This is a CISO (Counter Insurgency Support Office) procured hammock that was made “sterile”, meaning void of any association to United States to be used by Special Forces, MACV-SOG, and indigenous personnel particularly in clandestine cross-boarder operations in Laos and Cambodia. It loosely resembles an NVA (North Vietnamese Army) hammock. This example appears to be unused and was part of a Special Forces Mike Force group. It is the only example I’ve seen, but like other CISO items, it probably came in other colors.
Posted in Militaria Articles by Era, Special Forces & MACV-SOG, Vietnam War Militaria | No Comments »
This STABO is as-received from a Special Forces vet attached to 46th Group in 1971-72. He claimed to have received the rig from a fellow SF trooper who was was approaching DEROS (Date Eligible for Return From Overseas) and had used the STABO rig with C&C (Command & Control MACV-SOG). Unfortunately, the vet can no longer remember the name of the SOG vet! Note the black spray paint camouflage and the canteen covers used as ammo pouches.
Posted in Militaria Articles by Era, Special Forces & MACV-SOG, Vietnam War Militaria | 2 Comments »
CISO (Counter Insurgency Support Office) headed by Deputy Chief Ben Baker and located on Okinawa provided many logistical resources to MACV-SOG and Special Forces during the Vietnam War. Among these items were sterile uniforms to be worn by US and indigenous SOG personnel on clandestine operations in Laos and Cambodia. This is an example of a CISO procured shirt patterned to look like an NVA garment.
The only marking it bears is a number “3″ inside the collar, which may denote size. There is ample photographic evidence of this pattern CISO shirt being worn by indigenous RT (recon team) SOG members in books like:
Posted in Militaria Articles by Era, Special Forces & MACV-SOG, Vietnam War Militaria | No Comments »
This uniform was worn by a Special Forces veteran who served as 1-1 (Assistant Recon Team Leader) for RT Bushmaster, CCN (Command and Control North) from 10/1969 – 12/1970. The uniform was worn on the veteran’s final operation with SOG, a trail watch mission in Laos.
The jacket and trousers are “sterile” meaning they are void of all tags and insignia other than the veteran’s blood type (A Positive) marked in pen on both the jacket and trousers. They are camouflaged with black spray paint and the trouser legs have black residue from being secured with black electrical tape.
One of the cargo pockets is missing because it was torn off as the veteran was dragged through jungle canopy during an emergency extraction after their mission was compromised. The veteran received an Army Commendation Medal for Valor for actions during this mission. His citation reads:
For heroism in connection with ground operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: Staff Sergeant XXXXXX distinguished himself by heroism on 24 June 1970 while serving as the radio operator on a long range reconnaissance team operating deep within enemy held and denied territory. Sergeant XXXXXX’s team was given the mission to gather highly classified and vital strategic and tactical intelligence. On the morning of 24 June, at about 0700, enemy forces which surrounded the mountain top began intensifying their efforts to dislodge the reconnaissance team from their positions. Throughout the day the team was besieged by an enemy force vastly outnumbering them. At about 1600 hours, Sergeant XXXXXX began exposing himself to the enemy fire in an effort to obtain an estimated distance and azimuth from the team to enemy automatic positions. Sergeant XXXXXX repeatedly risked his safety to aid the team leader in locating enemy so that the gunships could place their ordnance. As the extraction helicopters neared, Sergeant XXXXXX, again with complete disregard for his own safety, grabbed a panel from an indigenous team member and stood fully exposed to the enemy below. Sergeant XXXXXX in slow deliberate movements, began flashing the panel to mark the landing zone for the aircraft. Even while guiding the aircraft, Sergeant XXXXXX remained vigilant for enemy fire. After the first aircraft departed, the enemy fire became concentrated on the landing zone. As Sergeant XXXXXX climbed the ladder of the second ship, he saw a heavy enemy machine gun firing on his aircraft. Sergeant XXXXXX alerted the crew to the enemy fire, and as they evaded the enemy fire, Sergeant XXXXXX was dragged through a tree, but the aircraft was safe. Sergeant XXXXXX showed himself to be courageous, intelligent and completely dedicated to mission accomplishment. Staff Sergeant XXXXXX’s heroic and highly commendable actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect greatly upon himself, Special Forces and the United States Army.
Note the veteran’s citation reads he was operating in South Vietnam when his recon team was actually in Laos. Included are images of the veteran suited up at Camp Long Thanh, as well as his certificate for completing Reconnaissance Team Leaders course at Long Thanh.
A few of the veteran’s awards include:
- Purple Heart w/ Oakleaf
- RVN Staff Service Medal 2nd Class
- Army Commendation Medal for heroism
- Parachutist Badge
- 4 Overseas Ribbons
- RVN Service Medal w/ 1 Silver Star and 3 Bronze Stars
- Vietnamese Jump Wings (honorary)
- Air Medal – 2nd award
- Bronze Star Medal w/ 3 Oakleaf clusters and “V” device
- Combat Infantry Badge
- RVN Cross of Gallantry w/ Palm and 2nd Oakleaf cluster
Posted in Militaria Articles by Era, Special Forces & MACV-SOG, Vietnam War Militaria | 5 Comments »
Indigenous ruck as used by Special Forces and MACV-SOG personnel during the Vietnam War. The ruck resembles the size and configuration of an NVA ruck with a map pouch, three outer cell pouches, and a main pouch. The fabric is impregnated with a coating to make it water resistant. This treatment feels tacky to the touch. The rucksacks were procured through CISO (Counter Insurgency Support Office) in Okinawa and came in a few color variations.
Posted in Militaria Articles by Era, Special Forces & MACV-SOG, Vietnam War Militaria | No Comments »
