Who doesn't love a jungle jacket, this classic Vietnam icon that was both functional and an extremely well fitting garment. But this isn't just a standard jungle jacket, it's the patches that truly make this standard out. This had the iconic and much sought after 'Special Forces' SSI and matching Airborne tab. Beneath the SF SSI you can just make out an outline of what I believe is a 173rd airborne SSI. Given the perfect ageing, wear and puckering of the patches, I can confidently say this was worn by a Green Beret, who had likely already served with the 173rd. Unfortunately, as ever with a piece like this, I cannot guarantee this was used in Vietnam, and it could be a postwar jacket.
I can't say exactly, as I haven't found any clear records, but this could have belonged to Kenneth W.Henry, who served two tours in Vietnam. His first tour was in 1966 with a Logistical Unit stationed at Qin Yan. He returned for a second tour in 1970-71 with Military Assistance Command Vietnam Studies and Observations Group (MAC V SOG), Command and Control Central (CCC) / Task Force 2 Advisory Element (TF2AE) assigned to the Hatchet Forces. Master Sergeant (E-8) Henry processed out of the Army in 1977 after fourteen years’ service with twenty-four months in Vietnam. There is certainly further research that could be done on this piece. Kenneth would be sense from both the timeframe of the jacket - it was made in 1970 and his rank at the time, but I could well be wrong on this, I haven't found any further details of this service.
Condition
Used and worn, but no damage at all.
Size
- Tagged a size medium/short
- Fits a modern large
- Pit to pit 23"
- Shoulder to shoulder 18.5"
- Shoulder to cuff 23"
- Collar to hem 29"