HA(L)-3 LTJ COX
HA(L)-3 LTJ COX
HA(L)-3 LTJ COX
HA(L)-3 LTJ COX
HA(L)-3 LTJ COX
HA(L)-3 LTJ COX
APH-6 HA(L)-3 PLTJG COX
PLTJG Mariner G. COX joined HA(L)-3 in 1967 as Naval Aviator.
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According to the Seawolves journal “The Wolfgram” of March 1968, LTJG Cox, also known in the unit as “Wally the Ancient Mariner”, was first assigned to DET 6 in Dong Tam.
In February 1968, he transferred to DET 7 in Bin Thuy. In December 1968, Cox was awarded with the Silver Star medal & Navy Commendation for “conspicuous gallantry” during a mission flown over the Mekong Delta.​​​
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Extract from WOLFGRAM Vol.II, N.2 of 5 March 1968
(source: HA(L)-3 Seawolves official website)
More on Seawolves HERE
This Boonie hat, probably locally-made from JWD Tiger pattern fabric, belonged to Michael B. CONNELLY, an Aviation Electronics First Class Technician that was assigned to HA(L)-3 maintenance in Vung Tau in 1967, during the first 6 months of his two-years service in Vietnam.
In March 1968 Connelly was transferred to Det 5 in Binh Thuy as a door gunner, a task he successfully fulfilled until his return to the United States in December 1969.
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On January 20 1969, the Huey helicopter in which Connelly sat as door gunner was downed by enemy fire while supporting a PBR action in the Mekong Delta.
Although wounded, Petty Officer Connelly was able to exit the crash and immediately provided accurate interdiction fire with an M-16 rifle against a force of surrounding enemy troops, covering the rest of the crew until rescue arrived on site and flew them off to safety. For his action, Petty Officer Connelly received the Bronze Star Medal.
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Besides, Connelly was the original creator of the DET 5 “FILTHY FIVE” patch sewn on this particular hat. In his own words, the name FILTHY FIVE was taken after DET 5 had to spend a whole week on a remote base in South Vietnam without changing clothes or wash themselves.
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According from a personal note he wrote in August 2004, Connelly said the patch was made in three sizes: 10 or 12 inches, 5 inches and 2 ½ inches. Each size was produced in about 20 pieces each.
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​Below: original VN made 5 inches FILTHY FIVE patch.
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