{"product_id":"original-u-s-vietnam-war-us-army-incountry-made-cowboy-bush-hat-with-thai-ranger-insignia-theater-made-guam-udorn-scrolls-size-54","title":"Original U.S. Vietnam War US Army Incountry-Made “Cowboy” Bush Hat with Thai Ranger Insignia \u0026 Theater-Made Guam \u0026 Udorn Scrolls - Size 54","description":"\u003cp\u003eOriginal Item: Only One Available. This is a rare original U.S. Vietnam War-era \u003cstrong\u003ein-country-made “Cowboy” bush hat\u003c\/strong\u003e, personalized with a Thai military-style badge and theater-made \u003cstrong\u003eUDORN\u003c\/strong\u003e and \u003cstrong\u003eGUAM\u003c\/strong\u003e scrolls. Locally procured bush hats of this general type were popular with American personnel serving throughout Southeast Asia, particularly before and alongside the widespread issue of standardized boonie hats.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe front of the cap has an attached badge worn for completion of the\u003cstrong\u003e Royal Thai Army’s Ranger School\u003c\/strong\u003e, rare to see. The hat has an all-green exterior with a red interior with four air vents. The snaps are in good shape and still work fine. The size is marked as \u003cstrong\u003e54\u003c\/strong\u003e inside. The right side has a theater-made scroll for \u003cstrong\u003eUDORN\u003c\/strong\u003e, and the left side has one for \u003cstrong\u003eGUAM\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAttached to the front is a badge identified as a \u003cstrong\u003eRoyal Thai Army Ranger School insignia.\u003c\/strong\u003e This is an unusual addition and provides a strong visual connection with the extensive American military presence in Thailand during the Vietnam War period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLocally made and privately purchased hats became highly individualized items, often decorated with unit insignia, qualification badges, names, location scrolls, and other souvenirs reflecting where a serviceman had been stationed or traveled. They therefore provide a very personal form of Vietnam War-era material culture distinct from standard issue headgear.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe combination of the \u003cstrong\u003egreen and red in-country construction, snap-up brim, size 54 marking, Thai Ranger-style insignia, and theater-made UDORN and GUAM scrolls \u003c\/strong\u003emakes this an especially interesting personalized Vietnam War-era bush hat. The surviving insignia and location scrolls give the piece considerable research potential, while its locally made form remains characteristic of the privately procured “cowboy” hats associated with American service in Southeast Asia.\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Original Items","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46190498480197,"sku":"ONJROCPC072","price":195.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1524\/1342\/files\/BE4A749B-4260-48C7-B44D-4E1E0FFC0FA2.jpg?v=1793362747","url":"https:\/\/www.ima-usa.com\/products\/original-u-s-vietnam-war-us-army-incountry-made-cowboy-bush-hat-with-thai-ranger-insignia-theater-made-guam-udorn-scrolls-size-54","provider":"International Military Antiques","version":"1.0","type":"link"}