Original Item: Only One Available. This is an outstanding piece of military history that would be welcomed into any collection. It is an exquisite US Army Dress Blues Uniform Peaked Visor that was worn by a General during the early years of the Vietnam War (1968-69). The cap is in remarkable condition with almost no signs of wear, and it seems to have been hardly used. The top celluloid lining has lost its original markings, but there are three letter stickers that indicate the name of the wearer - W[illiam] C[hilds] W[estmoreland] (WCW). This is a rare and unique find that would make an excellent addition to any military collection.

William Childs Westmoreland was a United States Army general, most notably commander of United States forces during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968. He served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1968 to 1972.

Westmoreland adopted a strategy of attrition against the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese Army, attempting to drain them of manpower and supplies. He also made use of the United States' edge in artillery and air power, both in tactical confrontations and in relentless strategic bombing of North Vietnam. Nevertheless, public support for the war eventually diminished, especially after the Battle of Khe Sanh and the Tet Offensive in 1968. By the time he was reassigned as Army Chief of Staff, United States military forces in Vietnam had reached a peak of 535,000 personnel.

Westmoreland's strategy was ultimately politically and militarily unsuccessful. Growing United States casualties and the draft undermined United States support for the war, while large-scale casualties among non-combatants weakened South Vietnamese support.

The cap is in a size 7 3/8, as marked on a small tag tucked inside the sweatband and is offered in excellent condition.

Comes more than ready for further research and display.

The Army Uniform Board appointed a special subcommittee on caps in 1950 to develop a cap design for the general duty uniform. The committee recommended a solid construction service cap in one shade, similar in design to the cap developed by the Quartermaster Corps for the Air Force in 1948. The Army adopted a modified version of this cap on September 9, 1954. The new cap was made of Army Green shade 44 wool serge with a black leather visor and chinstrap. It had a straight, high front and relaxed crown, and a bright brass disc with the US Coat of Arms was worn centered on the front. The cap was authorized for wear with both the summer khaki uniforms as well as with the Army Green Uniform. The same design in dark blue piped in yellow was also used for Dress Blue Uniform cap. The committee also decided that the olive drab wool and the khaki cotton garrison caps piped in branch colors would be replaced with a single pattern of garrison cap in Army green shade 44, wool serge piped in dark green.