Early Republic of Vietnam Field Jacket - QLVNCH 1955

Vietnamese made version of a French Model 1947 field jacket, 1950s, RVNHS Archive.

 

            When the Republic of Vietnam was founded in 1955, its armed forces were outfitted with the uniforms and equipment of its predecessor, the State of Vietnam. The State of Vietnam utilized military accoutrements from a variety of nations around the world, but France was by far the greatest supplier. Troops of the Vietnamese National Army (the predecessor of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Vietnam - South Vietnam) were issued uniforms that were both manufactured in France as well as locally in Vietnam.

 

Early Republic of Vietnam officer in French Model 1947 field jacket

- note the rank insignia on the epaulettes, 1956, RVNHS Archive.

 

         The jacket shown in this post is a Vietnamese made version of a French Model 1947 field jacket. The 1947 field jacket was one of the principal pieces of field wear worn by soldiers of both the State of Vietnam, and those serving in the early years of the Republic of Vietnam. Variants of two or four pockets existed. As veterans interviewed by RVNHS recall, both variants - even the four pocket type - were often worn tucked into the trousers. Throughout the early 1950s, Vietnamese forces saw a rapid expansion as efforts were made to establish a viable armed force to defend the up-and-coming indepedent state. This expansion, coupled with the general logistic difficulties of receiving enough uniform supplies from overseas, inevitably meant that military garments would need to be produced locally in Vietnam on a scale not seen previously. It was through these newly enlarged manufacturing facilities that the supply chains for the later Republic of Vietnam military quartermaster were established.

 

 

A July 1955 newsreel segment showing fighting

between the "new" army under Ngo Dinh Diem

and the armed groups of the Hoa Hao religious sect.

Images of the government soldiers show French Model 1947 style field jackets in use.

 

           Photographs and film footage from the early months and years of the Republic of Vietnam show jackets of this type in use by soldiers throughout all branches of the armed forces.

 

A 1955 photo showing soldiers at the time of the transition of the State of Vietnam to the Republic of Vietnam wearing French Model 1947 style field jackets, 1955, RVNHS Archive.

 

 

 



Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day Exhibit - June 18-19, 2016 - Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces

A selection of dress uniforms and display cases as part of the RVNHS Archive contribution at the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day exhibit at the Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Westminster, California. June 18-19th, 2016.

               On June 18th and 19th, 2016, RVNHS participated in a commemoration event for the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day (June 19th) at the newly created Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces in Westminster, California. This year, June 19th also fell on father's day, which made it an even more excellent opportunity for Republic of Vietnam veterans to come out with their families to remember, educate, and celebrate the rich history of the Republic of Vietnam.

Field and daily service uniforms with military insignia displays as part of the RVNHS Archive contribution at the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day exhibit at the Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Westminster, California. June 18-19th, 2016.

 

A display case showing some personal items that would have been utilized in daily life by Republic of Vietnam soldiers. Part of the RVNHS Archive contribution at the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day exhibit at the Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Westminster, California. June 18-19th, 2016.

              Items from the RVNHS Archive were contributed to the display. Included in this post are some photos of these items from the show. Along with the displays from RVNHS, other displays included detailed scale models of Republic of Vietnam naval vessels, aircraft, and vehicles - including several excellent dioramas. Educational displays for the 1974 Battle of the Paracel Islands, and a variety of other exhibits were offered.

A veteran Republic of Vietnam airborne officer who attended the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day exhibit at the Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Westminster, California. June 18-19th, 2016.

 

A veteran Republic of Vietnam officer of the 1st Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment (23rd Infantry Division) with insignia from his former unit. Part of the RVNHS Archive contribution at the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day exhibit at the Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Westminster, California. June 18-19th, 2016.

 

          The best element of the show was being able to interact with veterans and their families, and share items from the RVNHS Archive with others in an effort to promote interest in the history of the republic, and help pass on the legacy of the men and women whose lives were forever intertwined with the Republic of Vietnam to future generations.

9th Airborne Battalion Company Guidon as part of the RVNHS Archive contribution at the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day exhibit at the Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Westminster, California. June 18-19th, 2016.

 

A selection of decorations and insignia, including grades of the National Order of Vietnam and original manufacturer ephemera as part of the RVNHS Archive contribution at the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day exhibit at the Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Westminster, California. June 18-19th, 2016.

          RVNHS will continue to maintain an area with a rotating exhibit of items from the archive at the museum during its normal operating hours. More information on the details of these displays will be offered in future postings. We would like to encourage everyone to visit and support the museum. The location offers a unique opportunity to witness and learn about a variety of aspects of the history of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces right in the heart of the largest community of the Vietnamese diaspora.

Early 23rd Infantry Division flag as part of the RVNHS Archive contribution at the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day exhibit at the Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Westminster, California. June 18-19th, 2016.

 

Naval uniforms, cadet, and other items as part of the RVNHS Archive contribution at the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day exhibit at the Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Westminster, California. June 18-19th, 2016.

 

Insignia, photos, and other material from military academies as part of the RVNHS Archive contribution at the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day exhibit at the Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Westminster, California. June 18-19th, 2016.

 

An armor officer uniform, berets, ranger insignia, and other items as part of the RVNHS Archive contribution at the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day exhibit at the Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Westminster, California.

June 18-19th, 2016.

 

Part of the 1974 Battle of Paracel Islands display at the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces Day exhbit at the Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Westminster, California. June 18-19th, 2016. The show featured many other excellent displays, including detailed scale models of naval vessels, aircraft, and vehicles

used by the military of the Republic of Vietnam.

 

 

 

 

VNAF Crewman Personal Effects 1975 - KQVNCH

Vietnam Air Force crewman's personal effects: civilian and military identification cards, dog tags, and locket, circa 1960s-70s, RVNHS Archive.

 

          This grouping of personal effects belonged to a member of the Vietnamese Air Force (VNAF). He was born in Hanoi in 1950, and was likely one of the many who made the migration south after partitioning. Included in the grouping are civilian and military identification cards as well as a pair of dog tags on a chain with a locked attached. The cards showing his military identification date to a period that would make them still valid in April of 1975.

 

Vietnam Air Force crewman's personal effects: details of photos as they appear on the identification cards and locket, 1960s-70s, RVNHS Archive.

 

          The identification cards show him last serving with the 4th Air Division, which was based at Binh Thuy Airbase near the city of Can Tho. The division oversaw the 74th and 84th Tactical Wings. The airman was a sergeant, and he wears a pair of flight wings, signifying him as likely the member of an air crew - although it is not certain to which unit he belonged specifically. Along with his two dog tags on the chain is a personal locket. On one side it features his photo. On the reverese, the image of an unknown woman. It is not known what relationship existed between the two, but it is certain they were close.

 

Vietnam Air Force crewman's personal effects: details of opposite sides of locket, 1970s,

RVNHS Archive.

 

          This small grouping of items offer a glimpse into the personal identity of one member of the republic's armed forces in its final months. These items were kept together as a reflection of that identity for posterity into the present. This post is hoped to highlight such individual memories, and encourage others to ensure their preservation for future generations.

 

 

Republic of Vietnam Military Flag Finial - QLVNCH

Republic of Vietnam Military Flag Finial, 1960s-70s, RVNHS Archive.

 

              The flag finial shown in this post is an original pre-1975 piece for a Republic of Vietnam military flag. Typically, a color guard would carry two flags - the national colors and the flag of the particular unit. The finial for the national colors consisted of a spike-design. The finial for unit and other military flags was of the pattern shown here, featuring an eagle atop a wreath with a star held overhead between the wings.

 

General Thuan Quac Pham as 5th Division commander saluting the colors during the playing of the Republic of Vietnam national anthem.

Note the design of the finial atop the army branch flag.

 

          The practice of having separate designs of finial for military versus the national colors was for the most adhered to, but exemptions to the practice occured. First, period photographs seem to show the military design finial did not become widespread until the mid-1960s. Many early photos simply show the spike design on both types of flags, which would later be regulated for the national colors only. Addtionally, in the early years of the republic, many military unit flags featured the national colors with the unit designation embroidered onto it. Photographic evidence shows both the eagle and spike-design in use with these flags, even in later years. Nevertheless, most use of flags by military units, especially after the mid-1960s, followed the policy of using separate finial designs for each type of flag.

 

A Republic of Vietnam military color guard stands at attention during a speech. Note the different finials for the national versus military flag, 1960s.

 

 

Medical cadets ceremony. Note the same military pattern finial on both flags.

 

A photo showing detail of an early 7th Infantry Division flag. Note the flag is of national colors base with the unit designation embroidered onto it as was the common pattern for most early military unit flags. Also, note the use of a spike finial.

 

 

 

Hùng Cường 1936-1996

An early promotional portrait of Hùng Cường.

 

                 May 1st, 2016, marked twenty years since the death of one of the most popular singers associated with the Republic of Vietnam, Hùng Cường. Born on December 21st, 1936, Hùng Cường first achieved fame in Vietnam in the 1950s, and would continue to perform until his death on May 1st, 1996. Many of his songs covered the subject of soldiers in the military, and he often performed in military uniforms, most frequently dressed as a ranger.

 

Records and promotional material featuring the music of Hùng Cường,

1960s-70s, RVNHS Archive.

 

                 Many of his most well-known songs were performed as a duet with Mai Lệ Huyền. Some of his music hits where he contributed vocals include "100 phần trăm," "Cưới Em," and "Hờn anh giận em." Hùng Cường also appeared as an actor in films and television in the Republic of Vietnam, and traveled the country performing for the entertainment of soldiers and civilians alike. After April of 1975, Hùng Cường was eventually arrested and held in prison by the Communist authorities. He immigrated to the United States in 1980, settling in Garden Grove, California, where remained until his death in 1996. Thousands of his fans attended his funeral, and his music continues to remain popular. In this post, we would like to honor his memory on the twentieth anniversary of his passing.

 

A record cover of Hùng Cường and Mai Lệ Huyền, featuring the song "Hờn anh giận em,"

1960s, RVNHS Archive.

 

Please view our Facebook page to listen to some samples of Hùng Cường's music.

 

 

Forty-One Years Ago....

"We all have lived two lives. That before April 30th, 1975, and the one after."
                       - Ha Van Chuyen, Republic of Vietnam veteran, interviewed by RVNHS.

          As the forty-first anniversary of the final day of Black April approaches, RVNHS would like to encourage everyone to remember the tragic events of this month, and take a moment to pay respect to the men and women whose lives were forever changed on this day.

Early Army of the Republic of Vietnam Officer's Visor Cap - QLVNCH Việt Nam Cộng Hòa

Early Army of the Republic of Vietnam Officer's Visor Cap,

circa 1950s-60s, RVNHS Archive.

      This style of cap was worn by junior officers (2nd lieutenant to captain) of the army in the early years of the Republic of Vietnam. The cap is nearly identical to the later versions with the exception of the badge and the chinstrap buttons. Caps like this first appeared in the late 1950s. The badge was similar to the earlier State of Vietnam badge, with the only alteration being the text "Quốc gia Việt Nam" (State of Vietnam) on the scroll was replaced with "Việt Nam Cộng Hòa" (Republic of Vietnam). The badge was briefly replaced in 1963 with a new version, but after the removal of Ngo Dinh Diem, caps with this style of badge were again standard. The badge was later replaced around 1967 with the large eagle version, which remained in use to 1975.

An army 2nd Lieutenant with early officer cap badge,

 Saigon, 1964, RVNHS Archive.

 

            Features of the cap denoted level of rank. Enlisted personnel would have silver badges with a black chinstrap. Junior officers (2nd lieutenant to captain) would have a gold badge with gold chinstrap. Field officers (major to colonel) would have bullion gold laurels added to the visor brim, while officers of general rank would have further bullion gold laurels added to the band of the cap. Khaki was the most standard version of the cap, although caps of darker brown wool and also white canvas were also used. In later years, the early version of the laurels would be augmented with blossoms and curved branches.

 

Figures in the 1963 coup against Ngo Dinh Diem, left to right: Dương Văn Minh, Lê Văn Kim, Nguyễn Hữu Có , and Trần Văn Đôn. Minh, Kim, and Đôn were generals at the time of this photo, and thus have laurels on both the brim and bands of their caps, while Có  - who was a colonel at the time, does not. Saigon, January 29, 1964.

 

General Lê Văn Tỵ with white canvas version of the early pattern army visor cap,

LIFE Magazine Photo, Saigon, 1961.