Looking for old style chevron patch

[MATCU]

I am making a shadow box for my father. He was enlisted in the airforce from 1954 to 1974. He retired with the rank of E-8, First Sgt. I am looking for a cloth patch-chevron of his last rank. The patch has the blue background with silver chevrons, 6 down & one up, with the diamond in the middle. Does anyone possibly have one they would like to part with or possibly know where I can find them on line. I haven't had much luck with the internet so far. Thanks and Semper Fi........

[JohnP]

Originally Posted by MATCU

I am making a shadow box for my father. He was enlisted in the airforce from 1954 to 1974. He retired with the rank of E-8, First Sgt. I am looking for a cloth patch-chevron of his last rank. The patch has the blue background with silver chevrons, 6 down & one up, with the diamond in the middle. Does anyone possibly have one they would like to part with or possibly know where I can find them on line. I haven't had much luck with the internet so far. Thanks and Semper Fi........

I'm no currently around a large city right now, but I have seen several of the older style AF E-8 chevrons in military surplus stores.

I will stop in one the next time I go to town.

[Lee Ragan]

With the pre-1994 USAF chevrons, the First Sergeants diamond was a seperate piece and was sewn above the old Master Sgts. chevron or on the SMSgt & CmSgt chevrons in the proper place. (With the current post 1994 style the 1st Sgts. diamond is embroidered directly on the chevron background.) This means you will have to locate not only a Senior Master Sergeants chevron, but also a large size First Sergeants diamond to have sewn on it.
The old style SMSgt. chevron can be found in some surplus stores and mentioned above, but locating the 1st Sgts. diamond (there are small & large sizes for the 3" & 4" wide chevrons), are going to be harder to find.
Good luck.

[MATCU]

Originally Posted by johnp

i'm no currently around a large city right now, but i have seen several of the older style af e-8 chevrons in military surplus stores.

I will stop in one the next time i go to town.

Thanks for your help with this John, I've started looking at surplus stores also since I haven't been able to find the chevron on-line. I never thought it would be this tough to locate....

[Ben Shotalot]

Try Googling for surplus stores outside major AFBs and give them a call. They may have what you want.

[PhoenixCadet]

MATCU,

Welcome to Grunt's! I cannot find any cloth patches of the rank in question, but if you're willing to settle for enamel pins, Medals of America has 'em for twleve bucks a pair.

http://www.usmedals.com/detail.aspx?ID=4000

Good luck in finding the patches!

-PC

[Lee Ragan]

Both items located & mailed to you saturday. PM sent.

[MATCU]

The pre-1994 chevron and diamond were located thanks to LEE RAGAN. He took care of a fellow air force veteren and located the items and shipped them to me so I was able to complete my father's shadow box............Thank you LEE, your awesome!!

[Billyd]

OP's question asked and answered.