How is the death patch earned?

Answer 1

GI invented/designed patches were made "in-country" by the local Nationals (Vietnamese civilians), working in sewing shops (seamstress's). EVERY military base in South Vietnam had a local sewing shop on base, or just outside the gate. Today, in the US, "in-country" patches are a separate military "collectible" item. Every imaginable patch you can think of, and have never even thought of, has been made in those shops for US servicemen. VC Undertaker, Death From Above, LRRP's (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols), etc. Some, may have been authorized to wear at battalion or company level, but usually ONLY IN THE FIELD (Vietnam's version of the front lines).

During the war, the only authorized US patches, badges (not counting medals which were never worn) were: Corps shoulder patches, Division shoulder patches, Brigade shoulder patches, Battalion crests (worn on the epaulet, maybe a breast pocket), CIB's (Combat Infantryman's Badge), medic's badge, and parachute badge. But only new men wore those things, or fellows getting ready to head home. In the field we were lucky to have untorn clothing (uniform fatiques), and they were guaranteed to be soaked in mud,sweat, and dirt.

For extended stays in the field (jungle) choppers would drop off clean laundry. Not bagged or tagged, just clean uniforms that they scrounged up. So often, GI's never had their own uniforms. So if you had some fancy patch sewn on your uniform, you'd have to rip it off and put it your new pocket of clean trousers. Because your old dirty uniform was tossed onto the helicopter. The Marines, Navy and Air Force have similar patch/badge regulations as the Army.