Item Description
Original Item. Only One Available. The United States invaded Panama in mid-December 1989. The primary purpose of the invasion was to depose the de facto ruler of Panama, General Manuel Noriega, who was wanted by U.S. authorities for racketeering and drug trafficking. The operation, codenamed Operation Just Cause, concluded in late January 1990 with the surrender of Noriega. The Panama Defense Forces (PDF) were dissolved, and President-elect Guillermo Endara was sworn into office.
This is an M1 Helmet liner painted for the Panamanian Defense Force, the armed forces of the Republic of Panama. The liner is a U.S. WWII example manufactured by CAPAC, then supplied to Panama. The PDF was created in 1983, led by Panama's dictator General Manuel Noriega and his general staff. It was dismantled by the United States Armed Forces after the U.S. invasion of Panama in 1989. The helmet is painted white with a dark green stripe painted around the helmet with PMC to the front and decal insignia on the left and right sides for the PDF reading:
FUERZAS DE DEFENSA
PANAMA
The insignia depicts a blue, white, and red shield with a sword and crossed rifles with two white ribbons above and below it. The insignia is retained with some of it peeling off on both sides. We are unsure what PMC stands for. The liner retains its complete suspension system but no sweatband, and has the U.S. Paratrooper style chinstrap mounts, but no leather chinstrap. This was certainly brought back by an American soldier during Operation Just Cause in 1989.
This is a great piece from a very niche part of U.S. Military history, ready for further research and display!
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