April 25, 20206 yr #1 This stuff was brought back by a 1st Cav trooper in 1971. Sadly there was an SKS that was destroyed in an ambush that 'disappeared' when the executor of this guys estate got their hands on it. Anyhow, this is a small glimpse into what a teenager brought home late in the war. Enjoy....
April 25, 20206 yr Author #3 I've got the fatigues he wore out of the field for the final time, and a bunch of his personal items he used daily too. But sticking to the bring backs for this post
April 25, 20206 yr #4 Already a great grouping on it's own, and you say there is more! Too bad about the SKS. The canteen with the cap is a quite early one. The date on the other one is likely either when the soldier began his journey on the "ho chi minh trail" or the date he entered the RVN. George
February 2, 20215 yr #5 The boots are the "Bata" boots issued to South Vietnamese irregular defense forces.
February 2, 20215 yr #6 Not uncommon to see VC wearing ARVN Bata boots, or any other ARVN equipment. Better than rubber tire sandals. Dave
February 2, 20215 yr #8 Did the 1st Cav patch come from the VC? If so, it became spoils of war twice. Last time I saw a double spoils artifact was an M-16 at the EOD museum on Camp Pendleton: the VC modified it and used it, but the Marines captured it back. Thinking about it, those boots have been at least two people's spoils of war too.
June 28, 20215 yr Author #9 Just noticed the responses to this post! Sorry about that. The wallet, pocket hanger and cross necklace were item's of his while in VN. I really need to photograph the whole group.
August 7, 20214 yr #11 There is a Vietnam War collectors group on Facebook with several members who read and write the language. https://www.facebook.com/groups/1726441960963865 If you want, I could forward your photos and see if we get a response.
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