Original U.S. Vietnam War General William Westmoreland’s OG-107 Poplin Ripstop Jungle Jacket with Framed Signed Photograph - Dated 1969
-
Original Items. One-of-a-Kind. This is an outstanding uniform set belonging to Vietnam War General William Westmoreland. The shirt is an OG-107 Poplin Ripstop Jungle Jacket with a 1969-contract date. The shirt bears a Military Assistance Command patch on the left shoulder and a 187th Airborne Regimental Combat team patch on the right shoulder. Each side of the collar has four embroidered General’s stars, and over the right breast pocket is a white name tag reading WESTMORELAND under an Army of the Republic of Vietnam Parachute Jump Wings patch. Over the left breast pocket is a Combat Infantryman Badge over a US ARMY tag over Master Parachutist Airborne wings.
The tag under the collar reads:
X-LARGE-REGULAR
CHEST: FROM 45 INCHES UP
HEIGHT: 67 TO 71 INCHES
8405-935-4713
The tag on the lower part of the jacket gives a 1969 contract date. Westmoreland left Vietnam in 1968, so he would have worn this stateside, most likely to reunions or other appearances. He likely had the uniform made up himself as he was known to do. The jacket came with other items from his estate, so it is confirmed to have been his.
The signed photograph of Westmoreland is framed, measuring 12 ¼ x 15 ¼” and is signed:
To - Mr. Benjamin E. Dean,
With best personal regards,
W.C. Westmoreland
May 1972
This is an outstanding uniform & frame set, perfect for any Vietnam War collection. Westmoreland is a very popular Vietnam War figure, so don’t miss out on this opportunity!
William Childs Westmoreland (26 March 1914 – 18 July 2005) was a United States Army general, most notably the commander of United States forces during the Vietnam War from 1964 to 1968. He later served as Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1968 to 1972. Born into a prosperous family in Upstate South Carolina, he demonstrated leadership abilities from an early age as a Boy Scout and attended the US Military Academy in West Point, graduating at the top of his class in 1936. He excelled during his service in the European theater during World War II, and in the Korean War, leading to him becoming one of the youngest general officers of the time. After returning from Korea, he continued to climb the ranks within the Army, serving as Superintendent of West Point from 1960 to 1963.
Following the French defeat at Dien Bien Phu in 1954, American involvement in Vietnam steadily escalated, beginning with combat advisors. Westmoreland was sent to South Vietnam in January 1964, and took command of Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) in June. In Vietnam, Westmoreland adopted a strategy of attrition against the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese People's Army of Vietnam, to drain them of manpower and supplies. He used artillery and air power on a huge scale.
As time went on and success was not gained, public support for the war diminished, especially after the Battle of Khe Sanh and the surprise Tet Offensive in 1968. By the time he had left his command, American military forces in Vietnam had reached a peak of 535,000 personnel. Westmoreland's strategy was ultimately unsuccessful, due to growing American casualties and reliance on conscription, which undermined support for the war and weakened South Vietnamese support. Historians continue to debate his effectiveness as a commander and his emphasis on body count.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
We Buy Military Antiques
Our team expert buyers travels the world to pay fair prices for entire estate collections to singular items.
START SELLING TODAY
