Vietnam
Gallery 6
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Close-up of in-country made Air Force Staff Sergeant rank chevrons.
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Nicknamed 'frog & leaf' by American Long Range Reconnaissance Patrol (LRRPs or "Lurps") in Vietnam, these ERDL pattern uniforms were produced beginning in 1967 (this set is dated 1969). ERDL derives its name from "Engineering, Research and Development Laboratories", where they were designed. The uniforms were initially produced with a predominately lime green base color, and later in brown. The woodland pattern BDUs worn today are simply an enlarged version of the ERDL camoflage pattern.
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Although there was widespread anti-war sentiment against the war in general, there was a great deal of support for American Prisoners Of War and Missing In Action, as exemplified by these two lapel pins.
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Viet Cong sandals constructed of pieces from old tires. Easily constructed and long-wearing, they were nicknamed "Ho Chi Minh slicks" by GIs. This pair was taken from a dead Viet Cong by Specialist 4th Class John Gordon, who served in the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Air Mobile) in Vietnam from 1968 to 1970. (Donated by John Gordon)
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Flag of the Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). There are several versions of the symbolism of the flag's design, among them being that it was created by the last Emperor of Viet Nam (Bao Dai); the red stripes represent the blood line of three regions within Vietnam (Tonkin, Annam, & Cocinchnina), while the deep yellow field represents the skin tone of the people. Flags such as this were sold widely throughout Saigon as souvenirs.
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The M67 fragmentation grenade is known as the "baseball grenade" because of its shape. It weighs approximately 14 ounces, and is filled with 6.5 ounces of Composition B type explosives; inside the steel body is a wrapping of scored steel wire to provide the fragmentation. The grenade can be thrown 130 feet by the average soldier. The effective casualty-producing radius is 50 feet, with a killing radius of 16 feet, although fragments can disperse up to 750 feet away.
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