A3 B&W Photo of Unidentifed ARVN Soldier taken inside 135th AHC RAN HFV 014 1 Hphotograph, 135th ahc ran

This piece of fabric in the design of the Republic of Vietnam’s flag was cut from a roll carried by Military Assistance Command Vietnam operatives when they went around the villages, compounds and outposts. As part of the ‘Hearts and Minds’ program, they would cut off sections and hand them out to anyone who wanted a bit. Some pieces became flags, some head scarves, some were even used to wrap babies. Pieces showed up everywhere. Collected by Sub-Lieutenant A C Perry, Royal Australian Navy Helicopter Flight Vietnam (RAN HFV) 1969 -1970. RAN HFV ) served with the 135th Assault Helicopter Company of the US Army. The Americans named this combined unit the 'experimental military unit' (EMU). Framed fabric piece, yellow with three red stripes, representing the South Vietnam flag plus 3 helicopter unit patches mounted on right hand side SOUTH VIETNAM FLAG/ HELICOPTER UNIT/ SHOULDER PATCHES/ FROM VIETNAM WAR/ KINDLEY ON LOAN FROM/ ANDY PERRY (SS US)/ ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVYsouth vietnam flag, helicopter patches, arvn, perry, 135th, 135thahc, emu, ranhfv, navy helicopter, andy perry, hearts and minds

Shirt worn by Leading Air Mechanic Airframes Engines, Errol Desmond Shelley No:R59338 when he was hit by shrapnel. He was driving a motor pool truck back to US Bearcat Base near Bien Hoa on 22 December 1969, after a trip to Vung Tau to send flowers to the wife of a fellow serviceman to celebrate the birth of a child. An enemy rocket propelled grenade (RPG) landed 20 metres to the right of the vehicle Errol was driving, and while the passengers were able to duck for cover, as driver, Errol could not. So, when a second RPG landed behind them, Errol was hit by two pieces of shrapnel. Errol served on the HMAS Melbourne from May - Jun 1965, and then with RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam from Sept 1969 - Oct 1970. SEE PHOTOS FOR THE STORY IN ERROL'S WORDSKhaki long-sleeved shirt with button-down front, two pockets with embroidered name on right side and service name on other. Handwritten names and signatures on the back. Holes near collar at back and blood stains.E D Shelley in black thread on RHS RAN in black thread on LHS Signatures on back in inkshelley, ed shelley, shrapnel wound, blood stained, wounded, ran, hfv, bearcat