U.S.Navy Headgear in Vietnam

[Andrei]

Some random shots of my USN berets, Vietnam period.

 

 

 

Detail of the maker tag

 

 

[Andrei]

Task Force Clearwater

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Harbor Clearance Unit

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This beret and the one posted above belonged to the same sailor.

[Andrei]

I have never seen pictures of the NAG beret worn by USN members in Vietnam. If someone could show some pics here that would be appreciated.

Some NAG and Junk Force berets pull right and some others pull left. Any explications ?

[Bluehawk]

Question:

 

To my knowledge, there are no USMC berets. USA, USAF and USN (to my surprise) do have some.

 

But, have the Coasties or Merchant Mariners ever authorized any?

[Salvage Sailor]

Andrei said:

Harbor Clearance Unit

 

 

Specifically, this is HCU-1 Harbor Clearance Unit One. These USN Salvage Divers were based on the YRST-1, the same vessel which dropped the Ells Anchor on the car in my avatar.

 

Here's a photo of the YRST-1 after she was brought back to our home port at Alpha Docks, Pearl Harbor (via the PI) She's tied up right beside our ARS & ATF ships at Alpha docks.

 

Alpha docks, at the mouth of Pearl Harbor surrounded by Hickam AFB. This is where SERVRON 5 & HCU-1 were homeported. From here we deployed to SE Asia & Westpac. It is now home to the descendent of HCU-1, MDSU-1 (Mobile Diving and Salvage Unit One)

[QED4]

Question:

 

To my knowledge, there are no USMC berets. USA, USAF and USN (to my surprise) do have some.

 

But, have the Coasties or Merchant Mariners ever authorized any?

 

The key word there is "Authorized" only Army Special Forces were authorized to wear the beret the rest were all unauthorized or at least at anything above the unit level and in many cases not even there. The powers that be just looked the other way until the big crack down in the 1970s when all head gear that was not specifically authorized was banned.

[hochiminhtrail]

great pictures you are showing Andrei, do we have war time shots of sailors wearing NAG berets?

 

Alex

[Bluehawk]

The key word there is "Authorized" only Army Special Forces were authorized to wear the beret the rest were all unauthorized or at least at anything above the unit level and in many cases not even there. The powers that be just looked the other way until the big crack down in the 1970s when all head gear that was not specifically authorized was banned.

I see... that was what I wasn't sure about until your reply.

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

Andrei, very nice and rare collection of berets. I know they are hard to find. Be sure to check out my new book Jaunty Tilt, a presentation of Vietnam worn berets. They will be available as soon as the copyright certificate is issued. Jeff

[Andrei]

Andrei, very nice and rare collection of berets. I know they are hard to find. Be sure to check out my new book Jaunty Tilt, a presentation of Vietnam worn berets. They will be available as soon as the copyright certificate is issued. Jeff

Jeff,

cant wait to have a copy of your book in my hands !

Thanks mates for your comments.

I will post some more tomorrow or the next WE.

Cheers,

Andrei

[Salvage Sailor]

Photo from the HCU-1 website

 

"HCT4 --- 1970; we were leaving Vietnam and heading back to Subic. In this picture I'm in the back row, fourth from the right. Dave Peterson is back row right #1. To my immediate right is Dennis McKnight." --- Mark Shuey

[beezman]

Hi Andrei,

super nice display!

 

here is my modest contribution:

 

 

[hochiminhtrail]

do you recall what type of beret insignia you wore in 1970.

 

cheers

 

Alex

 

 

Photo from the HCU-1 website

 

"HCT4 --- 1970; we were leaving Vietnam and heading back to Subic. In this picture I'm in the back row, fourth from the right. Dave Peterson is back row right #1. To my immediate right is Dennis McKnight." --- Mark Shuey

[matterhorn]

Here are some images, all from my Dad's collection. All have been purchased from vets.

MilPhap beret:

 

NAG Beret with beercan:

 

NAG beret with blackened Corpsman pin.

 

NAG beret with machine sewn eagle.

 

TF 116 Beret with Novelty Beercan

 

NAG with Novelty Beercan: (sorry for the blurriness!)

[Spike]

Here's my contribution.....

 

[kammo-man]

I dont know what the symbols mean but the look real pretty to me .!!!!!!!!

o

[larrystonebooks.com]

Here is a beret I recently picked up- vet was Chief Staff Officer for the Sea Lords- 1968-69- Larry

[Patrick.]

Another superb beret posted.

 

These berets are a treat to see.

 

Interesting to see another variant to this tailors label. I wonder how many they used during the period?

 

Thanks for all the posts Gents.

 

 

 

 

Patrick.

[kammo-man]

Stoney!!!

Very nice , I wonder what else you got belonging to this man?????

Any pix ?

all the best

owen

[Andrei]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

This one is Army Transportation

 

 

 

 

Owen,

 

just a couple more post and I will thru with my USN headgear collection.

I have to finish posting the 25th ID uniforms and then I will start with the Brown Water Navy.

Cheers,

 

A.

[kammo-man]

Andrei

Let me ask you a quesrion .......

Just how many berets do you have in your collection?????

I am just stunned by the depth of your collection . and I have a feeling that we have only seen just a part of it .

all the best

owen

[kammo-man]

Well you have blown me away with your ERDL 13 beret .

thanks for sharing ,

o

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

Another superb beret posted.

 

These berets are a treat to see.

 

Interesting to see another variant to this tailors label. I wonder how many they used during the period?

 

Thanks for all the posts Gents.

Patrick.

 

Hi Patrick,

Luong-Tan used 4 variation labels for berets during the war. They are all pictured in my new book. Andrei, again superb items from your collection. Jeff

[Andrei]

Beret of RADM Henry Suerstedt, Deputy COMNAVFORV - 1st SEALORD

 

 

This beret is a part of a much larger grouping from the estate of RADM Suerstedt.

[Patrick.]

Hi Patrick,

Luong-Tan used 4 variation labels for berets during the war. They are all pictured in my new book. Jeff

 

Hi Jeff,

 

i had a feeling that there would be something of the sort covered!

 

Thanks for the info, will look forward to seeing the finished magnum opus.

 

 

Patrick.