The jacket is tailored and features the removal of the bottom pockets, the straightening of the top pockets with the addition of zipped pockets in the side.

"Red Hats” were members of Airborne Advisory Team 162, Airborne Division Advisory Detachment, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV). Team 162 provided military assistance to the Vietnamese Airborne Division from 1962 to 1973. Red Hats take their name from the red berets worn by South Vietnamese troops and U.S. advisors in the division.

Team 162 constituted the largest U.S. advisory effort of the Vietnam War. Some 1,200 soldiers were assigned to Team 162 during its 11 years of service. Airborne experience was a prerequisite for assignment. Most team members had served with the 11th, 82nd or 101st Airborne Divisions. In addition, the team included U.S. Air Force forward air controllers. They were called “Red Markers” for their ability to mark targets during battle.

Thirty-four soldiers and three airmen from Team 162 were killed in action. That was the most of any advisory team in Vietnam At last count 34 former team members became General Officers (Pete Dawkins, Norman Schwarzkopf, Barry McCaffrey, James Lindsey, Jim Vaught, Joe Kinzer, John LeMoyne, Guy Meloy and Herb Lloyd just to name a few) and 78 Sergeants Major. One Red Hat earned the Medal of Honor (Louis Rocco). Many more received Distinguished Service Crosses and several Vietnamese Airborne Battalions were awarded Presidential Unit Citations American

Airborne advisors took part in training and combat operations at every level of the Vietnamese unit from battalion to division. Initial advisory duties emphasized planning, training and logistical issues. Later, Team 162 jumped with their Vietnamese counterparts.

This highly modified uniform was acquired in the US from known dealer and collector Bob Chatt at Vintage Productions and features some unique modifications. The uniform shows a strong French influence.

Here you can see the name tape and the USARV patch

This shot shows the modified top pockets with a zip pocket placed underneath

The zipped pockets are tailored on the inside with new pocket lining

A pen pocket has been sewn under the arm, note its in a more faded sample of ERDL

The trousers are also highly modified with the removal of the thigh pockets and a zipped pocket being added instead.


Close up of the thigh zip pocket