Republic of Viet-Nam Insignia on Military Mail

Naval Training Center, Cam Ranh

Cover has hand-stamped insignia depicting an anchor and seagull with outstretched wings and an envelope in its beak. Above the anchor is the South Vietnamese Navy Motto, "To-Quoc Dai Duong" meaning "Defend the Seas" (literally "Ocean Country"). Sender is at KBC 3319 which is probably Cam Ranh Bay Naval Training Center. The line after the sender's name includes the initials "HSQ" meaning NCO (Non-Commissioned Officer), and "CN" that generally means "base." The initials "DVS" mean "Dinh Vu So", or Job Number 530-9. The letter is addressed to a new recruit at KBC 3307, the Navy Temporary Transfer / Shelter Center in Saigon. This center was a place where sailors stayed when entering the Navy before going to boot camp. Some people wore uniforms, but other still wore their civilian clothes.* The recipient's address reads, "Toan PBR," which may mean "Patrol Boat River Group." Cover was sent postage-free as is typical of KBC military-to-military mail. "QT" or "Quan Thu" in the upper right indicates this is Military Mail. * Thanks to Son Bui for information about the Navy Temporary Transfer / Shelter Center < Republic of Viet-Nam Military Insignia < Imnaha Stamps Home