U.S. Army Logistics, Support & Supply:
Logistics Command, Specialist, RVN:
The diversity of 1st Log activities was astounding. Under its command were truck units, boat companies, railroad facilities, and airlift and airdrop capabilities. Almost every piece of Army equipment sent to Vietnam was processed, transported, issued, and maintained by the 1st Log. started by providing the Army troops with their tropical clothing, flak vests, and other bits of kit. Then their weapons of war, then they got their food, and ammunition, they went Post Exchanges made possible by the 1st l Log. and they gave them a lift often to the transfer station-and toe where they were sent to start their tour of duty. the 1st Log.
There were more than 700,000 tons of supplies coming in each month, a tough thing to keep control of-and unfortunately, much made its way to the Black Market rather than the troops in the field-always waiting at the end of the line.
A big part of the problem was much was moved by the local South-Vietnamese citizens, who offloaded and moved the supplies around the storage locations, not that some soldiers were on the take too. And the volume getting moved around was a huge task to keep organized.
It is impossible to know just how much actually made it into enemy hands, some did, and everyone else too, lots of money was made under the table-no doubt, I'm sure it's always been a problem in all wars, but this was likely the peak of it, some were prosecuted, but far too many. But it was a tremendous effort by the 1st Log, to keep organized in control of the situation.
I think there was a lot more loss than reported, The line troops were always in short supply of everything, and the base troops had everything, you can see it in photos even, the fact the soldier was paid quite poorly, and the Civilian was starving was not much incentive not to sell stuff to the Black Market Equipment was also lost simply because the extent of the logistical effort precluded careful tracking of all material. This problem was further exacerbated
during the Vietnamization process when the South Vietnamese proved less than able at mastering American managerial techniques.
They were very involved in the on-goings of the war, and moved as much equipment as possible, till they were ordered to come home, redeployed to Fort Hood on December 7, 1970, the 1st Log could look back upon more than five years of distinguished service.
1st LOG. BG. Specialist:
Amongst earning many awards like bronze and silver stars, Two Soldiers from the 1st Logistics received the Medal of Honor.
The uniforms of which I have a couple of 3 representations, might help the story of these people's importance, dedication, and disserved recognition for their duty, and service in the Vietnam War.
Their uniforms followed suit with all the other Army Soldiers at the time- and went through the same modifications and the change from full-color insignia to the subdued format.
Pretty nearly all were issued 56 types of fatigues when we officially went to Vietnam, but people had been there since the time of WWII really, there were un-uniformed American intelligence people all along, watching and reporting to...well who they reported to in the US. Government.
Their kit went through the same changes too, from WWII web gear to the various changes of gear during the war.
The meaning of the F.F. refers to Frank Fiske on his helmet cover. He had been in Germany, or likes to speak it, and has it written on the helmet too.
The soldier has his name on the back of the helmet foliage band, for recognition, but the band rarely held grass or branches, but everything else of the soldier’s personnel kit.
The helmet liner is a re-issue but in great refurbished shape-retaining the original clear coat over the fiber.
The Deuce and a Half Gun Truck:
Some trucks received armor plating around the bed, and some had the cabs surrounded in it too, with a couple of .50 caliber machine guns and/or 2 M-60s, of 7.62 mm. There was, such a demand for gun trucks to protect the convoys, that they were up-armed even by means- of using
1st Logistics Command, RVN, 1st Lieutenant:
The fact is without the 1st Logistical Command. There would have been no way they could have the building up Prior to 1965, as well as after it. The Army's ground forces and vehicle maintenance parts, and supplies were moved by the Army's Pacific Command by the U.S. Army Support Group, Vietnam, they served under the 9th Logistical Command in Okinawa. But even more, as needed.
One downside of supporting South Vietnam only had two deepwater ports. There was Da Nang large controlled by the Navy, the U.S. Navy used to provide logistical support to the Marines in I Corps, and the other was in Saigon, where most of the imported goods came in for the Vietnamese.
So, the 1st Logistical Command was called up to go to Vietnam. They had been formed and served in the Korean War, they came together at Fort Hood, Texas, and began their deployment, to Saigon on April 1, 1965. The decision to build up a major port at Cam Ranh Bay was made by USARV. They would use the DeLong pier, as they had large hydraulic lifting devices. It was the US. Army engineers that would be used to put it together. Cam Ranh was finished in record time, and it was magnificent. Soon Qui Nhon and Saigon built up too. It became known as Newport. At one point the 1st Division Log. The command was processing some 70,000 tons of incoming material per month, which increased to 700,000 tons a month, from ship to shore to where it was to be used.
The big harbors and the amount of material coming in fueled the war and made the 1st Logistical Command grow and was made up of smaller Separate Support Commands out of Saigon, Cam Ranh, and Qui-Nhon. Then in 1968, Army units began working with the Marines up in I Corps out of Da Nang. Note: On his collar is the 'Corps of Engineers in its subdued foremast, the Regular engineers helped and kept roads open, by grading and oiling them and looking for mines, the Corp of Engineers built up and repaired port facilities, using dredges, and barges, pile drivers, etc.
Each support command operated independently and was used in maintaining a constant flow of equipment to the various combat zones. The 1st Log's Main Logistical Operations Control Center was in Saigon.
Note: Lieutenant WEBB's insignia is all-similar, except the 'ARMY' tape is slightly different, and the 1st LOG patch is a country-made item. The problem with the HQ Control Center was it could not be located all in one building, it was distributed throughout the city causing a very big problem for the star, by 1967, 1st Log headquarters was moving to Long Binh, thirty kilometers northeast of Saigon, and also USARV. would also make a home there.
The 1st Logistics, Support Command was the largest single unit, served in the Republic of Vietnam. some 50,000. troops were there by the middle of the war. This Lieutenant may have been stationed dockside, at the start of the logging, lifting and moving whatever was coming off the ships. Rather than at the end of the line, out in the fields and to the Helicopter bases and forward firebases and the like.
Duce and a half cargo truck: Truck drivers have been a part of every war since World War I, but the folks protecting those trucks, became more and more important, and today there is a huge, amount of people and vehicles used to protect this vital operation of support for the man in the field.
The Deuce and a Half 6 x 6 Truck: The 5 and 1/2-ton trucks of the Vietnam conflict, were nearing the end of their careers, yet they had been a long line of trucks that had changed the outcome of WWII and used in Korea, having been upgraded threw a couple of different styles-they were the toughest trucks ever. Like the Huey Helicopter- the Deuce and a Half Truck-everybody knew what they were, and did-they were the ride in and the ride out much of the time.
1st Lieutenant, of Engineers, assigned to the Transportation Corps, might have worked with the Wrecker or Road clearing unit or keeping the roads cleared of mines, and the bridges operating. on nearly a Dailey occurrence the highway threw South Vietnam was being watched, and mined, bobby traps put on the sides of the road where ambushes were planned, around hairpin comers and confined areas, the need by the Communist to cut the supply lines was a maximum effort, though I think the mission fell on local VC more often than not-hit and run tactics in general.
So in Vietnam, obviously the weakest link in the doing war business, is to cut the chain of supplies, and at this, the Vietnamese Enemy, was well learned in the ways of killing, and the art of war-fair, and knew every blind corner, or bridge on the highway system. And they were good at it and effective with their hit-and-run-when-needed tactics, they always sprung the trap on their terms and timing, and they were a respected, and feared enemy to deal with. It wasn’t long I imagine before it was clear heavy weapons support was going to be needed to try and protect the convoys of trucks full of precious fuels and supplies, bombs, ammunition, etc. and guns began to make their appearance on the backs of Duce and a Halfs, and 5 Ton trucks, then they tried to armor them up and were specially made for different operations using anything from the 7.62mm M-60, and .50 Caliber M2 Machine Guns, to Quad-50 Cal. Gun Mounts, and Electrically Driven, Belt-Fed Gatling Guns, from Helicopters called “Mini-Guns”
Lieutenant, Transport, 1st Army (Stateside 1960s):
After serving in WWII, the First Army returned to the United States late in 1945, they come home and lodged at Fort Jackson (NC), then were moved to Fort Bragg (NC), then moved again to Fort Jay, on Governors Island (NY) in 1946. They later supplied the US army with soldiers and equipment during the Korean War. Then in 1966, First Army was relocated to Fort Meade (MD), where they began training and supplying troops for the Vietnam War as it was building up and took over the responsibilities of the Second Army that then was inactivated.
When the US pulled out of Vietnam for the most part by 1973, the First Army's mission was changed from training and preparation of active regular Army units to Army Reserve units. In 1993 they had a reorganization, and five divisions carried out training and support missions.
The uniform is not a Vietnam uniform, but it fits in here because it’s the only other Transport uniform I have from the era, and represents the state-side training, as soldiers, and the supply chain.
18 Engineer Brigade in RVN:
Now the term Engineer has meant different types of soldiers and Miners, but the WWII and Vietnam, as well as present Army Engineers, are very overlooked, the Marines have the Navy Seabees, and they need to be recognized too.
Army Bases did not build themselves, nor did the perimeters bunkers, and fields of fire, layers of barbed wire fences, and rolls of it all over, and layers of mines-all this- and the nearby roads are kept in good shape, the local highways, and roughs of transportation need to be kept open.
In Vietnam, the soldiers of the 18th Engineer Brigade provided their supportive duties to pretty much all the US. Army Units in-country, clearing roads of mines, bunker building, and trenches, including building construction, engineering, laying concrete, and mechanical work with other Army projects.
During World War II the brigade had served in European Theater. It earned a Distinct Unit citation, on 10 February 1966. The four corners of the crenelated square allude to their four campaigns in World War II, Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Note the patch of the 20th Engineer Brigade on his left shoulder, there are two upright swords in the center of the square.
When the 18th Engineer Brigade deployed to Vietnam, they stayed for some six long years of combat service, they supported fourteen campaigns, loads of infrastructure building, and repair for both military and local civilian projects. They worked on innumerable road construction projects over those years and participated in building several airfields, also they had helped many infantry units clear fields of fire, and in road clearing missions.
After their time in Vietnam, it came back to the States, and the brigade was assigned to the 'Seventh Army'. They continued with their work of fabricating buildings and maintaining the US. Army facility's, same work-no bullets going overhead. They have served with the US. Army Europe, participated in Operation Desert Storm, also, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom, never faltered in their work, they are professionals and have tremendous pride in their work.
The 18th Engineer Brigade (as it were in Theater) is currently a subordinate unit of 21st Sustainment Command, headquartered at Conn Barracks in Schweinfurt, Germany.
The Uniform Shirt is the standard M-56 Fatigue type, Green much as was seen by the later '60s, when they started getting replaced by the Jungle Fatigues, it does retain the common by then 'Subdued Insignia' and on the collar the pin-on metal type.
Find /Reshoot uniform 18th ENGR. #2',
Army Engineers, RVN: In-country, one’s race I think was not a huge issue but I guess for some when they came back to the states, sometimes it made a big deal again for some, that couldn't deal with what happened there I suppose and friends influence and some didn't want to remember. It shows how in times of need we can bond and work together to keep each other alive, but then when things get normal again were forced by society to change back, and that's a shame.
Specialist Mullins 504 MP Bn:
This uniform shirt represents one that my good friend Tom Mullens when he came home from Vietnam, from what I have gathered when he was coming home, the War had taken a very unpopular turn in the States, in 1969, and he soon found a garbage can and ditched it one in the airport, dawning civilian clothing-to ditch the protesters.... a very disturbing situation indeed.
The uniform he gave me long ago, I think when he was “Watching us” as a babysitter role, I was in my early teens maybe, a friend of the family still, we keep in good communication. He had taken many pictures I guess, but they were confiscated from him when he was coming home I guess, heavens would want any of that getting out? I’ll ask him to jot down a story here someday.
I have his class A uniform, much of it still together, back when I was just in my early teens, and he had watched out for me while my parents were on a trip to Hawaii or somewhere. And we talked a little then about the Vietnam War. He is still very much a friend too. He Was a very successful businessman and has a wife and 2 sons now too, all grown up. Me and Tom still “Shoot the shit from time to time”.
Note: I believe I messed up though, and the CIB was issued to “Infantrymen” only and is incorrect I think for his uniform (My Mistake) and I will re-shoot this. Also the “Rifleman Award” is on the wrong side, and I’ll fix this, I was confused about where his MP badge went I think, and I do not have it, he may have had to turn it in when he left the military.
Protestors: I had a bug huge spiel on this subject written down here, and it may have been wrong and out of line, I’ll leave it out of here, they don’t want the page to do anything about them, it’s about the men and women that were called on, and then went and they served their country, all the rights and wrong are for somewhere else. The media will play their spin on it a portray some political aspect of it, but it’s the people we have to remember, their uniform story, one by one each tells a little bit more, a point in time, and event, what went on for them helps to paint the bigger picture. Tease are the stories of these soldier’s conflicts in war and peacetime operations.
81st BRG. 504th MP, Specialist Mullens, RVN:
Specialist Mullens 504 MP Bn:
Now we get to the ever-famous MP Helmet Liner, again, this did not come home, and we have only photos of other MPs with them on, and there do seem to be variations here too, with hand-painted insignias, and decals. But in general, were close here, with the standard white and red band on it, white MP on the front over gloss black paint on the outside of the liner.
Again, this helmet has the 18th MP brigade. shoulder patch represented on it, I had bought the decal- and it looked good but fell apart upon application, as did the red-white band, etc., so all had to be done by hand, and I think the artist did a great job. This was all done over an original helmet mind you, that was just too hammered to display with a track outfit.
The 504 here copied from a picture, is a little different than some I've seen as there was an opened type top on the 4 sometimes, and many were written in a smaller size. I however think this looks great and fills the part well.
There are chips and ruffed up edges of the liner are all period still, and only the markings were re-done for the photoshoot. Keep in mind the MPs had a price on their head in Vietnam and the bright paint job and tape on the helmet liner was not too popular and felt like a target painted on their forehead! some of the steel pots looked this way too, but in the field, they often used an un-marked helmet.
Now this liner came with no chin strap hooks, or helmet pot provided.
For more information on helmets, I recommend the site: http://home.mweb.co.za/re/redcap/vietnam.htm and if you want to restore one, I recommend 'Top-Pots'. I've had to wait, but it's worth it, tope of the linework.
81st MP. Bg. 504th MP. Bn. in the RVN: Here is an actual period photo, that shows an MP, with the Badge on his uniform. The picture shows us just how young these soldiers were, and still are for that matter, Many would join with patriotic duty, and many would be also drafted during the Vietnam Period, and though they may have been with odds, or in school, or, at least questioning the US role in Vietnam, they too went, and they did what was asked of them, the best they could. They went to the Central Highlands too. Information about these combat highwaymen is slim, they performed operations, like escorting convoys, and keeping a check on military traffic, civilian vehicles, and also pedestrians; as well as maintaining route security.
Some of the highwaymen on the roads of Vietnam were known as the 'Road-Runners'? The nickname of the U.S. Army's, B Company, 504th Military Police Battalion. This is a Statewide uniform, and at this time attached to the 3ed Army, this is their Patch. He wears the 3rd Army Patch on the MP Band, I want to say these were in the pocket, and the uniform 'had' this set likely in a box now of DUIs...but bereave there were 2 sets of DUIs with the uniform, maybe changed one time. These men patrolled the notorious road known as Route 1 (Highway 1) from Nha Trang to Bong Son, Route 19 from Qui Nhon to Pleiku, and Route 14 from Pleiku to Kontum.
Specialist, Mullins has his “name tape” here in the subdued format, and the shirt itself is the original cotton style fatigues, this seems to be what the powers that be wanted the MPs to look like-even in the field, their gear was spit-shined, polished, and track! though, some were able to obtain the lighter-jungle type uniforms for use in vehicles and outside the base operations.
This is what I have for Mr. Mullins, as plain as it gets, this is the way it would have appeared out of the box-per say, for his Vietnam issue fatigues, I think the troops received 3 pairs, and one may have been kept in reserve of those for say- Roll Call, and on-base affairs, Parade, and award ceremonies, etc.
I don't know the absolute regulations, Go with what I see and hear from the guys I make uniforms for, but I think it was this 1969 period that you begin to see the soldier’s rank appear on the collars in the metal form and Tom has them here, all has yet to be confirmed from him, but officers still got to wear the cloth ones if needed I think. As I see it, this is how most of the Military Policemen looked while in Vietnam, and this is how I envision Tom looking as well. He is proficient with the M-16, he also was trained in the use of theM-14, .45 Auto, and 80mm Mortar, the M-79 Grenade Launcher, and the various Hand Grenades, and Smoke, Tear Gas and I assume the M-60 Machine-gun as well as LAW Rocket, this shows the shape of the MP Band that was generally seen in Vietnam.
This is one I tried to reproduce for the uniform but is a late pattern (Very Wide) 1990's style, and larger type of He had given me his-Vietnam made MP (Military Police) Brassard, it looked much like this, that is in shape-but was the black plastic style-with the subdued patch applied to it. , and doesn't really cut it either....someday the real one will show up again (I hope), or I will cut this down and make it correct. Now I guess Tom preferred an old Thompson submachine gun for personal protection, which he procured somewhere, and the stock was removed from it and carried an M-79 with buckshot, or beehive round in it.
I assume the uniform was pretty much the normal issue for him and his outfit, the 504th for their tour. and the subdued style stateside fatigues was the standard, not jungle fatigues, it would have been completed with matching trousers, with jungle boots, while in the Ford Mutts, and V-100s was the flak vest was generally worn.
Tom had once told me he had a Boonie had he wore in-country and had the grenade pins on it and all that...so I tried to reproduce that as well, I did add the Specialist rank to the front, as this was common practice, hope I got it close Tom. So rather than the hat in the uniform picture, this is what wore, a green Boonie-with the loops cut out of it.
I believe he said he had worked mostly with prisoner control, and movement to their containment areas, and/or interrogation facilities. Occasionally he did convoy running on Highway one and has spoken of riding in the back seat of the V-100 Armored Car Vehicles on those operations. Here is the common subdued, “in-country made” 18 MP Brigade Patch.
Also, in Flak Vest pockets I added M-16 Magazines and Medical Aid - Wound Kits, just for examples of what else was sometimes carried by these soldiers on Prisoner Controlling Missions and the Highway - Convoy Runs.
This is my perception of my good friend bonnie cap in Vietnam, he liked the Boonie hat, and personalized it by cutting all the loops off it., I believe he still has it. These Soldiers patrolled along many notorious stretches of road as Route 1 from Nha Trang to Bong Son, Route 19 from Qui Nhon to Pleiku, and Route 14 from Pleiku to Kontum, into the Central Highlands none was routine, all were dangerous.
MP's and Prisoners: Some of the MP's job was to contain North Vietnamese, and VC prisoners', and go bring them, if possible, near where they've been captured, they did little of the interrogation of these people, Intelligence or rather Counter-Intelligence people would do that, or sometime ARVN intel. But then they guarded the US. Prisoners are as well unfortunately many US. soldiers went AWOL, or refused orders, fragged officers, or raped a Vietnamese girl and the like...not a good place to be in Jain in Vietnam during the war I should think.
81sy MP. BG., 18th MP BN. Sentry Dog Ha, RVN:
Police Dogs were used also to detect land mines, and explosives, booby traps, enemy weapons caches, Rice, and even the enemy in concealment. They lead patrols, and in general, liked by the infantrymen, they brought some relief at night when they slept, and most people just like dogs...unless of course, you're the enemy, then there is complete terror!
These special animals, and soldiers’ fate, was quite unfair, as they were either put to sleep when the US pulled out or left to an unknown fate. I would not be surprised if some were eaten. A sad legacy for these war heroes, and who did an exceptional service, and their masters and trainers to, all lost a bit of themselves when these dogs were lost.
Not the first dog handler in the collection, perhaps not the last, this is a representation of one of the handlers who worked the parameters of base camps and secured the gates at the US. Military Compounds all over the Vietnam area of operations. One would imagine this is still done today wherever US troops are stationed.
Looking like he is prepared for a long walk during a hot day, the vest did not help in this weather much but did give some comfort of a safer feeling. This MP is prepped for a perimeter duty with his critter to search and make sure all is as it seems along the outside wire. Often the vest was used on vehicle seats and sat on for more comfort rather than what they were designed for.
He and his dog will sniff out any tunnels, and frag them if they find them, he's got a flashlight to look in any spider holes and pull out and diggers, or sappers that may be preparing an assault, or observing the camp. The flash could also let US troops he was out there, and used as ID for the dog handler, so his own jittery troops won’t shoot him. He carries 4 extra frags, and 4-M-16 magazines on his web belt, as well as 2 canteens, and other gear. the 4 magazines were not have a lot of comforts, and this was like 5 seconds worth of shooting, some men took to taking 2 x 20 round magazines together and doubling their supply of ammunition. the modified magazine led to Colt Arms, and side companies - enlarging the magazines to 30 rounds later. The Military Policemen and the dog handlers went through much training, for their MOS, all post-infantry school, and the boot camp break-in period. they got loads of shots, and training in various weapons as well as jeep and truck driving, and armored vehicle operation for some. Specialist Coleman here has one of the jungle fatigue warm weather jackets, it may have been obtained from an off base store or the PX, and possibly an issued item, this is not clear, but is laid out in typical subdued fashion. The MP battle-ax patch is made like the jacket’s material - cloth, as is the SENTRY DOG.
The handlers Sentry Dog, rocker added to 18 MP Patch, subdued on an olive-green plastic, locally made brassards with all subdued form, the brassard is made of plastic material, and pinned at the sop of to the jacket, it has Velcro on the back a rare item at the time. This uniform got the works, jacket, shirt helmet ...and added a bunch of ger in the first few shots, to show some of what they might carry doing the perimeter searches. The uniforms are rarely shot with someone wearing them- just don't have the time or energy-or people that can wear them...but it looks a lot better when I can do those kinds of shoots. As per-norm, there is little ID on the jungle-fatigue shirt. name, branch, and unit are it. And the shirts Brigade patch with Sentry Dog rocker. He has a medium green tee-shirt, and regular fatigue trousers, with a beat-up Boonie cape for off duty and when needed to do his job. this would be a common look for an off-duty soldier.
His Boonie carries the 18th MP insignia, in a nonstandard size, in fact, it is just a cheap metal pin, bought at a store-as a trinket like an item, a nonmilitary DI item, but it serves the purpose for recognition, and the short, brimmed hat, is identifiable as his. His individual statement and seen more and more in the latter stages of the war folks got away it in all branches, but MP in all branches are regulated groups, and they often work with officers to protect them.
MP V-100 Commander:
Truck drivers being a part of every war since World War I, but the folks protecting those trucks, became more and more important, and today there is a huge, amount of people and vehicles used to protect this vital operation of support for the man in the field. The MPs of Vietnam helped to protect these unarmed vehicles at a pivotal time in our involvement in that conflict. We've got Sergeant Alfred P. James here, he's with the 504th MP Battalion, another part of the 18th Military Police Brigade, operating out of the towns of Phu Thanh and Phu Bai, in the Republic of Vietnam in 67-69 period of the War. His jacket and CVC (Combat Vehicle Crewman) helmet, helmet cost me bit, but the wife was making him ditch it, that is the interesting part of this uniform. "After High School, I went and joined the Army", I volunteered for Army and the Military Police. Thinking I could be stationed near Home, I kept trying the get to Fort Louis, but not till 1967 did I get there, where I came up for leave, The 504th sent me to Vietnam, where I ended up doing two hitches, back-to-back with that outfit. The 504th had been in the country since August of 1965, they had come from Fort Lewis where they had been stationed since 1962. By the time I was in Vietnam, your carrier could take one of two paths; either you did the basic beat cop routine, or you ended up on convoy duty, I got the latter, and landed in a platoon that ran back and forth from attempting to protect the supply vehicle convoys running a down the highway on a daily basis. Soon as I arrived in-country The enemy, had decided to step up its game of control of the main supply routes, of route 19 to the combat units fighting in An Khe and there at Pleiku. The enemy had been able to do this to the previous French Forces that had been there and figured they would be able to do it to us as well. The first major ambush of a U.S. supply convoy took place on 2 September 1967, there were some 40 vehicles from the 8th Transportation Group, and they were returning from Pleiku. By the time they had reached the An Khe Pass they were already spread out, a mechanical breakdown of a fuel tanker truck splitting them up into smaller vulnerable groups’
As it was getting dark, the forward jeep of the column was hit, simultaneously the rear convoy was attacked, this enemy knew what they were doing, and they were doing it well, soon the rumbling fuel tanker began to burn intensely. We got out of that mess, but the message was clear, enemy tactics had changed. This switch in enemy tactics forced a change in U.S. logistical operations for the rest of the war. Thus the "Hardened Tactical Convoy" was developed, Many Deuce and a Half, M-35 2 1/2 ton and 5-ton trucks, as well as Jeep-like M151-Mutts, and munitions carriers got armor applied to them and various types of firepower was installed on mounts in them, the "Gun-Truck" was brought into the game in the divisional and corps arms assets, and the MP's followed suit, armoring up their vehicles, and also requested some special vehicles to assist with the protection of the convoy. This MP Brassard, is of the water-proof plastic variety, more often seen in the post-war period, the variation of wide apart MP, it may an in-country made item.
They armored up their jeep,, that slowed them down and made them top-heavy, so then they received some M-113's, but the thing about the M one thirteen, is it's not really armored, they were aluminum! and not overly fast really, and they were loud, more or a rocket magnet really, is designed to work with real Armor-Tanks and to protect the soldiers in the back from shrapnel as opposed to direct fire.
The hot weather Hat made famous in the " Platoon " movie, with his Sergeant rank applied to it, in an all to common fashion. In World War II the 504th served in Tunisia; Sicily, Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France the Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace; and Central Europe. Small arms fire-that was not the real problem, but they drew heavy arms, 51 Cal, and RPG fire...that was a different ballgame. But anything was better an open jeep I guess, so that's what we had thrown 67, till the Cadillac V-100 "Commando" armored cars arrived for us to use, and they would work quite well for running down the highways.
Armed with a single .50 or two .30 caliber browning machine guns in a turret, we had an M-60 mounted for the back of the rig, and we had M-79 grenade launchers with us. A wheeled vehicle, it was big, heavy, fast, quiet, and able to keep up with the light jeeps and hot-footed truckers as they hauled butt down the road. When we got attacked, we would generally try to run right damn through it, relying on the turrets to train their guns on the enemy and going flat out, but trucks would take hits, and run over mines, and we would sometimes have to stop to assist them, we'd dismount, and provide radio Como, and protect them, providing out fire support tell help arrived, or the road cleared.
After the end of my second tour, I went back to the HQ unit at Fort Lewis, I stayed with them the 504th was disbanded in 1972. I'd gotten married, Marge and I had been dating since I was in Dupont, back in high school, we bought a house, and I was thinking, I might do two more tours of Vietnam before I would retire.
Stuff doesn't always work out as you plant it though, I ended up in the local sheriff's department, and put my experiences to use, keeping an eye on that community. Typical of the MP in Vietnam, he has a jungle fatigue jacket, this one is one of the second pattern types, many MPs stayed with their continental pattern fatigues, and they followed the regulations into the subdued type of identification, and insignia. Al James retired in 2009. He and Marge sold their home in Dupont, hitting the road for warmer climates, turning around in their RV.
The uniform showed up in one of their relative’s yard sales, having not been thrown away from mildew damage like the others, and his hand-painted helmet he had hand-painted to suit-the unit’s designation, and we got some of his Vietnam experience, and the uniforms story, time with Marge, and some photos.
These were made under multiple contractors but nearly all the same. The 504th served in Vietnam the Defense and Counteroffensive of Tet 68 and 69 tell the Cease-Fire, went they returned home.
MP' V-100 in Vietnam: The crews of these vehicle's played an important part in the sustainment of the troops in Vietnam, and because they did their job very well, the roads stayed open to using, and that directly affected the troops in the field, because, without food and ammo, you can't fight effectively. Get one thing straight, the U.S. Soldier did not lose the war, the politicians and the people that make the bullets and bombs started and finished our involvement in that war.
If they get that close-were in serious trouble, but the VC were sneaky kinda fella and in a crowded street-right next to you, then a scattergun is sweet, aiming for general body mass.
These vehicles were and exclusive to the military police, for the most part, some recognition, and the like were used, and at air bases, but MPs used the most. With the Cadillac-Gauge Turret, they have 2x .30 Caliber Browning on one side, there were reconfigured to an m-2 and m-1918, or removed, and a weapon mounted on the outside of the hatch.
Another dolled-up V-100 Commando from the Vietnam War, MP units, looks like the machine gun is mounted on the top of the turret, and even .50 Cal. Browning’s were used at a time, these were a very effective long-range suppression weapon. In the rear right side of the vehicle sat the radio operator, under a hatch by the engine, he too sometimes mounters a flex weapon, generally an M-60 seen in that position. One of the 504th V-100 vehicles, armed with what was then called mini-guns, are 2 30 caliber browning machine guns of vintage use, they have been allowed here to name-and apply a mascot in the painted form here to this vehicle, this early turret was known and the Cadillac turret, sometimes one of the weapon's was removed from inside the turret and then was mounted on a flex mount on the top of the turret.
Other than the Fuel Tankers and Gun-Trucks, and other various vehicles used actually in the convoys, these would be the more common MP vehicles used in the columns, the M151 Mutt, V-100 Commando, 1 1/2 Ton (Deuce and a Half) Truck, were the fast-runners....sometimes known as Road Runners.
81st Brigade. MP Vietnam River Division:
And now for something completely different as they say.... a water-cop, an MP, in Vietnam, assigned to work with the Riverine Forces. Activated during the Vietnam War, the Brigade oversaw all Military Police operations in the country for a large portion of the conflict, undertaking a wide variety of missions throughout the country and providing command and control for other military police groups in the region. Members of the Brigade performed a wide variety of missions including evacuation of prisoners of war, security of vessels and ports, convoy escort, security of vital installations and VIPs, maintenance of discipline, law, and order, and direct support to combat operations.
There were 18th Brigade units that had performed Police duties and were involved in determining and intense battles in the Mekong Delta during 'Tet of 68' and in Bien Hoa, and the Central Highlands, but there was fighting all over-so MP's ended up all over in response, often having to call in more support one would think. Note that the 81st MP Brigade, and the 504th MP Battalion, wore the same patch, of a shield with two battle axes and a sword in the center. As you can see there was even a River Boat Detachment! Both Shield Patch and the River Patrol Scroll are Subdued "In-Country" made in Vietnam. in and around 1969 most of the patches were becoming the subdued green-black issue, for obvious reasons.
The 18th served in all the corps tactical zones in the Republic of Vietnam, during its stay there, and did that the whole time, ranging from Da Nang in the upper end to Soc Trang in the southern end. in the highland and coast, all the major cities, and into the jungle at times, and up and down the waterways of the Mekong Delta. The uniform of course is unobtainable, and most never left Vietnam quite likely, But I feel this very well represents one of these Men, and so in doing a cap is provided with the uniform and well as his helmet. The blouse would have been seen throughout the deployment there, eventually, jungle gear replaces all the prior cold war designed uniforms, for use in Europe, though even in the end sometimes the M56 Field Jacket was still seen in-country.
He would have carried the typical MP Gear on him, whistle, pistol, and handcuffed, with his jungle boots and trousers as well. The 18th Military Police Brigade is in Grafenwoehr, Germany, as of recent, and it provides law enforcement and force protection duties to support US Army in Europe. They served in Yugoslavia from 1991-to 92, and in 2003, 04, 7, and 2008 they were deployed to Iraq.
The next couple rows of pictures show a 504th ML Helmet Liner (Alternative):
I do not have a third 504 uniform to put this with but have acquired another 504th MP helmet liner, and we have it fixed up, one of my obsessions is finding these, then dumping a bunch of work into them, and making the helmets all beautiful, better than new sometimes, that likely obliterates any authenticity completely away...but they look far better. It's one of those things I can't help myself with. This was not done by me, I have a friend far away that has a hell of a knack at refurbishing these, get one take some pictures, and send him, and he takes great pride in his work too, as he should, a near-impossible task sometimes, I have fixed up many helmets, but his make mine look like child's play. The thing that makes this helmet different than the others it the 504th DUI painted on the side of it rather than the 81st MP Brigade insignia, or 81st BRG. DUI., on the side of it. the 504 numeral on the side is more stylized on this the white and red stripe was the norm there in Vietnam, 2 colors were common in the RVN sometimes a blue and red were seen too.
Vietnam MP. I don't know but I suspect these men were just like any other 19-20 year old's and some kickback, or a Beer or Two in the off-time was something to look forward to but there wasn't much of it.
The 504th MP in Vietnam:
The 504 earned, the Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1965-1966, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1968-1970, the Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for IRAQ 2003-2004, Army Superior Unit Award for 1994-1995, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1966-1972, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1970. This is a bit overlapping the Battalion DUIs and I don't know the Reg's there, how the command operates, I guess. This was on my friend’s Green Class A's, a set he had kept at his parents’ house. He gave me some time back.
Vietnam Era MP Badge: Th MP, was issued a badge with a number on it, and I should think they still do.
The 504th ML Helmet Liner “Alternative’s” (see next set of pictures): I didn’t have a third 504 uniform to put this with but have acquired another 504th MP helmet liner, and we have it fixed up, one of my obsessions is finding these, then dumping a bunch of work into them, and making the helmets all beautiful, better than new sometimes, that likely obliterates any authenticity completely away...but they look far better. It's one of those things I can't help myself with. This was not done by me, I have a friend far away that has a hell of a knack at refurbishing these, get one take some pictures, and send him, and he takes great pride in his work too, as he should, a near-impossible task sometimes, I have fixed up many helmets, but his make mine look like child's play. The thing that makes this helmet different than the others it the 504th DUI painted on the side of it rather than the 81st MP Brigade insignia, or 81st BRG. DUI., on the side of it. the 504 numeral on the side is more stylized on this the white and red stripe was the norm there in Vietnam, 2 colors were common in the RVN sometimes a blue and Red were seen too.
Vietnam MP. I don't know but I suspect these men were just like any other 19-20 year old's and some kickback, or a Beer or Two in the off-time was something to look forward to but there wasn't much of it.
3ed Army MP's controlling Demonstrators. Prior to their deployment to the Vietnam Conflict, The men of the 504h, then serving under the 3ed Army, were sent to various Draft Card Burning, Protesting events, My friend Tom served with the Savannah Riot Squad for a while trying to keep the peace here in the state of Georgia. The 503rd as far as I can tell was part of the same, as this is the 503rd MP Battalion with the Third Army suppressing protestors and rioters.
The Protestors, and Peacenicks:
To some, it might have been understandable to protest the war as was not really a sound war, but to take it out on those who answered the call, and served did not deserve the treatment they received from their fellow AMERICANS, but after the Tet offensive in 1968 (that the Northern Forces actually Lost), The media of the time only served to help the North Vietnamese in their propaganda, to create doubt amongst the older, and rage in the young. And the politics to out a president should have nothing to do with the Military people coming home. it would take forty more years to start to clean up the stain on America.
The typical teenage kids at the time, many were good people, but some were just Draft Dodgers, and frankly choose to burn their Draft Cards, and ran to Canada, losing their citizenship! Disgusted at the war's situation, and his unwillingness to fight the War, there was near zero support for the American Soldier, while getting disgruntled Veterans to vent their rage on the White House, and going so far as to wave the Enemies Flag down the street, and throwing ...human waste at the troops when they came home and were at the airport, a deplorable scene, and really quite out of line.
The 504th MP in Vietnam:
The 504 earned, the Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1965-1966, Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for VIETNAM 1968-1970, the Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for IRAQ 2003-2004, Army Superior Unit Award for 1994-1995, Republic of Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm for VIETNAM 1966-1972, Republic of Vietnam Civil Action Honor Medal, First Class for VIETNAM 1970. This is a bit overlapping the Battalion DUIs and I don't know the Reg's there, how the command operates, I guess. This was on my friend’s Green Class A's, a set he had kept at his parents’ house. He gave me some time back.
Vietnam Era MP Badge: Th MP, was issued a badge with a number on it, and I should think they still do, and they looked something like this, not this one is in 'FOB' for of pocket hanger, so could easily be swapped to whatever the uniform of the day would be, and they looked something like this, not this one is in 'FOB' for of pocket hanger, so could easily be swapped to whatever the uniform of the day would be.
I have gotten to the point where I realize I am not going to be able to get all of these people’s uniforms together, so I’ll show the Cold War Era Helmets, just to show them:
As it became a very unpopular war, and there were riots and mishaps with national guardsmen in the states.... being in the army was the only way for many people though, and many who did not go to Canada or figure out a way to not get drafted-that demanded decent grades in college, and/or get married. No, a lot of fellows join, to get a job, period, the needed to acquire a trade, an occupation, the get in it, because it was inevitable, and you could get a shorter stint in the military, or with a draft, dodge the inevitable... or for some get with the outfit of their picking, with the promise of staying with you friend. It is interesting as it is all black-no DI or Brigade Insignia or identification, generic if you will. A friend of mine said he avoided wearing these, in the Vietnam, always feeling like there was a target on his head....and perhaps that is why this one only carries the MP designation. I have no idea actually if these are Vietnam Era, I am presuming co, this was the parade-style, that no one was comfortable in it over in country.
MPs in the Khaki / Summer or Tropical Dress Uniform:
MP in Tropical-khakis, 1960's: There were times when the Hemet liner was not used, in Saigon, like maybe no, but about anywhere else in Vietnam, the liners all the time, unless you were in camp, or in your Hooch, or guard duty, then you had your steel pot over it, and on road trips. The MP (right) is wearing the 'Class 2' as it was known then, Khaki uniforms in shirt and trouser form.
As it became a very unpopular war, and there were riots and mishaps with national guardsmen in the states, and MPs called in to help with Police work. Being in the army was the only way for many people though, being in trouble with the law, or draft number coming up, and many who did not go to Canada or figure out a way to not get drafted, like getting decent grades in college, and/or get married? find someone to sign off on a medical problem, what have you. But, no, a lot of fellows joined, to get a job, period, the needed to acquire a trade, an occupation, the get in it, because it was inevitable, and you could get a shorter stint in the military by joining, there was the buddy system, join with a friend and stay together, but that never worked out (deliberately), but if you ran, you were in trouble. But the renegades, were in fact eventually pardoned, buy the new President! (in a slap to those who went) and many came back home, feeling they had won in the long run, and they had. Many went AWOL when on leave, even in-country some American soldiers decided to run rather than serve.
