The classic novel of the Army Security Agency experience in Vietnam is James Crumley's One to Count Cadence. Old Spooks & Spies—the webHome of the ASA experience in Vietnman—keeps a list of recommended novels on ASA in Nam.
The shoulder patch for Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MAC-V) has been modified to create a specifically ASA shoulder patch with a Radio Research tab. The sword of the MAC-V patch has been replaced by a lightning sword to symbolize ASA's SIGINT role. A lightning bolt is typically used in the insignia of ASA/INSCOM units. You can see this in the insignia for ASA (patch and DUI), Field Station Berlin, Field Station Rothwesten and INSCOM below:
Everybody "knows" that there was no ASA in Nam, but that doesn't mean that there is no ASA in Nam patch. The design below is a "Lightning Fast Chicken Plucker" patch camouflaged in the colors of the
Vietnam Service Medal.
design by T.H.E. Hill
The MAC-V Radio Research and camouflaged ASA designs pictured above are occasionally available on eBay as a 3.43" x 1.93" fridge magnets.
Voices Under Berlin is about the European ASA experience. You can learn more about it by visiting the links below.
