FT.Monmouth1943 Posted May 21, 2020 Share #1 Posted May 21, 2020 Here’s the nicest M1951 field cap I’ve come across. The ear flaps have been cut off, there are master jump wings, a missing LTC rank, and on the back is Vietnamese embroidery of the officers call sign “Shamrock” and “Strike Force 2/502”. This cap belonged to COL (then LTC) Charles J. Shay who was the CO of 2/502nd Infantry. He was a highly decorated officer and had an interesting career spanning from enlisting in the Marines at 16 at the end of WWII to service in Korea and Vietnam. - Jakob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FT.Monmouth1943 Posted May 21, 2020 Author Share #2 Posted May 21, 2020 Here’s a photo of him wearing the cap in 1970: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted May 21, 2020 Share #3 Posted May 21, 2020 Great capSent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gwb123 Posted May 21, 2020 Share #4 Posted May 21, 2020 Very nice, and nicely documented as well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FT.Monmouth1943 Posted May 21, 2020 Author Share #5 Posted May 21, 2020 Thank you guys! The photo is definitely the icing on the cake. I wonder if the fatigues he’s wearing are floating around. I found it interesting that it appears his jump wings are directly embroidered on the pocket flap. - Jakob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted May 22, 2020 Share #6 Posted May 22, 2020 An officer of his caliber would have that done typically Imho you should restore the rank with the proper type and thread It would round out the capJust put a note unused cap stating that was done Owen Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doyler Posted May 22, 2020 Share #7 Posted May 22, 2020 appears he wearing a RANGER tab... this cap is typical of a Patrol Cap if he went through the Course in the 50s and early 60s.THe cap is a signature of the Rangers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cap Camouflage Pattern I Posted May 22, 2020 Share #8 Posted May 22, 2020 Amazing! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FT.Monmouth1943 Posted May 22, 2020 Author Share #9 Posted May 22, 2020 I’m pretty sure he went to ranger school around that time. His obituary mentions him being an Airborne Ranger, so I’m pretty sure that’s the tab he has over the 101st patch. He must’ve worn the cap a lot judging by the fading. I’ll probably end up getting a LTC rank sewn on. I wish there was a close-up photo of him wearing the cap to see if the rank is US or Vietnamese made, but since the jump wings are US made I’ll probably end up going with a US made rank unless y’all think otherwise. - Jakob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kammo-man Posted May 23, 2020 Share #10 Posted May 23, 2020 If he was promoted in nam then it would probably be a hand embroidered one to replace the old one Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sky eagle Posted May 23, 2020 Share #11 Posted May 23, 2020 The hat fits....Thank you for sharing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FT.Monmouth1943 Posted May 23, 2020 Author Share #12 Posted May 23, 2020 Thanks for the feedback! - Jakob Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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