{"product_id":"original-u-s-vietnam-war-1st-special-forces-group-airborne-ciso-made-black-pajamas-boonie-hat-belonging-to-sf-lieutenant-walter-huczko-jr-killed-in-helicopter-crash-over-okinawa-in-1969","title":"Original U.S. Vietnam War 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) CISO-Made Black Pajamas \u0026 Boonie Hat Belonging to SF Lieutenant Walter Huczko Jr. - Killed in Helicopter Crash over Okinawa in 1969","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Items: One-of-a-Kind Set. This is an exceptional identified Vietnam War-era U.S. Army Special Forces grouping belonging to \u003cb\u003eCaptain Walter Huczko Jr.\u003c\/b\u003e, a decorated Green Beret who served in Vietnam and later with the \u003cb\u003e1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) on Okinawa\u003c\/b\u003e. The grouping consists of an extremely scarce lightweight black cotton “pajama” uniform set manufactured by the \u003cb\u003eCounterinsurgency Support Office, or CISO\u003c\/b\u003e, together with an incountry-made OD green boonie hat. These items were acquired directly from Huczko’s family.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe have offered a few sets of Vietnamese-made black pajamas before, but this set is very distinct. The Counterinsurgency Support Office (CISO) supplied copies of Viet Cong pajamas to SOG and Special Forces reconnaissance personnel in Vietnam. Made from lightweight black cotton, they were marked with just a small size label. The collarless pajama top had a front button closure and boasted three small patch pockets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis set is entirely correct down to the small size tags that are now heavily frayed and unreadable. The shirt has four front buttons and three patch pockets. The pants retain the tag, but it is far more frayed than the tag on the shirt. The tie string is still intact on the pants. There is moderate service wear across the set.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe boonie hat is a good shade of OD green with two non-magnetic mesh grommets on both sides and stitched loops for attachment of foliage. The chinstrap is retained and there are a few loose strings across the boonie.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArmy Captain Walter Huczko Jr. was 22 when he was killed in the helicopter crash. He was a member of the Special Forces and was stationed in Okinawa, Japan. He was born in Hartford, Connecticut, and moved to Asbury Park, New Jersey in 1960. He was a 1964 graduate of Toms River High School, where he was a member of the soccer and cross country teams. He attended Norwich University, in Norwich, Connecticut for two years before enlisted in the Army as a Private in 1966. He was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in 1967 and was promoted to Captain in 1969. He had served in Vietnam and was wounded in action in 1968. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal and ARCOM Medal. By October 1969 he was a \u003cb\u003eCaptain and team leader of Operational Detachment A-323, the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne) SCUBA detachment on Okinawa.\u003c\/b\u003e A Special Operations Association history and the later obituary of surviving teammate Harold “Jake” Jacobson both describe the fatal accident: A-323 was covering a water jump, part of the team was aboard a \u003cb\u003eMarine CH-46\u003c\/b\u003e, and the helicopter crashed shortly after takeoff. Three men were killed, including \u003cb\u003eCaptain Walter Huczko\u003c\/b\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn online discussion of material from his estate cites MACV-SOG roster information identifying him as a \u003cb\u003e1st Lieutenant assigned to Company C, Command and Control Central\u003c\/b\u003e, records him as wounded on \u003cb\u003eDecember 1, 1968\u003c\/b\u003e, and notes an \u003cb\u003eArmy Commendation Medal with “V” device\u003c\/b\u003e in 1969.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of the \u003cb\u003efamily provenance, CISO-pattern lightweight black pajama uniform, original Special Forces-associated boonie hat, documented Vietnam service and wounding, MACV-SOG connection, subsequent promotion to Captain, and final command of 1st Special Forces Group Operational Detachment A-323 on Okinawa\u003c\/b\u003e makes this a particularly significant identified Special Forces grouping.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRather than representing anonymous Vietnam-era field clothing, the set is directly connected with a young Special Forces officer whose career encompassed combat service in Southeast Asia, MACV-SOG duty, and specialized maritime operations with the 1st Special Forces Group before his death in the October 18, 1969 Okinawa helicopter crash.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eApproximate Measurements:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eCollar to shoulder: 8.5\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to sleeve: 28\u003cbr\u003eShoulder to shoulder: 16.5\u003cbr\u003eChest width: 20\u003cbr\u003eWaist: 20\u003cbr\u003eHip: 20\u003cbr\u003eFront length: 30\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45752099602501,"sku":"ONJR26JYHG107","price":1295.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/40F6F61A-CF05-4DA2-9E88-3629B96D6C9F.jpg?v=1789409863","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-vietnam-war-1st-special-forces-group-airborne-ciso-made-black-pajamas-boonie-hat-belonging-to-sf-lieutenant-walter-huczko-jr-killed-in-helicopter-crash-over-okinawa-in-1969","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}