps and british royal marines were involved in similar work in the war in afghanistan. Whilst the tunnel rats of the 25th and 1st infantry divisions, as well as the australian tunnel rats ferrets are better known the smaller composition of tunnel rats of the 1st cavalry division were just as well sought after by. We dont share your credit card details with thirdparty sellers, and we dont sell your information to others. Jan 14, 2016 vietnam war, a viet cong, soldier is a photograph by everett which was uploaded on december 5th, 2011.
Tunnel rat small patch military uniform supply, inc. A tunnel rat might therefore choose to enter the tunnels wearing a gas mask donning one within was frequently impossible in such a confined space. Nov 3, 2014 vietnam era insignia pin with the tunnel rat logo. Vietnam war, a viet cong, soldier is a photograph by everett which was uploaded on december 5th, 2011. Tunnel construction occasionally included antiintruder features such as ubends that could be flooded quickly to trap and drown the tunnel rat. For them, thats what they do and only they will do it, normal infantry within australian rank would not go into tunnel system, and they are the only unit tagged with tunnel rat acronym. He did once say that he had never been afraid of the dark when he was a child.
No matter what youre looking for or where you are in the world, our global marketplace of sellers can help you find unique and affordable options. Embroidered ball cap that is great for those who had served in vietnam war and for other military uses. But if the tunnels hinted at an older kind of warfare, that doesnt mean they should. This vietnam tunnel rat shoulder patch usually ships in 15 business days. Jan 14, 2016 tunnel rats were us, australian and newzelander soldiers who went inside viet congvc tunnels to kill any vc inside, gather any intel, recover arms and finally demolish the tunnels by planting explosives.
The tunnel rats were american, australian and new zealand soldiers who performed underground search and destroy missions during the vietnam war. Vietnam tunnel rat shoulder patch military patches and. Non gratus anus rodentum is a latin phrase that, when translated into english, means not worth a rats ass. Tunnel rats were us, australian and newzelander soldiers who went inside viet congvc tunnels to kill any vc inside, gather any intel, recover arms and finally demolish the tunnels by planting explosives. Due to global pandemic, usps delivery may be temporarily delayed. The viet cong sometimes sent a spear through the throat of the tunnel rat, impaling him in the tunnel opening. If you need assistance ordering or would like to order by telephone please call us toll free at 18008645062 and one of our customer service representatives will assist you. Tunnel rats patch, showing unofficial motto in latin not worth a rats ass. The tunnels in nam, or tunnels anywhere in a war zone for that matter, have to be checked out.
Money back guarantee ensures you receive the item you ordered or get your money back. Cheesecloth backed vietnam war patch filler made for collecting, swapping, made during conflict and through to midlate 1980s in vietnam pieces were. Veteran patches, acu patches and current military unit patches are all in stock at low prices. We looked it over, it was narrow, about shoulder wide and appeared to go some distance from its opening, the ideal situation for the professional tunnel rat and i had seen a few tunnels in my day, weighing in at almost 143 lbs and no taller than 56. The marines of hotel company 27 who were known as tunnel rats, they entered the tunnel systems searching for enemy troops and supplies,while only armed with a. Armed with only a flashlight, a single pistol, or maybe just a knife, a tunnel rat didnt have much in the way of defense. Order your vietnam veterans patches from the army surplus superstore. Of course there are numerous other vietnam patches, all of them making a poignant statement about this 16 year war and the massive toll it took on human lives. Small military patches crw flags store in glen burnie. One particularly effective scouting vietnam patch bears the starkly simple message. Whether you are a vietnam veteran, or just showing your support for a friend or loved one, we have a variety of vietnam veteran patches at affordable prices.
Buy tunnel rat patch at army surplus world army surplus world. This is the same patch that is supplied to the military and sold in military base exchanges. No dead tunnel rats were left in a tunnel, dead or wounded they were all dragged out with commo wire, ropes, or by a comrade using a firemans crawl. This tongueincheek expression was the motto of the tunnel rats, an informal name given to a group of infantry soldiers and combat engineers in the vietnam war with a very hazardous specialty. Our tunnel rat military lapel pin is proudly offered as an individual pin or in multipacks 3packs, 6packs and 10packs. Tunnel rats motto discussion in general discussion started by hkruss, jul 22, 2008. Army surplus world carries a complete line of vietnam veterans patches. Patches, original period items, vietnam 196175, militaria, collectibles. The vietnam tunnel rats association has reserved the australian war memorial last post ceremony for 18 february next year.
These american, australian and new zealander soldiers infiltrated and sabotaged the intenselyclaustrophobic labyrinth of underground tunnels used by the vietcong to launch surprise attacks and set up ambushes. This tongueincheek expression was the motto of the tunnel rats. Sgt or below and small, weighing less than 160 lbs and no taller than 5 7. Us army special forces page 2 military patches and pins. Small military patches crw flags store in glen burnie, maryland. Shop vietnam war military veteran patches just for vets.
It is a 4 inch 100% embroidered patch of the highest quality. For the most part, the job of tunnel rat was a catchall name for the work that we did as combat engineers. Tunnel rats motto the firearms forum the buying, selling. Most of us who served as tunnel rats during the vietnam war quickly realized that crawling through underground enemy bunkers would be the. Patches, original period items, vietnam 196175, militaria. Jul 22, 2008 tunnel rats motto discussion in general discussion started by hkruss, jul 22, 2008. Tunnel rat, ferret patch vietnam war original post. It was a very stressful, nerve racking job, pushing the rats mental state to its limits. Pin saver backs are also available in the options section. Originally called tunnel runners and later ferrets by the australian army, the term eventually morphed into the known tunnel rat.
By far the most rare of 1st cavalry division patches this is probably the most difficult us army patches to come by. Vintage original vietnam war machineembroidered patch, size is 4 by 3. Members of the armed forces will absolutely love these high quality embroidered military patches. The tunnel rats were american, south vietnamese, new zealand, and australian soldiers who. Vets supply line 10550 county road 81 suite 218 maple grove mn 55369. If you have any questions regarding ordering or anything, feel free to email us on the shippingcontact link. Jun, 2017 armed with only a flashlight, a single pistol, or maybe just a knife, a tunnel rat didnt have much in the way of defense. Military unit patches military patches embroidered. Us army soldiers wear patches on their right sleeve of their combat uniform and sometimes on their left sleeve. The photograph may be purchased as wall art, home decor, apparel, phone cases, greeting cards, and more.
Opinion my life as a tunnel rat the new york times. Badge of vietnam war tunnel rat with arched curve is embroidered on the front crown of cap. Shop vietnam veteran patches at army surplus world army. Vietnam tunnel rat shoulder patch vietnam shoulder patches. Their unofficial moto was non gratum anus rodentum. It is the same patch used by the united states armed forces and is of the highest quality. Our tunnel rat vietnam patch is a full color, embroidered military patch. The vietnam veterans patches are sold by themselves or they can be put on a hat.
These were the terrifying dangers of being a tunnel rat. Buy tunnel rat patch at army surplus world army surplus. Our payment security system encrypts your information during transmission. The tunnel rats were american, australian and new zealand soldiers who performed underground search and. Lot of 34 us military sew on patches army usaf patch lot. Etsy is the home to thousands of handmade, vintage, and oneofakind products and gifts related to your search. Their unofficial moto was non gratum anus rodentum in latin. It was a very stressful, nerve racking job, pushing the rat s mental state to its limits. That was the part that was most frightening because you didnt what you were getting into.
Real tunnel rat patches are rarer then team worn sog patches. As the tunnel rat emerged through the connecting trap door, a viet cong might be waiting with a knife to slit his throat. Tunnel rat 1st cavalry division airmobile helicopter assault measures 4. He is a member of the 26th marines, 1st marine division. The men in hotel company 27 who infiltrated the tunnel complexes that were found in the jungles in vietnam.
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