This is actually the first bit of militaria that I ever received. My father brought this home from work when i was 5 or so. It was from a coworker by the name of James Consaul, if my father remembers spelling correctly. I am curious about the camo jacket because it appears to have reinforced elbow/forearms which I assumed was because of his airborne status. Also I was curious about the patches with regard to time period. Is the middle patch an Airborne unit patch? I have always wondered. Also if anyone has a way to find out any information about my father's friend, who now is deceased, that would be fantastic. Thanks.

patches

Jacket is a standard issue BDU of the period.They all had elbow reinforceing.Worn by all branches.This appears to be the heavy weight cloth/winter type shirt(dont recall the exact term)

 

RD

patches

The blue diamond patch looks like the standard Vietnam-70s era 1st Reconnaissance Bn patch. the current one is only slightly different from the 60s-70s bariant. the Third Force patch seems to be one of many variants available through exchange clothing sales stores and other civilian patch suppliers. Since I was never in 3rd,I can't tell you what era it is. The one with the EGA in the upper left, is one of the myriad of Marine themed patches that have been available through patrch and militaria suppliers for some time. I might add that unit patches have not been authorized for wear on uniforms (I don't know about the rules for leather/Nomex flying jackets for airdales) since some time after WW-II.

 

In Vietnam it was looser and, while not authorized, we sometimes wore our theater-made RT patch on out jungle utilities in base camp; it would depend on the 1st Sgt's mood whether he screwed with us or not about it) but we seldome wore them in the field and it was woe unto any Recon Marine caught somewhere outside the base camp (as in at the PX) with a patch on his utilities.