This 1964 T-Series Browning Hi-Power 9mm and modified jungle jacket came from a Special Forces veteran who served multiple tours in Vietnam. Both were used by the vet while he served in Kontum with MACV-SOG as a Platoon Leader with B Co. Hatchet Force (Command & Control Central). He also participated in Operation Tailwind and received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star for Valor.
The jungle jacket is modified with slant pockets added to the upper sleeves. The breast pockets are straightened across the chest with French-style zippers added to the sides for quick access while wearing a STABO, ruck, LBE, etc.
Included with the Browning Hi-Power are original copies of:
- DD 603-1 (War Trophy Registration / Authorization ) form
- A US document from the Provost Marshall in Saigon regarding export permit to transfer the pistol to CONUS (continental United States)
- A South Vietnamese document typed in Vietnamese with the heading “GIAY PHEP GOI SUNG VE HOA-KY” (Firearms Export License)
- A Special Order giving the veteran authorization to “handcarry” the Browning during his PCS (permanent change of station) from Vietnam to United States
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Original MACV-SOG 10 (one-zero) vest with blood type (B+) penned on the breast. One Zero vests were worn by Recon Teams (both US and indigenous personnel) during Vietnam. There are different patterns of vest depending on the time period and region. This variation is the one most commonly seen in period SOG photographs, particularly of SOG veteran/author Lynne M Black (see pic).
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Featured is a light weight tiger stripe camouflage shirt worn by Special Forces veteran SGT Bruce Ulricson while he was attached to the B-16 Mike Force (1st Mobile Strike Force Command) from 09/01/1969 to 03/01/1970. His tiger stripe shirt has his name and army tape machine embroidered on tiger stripe material, a Vietnamese hand embroidered set of US jump wings sewn on tiger stripe material, and a set of South Vietnamese silk woven (bevo) jump wings. SGT Ulricson remembered the name and army tapes being made up on a sewing machine at the B-16 compound, “where you could buy boonie hats and assorted items then have anything direct embroidered on them for little cost.”
SGT Ulricson also served as a radioman at Camp A-109 (Thuong Duc) from 01/01/1969 to 09/01/1969. I recently had the privilege of interviewing SGT Ulricson, where he relayed his experiences serving on an A-Team and Mike Force:
1. What was your motivation to volunteer for Special Forces?
What motivated me initially was the physical and mental challenge of being S.F. Also, being with the best trained soldiers in the Army. I spent 1 year in Training Group and served with the most professional NCO’s in the Army… dedicated, professional, motivated, pride and never whining about duty to our country. They realized their risk and went the extra mile. Some of these men came home in body bags. There are some things worth dying for…
2. What Special Forces Groups did you serve in chronologically during your Special Forces career?
Enlisted:
- PFC: Training Group 7/1967 – 6/1968
- Spec 4: 6th SFG(A) 6/1968 – 11/1968
- Spec 4 – SSGT: 5th SFG(A) 12/1968 – 3/1970
Officer:
- 1/10th SFG(A) ODA 31 (Team Leader) 4/1985 – 6/1987
- SOCOM (Ft Bragg) Project Officer, Training Exercises 1987 – 1989
- S3 – Training Group Spt Bn 1993 – 1994
- Retired 8/1994
3. What did you like/dislike about serving on an A-Team?
Likes:
Again, serving with the best. Working with our allies (e.g. Dutch, Canadian, SAS, Germans). I liked the physical and mental challenge. The diversity in the mission… operations from living in snow caves, jumping out of MC-130′s, living in the jungle with Rhade (Montagnards), rock climbing, weapons training, meeting people… never bored, a sense of accomplishing the mission(s), and surviving all of this. I have approximately 2 dozen friends’ names carved on The Wall. Life is precious.
Dislikes:
Dog and pony shows for VIP’s. Warm beer. Learning of a close friend’s KIA. The medic. Rats crawling on you at night… leeches. Dumb people; that could get others killed. People that give up.
4. What did you like/dislike about serving on a Mike Force?
The Mike Force was the Montagnards. Totally loyal to our missions and to us. Did not run away from enemy contact. Loved to party after combat operations. Watch cowboy shows. Play volleyball. They new the “bush.” Took care of me. The best fighters!
I liked my complete tour with the Mike Force. If not in the bush, I spent my free time with the Rhade; socializing, training, eating, drinking, partying – understanding them, as well as they understand me.
I honestly cannot recall any time I would put in the “dislike” category. (I’m sure there were some)
5. Any intersting stories you would like to share about training, camp, life, patrols, operations, etc?
My entire 6 months with the Rhade I could write an action story/novel. Following is a list of stuff I remember and share with you:
- Watching John Wayne/cowboy movies
- Drinking and partying with them (Rhade).
- I would buy gin at the PX on sale
- Playing volleyball… combat style
- Looking at Time/Life magazines together and explaining US customs, values, culture
- Chep (Rhade Co Commander) “appropriating” a mattress for him
- Being invited and participating in three Black Rock ceremonies with village elders. And receiving a montagyard bracelet
- Crossing rivers and throwing in concussion grenades to get a fish dinner that evening. Cut in two, stuffed in a canteen cup, heated with C-4 provides a yummy hot meal
- Crossing bomb craters by walking single file over the crater of a fallen tree. The one that falls in gets wet and we all get a good belly laugh out of it
- Rhade had a great sense for enjoying life and realizing “their” day with the Americans will end and probably not the way they want
My time in the Mike Force and with the Rhade will be forever etched in my being for my lifetime.
The following images were taken by a 173rd Airborne photographer who followed a Mike Force operation SGT Ulricson was on. Click on the images to read the captions SGT Ulricson provided.
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This jungle jacket was worn by a 173rd Airborne Brigade troop attached to B Co., 2nd Bn., 503rd PIR (Parachute Infantry Regiment). The veteran served two tours in Vietnam with the 173rd and was wounded in 11/1966.
The jacket is a “1st pattern” with shiny exposed buttons, waist tabs, gas flap, and epaulets. It is a size short-medium and is 1963 dated. It has “sandwiched” 173rd shoulder sleeve insignia to denote current service in the 173rd, as well as a prior combat tour. The name tape is theater-made and the Army tape is printed. The Combat Infantry Badge and jump wings are also theater made.
The jump wings have a gold star embroidered on the canopy riders to denote participation in a combat jump with the 173rd on February 22, 1967 (Operation Junction City). SP4 Payne is listed on the Junction City jump manifest for this operation (GO 444, March 12, 1967).
The left breast pocket has a silk woven South Vietnamese Airborne Qualification patch, commonly seen worn by early 173rd troops. The breast pocket was partially removed so the patch could be sewn on while still having a functional pocket. Afterward, it was machine resewn back on (see pic). When examining the jacket carefully, you can see the Specialist sleeve rank is sewn over a faint outline of removed PFC chevrons, due to promotion in rank.
Some of SP4 Payne’s awards and decorations include:
- Purple Heart Medal
- Good Conduct Medal
- Vietnam Service Medal with 2/ Bronze Service Stars
- Meritorious Unit Commendation
- Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/ Palm
- Parachutist Badge with Combat Star (for Junction City)
- Combat Infantry Badge
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Vietnamese-Made Green Beret w/ Hand Embroidered 5th GP Flash
In this article, I will exhibit three more Vietnam era Special Forces berets from my collection. The first one is a Vietnamese made beret with a Vietnamese made, hand embroidered 5th Group flash. The beret has a stiff vinyl sweatband, no vent grommets, silk lining, a plastic diamond with foil maker and size (58) tags, and a thin rayon drawstring. The wool is a bit thicker than some theater-made berets and is constructed from pieces of material sewn together, creating a seam around the circumference of the beret. The flash is wonderfully embroidered on wool and machine sewn to the beret.
Fleur Di Lis Green Beret w/ Okinawa-Made 1st GP Flash
This beret is a scarce 1961 dated Fleur Di Lis Canadian beret with a wonderful 1st variation Okinawa-made flash. The flash is fully machine embroidered with LTC Colonel rank direct embroidered into the gold flash. The shape is slightly smaller than typical flash size and machine sewn to the beret. This beret is part of a White Star uniform group belonging to LTC Edgar J. Albrick featured here.
1968 Dated Goverment 1st Group Green Beret
This is a government contract (Dorothy Mills), 1968 dated EM/NCO Green Beret with a 3rd variation 1st group flash.
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