These boots are as-found with Vietnam era lace in zippers. Zippered boots were popular with air crews and pilots, but are seen worn by other units. The boots are a desirable size 10 Regular and contracted by Genesco. Their date of manufacture is 1966. They have their original amber colored insoles and are in supple, used condition. A great pair of original boots!
Price: SOLD
This is a Vietnam era E-Tool combo consisting of:
The E-tool is in excellent condition and the canvas cover appears to be unissued. The bayonet shows normal use with a few dings in the blade (see pics).
Price: Sold
The Vietnam veteran who wore this jacket was the Commander of A Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division in 1969. He is mentioned in the Tropical Lighting News (Vol. 4 No. 35) on September 1, 1969 in the following article:
Tay Ninh – Driving off a fierce, pre-dawn sapper attack on their position, men of Alpha Company, 4th Battalion, 9th Infantry, killed 21 North Vietnamese soldiers. The battle took place 10 miles northeast of Tay Ninh City at Fire Support Base Saint Barbara, the “French Fort.”
Action started shortly after 3:00 AM during a heavy morning rain. The sound of rocket-propelled grenades and incoming mortars broke through the drone of the downpour. Taking cover in bunkers, the 4/9 Manchus kept careful vigil on the trail, thick grass in front of the bunker line.
Soon after the initial barrage, NVA sappers burst out of the grass and stormed the berm, tossing grenades and satchel charges as they charged. Most of the enemy grenades and satchel charges were thrown back at the sappers.
The enemy tried to come over the high northeast wall of the fire support base, built on the site of a French fort during the colonial era. None of them got any further than the top of the wall before being blown off by the accurate firepower of the Manchus.
“The enemy got on the top of the bunker line but that was as far as he got. I saw one on top of my bunker and immediately shot him, throwing him back outside the perimeter,” commented platoon leader First Lieutenant Shane M. Davis of Kansas City, Mo.
At break of dawn the battle was over. Twenty-one North Vietnamese, all member of sapper teams, lay dead around the perimeter.
“The men fought hard. There sapper teams are well trained and tough.” said Alpha Company commander, Captain Freddie Capps Jr., of Tucson, Ariz.
When a sweep was conducted, the Manchus found two AK47 assault rifles, two RPG launchers and six RPG rounds. They also picked up five sachel charges that never got to their intended targets.
The jacket is a third pattern poplin with matte finish buttons. It is a size Small-Regular and 1967 dated. It is in immaculate condition and must have been his garrison jacket because it is completely badged out and crisp. It has theater made name and Army tapes, jump wings, CIB, a subdued twill 25th Infantry shoulder sleeve insignia, and a theater-made Ranger tab. All the insignia is sewn just as you would want to see on a jungle jacket.
If you look very closely, you will see that both the name and Army tapes had been sewn parallel with the slant breast pockets, but they were changed to straight across. This must have been switched immediately because the marks are virtually non existent unless you really examine the jacket. I contacted the webmaster for the Manchus and he actually knew Capt Capps and mentioned that Capps had served a previous tour with another unit prior to being Alpha Company commander.
This is a great, researchable jacket to a well decorated unit. I seldom find jackets badged out this nicely.
Price: Sold
This pair of jungle boots appear to be barely if ever worn. There aren’t even creases in the leather! They are size 10 N (narrow) with C.I.C. contract marked soles. One of the boots is dated 1966 and the other is 1967 dated. Otherwise, they appear identical! Wear them or use them with your display.
Price: Sold
The Pilot Survival Knife was considered a utilitarian favorite not only by pilots, but also LRRPs (Long Range Reconnaisance Patrols), Special Forces / SOG, and SEALs during the Vietnam War. These knives are commonly seen worn upside down on field gear suspenders for quick access. The pommel could literally be used as a hammer and the blade was a perfect size to be used as a fulcrum without risk of breaking.
This knife probably did not see much jungle action because the leather sheath is wonderfully bright and supple, and retains a legible date (1967) and nomenclature on the back. It retains its original sharpening stone. The blade had been sharpened but nothing detracting like a grinder, etc. The leather stacking washers in the handle are tight and the pommel retains most of its factory gray paint. The cross guard has been intentionally modified with a 90 degree bend at the end. I am not sure what purpose this would have served.
Price: SOLD
