Impression Guide: US Army Infantryman – Vietnam War

[tomlegg]

Hi there guys,

Taking up the lead from Tom (101stairborne-506) and his excellent guides to various different World War II impressions I thought I’d give a Vietnam War guide a go.

So detailed below is a rough guide of how to pull off a reasonable accurate impression of a US Army Infantryman during the Vietnam War. This is by no means a definitive guide (nor am I an authority on the matter) but hopefully some of you will find it a little bit useful.

The Vietnam War was one of the longest conflicts that the United States was involved in (it’s generally accepted that the major US involvement ran from 1965 to 1973) and as a result the uniforms and gear worn throughout that period changed greatly as we’ll see in the photos below.

EARLY WAR

So first up is my impression of a Sergeant First Class currently serving with the 1st Cavalry Division in South Vietnam in 1965/66.

Uniform: OG-107 Sateen ‘Utility’ Shirt and Trousers, White or OD Green T-Shirt
Uniform accessories: Colour insignia, belt, dog-tags
Headgear: M1 Helmet with Mitchell pattern cover and scrimp band
Footwear: Black leather boots



The main webbing system used throughout the Vietnam War was the M-1956 Load Carrying Equipment (otherwise known as M56 gear) which, in our case here, consists of:

1x M56 Pistol Belt
1x M56 ‘H’ Harness/Suspenders
1x M56 Compass/First Aid Case (attached to the horizontal straps on the suspenders)
2x M56 Universal Small Arms Ammunition Cases* (which will hold roughly 3 ’20 round’ airsoft magazines each)
2x M56 Canteen Covers (each with a 1 quart canteen)
1x M56 Field Pack (often referred to as a ‘Butt Pack’ and in which I carry a poncho, bandolier and First Aid Kit)
1x M7 Bayonet with M8A1 Sheath

As I’m portraying an NCO, I am also issued with a sidearm. The US Army issue sidearm of the period was the M1911A1. So in addition to the standard M56 webbing I have the following:

1x M1916 Holster
1x M1923 Pistol Magazine Pocket

* The earlier versions of the ammunition pouches had a rigid front and back insert to help protect the ammunition inside and to help keep the form of the pouch. The front insert was later dropped to allow easier access the magazines within the pouch (see late war impression).







In addition to above equipment I am also carrying a right-angled flashlight on my harness as well as (inert) smoke grenade. Plus attached to either side of the ammunition pouches are 2 (inert) M26 ‘Lemon’ grenades. All these items were issued during the Vietnam War and would be perfect for re-enacting (or hardcore Namsofting) however here they are only for reference - when I’m out in the airsoft field I remove all these items are they add unnecessary weight.

Suitable weapons: TM, Classic Army and G&P all make excellent Vietnam era M16 AEG rifles. While the TM and CA versions aren't 100% accurate they are very close and perfect for pulling off either an early or late war impression.


(My 'early war' look ready for the airsoft field.)


---More impressions to follow---

[madwelshman]

Re: Impression Guide: US Army Infantryman – Vietnam War

very nice matey, i'll try and get some of mine up soon, now its 99% complete! where did you get the nades from? me wants!

[Terry Mcann]

Re: Impression Guide: US Army Infantryman – Vietnam War

Very nice kit but would full colour insignia(and an early black on white nametape)be worn on a 3rd pattern fatigue shirt?

[tomlegg]

Re: Impression Guide: US Army Infantryman – Vietnam War

Very nice kit but would full colour insignia(and an early black on white nametape)be worn on a 3rd pattern fatigue shirt?

True its one of the small liberties I took with the impression. For hard-core re-enacting then no a 3rd Pattern Fatigue Shirt wouldn't be correct - however to give the general idea of an 'early war' impression for Namsofting then its a small detail that I think you can get away with.

Cheers,

Tom

[Terry Mcann]

Re: Impression Guide: US Army Infantryman – Vietnam War

True its one of the small liberties I took with the impression. For hard-core re-enacting then no a 3rd Pattern Fatigue Shirt wouldn't be correct - however to give the general idea of an 'early war' impression for Namsofting then its a small detail that I think you can get away with.

Cheers,

Tom

Tom,it wasnt a criticism just a general question-rest of your gear looks spot on.

[tomlegg]

Re: Impression Guide: US Army Infantryman – Vietnam War

Tom,it wasnt a criticism just a general question-rest of your gear looks spot on.

Didn't take it as a criticism mate :-) (Been asked it before and had the answer ready!) Cheers for the kind words Terry.

Have a good one,

Tom

[Terry Mcann]

Re: Impression Guide: US Army Infantryman – Vietnam War

No worries.

Is the name tape an original or did you get it made up?

[Terry Mcann]

Re: Impression Guide: US Army Infantryman – Vietnam War

Just a quick pic of my early Jungle jacket.Need an early CIB,Jumpwings and Leader loops to finish it.

Also im DESPERATE for a pair of used repro 1st pattern jungle trousers in a 32 waist if anyone has a pair spare.

[tomlegg]

Re: Impression Guide: US Army Infantryman – Vietnam War

No worries.

Is the name tape an original or did you get it made up?

I'm pretty sure I got the name tape from SoF when they had some pre-made for a couple of quid. I tried to choose a generic name (since they didn't have LEGG) just in case I ever decide to sell it.

I'm loving the 1st Pattern Jungle Shirt there - very nice!! I've been thinking of doing an early war SF look for a while but I've just never got round to it. For 1st Pattern Jungle Trousers have a look (if you haven't already) at MooreMilitaria in the states. Can't remember any prices but quality is excellent.

Cheers mate,

Tom

[Terry Mcann]

Re: Impression Guide: US Army Infantryman – Vietnam War

Thanks Tom,Moores stuff is excellent but 2 things put me off-the crappy exchange rate at the moment and worse his seriously over the top postage prices!!!!!

SOF have them but i dont fancy paying £50 for a pair of trousers im afraid.

[101stairborne-506]

Re: Impression Guide: US Army Infantryman – Vietnam War

bloody brilliant! im glad the idea's catching on.

very impressed with the guide, well done!
not to hot on the nam but with early war didnt they use the thompson, m1 garand and m1/m2 carbine?as well as weaponary you've listed

are you able to get a french loadout up?

cheers, Tom.

[tomlegg]

Re: Impression Guide: US Army Infantryman – Vietnam War

bloody brilliant! im glad the idea's catching on.

very impressed with the guide, well done!
not to hot on the nam but with early war didnt they use the thompson, m1 garand and m1/m2 carbine?as well as weaponary you've listed

are you able to get a french loadout up?

cheers, Tom.

Hiya Tom, thanks for your comments mate. The use of the Thompson, M1 Garand and the M1/M2 Carbines was generally restricted to US advisors (who were incountry from the mid 1950s) and the South Vietnamese troops (the ARVN). You might see the Thompson being used by SF troops ever once in a while but again its use was relatively limited.

One rifle I didn't add which I should have was the M14. Not only was this the main battle rifle of the USMC (who used them right upto 1968) but alot of the US Army units being sent to Vietnam in 1965 were still in the transition between the M14 and M16 so I wouldn't be too out of place for an early war look. If I recall correctly the 1st Infantry Division was one of the biggest units who went to Vietnam with the M14 - however by late 1965 they had made the change to the M16.

Fraid I don't know so much about the French loadouts used. Can anyone out there help us all?

Cheers again mate,

Tom

[101stairborne-506]

Re: Impression Guide: US Army Infantryman – Vietnam War

i was looking through the sof magazine because i had remembered about seeing a french loadout in there,

they wore a 1952 camo para uniform with boonie, used guns like the grease gun and looks as if they wore m1939 pistol belt and holster, BUT this was in the indochina war, but this is listen under the vietnam section

[tomlegg]

Re: Impression Guide: US Army Infantryman – Vietnam War

Ok so here are another couple more impressions. Both are similar with only slight/minor variations however it shows you a few more ways create a look.

MID WAR (approx 1967/68)

My next impression is of a First Lieutenant serving with the 196th (Light) Infantry Brigade in South Vietnam in 1967.

Uniform: Jungle Fatigue Jacket and Trousers, OD Green T-Shirt
Uniform accessories: Subdued insignia (although 1967 it wasn’t uncommon to see a mixture of colour and subdued insignia – ‘Platoon’ is a good example of this), belt, dog-tags
Headgear: M1 Helmet with Mitchell pattern cover and scrimp band.
Footwear: Jungle boots



As with the early war impression we are using M56 gear here too. What we should see however are subtle differences between some of the earlier pieces of M56 webbing (mainly the ammo pouches) and what would be used later in the war. The webbing and overall look would be very similar to a 'regular' grunt as officers, radio men and medics (all prime targets for the NVA and VC) would wish to blend in as much as possible.

1x M56 Pistol Belt
1x M56 ‘H’ Harness/Suspenders
2x M56 Compass/First Aid Case (1x attached to the horizontal straps on the suspenders and 1x (with compass inside) attached directly to the pistol belt)
3x M56 Universal Small Arms Ammunition Cases (2x of the newer versions without the solid front reinforcement and 1x of the older versions which still has the solid reinforcement)
2x M56 Canteen Covers (each with a 1 quart canteen and here attached to the ‘butt pack’ instead of directly to the pistol belt)
1x M56 Field Pack (often referred to as a ‘Butt Pack’ and in which I carry a poncho, right angled flashlight and First Aid Kit)
1x M7 Bayonet with M8A1 Sheath

As I’m portraying an officer, I am also issued with a sidearm and a map case. The US Army issue sidearm of the period was the M1911A1. So in addition to the standard M56 webbing I have the following:

1x Black leather issue shoulder holster
1x M1923 Pistol Magazine Pocket
1x Map Case







As you will see in the pictures I am also carrying a bandolier containing 7 addition ’20 round’ magazines across my torso. Carrying enough ammunition and water while on operations/patrols was one of the biggest concerns in South Vietnam. Official each soldier was issued 2x Canteens with covers however as the war went on it was very often you would see soldiers carrying at least two on their pistol with 2, 3 or 4 plus more on or in their rucksacks.

In addition to above equipment I am also carrying an (inert) smoke grenade on my harness. Plus attached to either side of the ammunition pouches are 2 (inert) M26 ‘Lemon’ grenades. All these items were issued during the Vietnam War and would be perfect for re-enacting (or hardcore Namsofting) however here they are only for reference - when I’m out in the airsoft field I remove all these items are they add unnecessary weight.

---More impressions to follow---

[tomlegg]

Re: Impression Guide: US Army Infantryman – Vietnam War

LATE WAR (APPROX. 1968 onwards)

The last impression (for this evening) is of a Specialist 4 serving with the 101st Airborne Division in South Vietnam in 1969. The first thing to note is that the 101st Airborne, who were fiercely proud of the ‘screaming eagle’ shoulder patch, still issued and used full colour insignia – against specific orders from MACV Headquarters. Subdued 101st Airborne Division and 82nd Airborne Division (whose 3rd Brigade served in South Vietnam from 1968 for 22 months) insignia was uncommon.

Uniform: Jungle Fatigue Jacket and Trousers, OD Green T-Shirt
Uniform accessories: A mixture of colour and subdued insignia, belt, dog-tags
Headgear: M1 Helmet with Mitchell pattern cover and scrimp band or tropical ‘boonie’ hat.
Footwear: Jungle boots





As with the other two impressions we are using M56 gear. As detailed earlier a major concern of the troops in South Vietnam was carrying enough water and ammunition – and our late war impression reflects this as detailed below.

1x M56 Pistol Belt
1x M56 ‘H’ Harness/Suspenders
2x M56 Compass/First Aid Case (1x attached to the horizontal straps on the suspenders and 1x attached directly to the pistol belt)
4x M56 Universal Small Arms Ammunition Cases (all of which are the newer versions without the solid front reinforcement)
3x M56 Canteen Covers (each with a 1 quart canteen and attached directly to the pistol belt)
1x M7 Bayonet with M8A1 Sheath

Being a relatively low rank (Spec 4 was/is roughly an equal rank as a Corporal) I don’t have any sidearm. However it wasn’t uncommon for soldiers to acquire or privately purchase a sidearm while incountry. To maximize my ammunition carrying capacity not only am I carry 12 magazines in my ammo pouches but I’m able to carry an addition 12 in my Claymore Mine Bag.







This is one of my favourite Namsoft loadouts as it maximizes ammunition carrying capacity. As with the other impressions I’m carrying 4 (inert) M26 ‘Lemon’ grenades which I normally remove when on the airsoft field.



---More impressions to follow---