Item:
ONJRPA2217

Original U.S. Vietnam 173rd Airborne Brigade 1st Pattern Jungle Jacket with Incountry-Made Insignia

Item Description

Original Item: Only One Available. An outstanding example of a rare 1st Pattern Jungle Jacket worn by a sergeant of the 173rd Airborne Brigade which features a mix of U.S. made and “Incountry” Made insignia.

The jacket is a standard 1963 Dated 1st Pattern Poplin Jacket “Incountry”. Jacket is marked in the collar “Short-Small”. The unique Incountry made insignia, which was commonly sourced from Vietnamese sewing shops includes the name tapes, and black velvet Sergeant Chevrons. The 173rd SSI, Airborne Tab, and Master Parachutist’s Wing are U.S. Made.

The jacket is in worn condition, with small period repairs, and signs of honest wear. 1st Pattern Jackets have become very desirable, and therefore rather hard to come by as of late. This is an excellent example to add to the collection! Ready for display!

Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9.5”
Shoulder to sleeve: 22”
Shoulder to shoulder: 18.5”
Chest width: 20”
Waist width: 20.5”
Hip width: 21”
Front length: 30"

The 173rd Airborne In Vietnam:
The lead element of the 173rd Airborne Brigade (“Sky Soldiers”), stationed in Okinawa, departs for South Vietnam. It was the first U.S. Army ground combat unit committed to the war. Combat elements of the 173rd Airborne Brigade included the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Battalions, 503rd Infantry; the 3rd Battalion, 319th Airborne Artillery; Company D, 16th Armor; Troop E, 17th Cavalry; and the 335th Aviation company.

Headquartered at Bien Hoa Air Base near Saigon, the Brigade conducted operations to keep communist forces away from the Saigon-Bien Hoa complex. In February 1967, the Brigade conducted a combat parachute jump into a major communist base area to the north of Saigon near the Cambodian border. In November 1967, the Brigade was ordered to the Central Highlands, where they fought a major battle at Dak To against an entrenched North Vietnamese Army regiment on Hill 875. In some of the most brutal fighting of the war, the paratroopers captured the hill on Thanksgiving Day, winning the Presidential Unit Citation for bravery in action.

After more than six years on the battlefield, the Brigade was withdrawn from Vietnam in August 1971. During combat service, they suffered 1,606 killed in action and 8,435 wounded in action. Twelve paratroopers of the 173rd were awarded the Medal of Honor for conspicuous bravery in battle.

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