Original Vietnam War USMC 3rd Recon Battalion Captured & Signed Pre-1975 Flag of South Vietnam - Swift, Silent, Deadly - 29 x 43”

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. The 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion (3rd Recon) conducts amphibious and ground reconnaissance in support of the 3rd Marine Division and Marine Forces Pacific (MarForPac), operating in the commander's areas of influence. The battalion is based out of Camp Schwab, a satellite base of Marine Corps Base Camp Smedley D. Butler. It is geographically located on the Okinawa Prefecture in Japan.

This is an outstanding “captured” South Vietnamese flag which was taken and signed by several members of the 2nd Squad, 2nd Platoon, Company C, 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion, U.S. Marine Corps. The top of the flag is inscribed with their motto, Swift, Silent, Deadly. The flag reads:

3rd
Recon
2nd PLT. 2nd Sqd.
PUNK II

The soldier culture within this one flag is outstanding. “Let’s Play Catch! John Pa.” and “J.E. Lyon QUEEN’S LONG ISLAND To the Trip!” are two which stood out in particular. The side with the signatures is very heavily faded, so it was likely on display for a long time. The flag comes with some printed research including a list of all the signatures, with 25 total. Two of the men, James H. Grimm and Edward S. Diak, were awarded the Bronze Star Medal!

The flag measures 29 x 43” and does not have a header, so it was likely meant to hang on a building or wall.

An outstanding Vietnam War signed flag, ready for further research and display!