Original Item: Only One Available. All of the Tropical Combat Uniforms shared several basic characteristics. The coat consisted of two slant pockets on the chest and two lower bellows pockets. Each of these pockets closed with two buttons and the coat had a button front closure.

The first pattern jungle fatigues were adopted in 1963 and were made of 5.5 ounce cotton poplin dyed Army Shade Olive Green 107 or "OG-107". The pattern is easily distinguishable as the coat and the pants had "exposed" buttons. The coat featured the standard pocket lay out, but the closure buttons were not covered. The jungle fatigue coat also had shoulder epaulets, side take up tabs, and an integrated gas flap that could be buttoned internally to better cover the neck and prevent chemical / gas agents from entering through the front button closure.

In August 1964, the Army Materiel Command ordered a revision to the jungle fatigue design. They found that the exposed buttons had a tendency to snag on brush, and addressed this issue. The buttons on the coat and pants were covered, but the epaulets, side take up tabs, and gas flap were retained. The fabric was changed to 6 ounce cotton poplin to help them wear better and the OG-107 color was retained. This Type II pattern style entered Vietnam in late 1965 and were soon to be replaced in 1967 by the third pattern jungle fatigues though they are commonly seen through 1968.

The third pattern fatigues which were introduced in late 1966 / early 1967 were a simplified version of the second pattern. The coat lost its side take up tabs, gas flap, and shoulder epaulets. This pattern is slightly more complicated as it was issued in two classes. Class I was OG-107, or green and Class II was ERDL Camouflage in either green dominant or brown dominant depending on the region they were being issued to.

This lovely Third Pattern “Class 1” jungle coat is in lovely, service worn condition. The jacket shows all the right signs of heavy use and wear without any extensive damage present. The left shoulder features a fantastic 1st Aviation Brigade shoulder sleeve insignia while the front left pocket has a 197th Armed Helicopter Company patch. Both patches are incredible examples of “in-country” made insignia, which was commonly sourced from Vietnamese sewing shops.

The nametapes, collar insignia and pilot’s wings all appear to be in-country made insignia as well. The jacket belonged to a Chief Warrant Officer 3 Jennings, a pilot with the 197th Armed Helicopter Company. Unfortunately, we have not been able to locate any service information on CWO 3 Jennings, making for a fantastic research opportunity!

This is a fantastic example of a genuine Vietnam War “jungle jacket”. Comes more than ready for further research and display!

Approximate Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9.5”
Shoulder to sleeve: 24”
Shoulder to shoulder: 17”
Chest width: 21”
Waist width: 19”
Hip width: 19”
Front length: 32"

197th Armed Helicopter Company
The unit was activated at Okinawa on 25 July 1962 as the Utility Tactical Transport Helicopter Company (UTT) under the command of Major Robert Runkle until May 1964. The UTT was the U.S. Army's First Armed Helicopter Company. In August 1964 the UTT under went a name change and became the 68th Aviation Company. On 1 March 1965 the 68th Aviation Company was deactivated and was reactivated and the 197th Armed Helicopter Company was born. The 197th Armed Helicopter Company was the first Armed Helicopter Company to deploy to the Republic of South Vietnam. On 26 April 1965 the 197th was the first unit in Vietnam to be awarded the Presidential Unit Citation by the President of the United States. On 22 September 1966 the 197th relocated and became an element of the 197th Light Infantry Brigade at Fort Benning, Georgia. However, the Officers, Personnel and Equipment remained at Bien Hoa Air Base awaiting the 197th Light Infantry Brigade's deployment to Vietnam. The 197th once again for the last time underwent a name change and became the 334th Aerial Weapons Company. The 334th was comprised of; H and H "Saber's", and four (4) platoons of Huey and Cobra Gunships, 1st Flight Platoon Guns "Playboy's", 2nd Flight Platoon "Raider's", 3rd Flight Platoon "Dragon's" and the 4th Flight Platoon "Gangbusters". The 334th was assign to the 145th Combat Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Group under the Command of Major Floyd C. Gober. The Unit Received the - "Presidential Unit Citation", "Valorous Unit Award", "Meritorious Unit Commendation" and The "Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Palm" for the service in Vietnam.