USMC Helicopter Squadrons
$12.00
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Bulk Patch Pricing
Embroidered
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25-49: $6.00 each
50-99: $5.00 each
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300+: $2.50 each
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Officially Licensed USMC VMF-323 Death Rattlers Squadron Patch - Marine Fighter Squadron 323 (VMF-323) Death Rattlers Officially Licensed Embroidered Squadron Patch.
One hundred and twenty-four kills, twelve aces, and a rattlesnake legend that has defined Marine fighter aviation since 1943.
VMF-323 was commissioned on 1 August 1943 at Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, and immediately began training in F4U Corsairs for combat in the Pacific. The Death Rattlers name traces to three fighter pilots who killed a six-foot rattlesnake and hung its skin in the squadron ready room, a piece of lore that became one of Marine aviation's most enduring identities. Flying into Kadena airfield in April 1945 in support of Operation Iceberg at Okinawa, the squadron shot down 124 Japanese aircraft without a single loss to an enemy pilot, producing twelve aces in the process. The Death Rattlers carried that combat reputation into Korea, flying close air support from USS Badoeng Strait through the battles of Pusan, Inchon, and the Chosin Reservoir. Redesignated VMFA-323 in 1964 and transitioning to the F/A-18 Hornet in 1982, the squadron has since deployed with Carrier Air Wing 17 and served in Vietnam, Operation Desert Storm, and the Global War on Terrorism. This officially licensed embroidered patch carries the coiled rattlesnake insignia that represents more than eight decades of continuous Marine fighter heritage, stitched with the density and color contrast that collectors and veterans expect from a unit with this kind of record.
Perfect For: VMF-323 and VMFA-323 veterans, Death Rattlers alumni, Marine aviation historians, F4U Corsair and F/A-18 Hornet collectors, Okinawa and Korean War researchers, carrier air wing enthusiasts, shadow box builders, reunion displays, patch panel collections, and anyone preserving the story of Marine close air support from World War II through modern carrier operations. It is also a meaningful gift for families and supporters who want a licensed, research-backed piece tied to one of the most decorated fighter squadrons in Marine Corps history.
Death Rattlers heritage, officially licensed and stitched for the collection, the shadow box, and the story.
If you want to swap patches on/off gear, choose hook & loop (velcro). If you’re attaching permanently to uniforms or fabric, choose sew-on. If you want quick application on compatible fabric, choose iron-on / heat seal (when offered). Backing options are shown on the page and update based on the variant you select.
Size is shown on the product page and updates with the variant you select (example: 3"). If you’re mounting on a hat or small panel, choose smaller sizes; for plate carriers and display boards, larger sizes fit better.
If the product is officially licensed, it will say “Officially Licensed” in the title and/or in the product details. If it doesn’t, it’s still a legitimate product—just not part of a licensed program.
Yes. If you see a note like “bulk reruns available,” that means we can support group orders or reruns. If you don’t see it, contact us with the unit/squadron and quantity and we’ll confirm options.
Yes—custom solutions are available (patches, name tags, lanyards, apparel). Use the custom request page and include artwork, size, backing preference, and quantity.
