{"product_id":"original-u-s-cold-war-presentation-machete-engraved-to-ssg-ronald-g-deleon-408th-army-security-agency-company-attached-to-8th-special-forces-group-in-panama-dated-1978","title":"Original U.S. Cold War Presentation Machete Engraved to SSG Ronald G. Deleon, 408th Army Security Agency Company - Attached to 8th Special Forces Group in Panama - Dated 1978","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item. One-of-a-Kind. The United States Army Security Agency (ASA) was the United States Army's signals intelligence branch from 1945 to 1987. It was essentially the precursor to the NSA (National Security Agency). Although most ASA units focused upon SIGINT (signals intelligence) most if not all ASA units contained HUMINT (human intelligence) specialists as well, mostly interrogators and counter-intelligence specialists.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is a phenomenal presentation machete engraved to Staff Sergeant Ronald G. Deleon, presented to him by the officers and men of the 408th Army Security Agency Company, which was attached to the 8th Special Forces Group in Panama for Signals Intelligence Purposes (intercept, decrypt, and analyze radio messages). Definitely worthy of further research! The machete is engraved:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFROM THE OFFICERS AND MEN\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOF THE 408TH ASA CO.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSSG. RONALD G. DELEON\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAUG 75 - JUN 78\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe machete comes with its original ornate sheath, with white tassels protruding from under a red, yellow, and black flower cockade. The top of the sheath is stamped \u003cstrong\u003ePANAMA\u003c\/strong\u003e. The machete and sheath are both mounted to a small board for display. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA truly gorgeous piece for a very scarce unit! Comes ready for further research and display.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate Dimensions:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBlade Length: 12\"\u003cbr\u003eBlade Style: Machete\u003cbr\u003eOverall length: 17¼”\u003cbr\u003eSheath length: 13” + Belt Loop\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42155761172549,"sku":"ONJR24ATGM25","price":275.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/ONJR24ATGM25__01.jpg?v=1733957189","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-cold-war-presentation-machete-engraved-to-ssg-ronald-g-deleon-408th-army-security-agency-company-attached-to-8th-special-forces-group-in-panama-dated-1978","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}