jungle jacket
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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jungle jacket
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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jungle jacket
This is an unissued, never worn ERDL pattern camouflage jungle jacket in a size small-regular. The white government tags are crisp and date the jacket to 1970.
Price: SOLD
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jungle jacket
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
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jungle jacket
This is a very complete group for a Special Forces veteran that served two tours in Vietnam and was killed on 16 July, 1970 at camp A-236 (Bu Prang) while patrolling the camp perimeter. Prior to assignment at Camp A-236, he was with 1st Special Forces Group and TDY’d to FOB-3, (Command and Control North MACV-SOG) on a Snakebite Team and served on a Hatchet Force. This vet is listed in Sherman’s Who Who in SOG on page 132. Some of his awards include: US and Philippine Jump Wings, Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Good Conduct Medals, Vietnamese Gross of Gallantry w/ Palm, PUB, and Navy PUC.
I purchased everything in this group from a person who lives in the same town as the veteran’s parents. He purchased the items directly from the family.
The items in this group include:
1. CISO made PJs. CISO (Counter Insurgency Support Office) was located on Okinawa and headed by Ben Baker. They made “sterile” untraceable weapons, equipment, and garments to be used by CIA, Special Forces, and Indigenous personnel in Vietnam and denied areas like Laos and Cambodia. There is ample photographic evidence of CISO PJs being worn by SOG Hatchet Teams in cross border operations.
This Set of PJs have been worn but are in excellent condition. They have the CISO silk size tags marked “M” for medium. The trousers have the vet’s initials in white laundry marker.
2. Tiger stripe camouflage shirt in “Tadpole Sparse” pattern. Size tag in neck is marked “A-L” for Asian Large. The shirt has strong color and all buttons with original thread. There is one pea-sized hole in the chest. Otherwise, the shirt is in excellent condition.
3. 1968 dated Jungle jacket in excellent condition. This must have been the soldier’s garrison jacket because it is crisp with nicely sewn insignia. The shoulder has early twill subdued Special Forces SSI. The breast has US and Philippine jump wings.
4. 1968 dated OG-107 Utility shirt with early twill subdued Special Forces SSI on the shoulder, a Combat Infantry Badge, and US Jump Wings. There are period repairs to both armpits that are not visible when displayed. The collar has a laundry tag with the last 4 digits of the vet’s Army serial number.
5. Rare and unique tiger stripe Okinawa-made apron with “SP/5 WEAVER, CAMP HARDY, COMBAT TRAINING CENTER” machine embroidered on the front. The vet’s MOS was Demolitions and I would assume that he wore this apron when working with and advising on explosives.
6. 1965 dated OG-107 Dive Shorts. The soldier’s nametape is sewn across the leg and his laundry ID is in the waist. These were commonly worn while scuba diving.
7. Green Class A Blouse with SSGT Chevrons and cut-edge color Special Forces SSI. The blouse has several moth nips, but still could display decently. Loose insignia is listed in number 17.
8. Black leather jump boots in excellent condition.
9. Theater-made camouflage ascot
10. Theater-made pillow cover with hand embroidered tiger and “Viet-Nam”.
11. Interesting rigger-made Airborne M1-C helmet web chin cup
12. Vietnam souvenir ceramic ashtray
13. The vet’s Basic Training yearbook from Fort Knox, Kentucky
14. Two Special Forces transfer decals
15. Training Manuals with Weaver’s Name on them
16. Spiral notebook with demolition notes and a letter to a girlfriend that he never finished…
17. Insignia including 8 nametapes, Army tape, two cloth jump wings, two cloth CIBs, two Special Forces para ovals, two subdued SF SSIs, two color SF SSIs, 1 color airborne tab, 5th Group flash, 1st Group flash, 10th Group flash, SF DI (with 1 prong missing), Vietnamese-made Playboy Bunny patch, Vietnamese made three place ribbon bar, EM garrison cap badge with blue infantry disk.
18. Montagnard carving of a Huey Helicopter
19. Copies of general orders and citations for Weaver’s Army Commendation Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart Award Document.
20. Detailed NARA records containing undeleted sheets of Weaver’s awards received, assignments, and achievements.
Price: SOLD
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