History of the Patch

	Operation Blister Version 1, November 1985

Operation Blister was founded by Major David L Wagner of Group 1, and ran from June 1982 to June 1989. The program was comprised of a series of classes held once a week for one year. Cadet and Senior Member students were taught survival skills, and how to perform search and rescue missions in any terrain or condition within the United States - including a water survival class! At the end of the year, students were administered a written with a minimum 75% passing score. This was followed by a seven day field exercise, during which students would hike an average of 100 miles, and use only their personnal survival equipemnt for 24 to 72-hour periods. The program received a lot of support from the Army National Guard and Marine Corps, in the form of tents, generators, transportation and even instuctors.

    Major Wagner sent a letter [ left ] to Oregon Wing Commander, Colonel Earl G Smith, requesting a unique patch be created for wear by Operation Blister graduates. Aparently, a submitted patch design was approved on 08 May 1985, but never manufactured.

    The following October, Major Wagner expressed concern to Colonel Smith [ right ] over the cost-per-member of creating a their own custom patch. He suggested using one of two readily available patches as less expensive alternatives, and the US Army 1st Logistical Command shoulder patch was selected.

In November, the Oregon Wing Commander approved wear of the patch by all graduates of Operation Blister, and was awarded retro-actively. While the Army wore the patch on their shoulder with the arrow pointing to the northwest, Operation Blister graduates wore it on their right breast pocket with the arrow pointing due north.

Information provided by:
Mrs Sandy Warwick
Tulsa, OK
March 2009