Item:
ONJR24APCB072

Original U.S. Vietnam War Era Major General Roland Haddaway del Mar Named “Green Service” Uniform Peaked Visor Cap With Bullion Embroidered Insignia - Commander 1st Armored Division (August 1960 – May 1961)

Item Description

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 Green” 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 still retains the “Flight Ace” Winged Spade logo. Beneath this is a pocket for a name card, and in this case it is for Major General Roland Haddaway del Mar of the United States Army. This is a rare and unique find that would make an excellent addition to any military collection.

We were unable to find much about General del Mar’s service, but we did find some interesting information, one of which was a meeting he was present for with the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency on October 11, 1951, concerning the “Capability of the USSR to Launch a Military Attack on the Continental United States”. This meeting was held in secrecy until the minutes were released in 2004 and created as a document in 2016.

The minutes are as follows:
“The minutes of the meeting of 11 October 1951 (IAC-M-48 were approved. The Capability of the USSR to Launch a Military Attack on the Continental United States SE-14)

2. Action: This estimate was modified and approved. It was understood that the foreign aspects of Soviet sabotage capabilities would. be treated in a separate paper.

3. Discussion: At the Air Force suggestion the "assumption" relative to the effect of simultaneous Soviet campaigns in other areas was rewritten as a "statement" and included in the body of the paper. There was some discussion of the number of TU-4 type aircraft available to the USSR now and by mid-1952. There was also consideration of the possibility that the Soviets might have equipment capable of jamming in the K band. The Economic Section of the Paper Under Preparation for the NATO Standing Group.

4. Action: Several suggested modifications to the draft were approved in an effort to avoid incorrect implications and to make the paper more useful for its ultimate purpose. The IAC directed that its preference for these modifications be communicated to the representatives working on the paper. Re-evaluation of Soviet Atomic Capabilities.

5. Action: As a result of a recent Navy study it was decided to undertake, as a matter of first priority, a complete re-examination of the available evidence on the Soviet Atomic Energy program. Proposed Estimate

6. Action: It was decided to undertake a new estimate on "Communist Capabilities and Intentions in Korea." S-E-C-R-E-T ACM--9 18 October 1951 Approved For Release 2004/03/23”

We also discovered that he was the Commander of the 1st Armored Division from August 1960 to May 1961, just before major US involvement in the Vietnam War. At the end of the 1950s, the Army's focus on a nuclear battlefield waned and it experienced years of reduced budgets. The 1st Armored Division reverted into a training cadre for new inductees after being reduced in size and moved back to Fort Hood.

In 1962, the 1st Armored Division was brought back to full strength and reorganized. Brigades replaced combat commands and the division's aviation assets doubled. Intense training followed the reorganization. In October 1962 the 1st Armored Division was declared combat-ready just before the Cuban Missile Crisis. The division deployed from Fort Hood, Texas to Fort Stewart in response to the Soviet stationing of missiles in Cuba. The entire operation took 18 days.

He is currently buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA
Section 30, Site 654-3

The cap is in a size 7 1/4, 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.

  • This product is available for international shipping.
  • Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE

Cash For Collectibles