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Last updated on 4/7/24

Site established on 3/22/01



HA(L)-3

Click here to visit HA(L)-3 Seawolf

Click here to read a history of the Seawolves courtesy of Aviation Electricians Mate First Class William Rutledge


Image courtesy of Jim Doran Seawolf 71


Image courtesy of Jim Doran Seawolf 71

This flag was taken out to a ship in October of 1970 as the VC overran the Naval Tac. Support Base at Song Ong Doc, IV Corps, on the Gulf of Thailand. It is the Hal-3 (Seawolves) Detachment 6 flag. The flag was saved by Kid Purrington (Det-6 gunner) who gave the flag to Bear Grinstead (Det 6 commander) on the boat.
Image courtesy of Bill Rutledge via Larry Stone

Det 5 "Flying Death". There were initially 4 Seawolf Dets from HC1 starting in mid 66 in april 67 A new sqd was ommissioned , HAL 3 Seawolves with the first 4 dets being the ones from HC1 and 3 more dets followed in 67, then in mid 69 dets 8 and 9 were established.
Image courtesy of Bill Rutledge

Det 5 "Why Me"
Image courtesy of Bill Rutledge

HC1/ HAL 3 det 4 "Rowells Rats"
Image courtesy of Bill Rutledge

Hal 3 "Combat Roll of Honor" patch
Image courtesy of Bill Rutledge

Seawolves Detachment 8 patch
Image courtesy of Bill Rutledge

When I arrived at Navy Binh Thuy to join the Seawolves, I came alone, not as part of a customary group. Since there was no billet in the squadron for an interpreter or photomate, they were not expecting me.

I checked in to get my 5 squadron pathces, but they only had 3 left...all new style single scroll ones. They searched around a bit and found two "turn-ins" to pass to me. They were both the older "double scroll" style. One was machine made and pretty. The other was an "in-country" from a "departed pilot". I only had three shirts, so I had the 3 matching newer patches sewn on. The two two-scrollers ended up in my sea bag.

I came home in '72, found the "two scrollers" and put them in frames on my "I love me" wall. - US Navy Seawolf combat photographer/Interpreter Tom


HAL-3 'Seawolves' exhibit on new permanent floating museum, U.S.S. Midway (CV-41) San Diego, CA
Image courtesy of Doug Kibbey

PATCH HC1 DET 27
Image courtesy of Bill Rutledge

DET 1 PATCH
Image courtesy of Bill Rutledge

DET 4 FLAG
Image courtesy of Bill Rutledge

DET 4 FLAG
Image courtesy of Bill Rutledge


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