Original Item: Only One Available. This is a rare "in country" made Vietnam War boonie hat, often called a bush hat, probably in a size 7 1/8 or 7 1/4. There have been various designs over the years, but all have the same basic shape, with a wide brim, which in some designs have snaps over one or both ears to fold up the flaps for a different look.

This cap is typical of the souvenir caps brought back from the Vietnam war theater, many of which were personalized like this one. The front of the cap has a lovely U.S. Army Combat Infantryman Badge contoured to the cap. The Combat Infantryman Badge (CIB) is a United States Army military decoration. The badge is awarded to infantrymen and Special Forces soldiers in the rank of colonel and below, who fought in active ground combat while assigned as members of either an Infantry or Special Forces unit of brigade size or smaller at any time after 6 December 1941. The paint is mostly gone and the award itself is oxidized, all telltale signs that this was more than likely worn in country.

The left side of the cap has a Republic of South Vietnam Master Jump Wings pinned holding the brim up like an Australian slouch hat. In order to be awarded these wings, one must complete proficiency tests while assigned or attached to a Republic of Vietnam Airborne unit. Other qualification are the individual must have participated in at least one combat jump and has graduated with honors from basic airborne school. The condition of the pin is quite nice but does show signs of having been worn in country as well.

The last device pinned to the cap is on the backside and is the Special Forces Crest. The Special Forces crest insignia was adopted in 1960 and approved as the Special Forces regimental designator in 1984. Its design reflects both the lineage and mission of Special Forces.

In 1890, the crossed arrows were officially prescribed as uniform insignia for the U.S. Army Indian Scouts who served in the American west from 1860 through 1939. In 1942, during World War II, a joint U.S./Canadian special operations unit was established to conduct operations behind enemy lines. Members of this First Special Service Force wore the historic crossed arrows as their branch insignia.

In the current Special Forces crest, the intersecting dagger represents the V-42 dagger issued to each member of the force. The encircling scroll which arches at the base bears the Special Forces motto, "DE OPPRESSO LIBER" which is translated from Latin as "To Free the Oppressed." As per the pattern of the other two devices, this was worn on the cap for quite some time as well but is in wonderful, worn condition.

A great boonie hat that comes more than ready for further research and display.