seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Share #1 Posted March 14, 2011 After seeing a similar post on color and subdued 9th Infantry Division (http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=100870&st=0&start=0) and subdued 101st Airborne Division (http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=103743&st=0&start=0) patches worn in Vietnam, I decided to post some pictures I have in my collection of various SSI worn by members of the 3rd Brigade 82nd Airborne Division in Vietnam. The 3rd Brigade was alerted for deployment in the wake of the Tet Offensive and arrived in Vietnam in February, 1968. It was initially attached to the 101st Airborne and operated in the Hue/Phu Bai area of I Corps Tactical Zone. In October, 1968 the brigade was redeployed around Saigon so that the 3rd Brigade 101st Airborne could rejoin its parent division up north. The 82nd guarded the western approaches to Saigon and its units were often parceled out other divisions, including the 1st Cav, 1st Infantry and 25th Infantry, as needed. The Brigade was redeployed to the U.S. in December, 1969 as part of the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops started by Richard Nixon. My father served as a platoon sergeant with Co. A 1st Battalion 505th Infantry from May, 1968 to March, 1969. Most of these pictures are his while a few were taken by other guys in his battalion who I have been in contact with over the years. Like the 101st Airborne, the 82nd officially resisted the adoption of a subdued SSI in Vietnam and most of the pictures you will see of 82nd troopers show them wearing full color cut edge or merrowed edge SSI. However, there were obviously exceptions to this rule and the following pictures will highlight some of the color and subdued variations I have run across in the pictures I have. Please feel free to add your own photos or comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #2 Posted March 14, 2011 This is my father taken around December, 1968 or January, 1969. Note that although his 82nd SSI is full color, it appears to be theater made. Also note he is still wearing full color sergeant chevrons in the filed at this late date. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #3 Posted March 14, 2011 The man in the center is Col. Alexander Bolling, CO of the 3rd Brigade. This photo was taken around August 1968. Note that he is also wearing what appears to be a theater made 82nd SSI so it appears these were sanctioned at the highest level. The man on the right is LTC J. Ross Franklin, who was CO of the 1/505th Inf. at the time. Those of you familiar with Anthony Herbert's book "Soldier" will recognize Col. Franklin as the Deputy Brigade CO of the 173rd Airborne Brigade mentioned prominently in the book. He appears to be wearing a standard U.S. made merrowed edge 82nd SSI with a Ranger tab. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #4 Posted March 14, 2011 This is one of my father's platoon leaders in Co. A after he transferred to another platoon. He appears to be wearing a standard U.S. made 82nd SSI but his platoon sergeant is wearing a subdued theater made patch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #5 Posted March 14, 2011 This is another picture of my father's platoon leader wearing a full color U.S. made 82nd SSI in the field. This seems to have been the most common practice as the 82nd, like the 101st, was very proud of its patch. Note the flying panther design drawn on the helmet cover. This was part of the DUI of the 505th Infantry and was frequently worn this way on helmets. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #6 Posted March 14, 2011 This is a captain from Company C who looks to either be going home or going on R & R. Note his full color 82nd pocket patch encased in plastic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #7 Posted March 14, 2011 This is Captain Donald T. "Tut" McCracken who commanded Co. A 1/505th Inf. from March, 1969 until I believe it went home. All of the insignia on his uniform appears to be theater made including the full color 82nd SSI. Also note he is either wearing a 2nd pattern jungle jacket or he has had a 3rd pattern jacket modified by adding eppaulletes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #8 Posted March 14, 2011 Another 82nd trooper wearing a theater made full color SSI on a 2nd patter jungle jacket. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #9 Posted March 14, 2011 The Lieutenant on the right is wearing a subdued 82nd SSI. I can't tell if it's theater made or possible a U.S. made subdued twill version. This was taken August, 1968 near the Perfume River outside of Hue. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #10 Posted March 14, 2011 This was taken when Co. A discovered a huge enemy weapons cache near the Cambodian border in March, 1969. Soldier on the right is wearing a full color theater made patch. The officer in the middle, wearing a full color Special Forces SSI on his right sleeve, is Co. A CO Capt. Jack Hamilton. He was wounded by a booby trap and evacuated a few days after this picture was taken. He was a career army officer who commanded the 2nd Bn. 325th Inf. during the invasion of Grenada in 1983 and later commanded the 2nd Brigade 82nd Airborne Division. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #11 Posted March 14, 2011 Two different variations of full color theater made patches worn by troopers of Co. B 1/505th Inf. in early 1969. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #12 Posted March 14, 2011 Full color theater made 82nd patch worn by a senior NCO at Firebase All American near Saigon in early 1969. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #13 Posted March 14, 2011 My father in the background with actor Sebastian Cabot of "Family Affair" during a USO tour at Firebase All American, early 1969. Note the 82nd patch pinned to Mr. Cabot's right sleeve appears to be a U.S. made version with an attached tab. On the right is Brigadier Gen. George Dickerson, CO of the 3rd Brigade. Note he is wearing a 3rd Brigade jump wings oval on his cap above his star. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #14 Posted March 14, 2011 1st Platoon of Co. A 1/505th preparing to leave Firebase All American to go on patrol. Note the guy on the right wearing a helmet with a towel around his neck also has what appears to be a theater made subdued 82nd SSI. He was the platoon medic and was medevaced a few weeks later for wounds he received from a booby trap while running to administer aid to a wounded soldier. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #15 Posted March 14, 2011 Not sure if it is a U.S. made or theater made version, but note how the guy on the right has sewed an 82nd SSI on a distinctly non-military t-shirt. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #16 Posted March 14, 2011 Mortar crewman from the Weapons Platoon of Co. A wearing what appears to be a theater made subdued 82nd SSI. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #17 Posted March 14, 2011 Another member of Co. A with a full color theater made 82nd patch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #18 Posted March 14, 2011 This is a picture from a Vietnam printed 82nd magazine showing a good shot of a subdued theater made 82nd patch. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #19 Posted March 14, 2011 This is my father in August, 1968 wearing another common insignia variation from when the 82nd was attached to the 101st. His jungle jacket sports a 101st SSI that was probably in a laundry bundle dropped to then in the field during a resupply. It could have been an oversight but with the intense rivalry between the 82nd and 101st dating back to WWII and the fact that much of the 82nd's support came from the 101st, it could also have been done on purpose. Also note the guy standing on the left is wearing an OG-107 fatigue shirt that he probably brought with him when the 82nd deployed in February, 1968. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #20 Posted March 14, 2011 Battalion commander and staff of the 1/505th Inf. at Firebase All American, Spring 1969, wearing what could probably be called the standard authorized uniform combination. All insignia is subdued with the exception of the 82nd SSI which all appear to be U.S. made. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #21 Posted March 14, 2011 Soldier from Co. C 1/505th wearing a combination of U.S. made 82nd patch and U.S. Army tape with the remainder of his insignia appearing theater made including his beercan subdued Sergeant chevrons. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
05B4S Posted March 14, 2011 Share #22 Posted March 14, 2011 This is Captain Donald T. "Tut" McCracken who commanded Co. A 1/505th Inf. from March, 1969 until I believe it went home. All of the insignia on his uniform appears to be theater made including the full color 82nd SSI. Also note he is either wearing a 2nd pattern jungle jacket or he has had a 3rd pattern jacket modified by adding eppaulletes. It looks to be 2nd pattern, as 3rd pattern didn't have the gas flap. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrei Posted March 14, 2011 Share #23 Posted March 14, 2011 Superb pictures ! Thanks for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #24 Posted March 14, 2011 Following are some theater made 82nd patches I have had in my collection. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seanmc1114 Posted March 14, 2011 Author Share #25 Posted March 14, 2011 Crude version that is similar to a few in the pictures I posted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now