Vietnam War-era uniform of Col. (ret.) Richard D. Gillem

[erikthehistorian]

This is the uniform worn by Col. (ret.) Richard D. Gillem when he was with the 11th Pathfinder Company, 1st Cavalry Division, in 1965-66. It is on display at the National Infantry Museum at Fort Benning, GA.

 

Can our experts tell me more about this particular Army blouse- model type, fabrication, usage history, etc.? Thanks!

[River Patrol]

Nice Jungle Jacket!....first model with exposed buttons, poplin material.

 

...and Welcome to the USMF!

[gwb123]

This is typically what is commonly referred to as a 1st pattern, exposed button jungle fatigue jacket.

 

The technical designation is Army tropical combat uniform.

 

The 1st pattern uniforms were distinctive for the buttons without a covering flap, the shoulder straps, and take up tabs on the side. These features were deleted from later versions as they tended to get tied up in foliage. Flaps were added to cover up the buttons and button holes.

 

The material is a wind resistant poplin. This also proved to be non satisfactory as it had a tendency to rip across the full length of the jacket when wet from either rain or sweat or a combination of the two. This was replaced in later versions by ripstop material, which had reinforcing thread every 1/4 inch.

 

This example is interesting in that it features both color and subdued insignia. This suggests it dates to about 1968 when the transition to subdued insignia was taking place. (However, for some items, such as the ARVN jump wings, you saw color examples worn all the way through to the end of war.) Although not fully visible, it looks there are color Airborne and Ranger tabs on the shoulder on top of a 1st issue subdued on twill 1st CAV insignia.

 

The name tape looks to have been block printed in ink, which was typical of the unit supply rooms of the time. The CIB, US jump wings, Infantry Branch and Captain's rank all look to have been locally made, which was also typical before US manufactured subdued insignia were fully fielded.

 

There does not appear to be a right shoulder combat patch indicating a prior tour, but this is inconclusive as it was optional.

 

With heavy use, these uniforms tended to fray around the sleeves, collar and other edges. This one looks in good condition.

 

I hope you might have photos of the left shoulder showing the 1st CAV insignia and tabs as well. This is a nice example.

[Cap Camouflage Pattern I]

 

Here is one I took this summer, absolutely amazing museum.

[Cap Camouflage Pattern I]

http://www.11thpathfindercompany.org/col--r--gillem-s-slide-show.html

Here are some photos taken by Col Gillem on the 11th Patfinder companies website.

 

Here is a photo of Willie G. Booker, 227th Team, 1967 wearing a similar uniform, from the same site.

[Cap Camouflage Pattern I]

 

Here is (then)Cpt. Gillem

[Cap Camouflage Pattern I]

Another of Gillem

[erikthehistorian]

Thanks for the great info! I'm learning the differences between the tropical jungle jackets (1st, 2d, and 3d patterns). Here is a side view of the Gillem jacket.

[gwb123]

I have to correct what I said about the 1st CAV insignia, as shown by the above two photographs.

 

It is not an 1st issue subdued on twill insignia. It is apparently a flat edge, fully embroidered subdued unit patch. I would think this would place the patch from around 1967 to 1969 before the later fully rolled edge patches were fielded.

[nguoi tien su]

Erik, Gil,

 

Here is one from the same unit.

 

 

I was amazed at the number of Corporals that were part of the 11th Pathfinder.

Jungle Jackets with the pathfinder qualification are hard to come by!

Now I need a black cap...

 

 

.

[gwb123]

Erik, Gil,

 

Here is one from the same unit.

 

 

I was amazed at the number of Corporals that were part of the 11th Pathfinder.

Jungle Jackets with the pathfinder qualification are hard to come by!

Now I need a black cap...

 

 

.

 

I believe Corporals at the time were considered "junior non-commissioned officers", where as a SP/4 was not.

 

Corporals and Sp/4's drew the same pay, so it was more of a prestige and chain of command issue.

[Andrei]

 

I believe Corporals at the time were considered "junior non-commissioned officers", where as a SP/4 was not.

 

Corporals and Sp/4's drew the same pay, so it was more of a prestige and chain of command issue.

The only corporal jungle jacket I ever have in my collection is also a pathfinder of the 25th aviation battalion.

[Sion]

Colonel Gillem was my Dragon Brigade CO when I commanded Headquarters Company, XVIII Airborne Corps, ca. 1983-85. Came to see me in Womack Army Hospital the night after I broke my leg in two places on a very windy, extremely dark night jump on Holland DZ at Fort Bragg. It meant a lot to me that he'd take his time to visit a banged-up Captain. He was and is one heck of a good man and a great leader. I'm proud to say I served under him.

[seanmc1114]

Erik, Gil,

 

Here is one from the same unit.

 

 

I was amazed at the number of Corporals that were part of the 11th Pathfinder.

Jungle Jackets with the pathfinder qualification are hard to come by!

Now I need a black cap...

 

 

.

 

 

 

I believe Corporals at the time were considered "junior non-commissioned officers", where as a SP/4 was not.

 

Corporals and Sp/4's drew the same pay, so it was more of a prestige and chain of command issue.

 

 

The only corporal jungle jacket I ever have in my collection is also a pathfinder of the 25th aviation battalion.

I think it was pretty standard during the Vietnam War that most if not all enlisted graduates of the Pathfinder Course were promoted to Corporal if not at least an E-4 already. I think the reasoning for at least promoting them to Corporal instead of Specialist 4 was that Pathfinders operated in small teams with a great deal of responsibility in directing aircraft and having to deal with senior officers frequently in the course of their tasks, so even the most junior member of a Pathfinder detachment would always be barking orders, even to senior NCO's and officers, though of course respectfully. The only other type of unit where you would frequently find corporals in Vietnam were artillery units for some reason.