Rolling Thunder Living History personal appearance and uniform Rules and regulations
Latest update: 24 February 2018

Load carrying equipment

Two types were used during the Vietnam war the M1956 and the M1967.  
The majority of US forces used the M1956 for the duration of the war. 
The updated version of the M1956 was the nylon M1967 which started appearing in small quantity around 1967. 

The M56 load carrying equipment is the most representative of the War and a typical line infantry soldier basic LCE would have comprised of canvas pistol belt, a set of suspenders, two canvas ammo pouches, two plastic water bottles with covers and one metal cup, 1st aid pouch, combat field pack (butt pack) entrenching tool and M16 bayonet. Gas mask and bag were sometime added to the load. 
The M1956 is more typical of the Vietnam War and with it you will be able to represent early or late period. 
We would also advise people to obtain one or two 7 pocket ammo bandoleer (filled with mags or blocks of wood).  


Above a light LBE, with a space left for the butt pack in the centre rear.  
This type of configuration would also be worn if you had your light weight ruck sack on.
The Combat Field Pack due to its limitation and the need to carry more and more had a short life and was soon replaced in the field 
by the Lightweight ruck sack. 
The Combat Field Pack is more representative of the early days of the war.  

M1956 suspenders with 1st Aid pouch and snap link, also seen is the M16 bayonet.

M1956 pistol belt with water bottle and early cover. The later cover will have nylon trim, still OK for Vietnam.  

	M1956 in details
		1st pattern M1956 Suspenders
	2nd pattern M1956 Suspenders	1st and 2nd pattern
1st and 2nd Pattern  M1956 Compass/Field dressing pouches		All three versions of the M1956 canvas ammunition pouches issued in Vietnam.
	M1956 Shovel pouch and 1966 dated M1951 Combination Shovel

 

M79 grenadier ammo bandoleers

Top:
M1956 ammo pouch with 1st Aid pouch attached to it.
Bottom:

The 7 pouch bandoleer,
(note strap must be made of cotton for Vietnam era, not nylon

Here are a pair of US Army issue Work gloves D3A dated 1990 which are similar to the Vietnam issue M1950 work gloves 
which were often carried by troops in the field.  

The Lightweight rucksack is the one you should go for as this was the most used by US forces in Vietnam.
Shown here is a lightweight ruck with rubberised poncho, cammo poncho liner and a machete tucked into it. Machetes were usually attached to rucksacks as they were cumbersome to carry.

           
A machete (60's type) and entrenching tool will add a nice touch to your equipment. Be careful, modern US Army machetes are different from the 60’s ones and are unacceptable (check your date on the scabbard and machete). 

Light weight ruck sack in details
Early 1964 P64 welded LW
P65 1967 riveted LW

The "Old Timer" says The modern Alice ruck with square frame is not acceptable.

M56 entrenching tool and cover with bayonet attached to it.

Snap link. This is the correct type, this one is dated 70 on the reverse, (80's one are identical and OK).

WEAPONS

Grenades used in Vietnam 

"SIGNAL, ILLUMINATION, GROUND WHITE STAR PARACHUTE, M127A1
M34 White Phosphorus Smoke Grenade or "Willie Pete"
M26A1 Fragmentation Grenade
M33 "baseball" Hand Grenade .
M18 Colored Smoke Grenade

.45 auto pistol and holster. Note, in Line Infantry, 
these were only worn by Officers, Grenadier and M60 gunners

M18  smoke grenades M14 Incendiary grenade CN-DM Gas, M6A1 grenade

LAW early and late  Anti Tank weapon were used for  destroying bunkers

Article and Photos thanks to Alex

The information published is to our best knowledge and may be altered if new information is uncovered. 
All photos are from our collection and nothing should be re-use without our prior consent! please contact us first.
Uniform and Equipment Standards Team (Alex,  Jean-Luc, Jack, Paul and Kieran)

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