What did the us soldier wear during the Vietnam war?

Answer 1

US Marines were issued a flak vest which had steel plates in it. US Soldiers were issued flexible synthetic flak vests (with no metal in it). Both US Marines and US Soldiers were issued an M-1 steel helmet, with liner and leather sweat band, with a reversible cloth camoflage cover for the helmet (green or brown leaf pattern). US Soldiers were issued jungle shirts (called jackets on the inside tag) which were designed to be worn NOT TUCKED in, made of "rip stop cloth" they had a lower and high pocket on both sides. Some trousers had zippers, some had buttons, depending on the contracted manufacturer. The trousers had side pockets at the thigh, and strings sewn into their bottoms of each leg so all you had to do was pull them and it looked like your trouser bottoms were tucked into your boots (called "bloushing your trousers"). US Marines and US Soldiers were issued jungle boots. They had spike resistent bottoms (a metal plate imbedded into the sole of the boot), the shoe portion was made of leather, and the upper portion was made of green cloth, they were laced boots with two holes near the arch so water could drain out. The early model jungle boots came with tightly spaced cleats on the bottom of the soles, the newer jungle boot had the newer style "Panama" sole with wider spaced cleats. These were better as mud could be kicked from them easier. The tightly spaced cleats formed a smooth solid bottom after only a few steps, giving the "grunt" no traction when walking. Even though the men were issued green under wear (boxer shorts) and green T-shirts, MOST (not all) of the men, due to the extreme humidity & heat used the underware and T-shirts as rags to clean our weapons with. Besides, when wounded it was easier for the medics to cut away your clothing to reach the wound(s) without having to fight his way through all of that extra clothing...time was of the essence when wounded. US soldiers were issued OD colored Baseball caps. But in the field "some" wide brimmed "boonie" hats were available (an issued item). But was frowned upon by some of the old time WWII veteran NCO's. Two types of canteens were available, both green plastic; a 1 quart and a 2 quart, we always carried two or more canteens.

Answer 2

Up until 1965, standard cotton OD (Olive Drab) green Army uniforms with black leather laced combat boots. After 1965, rip-stop fabric with four external pockets on the shirt (with holes sewn into the bottoms of each pocket, for water to drain out of); designed to be worn outside (not tucked into the trousers). Trousers had side pockets sewn onto the thighs (also with holes sewn into them for water drainage). Still OD in color, with OD canvas topped laced boots with grooves cut into the soles for marching in mud, and two holes in the arch of the boot to allow water to drain out, plus a sheet of metal under the sole as spike protection from booby traps; the Vietnam Jungle Boot. Todays troops still use the same design, only they are colored in desert brown. Helmet, was the standard WW2, Korean War steel pot (M1). The issued hat, was an OD baseball cap. Underware: Boxer shorts and T-shirts OD in color; after 1966.

Answer 3

Early in the war it was a common belief that they wore black clothing. Turns out most people in the countryside wore black clothing. The VC wore civilian clothing, as a rule. He might appropiate some sort of uniform, but he was not part of the NVA (North Viet Army). The NVA wore green fatique uniforms with pith helmets.

Answer 4

North or South Vietnamese; military or civilian?

I would like to know about the south.