DRESS UP TO PLAY MACV-SOG VIETNAM

We bring you the equipment and uniform of the MACV-SOG, in this case with the OD Jungle Fatigues Uniform. This uniform was often transformed individually and personally, either by sewing pockets on the upper part of the arms, on the back (lower) part of the combat jacket…Magazine carriers were even sewn on to the belt on the lower back part of the jacket. It was also common to paint some stripes to break its figure and set it apart from the uniforms of the other North American troops.

MISSIONS

The missions and actions carried out by the members of the SOG saved the lives of many North American soldiers who served during the Vietnam War Campaign. These men who benefited from valuable intelligence work without knowing it: providing information and supporting air strikes in relation to objectives and supply routes. In addition to numerous combats, ambushes and direct attacks on enemy bases, which were freed by members of the MACV-SOG RTs and Hatchet Forces along the Ho Chi Minh Trail and at the borders of Laos and Cambodia, preventing enemy troops, ammunition and material from reaching combat zones.

Many members of the SOG went missing in action. As they were operating in enemy territory, many soldiers were captured alive and were prisoners for many years in labour camps from which they never returned, even when the war had finished. Some of those who returned home suffered from malaria, dysentery, fever, dengue, as well as post-traumatic stress disorder after having been subjected to intense and continual physical and psychological stress or anxiety resulting from the harshness of combat always in a much lower number than that of the enemy, operating behind its lines and without the support of troops or artillery.

As can be confirmed, everything related to the MACV-SOG was special, its missions were high-risk, and their casualties in combat were also high. A full dozen RT teams disappeared and contact was never made with them again after they entered enemy territory. It was normal for 100% of RT team members to get injured at some point in combat. But this was also a unit that caused the highest number of casualties in enemy lines and its members were the most decorated with the highest distinctions.

EQUIPMENT

The headwear was a personal choice, but something light was always worn such as a scarf or headband, boonie hat in green, black, tiger, etc. A reversible boonie hat was also worn which was specially designed for them by CISO in black with an orange inner lining. Soldiers used these in order to be located more easily when they had to be taken out of the operations area via helicopter.

The equipment that we see here consists of M1956 belt suspenders and the BAR model of belt, designed to carry BAR (Browning Automatic Rifle) M1918A2 rifle magazines, as they were perfect for carrying the 20-round magazines of the Colt XM 177 and M16A1. He also has two M56 canteens and a Jungle First Aid Kit hanging from the belt rings. It was common practice for the special operation units in Vietnam to use the M56 canteen covers as magazine carriers as they could transport more magazines than in those specifically designed for this purpose.

The vest is the North Vietnamese Chicom model and we can see the Claymore mine bag on it which is split into two parts to make it easier to transport. He carries the Ka-Bar knife model of the Marines to which he has attached an MK13 MOD 0 signal. On his back, connected to the belts he carries a bottle of serum albumin to replace loss of blood plasma and which includes serum as well as the parts needed to inject it.

He uses gaiters and jungle boots made of canvas and leather, specially designed for the jungle. As an accessory to the equipment he wears the light and versatile ARVN Jungle rucksack, made of canvas material.

Among the equipment normally carried by these special operations soldiers in their rucksacks, there was always a dry change of clothes so that they could get changed and take a breather to feel more “comfortable” with a clean shirt, underwear and socks... We have been able to discover the full range of combat equipment and uniforms that they used, and continuing in their line of action, at their service they of course had a wide range of firearms to face the enemy in their missions.