Beret found in box of Vietnam veterans items. Looking to identify it??

[rrobertscv]

This was in a box of items I picked up this weekend. The box had several small items, like a toothbrush, a front sight and an automatic pistol magazine etc. Hoping someone can help me identify the patch on this beret. I figure with the Vietnam label it is something the veteran brought back home with him. Thanks for any help.

[Salvage Sailor]

ARVN 22nd Infantry

[Ivydiv]

The bullion beret badge is for the "Cao Dai" a private army of their Cao Dai religious sect based in Tay Ninh City

[Salvage Sailor]

There's the lead we were seeking, but I'm not finding that particular badge yet

 

The Cao Dai and its Militia 1926 – 1956

 

[patches]

Here's a Metal Version of this Badge, BUT, no ID for it is given.

 

It's from a German Antique Dealer who heavily Copyrights his Images.

https://www.weitze.fr/militaria/73/Republik_Vietnam_1955_1975_ARVN_Fruehes_Barett_fuer_die_Sued_Vietnamesische_Armee__370373.html

[patches]

Here one, Sold a while back.

 

Description of Item says 

 

Vietnamese Army Beret for Officer early period CAO/DAI; made of whip cord wool an has quite a few moth holes in it; the badge is gold bullion and in good condition; the original sweat shied is there with the makers label (PHUOC - HUNG / Saigon); size is 60; the sweat band is like new; if it was not for the mothing it would look like it was unissued.

[patches]

Yeah if you google CAO/DAI Beret you get a lot of images, some Berets in Black. But who actually wore these Berets right, these are 1960s-70s ARVN Berets.

 

Maybe after Diem was gone the former members now serving in the ARVN were allowed to wear this new Type Beret Badge???

 

Because (From a LA Times article in 1997)

 

The Hoa Hao fielded an army of 12,000 and the Cao Dai army numbered 20,000 until both were absorbed into the South Vietnamese military.
 

[patches]

[manayunkman]

Anyone know what the red insignia represents?

[doyler]

The Beret badge as I understand it is an early version of the ARVN Army and had been mislabeled the Cao Dai badge. More info surfaced on this a few years ago.  There is an extensive topic over on WAF as well I ran across. 

 

https://www.wehrmacht-awards.com/forums/forum/ken-jasper-international-militaria-forums/indo-china-wars-1945-1975/396818-the-cao-dai-debate?t=397097&highlight=cao+dai&fbclid=IwAR1hAAShTUNfQXIuWmDDp6JnT0jUxZtp11g47ZK0t1ucG72ug7lQMoxVb4o

[doyler]

Here is an original Cao Dai  Badge.

 

 

[doyler]

Here is one I got from a vietnam vet with a note he wrote. 

 

[manayunkman]

Cool beret what does the note say? 

 

 

[manayunkman]

On 5/8/2023 at 3:29 PM, rrobertscv said:

This was in a box of items I picked up this weekend. The box had several small items, like a toothbrush, a front sight and an automatic pistol magazine etc. Hoping someone can help me identify the patch on this beret. I figure with the Vietnam label it is something the veteran brought back home with him. Thanks for any help.

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