VIETNAM
Biên Hòa Air Base
Lineage and Honors History
of the
3rd SPS (PACAF)
Biên Hòa AB, South Vietnam, 8 Nov 1965-15 Mar 1971

Current Lineage & History

LINEAGE.

  • Constituted 3rd Air Police Squadron, Bombardment, Light, on 10 Aug 1948.
  • Activated on 18 Aug 1948.
  • Redesignated 3rd Air Police Squadron on 1 Mar 1950.
  • Inactivated on 25 Oct 1957.
  • Activated on Nov 1965.
  • Organized on 8 Nov 1965.
  • Redesignated 3rd Security Police Squadron on 15 May 1967.

HONORS.

SERVICE STREAMERS.


Seventeen campaign streamers and thirteen decorations.

    The Vietnam Service Streamer, a unit award analogous to the award of the medal and ribbon for the individual. is identical to the ribbon in design and color. A United States Air Force (USAF) unit qualified for the Vietnam Service Streamer if it was based in South Vietnam at any time between 1 July 1958 and 14 November, or 29 January through 28 March 1973.* A unit based during these same periods in Thailand and flying missions into or over Vietnam also received the Vietnam Service Streamer. Nonpaying combat support units based in Thailand at any time between 1 July 1958 and 28 March 1973 are also entitled to the service streamer.
    * Units earned the appropriate campaign streamers between 15 November 1961
        and 28 January 1973.

CAMPAIGN STREAMERS.

    A Campaign Streamer is a Vietnam Service Streamer with the name and dates of the campaign embroidered on it. With one exception, the Vietnam Air-Ground Campaign, a unit qualified for a campaign streamer if it was based in Vietnam or engaged in combat in Southeast Asia during the period of a designated campaign.

KOREAN WAR

  • UN Summer-Fall Offensive
  • Second Korean Winter
  • Korea Summer-Fall, 1952
  • Third Korean Winter
  • Korean Summer-Fall, 1953

VIETNAM WAR

[Current issue battle streamer as used on US military flags. Overall length 49 embroidered in white on the color of the Vietnam Service medal ribbon. This practice dates from June 1920 as prescribed by the Secretary of War and continues to this day.]

Biên Hòa AB, South Vietnam, 8 Nov 1965-15 Mar 1971



  • Vietnam Air Offensive 1966-1967




  • Vietnam Air/Ground 1968
  • Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase III 1968
  • Vietnam Air Offensive, Phase IV 1968-1969
  • TET 69/Counter-Offensive, 1969
  • Vietnam Summer-Fall 1969
  • Vietnam Winter-Spring 1969-1970

  • Sanctuary Counter-Offensive 1970
  • Southwest Monsoon, 1 July-30 November 1970
  • Commando Hunt V 1970-1971

ARMED FORCES EXPEDITIONARY STREAMERS. None.

DECORATIONS. Presidential Unit Citation:

South Vietnam, 10 Oct 1966-10 Apr 1967

  • (Vietnam) 8 Jun 1966-16 Apr 1967.
  • (Vietnam) 6 Mar 1968-31 Jul 1969.

Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards with Combat "V" Device:

South Vietnam, 2 Apr-2 Sep 1967

  • 8 Nov 1965-30 Jun 1966;
  • 31 Jan-5 Mar 1968;
  • 1 Jan 1969-15 Apr 1970;
  • 16 Apr-31 Oct 1970.
  • 15 Feb 1973:

    1. The 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, 3rd Security Police Squadron (PACAF) is awarded the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (with Combat V Device) for exceptionally meritorious service in support of military operations from 21 January 1970 to 31 October 1970.
     JOHN D. RYAN, General, USAF Chief of Staff

Air Force Outstanding Unit Awards:

South Vietnam, 2 Apr-2 Sep 1967

  • 1 Jul 1972-31 Dec 1973;
  • 3 Apr-31 May 1975;
  • 1 May 1980-30 Apr 1982;
  • 22 Mar-1 Apr 1986 (DAFSO GB-626/87).
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation:
  • 27 Jun-31 Jul 1950.

Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Crosses with Palm:

South Vietnam, 2 Apr-2 Sep 1967

  • 25 Nov 1965-19 May 1969;
  • 1 Apr 1966-[31 Oct 1970];
  • 1 May-30 Sep 1970.
    SPECIAL ORDER GB-763 14 Dec 1971: 1. The award of the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm to the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing, 3rd Security Police Squadron (PACAF) for exceptionally meritorious service in support of military operations during the period 1 May 1970 to 30 September 1970 is confirmed.
    JOHN D. RYAN, General, USAF Chief of Staff
ASSIGNMENTS.
  • 3rd Air Base Group, 18 Aug 1948-25 Oct 1957.
  • Pacific Air Forces, 3 Nov 1965;
  • 3rd Combat Support Group, 8 Nov 1965;
  • 3rd Security Police group, 16 Sep 1974--.

STATIONS.

  • Yokota AB, Japan, 18 Aug 1948;
  • Johnson AB, Japan, 1 Apr 1950;
  • Yokota AB, Japan, 14 Aug 1950;
  • Iwakuni AB, Japan, 1 Dec 1950;
  • Kunsan AB, South Korea 24 Aug 1951;
  • Johnson AB, Japan, 1 Oct 1954-25 Oct 1957;
  • Biên Hòa AB, South Vietnam, 8 Nov 1965;
  • Kunsan AB, South Korea, 15 Mar 1971;
  • Clark AB, Philippines, 16 Sep 1974--. 
COMMANDERS.
Capt Walter J. Brown
18 Aug 1948
Capt William R. Maylor Sr.
10 Jan 1949
Capt Herman C. Mitchell
5 Feb 1949
Capt Clyde E. DeBaun
May 1949
Maj Chester K. Rhone
1 Apr 1950
Capt Clyde E. DeBaun
14 Aug 1950
1st Lt Walter P. McBroom
1 Dec 1950
Capt (Later, Maj) James A. Geyer
3 Jan 1951
Capt Herman V. Capps
7 Mar 1951
Maj James A. Meyer
Jul 1951
Capt (Later, Maj) Herman V. Capps
Aug 1951
1st Lt Antonio D. Fermano
Feb 1952
Capt James R. Crumley
Maj Don M. Rawls
Apr 1955
1st Lt Robert J. Delaney
Apr 1955
1st Lt Richard P. Isper
May 1955
Capt John H. Mingus
Jul 1955
1st Lt Joseph A. Lynn
May 1957
Maj Harry Denzel
5 Sep 1957
Maj John P. Cornett
8 Nov 1965
Maj Donald H. Tidwell
14 Oct 1966
Lt Col Kenton D. Miller
14 Mar 1967
Maj (Later, Lt Col) Joseph A. Lynn
1 Mar 1968
Lt Col Bernard H. Fowle
8 Nov 1968
Lt Col Henry A. Curtin
23 Oct 1969
Maj Ronald F. Kibler
1 Jul 1970
Maj Edward E. Johnson
24 Oct 1970
Not Manned: 1 Nov 1970 to
15 Mar 1971
Maj Frederick C. Newak
Mar 1971
Maj John C. Bonnette
19 Feb 1972
Maj John E. Lehning
6 Mar 1973
Maj David W. Parr
2 Mar 1974
Maj Joseph W. Barth
16 Sep 1974
Maj David L. Hetzel
15 Mar 1976
Lt Col Kenneth R. LaFon
17 Aug 1977
Maj Maxey L. Harrell
1 Jun 1978
Maj Larry D. Cadle
14 Mar 1980
Capt (Later, Maj) Robert D. Reider
11 Feb 1983
Maj Thomas H. Bethart
2 Sep 1985
Capt Thomas M. Anderson
20 Oct 1986

This list is complete through K-WG-3-HI, Apr-Jun 1987 vol I. (last history in our stacks). Our inquiries division (QE) will be responding to the rest of your 13 Aug 1990 request in separate correspondence.
Sincerely,

Daniel Haulman,
Research Historian

EMBLEM.

3d Air Police Squadron Emblem, Biên Hòa3d Air Police Squadron Emblem, Biên Hòa

Approval of Squadron Emblem - 3rd Air Police Squadron (2nd ADiv (DPSA) Ltr, 7 Jan 66).

3rd Air Police Sq

    1. The attached emblem is approved for the 3rd Air Police Squadron in accordance with AFR 900-3. The official painting, its description and significance are forwarded for file and guidance in reproduction.

    2. Your proposed design was modified to comply with the Air Force policy that each emblem will be distinctive to the unit concerned. The torch in your proposed design is usually reserved for units with a training mission and is normally associated with units under the Air Training Command. The flaming swords have been used in several emblems already approved and are not distinctive to the 3rd AP Squadron. The revised design utilizes symbols distinctive to your organization to symbolize the over-all function of the squadron and its history. 3. This correspondence and attachments are permanent records and will be retained by the unit until inactivation, and then retired to the records center in accordance with AFM 181-5, Para 11. AFT900-3, contains instructions for ordering official photographs of the emblem. FOR THE CHIEF OF STAFF
    JOHN R. ROBINSON, Lt Col, USAF


    Awards Division     UNIT EMBLEM: 3rd AIR POLICE SQUADRON SIGNIFICANCE: The emblem is symbolic of the Squadron. Against the back ground of blue which alludes to the sky, the primary theater of Air Force operations, the bamboo curtain refers to the squadron's service in Vietnam. The chevron symbolizes the unit's strength in support of its parent group and major command. The Marshal's Star represents security and protection provided by the squadron. The Liberty Bell, a symbol of freedom and justice, signifies the cause fro which the United States fights. The Korean bell denotes the squadron's Campaign Participation Credits in the Korean Conflict. The emblem bears the National colors and the Air Force colors of gold and ultramarine and blue. MOTTO: ETERNALLY VIGILANT. DESCRIPTION: On a blue disc bearing gold bamboo stalks a blue chevron abased and over-all a white star fimbriated red with the red tips terminating in red roundels and in chief supported by the lateral arms of the star two white roundels charged respectively with a brown Liberty Bell and a Korean bell, all within a narrow gold border. Emblem between two blue scrolls bordered gold, lower scroll inscribed with gold capital letters.
Blue 65010 (AF Ultramarine)
Gold 70068 (AF Yellow)
White 65005
Red 70042 (Pimento)
Brown 70118 (Gold Brown)

CABLE NUMBERS OF COLORS:



    FIGURE SYMBOLISM:
    1. The two stars represent the united effort put forth by the United States and south Vietnam in curbing Communist aggression.2. The Torch represents "freedom and liberty" for which both nations are jointly fighting. 3. The deltas represent the USAF weapons systems used to protect freedom and maintain peace. Note their placement around the torch of freedom. 4. The flaming Swords represent the 3rd Air Police Squadron's mission of providing security and protection over the Aerospace Weapons Systems which are employed in maintaining peace and securing the freedom of South Vietnam. The placement of the swords also shows the relationship of the Squadron's mission to the overall effort.

    Color SYMBOLISM:
    1. The red, white and blue symbolize the colors of the United States.
    2. Red and Yellow symbolize the colors of the Republic of South Vietnam.
    3. Blue further symbolizes the medium through which the aircraft operate.
    4. White symbolizes peace and tranquility.
    5. Red and Yellow flames symbolize firmness of mind, strength and dedication.

    DATE PREPARED. 12 May 1995.
    SUPERSEDES. Statement on 24 Oct 1985.
    HISTORIAN. Dr. Bynum Weathers
    APPROVED BY Judy G. Endicott, Historian.

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