Military History 20160824 – Once a week we look into the past to bring to you recent news reports and stories about past military operations, conflicts, weapons and more. This week: What Soldiers carried in Vietnam, importance of historical unit patches, where did the “Green Tab” come from, book reviews on WWII special operations, and a old Soldier passes on.
“What They Carried”. Soldiers and Marines who fought in the Vietnam War carried many things to include P-38 can openers, heat tabs, ponchos, Zippo lighters for their cigarettes, gum, LRRP rations, and more. Read “What They Carried”, Pulse, August 12, 2016.
Army’s ‘Green Tab’. The green tab worn by unit commanders and senior NCOs are the result of General Eisenhower in World War II. Read “Genesis of the Army Green Tab”, by Major Matt Cavanaugh, Modern War Institute, West Point, September 15, 2014.
General Vessey Dies. Retired Army Gen. John W. Vessey was a World War II veteran who rose from a Minnesota National Guard private to become the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs. Besides taking part in the Normandy Beach landings in WWII he was instrumental in the defeat of the Soviet Union in ‘The Cold War’. Read more in a report by the Association of the United States Army, August 19, 2016.
Battle of Long Tan (Vietnam 50 Yrs Ago). Last week marked the anniversary of a battle that took place in Vietnam that killed 18 Australians and many more Vietnamese Soldiers. Usually a commemorative event is held at the site of the battle but this year the Vietnamese government cancelled it at the last minute. Read more in “Long Tan: The Battle Haunting Australia – Vietnam Ties 50 Years After It Ended”, War on the Rocks, August 22, 2016.
Importance of Historic Army Unit Patches. To those who served in the U.S. Army the unit shoulder patch is an important symbol. Read one Army officer’s feelings on the topic in The Power of the Patch, by James King, Modern War Institute at West Point, August 21, 2016.
Book on SOE, Spies, and WWII. Read a book review on Spies in the Congo: The Race for the Ore that Built the Atomic Bomb and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare: Churchill’s Mavericks Plotting Hitler’s Defeat in “The business of war – and espionage – is never gentlemanly”, The Spectator (UK), August 20, 2016.
