mmerc20 Posted July 9, 2016 Share #1 Posted July 9, 2016 I have these two original photos of some unknown soldiers being awarded the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. I was curious if anyone either recognizes any awardees or the 2-star. They are all 1st Cav. Some are pilots, some have ranger tabs and the one major pilot is wearing a 2nd ARVN AF patch. The photos are glued to a scrapbook page but appear to be unmarked on the backs.Mike Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmerc20 Posted July 9, 2016 Author Share #2 Posted July 9, 2016 More Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolf Posted July 9, 2016 Share #3 Posted July 9, 2016 The 2 guys in the black baseball caps and ERDLs are part of the 11th Pathfinder Co. Pathfinders wore black baseball caps long before the infamous "Blackhats" of the Airborne school . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmerc20 Posted July 9, 2016 Author Share #4 Posted July 9, 2016 I thought those were pathfinder badges on their hats. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrei Posted July 9, 2016 Share #5 Posted July 9, 2016 Nice pic of a VNAF advisor with VNAF helo pilot wings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
268th C.A. Posted July 9, 2016 Share #6 Posted July 9, 2016 Hello nice photo's. Can a Mod turn those pictures up top around....I'm breaking my neck! LOL Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmerc20 Posted July 9, 2016 Author Share #7 Posted July 9, 2016 I was just thinking, is that General Casey? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CROC Posted July 9, 2016 Share #8 Posted July 9, 2016 Hi, The General seems to be MajGen James F Hollingsworth III CTZ Major Advisor from January to september 1972 that is in accordance with uniforms worn. He previously served in Vietnam with 1st ID and is wearing the division patch on the right sleeve. Best Croc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
468abnarm Posted July 9, 2016 Share #9 Posted July 9, 2016 Great photo of the Pathfinders and the "Treadhead" to their left. The wearing of the pin on Pathfinder badge on the side of the hat is very unique. And the Armor Capt. next to them appears to be wearing a modified Fedora to look like a Stetson Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted July 9, 2016 Share #10 Posted July 9, 2016 Hello nice photo's. Can a Mod turn those pictures up top around....I'm breaking my neck! LOL Done. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted July 9, 2016 Share #11 Posted July 9, 2016 A little work with PhotoShop. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted July 9, 2016 Share #12 Posted July 9, 2016 I would agree that looks like General Hollingsworth. Note the III Corps insignia on his right pocket. Also the distinctive sidearm. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmerc20 Posted July 10, 2016 Author Share #13 Posted July 10, 2016 That's strange. The pictures showed right side up for me. Sorry that was not the same for everyone! These photos were in a large binder full of VN era photos and documents I acquired a few years back. There were many originals and also some reprints as well. I'm happy these were some of the originals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolf Posted July 10, 2016 Share #14 Posted July 10, 2016 Great photo of the Pathfinders and the "Treadhead" to their left. The wearing of the pin on Pathfinder badge on the side of the hat is very unique. And the Armor Capt. next to them appears to be wearing a modified Fedora to look like a Stetson The Pathfinder torch by regulation is not authorized for wear on the cap, however that doesn't mean the Pathfinders didn't wear them there. Remember, until the late sixties the torch was sewn on. Since this is an official awards ceremony with a big-wig general, they probably had to wear their wings and background on their caps (with the torch on the side). Pathfinder instructors at Ft. Benning have always worn the pin-on torch on their caps since it was authorized. The Pathfinder on the right appears to be a John Hester who was a Pathfinder Instructor at Benning in 1978. He's younger and thinner in your picture. If I can find my Pathfinder Cadre photo for 1978 I'll post it here. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted July 10, 2016 Share #15 Posted July 10, 2016 Great photo of the Pathfinders and the "Treadhead" to their left. The wearing of the pin on Pathfinder badge on the side of the hat is very unique. And the Armor Capt. next to them appears to be wearing a modified Fedora to look like a Stetson Isnt he a pilot? Looks like he is wearing the two piece nomex flight suit and aviators wings too Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andrei Posted July 10, 2016 Share #16 Posted July 10, 2016 Isnt he a pilot? Looks like he is wearing the two piece nomex flight suit and aviators wings too Yes, he must be an Air Cavalry pilot. Armor was supposed to be the BOS for "Real Cav" or Air Cavalry pilots but this is not the rule. Pilots came from all the branches of the Army. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rolf Posted July 10, 2016 Share #17 Posted July 10, 2016 The Pathfinder on the right appears to be a John Hester who was a Pathfinder Instructor at Benning in 1978. He's younger and thinner in your picture. If I can find my Pathfinder Cadre photo for 1978 I'll post it here. Sorry, not the same guy. The Pathfinder in your picture has blue eyes.... Hester had brown eyes. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paratrooper_82_173 Posted December 24, 2019 Share #18 Posted December 24, 2019 Is the general wearing glider wings on his hat? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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