FROM: CNO (Z-51)
[23 Oct 1970]

TO: NAVOP
UNCLAS //NO5030//

SMALL CRAFT INSIGNIA

1. AMONG THE MANY CHALLENGING, ARDUOUS AND RESPONSIBLE ASSIGNMENTS TO WHICH JUNIOR OFFICERS AND SENIOR PETTY OFFICERS HAVE BEEN ORDERED IN RECENT YEARS, NONE HAS EXCEEDED THOSE OF OFFICER-IN-CHARGE AND PETTY OFFICER-IN-CHARGE OF RIVERINE AND COASTAL CRAFT IN SOUTH VIETNAM UNDER COMBAT CONDITIONS. THEREFORE, IN RECOGNITION OF THEIR DEDICATION AND TO HONOR THEIR SKILL AND PROFESSIONALISM, THE CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS HAS AUTHORIZED A NEW BREAST INSIGNIA FOR WEAR BY BOTH OFFICER AND ENLISTED PERSONNEL WHO HAVE SERVED IN THESE BILLETS.

2. PERSONNEL ASSIGNED IN RVN FOR MINIMUM OF SIX MONTHS AS OFFICERS-IN-CHARGE, PATROL OFFICERS, {COMMISSIONED OR ENLISTED}, RIVER SECTION LEADERS, BOAT OFFICERS AND PETTY OFFICERS-IN-CHARGE OF BELOW LISTED CRAFT ARE ELIGIBLE TO WEAR DEVICE.

A. PATROL BOAT RIVER {PBR}

B. PATROL BOAT FAST {PCF}

C. STRIKE ASSAULT BOATS {STABS}

D. MINESWEEPING CRAFTS

E. HARBOR DEFENSE CRAFT

F. LOGISTIC SUPPORT CRAFT {LCU, LCM, YFU}

G. RIVER ASSAULT CRAFT.

3. ELIGIBLE UNITS ARE RIVFLOT ONE {RAS 9, 11, 13, 15}; COSRON ONE; RIVPATFLOT FIVE; MIDIV 112 AND 113; NSA DANANG AND SAIGON; INSHORE UNDERSEA WARFARE GROUP ONE.

4. COMNAVFORV IS REQUESTED TO PROVIDE OTHER BILLETS, CRAFT OR UNITS CONSIDERED ELIGIBLE.

5. IF ELIGIBILITY FOR INSIGNIA CANNOT BE DETERMINED FROM SERVICE RECORDS, SUBMIT LETTER REQUEST TO CHNAVPERS FOR DETERMINATION CITING NAMES OF SUPERIORS DURING ELIGIBILITY PERIOD. HENCEFORTH, IN-COUNTRY COMMANDERS WILL MAKE APPROPRIATE ENTRIES IN ENLISTED SERVICE RECORDS AND ISSUE DESIGNATION LETTERS TO OFFICERS TO ESTABLISH ELIGIBILITY.

6. INSIGNIA NOT AVAILABLE AT THIS TIME, BUT WHEN AVAILABLE WILL BE PURCHASED AT INDIVIDUAL EXPENSE. IF COMMAND-AT-SEA INSIGNIA IS ALSO EARNED, IT WILL TAKE PRECEDENCE AND SHALL BE WORN IN LIEU OF SMALL CRAFT INSIGNIA. DETAILS OF DESIGN AND MANNER OF WEARING WILL BE PROMULGATED BY SUBSEQUENT BUPERS NOTICE. E.R. ZUMWALT, JR., ADMIRAL, U.S. NAVY, CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS.