Original Items: Only One Set Available. The ERDL pattern, also known as the Leaf pattern, is a camouflage pattern developed by the United States Army at its Engineer Research & Development Laboratories (ERDL) in 1948. It was not used until the Vietnam War, when it was issued to elite reconnaissance and special operations units beginning early 1967.

The pattern consists of four colors printed in an interlocking pattern. It was initially produced in a green-dominant colorway, consisting of large organic shapes in olive green and brown, black ‘branches’, and light green ‘leaf highlights’. Shortly thereafter a brown-dominant scheme (with the light green replaced by light tan) was manufactured. The two patterns are also unofficially known as "Lowland" and "Highland" ERDL, respectively.

The United States Marine Corps (USMC) adopted the green "Lowland" version as standard issue in South Vietnam from 1968, and later the U.S. Army introduced it on a wide scale in Southeast Asia.

The ERDL-pattern combat uniform was identical in cut to the OG-107 Tropical Combat uniform, commonly called "jungle fatigues", it was issued alongside. It was common for marines to wear mixes of ERDL and OG-107 jungle fatigues, which was authorized owing to periodic shortages. Australian and New Zealand SAS members were also issued U.S.-spec tropical combat uniforms in ERDL during their time in the Vietnam War.

This uniform set belonged to a Staff Sergeant Stahl who served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War. After an extensive search and comparison between the unit patch featured on the left sleeve, we believe this uniform to have belonged to Michael Gerard Stahl. Stahl is a medically retired US Army Special Forces soldier. A highly decorated combat veteran with 24 months in Vietnam, Stahl was the Intel Sgt for A-102 at Tien Phuoc Special Forces Camp and later spent time in covert reconnaissance with the top secret unit known as Military Assistance Command, Vietnam - Studies and Observations Group. It is here he served as the 1-0 (Team Leader) for RT Michigan out of CCN (Command and Control North). He was seriously wounded on August 8, 1970, and medevac'd to the continental US.

The uniform is in great condition and retains all original tags and buttons. The upper left shoulder features the Airborne SF insignia and the collars have Staff Sergeant chevrons present. The nametapes are correct and original to the uniform and are labeled as U.S. Army / STAHL. The size of the top is a Small/Regular and the trousers fit a waist size of 27 to 31 inches.

Comes more than ready for further research and display!

Measurements:
Collar to shoulder: 9”
Shoulder to sleeve: 23”
Shoulder to shoulder: 16”
Chest width: 20”
Waist width: 17.5”
Hip width: 19”
Front length: 30"
Pants Waist: 30"
Inseam: 30"

Michael G. Stahl
Michael Stahl enlisted in the US Army on November 22, 1962, at the age of 17 in response to the Cuban Missile Crisis. Stahl was initially trained as a Parachute rigger and Arabic language translator/interpreter before being selected for US Special Forces Training.

First tour in Vietnam
In August 1967 then E-5 Stahl was assigned to A-102, radio callsign "Tricky Misfit", at Tien Phuoc Special Forces Camp. Stahl started his deployment out as the Intel. Sgt. After promotion to E-6 Stahl was reassigned to the position of Civil Affairs/Psy-Ops NCO (S5). At this time Stahl reported to CA/Psy-Ops Officer, LT Scally.

Stahl's first contact with the enemy occurred on 23 December 1967. While returning from several days in the field with a company of Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) soldiers, the patrol's point squad walked into a previously unknown headquarters area of an NVA battalion moving through the area. The point squad came under unexpected and extremely accurate enemy automatic weapons fire—killing one soldier and wounding two. Stahl single-handedly assaulted the enemy position and eliminated the occupant with rifle fire. Immediately following this, another heavy burst of enemy fire swept the lead element of the assaulting CIDG company, seriously wounding one of the Vietnamese troops. Stahl rushed to the wounded soldier and carried him to a safe position and began to treat his wounds. SSG (E-6) Stahl then directed his element's assault on the enemy position, routing them from the area. For this action, Stahl was awarded the first of several Silver Stars. Following this assault, the patrol collected a large number of enemy documents and maps, foretelling the Tet Offensive attack on Tam Key.

Second Tour In Vietnam
Stahl returned to Vietnam in August 1969 and again requested assignment to CCN (Command and Control North). Stahl was assigned as the Intelligence Sergeant at Mobile Launch Team 2 (MLT-2) at Quang Tri until February 1970, when he was reassigned to the CCN TOC (Tactical Operations Center) at Marble Mountain. After requesting transfer to the Recon Company at CCN multiple times including on his first tour, newly promoted SFC Stahl was assigned to the Recon Company. Stahl was assigned as the 1-1 (Asst. Team Leader) of "RT Michigan". After his first mission with RT Michigan the 1-0's (Team Leader) tour ended and he returned to the US. Stahl attended the MAC V SOG 1-0 school in Long Thanh and became the new 1-0 of RT Michigan. Stahl completed several missions with RT Michigan and was seriously wounded in Laos on August 8, 1970. The actions on the ground that day resulted in Stahl's second Silver Star.

Air America
Throughout his first tour, Stahl had many occasions to work with Air America aircraft to fulfill various duties while assigned to "C" Company in Da Nang. During the period of time Stahl was working as the C-Team's CA (Civil Affairs) NCO, Thuong Duc Camp once again came under siege by the enemy. The camp's defenders were running low on food, while Stahl's location had a surplus. Due to anti aircraft fire, the Air Force declined to fly the mission. Using topographical maps and his training and experience as a Parachute Rigger, Stahl orchestrated the only known combat freefall supply drop. From an Air America DHC-4 Caribou Stahl air dropped five one-thousand pound pallets of rice to the besieged camp.

Awards and Decorations
Silver Star with 1 oak leaf cluster
Bronze Star w/Oak Leaf Cluster
Purple Heart
Air Medal
Good Conduct Medal w/ 2 Knots
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal (8 Campaign Stars)
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry w/ Bronze Star (Personal Award)
Vietnam Campaign Medal
Vietnamese Special Forces Jump Wings
Parachutist Badge (United States)
Combat Infantry Badge
Presidential Unit Citation (United States)