During the battle in the Ia Drang in 1965 Col. Moore 😉, wore his Korean War vintage last model HBT's and Sgt. Maj. Plumley wore 1rst model tropical uniform. IIRC it's mentioned in "We Were Soldiers".
That photo of the Holy Mass is fantastic. I never saw it before. I believe the chaplain is USN Fr. Vincent Capodano, Medal of Honor recipient who died in battle assisting wounded Marines. Liturgically it's somehow unique for Vietnam because it clearly depicts the Traditional Latin Mass, prayed with everyone "versus Deum" (towards God). The chaplain wears a chasuble on the roman cut in non-camouflaged material unlike the poncho-like gothic chasuble in camouflage that became more common in the later part of the conflict (i.e. post the II Vatican Council, which modified the Mass). Again, fantastic photo.
I have one of my father’s uniforms in my collection. It is very eclectic! It is a slant pocket jungle shirt with full color “U.S. Army” in black and yellow over one pocket with a white name tape over the other. The sleeve rank insignia are subdued in country made patches. The shoulder patch is the USAV insignia which is also full color. This was the last shirt issued to him before he left country in 1968.
Many Thai soldiers during the Vietnam War also wore mixed uniforms. For example: OG-107 P58/P63/P64 worn with tropical combat pants / M51/M65 style field pants, etc.
Just a thought. In regards to OG 107 and Jungle Fatigues mixes...I can't help but wonder if you could be confusing the Jungle fatigue trousers with The OD field Pants?? The look very similar from a distance, and i can't imagine US GIs wearing OG 107 Shirts in combination with Jungle fatigue trousers. Ive never seen it before. Just my thoughts on the subject.
It's possible but not very likely, in my opinion. Firstly, it's very obvious from some of the photos shown that tropical combat jackets were worn with the standard OG-107 stateen trousers in some instances so it's not surprising thot think that the reverse combination would also occur. Going into this a bit deeper, the M-1951 field trousers weren't issued in country as far as I am aware. This makes sense given that the M-1951 field trousers are really part of the US cold weather uniform of the time, it's therefore logical to conclude that trousers shown in the photos are theatre appropriate tropical combat trousers. In addition, where the shirts are tucked in the photos show no evidence of the upper angle pocket flaps present on the M-1951 field trousers.
6:55 Probably the most gruesome of photos in this expose. This body bag crew probably were told that body had been out there for days and be prepared for the smell. Both men in the front probably were told ahead of time to cover up and did with a great deal of planning (or they were on a body detail and had an idea to prepare themselves). Meanwhile the third man in rear seemed to ready ready to give up on the venture. The fourth man appears to be having difficulties. The Viets boots are probably foot size 7 to 8, they are small for sure.
During the battle in the Ia Drang in 1965 Col. Moore 😉, wore his Korean War vintage last model HBT's and Sgt. Maj. Plumley wore 1rst model tropical uniform. IIRC it's mentioned in "We Were Soldiers".
OG-107 Pattern 63(P63)
The style is similar to Korean HBT shirts.
That photo of the Holy Mass is fantastic. I never saw it before. I believe the chaplain is USN Fr. Vincent Capodano, Medal of Honor recipient who died in battle assisting wounded Marines. Liturgically it's somehow unique for Vietnam because it clearly depicts the Traditional Latin Mass, prayed with everyone "versus Deum" (towards God). The chaplain wears a chasuble on the roman cut in non-camouflaged material unlike the poncho-like gothic chasuble in camouflage that became more common in the later part of the conflict (i.e. post the II Vatican Council, which modified the Mass). Again, fantastic photo.
I thought it looked like Chaplain Capodanno, too.
I have one of my father’s uniforms in my collection. It is very eclectic!
It is a slant pocket jungle shirt with full color “U.S. Army” in black and yellow over one pocket with a white name tape over the other. The sleeve rank insignia are subdued in country made patches. The shoulder patch is the USAV insignia which is also full color. This was the last shirt issued to him before he left country in 1968.
Many Thai soldiers during the Vietnam War also wore mixed uniforms.
For example: OG-107 P58/P63/P64 worn with tropical combat pants / M51/M65 style field pants, etc.
Just a thought. In regards to OG 107 and Jungle Fatigues mixes...I can't help but wonder if you could be confusing the Jungle fatigue trousers with The OD field Pants?? The look very similar from a distance, and i can't imagine US GIs wearing OG 107 Shirts in combination with Jungle fatigue trousers. Ive never seen it before.
Just my thoughts on the subject.
It's possible but not very likely, in my opinion. Firstly, it's very obvious from some of the photos shown that tropical combat jackets were worn with the standard OG-107 stateen trousers in some instances so it's not surprising thot think that the reverse combination would also occur. Going into this a bit deeper, the M-1951 field trousers weren't issued in country as far as I am aware. This makes sense given that the M-1951 field trousers are really part of the US cold weather uniform of the time, it's therefore logical to conclude that trousers shown in the photos are theatre appropriate tropical combat trousers. In addition, where the shirts are tucked in the photos show no evidence of the upper angle pocket flaps present on the M-1951 field trousers.
6:55 Probably the most gruesome of photos in this expose. This body bag crew probably were told that body had been out there for days and be prepared for the smell. Both men in the front probably were told ahead of time to cover up and did with a great deal of planning (or they were on a body detail and had an idea to prepare themselves).
Meanwhile the third man in rear seemed to ready ready to give up on the venture. The fourth man appears to be having difficulties.
The Viets boots are probably foot size 7 to 8, they are small for sure.
Often soldiers will hold onto their older fatigues because it shows how ‘salty’ or experienced they are to other soldiers.
Sometimes I love the mix and match uniforms (Example M81 woodland jacket and DCU pants) really looks good.
It looks like some of the soldiers use 37pattern basic pouches