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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“On the Ground”  was written by MACV-SOG veterans John “Tiltmeyer” Stryker Meyer and John E. Peters.  This book is a personal favorite of mine and a must have for all Vietnam militaria collectors and historians.  Self published in 2007 and available (in hard cover) at John Meyer’s site “The SOG Chonicles” for only $24.95.  You won’t be able to put it down!

This out of print book is a must have for any military library.  Author Franklin D. Miller writes with candor about his time with MACV-SOG as a 1-0 (Recon team leader) with CCC (Command and Control Central) and as Medal of Honor recipient.  Miller served 6 tours in Vietnam (3/1966 – 11/1972).  In addition to receiving the MOH, he received the Silver Star Medal, two Bronze Star Medals, an Air Medal, and six Purple Hearts.

This copy is the first edition hardcover with dust jacket published by Presidio.  205 pages.

Price: SOLD

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This is a Vietnam War era Indig (Indigenous) sleeping bag as used by MACV-SOG personel on cross-boarder ops in Laos and Cambodia.  Many do not realize that in parts of Vietnam the temperature can drastically drop at night.  SOG personnel needed something “sterile” (void of any association to the United States) and lightweight to provide warmth.  Some troops used the indigenous sleeping bag, while others used indig poncho liners.

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This is a Vietnam War era Indig (Indigenous) poncho liner as used by MACV-SOG personnel on cross-boarder ops in Laos and Cambodia.  Many do not realize that in parts of Vietnam the temperature can drastically drop at night.  SOG personnel needed something “sterile” (void of any association to the United States) and lightweight to provide warmth.  Some troops used the indigenous poncho liners, while others used indig sleeping bags.

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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.

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This is an original green wrapper freeze dried ration as used by LRRPs / Rangers, SEALS, Force RECON, Special Forces, and SOG personnel during the Vietnam War.  It is for display only and not intended for consumption.

Price: SOLD

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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.

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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:

• SOG: Team History and Insignia of a Clandestine Army by Jason Hardy and Mike Tucker
• Running Recon: A Photo Journey with SOG Special Ops Along the Ho Chi Minh Trail by Frank Greco
• SOG: A Photo History of the Secret Wars by John L. Plaster

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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

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