U.S. Vietnam War Tropical Combat Jackets

Accurate Pattern Identification Guide (1st–5th Pattern)

The U.S. Tropical Combat Jacket — commonly called the “Jungle Jacket” — was developed for combat in Vietnam’s extreme heat and humidity. Lightweight cotton construction replaced heavier utility uniforms, and between 1963 and the early 1970s the jacket evolved through five distinct patterns.

These patterns are identified by construction changes — not by speculation or fabric alone. Critical identifiers include:

• Gas flap presence

• Epaulets

• Waist adjustment tabs

• Pocket drain holes

• Back yoke

• Fabric type (poplin vs. ripstop)

• Hanger loop

Below is the accurate breakdown.

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1st Pattern (1963–1964)

The earliest standard-issue jungle jacket.

Construction features:

• 5.5 oz wind-resistant cotton poplin (smooth weave)

• Exposed pocket buttons

• Epaulets

• Adjustable waist tabs

• Interior gas flap behind zipper

• Slanted chest pockets

• Drain holes in pockets

• Hanger loop present

The hanger loop is sewn into the interior collar seam and is consistent on 1st pattern production.

These are scarce and command strong collector interest.

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2nd Pattern (1965)

Refinement of the 1st pattern, primarily modifying pocket closures.

Construction features:

• Cotton poplin (non-ripstop)

• Concealed (covered) pocket buttons

• Epaulets retained

• Waist tabs retained

• Gas flap retained

• Drain holes retained

• Hanger loop present

The concealed buttons were introduced to reduce snagging in vegetation.

If a jacket has covered buttons + epaulets + gas flap + hanger loop, it is a 2nd pattern.

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3rd Pattern (1966–1967)

Significant simplification of the jacket’s structure. Introduction of the ERDL camo version

Construction features:

• Cotton poplin

• No epaulets

• No waist tabs

• No gas flap

• No pocket drain holes

• Back yoke added

• Hanger loop present

This is the last pattern to include the hanger loop.

Collectors sometimes misidentify this pattern due to the stripped appearance. The absence of drain holes combined with the presence of a hanger loop is the key identifier.

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*Some of the ERDL Camo Jacket don't have the Hanger Loop

 

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4th Pattern (Late 1967–1968)

Structural reinforcement reintroduced while continuing simplification.

Construction features:

• Rip Stop Cotton

• Back yoke retained

• Drain holes returned

• No epaulets

• No waist tabs

• No gas flap

• Hanger loop removed

This is the first pattern without a hanger loop.

The addition of the back yoke distinguishes it from the 3rd pattern.

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5th Pattern (1968 onward)

Final Vietnam-era jungle jacket production version.

Construction features:

• Rip-stop cotton poplin (visible grid weave)

• Back yoke retained

• Drain holes present

• No epaulets

• No waist tabs

• No gas flap

• Simplified single sleeve pen pocket

• No hanger loop

Ripstop fabric becomes standard with this pattern.

This is the most commonly encountered Vietnam-era jungle jacket today.

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Fabric Transition

Poplin (smooth weave):
Used in 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and early 4th pattern jackets.

Ripstop (grid weave):
Introduced with 4th pattern production to prevent tearing from spreading.

Fabric alone should never determine pattern identification without checking structural features.

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Camouflage & Color Variants

OG-107 (Olive Green)

Standard solid olive drab used throughout the war.

ERDL Camouflage

Four-color leaf pattern.

• Early green-dominant version

• Later brown-dominant version

ERDL appears in later production runs (3rd–5th patterns), with higher collector demand compared to OG-107.

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Quick Identification Table

Pattern	Fabric	Gas Flap	Drain Holes	Back Yoke	Hanger Loop
1st	Poplin	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
2nd	Poplin	Yes	Yes	No	Yes
3rd	Poplin	No	No	Yes	Yes
4th	Ripstop	No	Yes	Yes	No
5th	Ripstop	No	Yes	Yes	No

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Final Notes for Collectors

• Hanger loop present = 1st–3rd pattern only.

• Hanger loop absent = 4th–5th pattern.

• Back yoke appears starting in 3th pattern.

• Ripstop appears in 4th pattern.

• No single feature should be used in isolation.

Accurate identification requires examining all construction elements together.

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U.S. Vietnam War Tropical Combat Trousers

Accurate Pattern Identification Guide (1st–6th Pattern)

The Tropical Combat Trousers were designed specifically for jungle warfare in Vietnam. They were lightweight, fast-drying, and built for mobility — not heavy reinforcement.

All patterns share a relatively lightweight construction throughout.

Identification is based on:

• Fabric (poplin vs ripstop)

• Fly type (button vs zipper)

• Cargo pocket construction

• Drain holes

• Internal pocket tie tapes

• Waist adjustment tabs

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1st Pattern (1963–1964)

Earliest jungle trouser issued.

Construction Features:

• 5.5 oz wind-resistant cotton poplin (smooth weave)

• Button fly

• Large bellows cargo pockets

• Internal tie tapes inside cargo pockets

• Early production often without drain holes

• Side waist adjustment tabs

• Slanted front pockets

• Rear flap pockets

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2nd Pattern (1965)

Refinement of the original design.

Construction Features:

• Cotton poplin

• Button fly

• Cargo pocket drain holes added

• Internal tie tapes retained

• Waist adjustment tabs retained

• Same overall pocket configuration

The addition of drain holes is the primary visual update.

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3rd Pattern (1966–1967)

Minor construction refinements.

Construction Features:

• Cotton poplin

• Button fly

• Cargo pocket drain holes present

• Internal tie tapes retained

• Waist adjustment tabs retained

• Slight pocket proportion adjustments

Still lightweight poplin construction.

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4th Pattern (1967–1968)

Transitional poplin production before ripstop becomes standard.

Construction Features:

• Cotton poplin

• Button fly

• Cargo pocket drain holes

• Waist adjustment tabs retained

• Internal tie tapes removed

Very similar to 3rd pattern — differences are subtle and often require close inspection.

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5th Pattern (1968–Early 1970s)

Introduction of ripstop fabric.

Construction Features:

• Ripstop cotton (visible grid weave)

• Button fly

• Cargo pocket drain holes present

• Waist adjustment tabs retained

• Internal tie tapes largely discontinued

Ripstop + button fly = 5th pattern

This is the most commonly encountered Vietnam-era jungle trouser.

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6th Pattern (Late Vietnam / Early 1970s)

Final wartime evolution.

Construction Features:

• Ripstop fabric

• Zipper fly (replaces button fly)

• Cargo pocket drain holes present

• Waist adjustment tabs retained

• Simplified internal finishing

The zipper fly is the defining structural change.

Ripstop + zipper fly = 6th pattern.

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Fabric Summary

Poplin (1st–4th Patterns)

• Smooth weave

• No grid reinforcement

Ripstop (5th–6th Patterns)

• Visible cross-hatch reinforcement grid

• Tear-resistant weave

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Camouflage Variants

OG-107 (Olive Green)

Standard solid olive drab used throughout the war.

ERDL Camouflage

Four-color leaf pattern:

• Early green-dominant

• Later brown-dominant

Ripstop ERDL examples (5th–6th pattern) are particularly desirable among collectors.

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Corrected Quick ID Table

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Vintage US Navy Peacoat Label History From WW2 until Now - Rare Gear USA

Dating a vintage U.S. Navy peacoat involves examining specific characteristics that evolved over time, including labels, buttons, pocket styles, and contract numbers. Here's a guide to help you determine the era of your peacoat:

World War I Era (1910s–1920s)

• Material: Heavy kersey wool, known for its smooth and durable texture.
• Buttons: 13-star buttons, symbolizing the original 13 U.S. colonies.
• Pockets: Both hand-warmer pockets (chest-level) and lower flap pockets were present.
• Labels: No standardized labeling, though some early examples may have simple tags or stamps indicating the Navy Clothing Factory.

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World War II Era (1939–1945)

• Material: Thick kersey wool, designed for extreme durability and warmth at sea.
• Buttons: Large fouled anchor buttons replaced the 13-star design.
• Pockets: Lowered hand-warmer corduroy pockets for easier access. Flap pockets were removed.
• Labels: Common label reads “Manufactured by Navy Clothing Factory,” often with anchor symbols in the corners.

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1947 – 1956

• Material: Retained thick kersey wool but saw minor refinements in construction.
• Buttons: Continued use of the large fouled anchor design.
• Pockets: Hand-warmer corduroy pockets remained, with consistent placement.
• Labels: Now marked “Naval Clothing Depot” or "Clothing Supply Office"

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1956 – 1965

• Material: Still kersey wool but slightly lighter than WWII versions.
• Buttons: No significant change from prior decades.
• Pockets: Standardized lower hand-warmer pockets.
• Labels: Changed to read simply “U.S. Navy.”

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1965–1970s

• Material: Transition from kersey wool to melton wool, which had a rougher texture but remained durable.
• Buttons: Fouled anchor buttons persisted, some have metal buttons
• Pockets: No major design changes.
• Labels: Contract numbers were introduced, beginning with DSA-1 (1962–1964) and DSA-100 (1965–1977). These numbers can be used to date coats precisely.

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1980s–2000s

• Material: Primarily melton wool, which became the standard fabric.
• Buttons: Standardized fouled anchor design.
• Pockets: No major design differences from earlier models.
• Labels: Continued use of contract numbers, with prefixes changing over time (e.g., DLA for the Defense Logistics Agency).

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By examining these features, you can determine the approximate era of a vintage U.S. Navy peacoat. If you need help identifying a specific coat, details like label text, button design, and wool type can provide strong clues.

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For collectors and enthusiasts of U.S. military surplus, determining the production date of jackets, pants, and other gear is an essential step. By examining procurement numbers like DA, DSA, DLA, and SPO, you can easily pinpoint when an item was made. These numbers often include the year, helping to uncover the garment’s historical context.

To determine the era of a U.S. military garment, first identify the type of contract number on the label:

• DA (Defense Agency): Used from 1953 to 1962.
• DSA (Defense Supply Agency): Active from 1962 to 1977.
• DLA (Defense Logistics Agency): In use from 1978 to 1993.
• SPO, SPM, and similar numbers: Found on items from 1994 to the present.

If the label only has a manufacturer stamp, the item likely predates 1953, aligning with the Korean War era.

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Understanding DA, DSA, DLA, and SPO Numbers

1. DA Numbers (Defense Agency)

Used from 1953 until 1962, DA numbers were primarily used during the Korean War and the early years of the Vietnam War. These numbers often don't include a specific year but can be traced to items from the early Cold War period.

• Example: DA-36-243-QM(CTM)11459-C-62 (1962)

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Additionally during this time period it is very common to see the date directly printed on the label including the pattern date and the manufacturing date. 

• Example:
  CONT: QM - (CTM)- 1711-01-748-C-58
  DATE: 31 JANUARY 1958
  SPEC. MIL-C.11448B, AMEND #1
  PATT. DATE: 14 MARCH 1957

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2. DSA Numbers (Defense Supply Agency)

From the 1962 until 1978, the DSA system was used. These numbers can be more complex, with several variations:

• 1962-1964: The DSA-1 prefix was used, with a suffix like YY-C, where Y stands for the year.

• Example: DSA-1-2157-63-C (1963)

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• 1965: The DSA-1 prefix appeared, but with no suffix for the year.

• Example: DSA-1-8599

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• 1966: The DSA-100 prefix was used, again with no dating suffix.

• Example: DSA-100-2151

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• 1967-1977: The DSA-100 prefix was followed by a YY-C suffix, where YY represented the year.

• Example: DSA-100-69-C-1162 (1969)

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• Example: DSA-100-69-C-0762 (indicates 1969)

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3. DLA Numbers (Defense Logistics Agency)

The DLA system, began in 1978 until 1993, follows a simpler format:

• Example: DLA100-91-C-0450 (indicates 1991)

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4. SPO Numbers (System Program Office)

From the 1994 onward, SPO numbers became more common, and these typically followed the format of SPO100-97-D-1234, where the first two digits (e.g., "97") indicate the year (1997).

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Conclusion

By understanding how to read DA, DSA, DLA, and SPO numbers, you can easily identify the production year of U.S. military jackets, pants, and other gear. This knowledge not only adds value for collectors but also provides fascinating insights into the historical context of the item.

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Rare Gear USA was able to acquire two jackets owned by Captain Bruce K. Lloyd. A beautiful Vintage Us Navy G1 Leather Jacket from 1961 and a Vintage Us Navy M-69F Leather Transport Aircraft Coat from WW2 Era. See pictures bellow.

Captain Bruce K. Lloyd, Jr.: A Legacy of Naval Aviation and Engineering Excellence

Captain Bruce K. Lloyd, Jr. was born on December 7, 1917, in Somerset, Pennsylvania, to Marion and Bruce K. Lloyd, Sr. He grew up in a time of rapid technological advancements and global tensions, which would soon draw him into a life of service to his country. Following his graduation from high school, Lloyd earned a prestigious Congressional Appointment to the United States Naval Academy, a testament to his academic and leadership potential.

In June 1940, Lloyd graduated from the Naval Academy, entering a world on the brink of global conflict. He was selected to become a Naval Aviator after completing the obligatory sea duty tour, a path that would soon distinguish him in the annals of naval aviation history. His initial assignment was as one of the gunnery officers aboard the USS Tuscaloosa (CA-37), a New Orleans-class heavy cruiser. The Tuscaloosa was a formidable vessel, armed with 8-inch guns and designed for long-range engagements, serving as a symbol of American naval power.

On December 7, 1941, the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor marked Lloyd's 24th birthday, a day that would forever change the course of his life and the nation. In response to the attack, Lloyd was swiftly sent to Pensacola, Florida, where he began his flight training. By late 1942, he had earned his coveted "Wings of Gold," signifying his status as a Naval Aviator. He was then assigned to fly the Consolidated PBY Catalina, an amphibious patrol bomber and reconnaissance aircraft. The PBY was instrumental in search and rescue missions across the vast expanses of the Pacific, a role that Lloyd undertook with distinction during the war.

After the conclusion of World War II, Lloyd's pursuit of excellence led him to the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), where he earned a Master's Degree in Aeronautical Engineering. This advanced education set the stage for his future contributions to naval aviation technology. Subsequently, Lloyd served as a pilot of the Lockheed P2V Neptune, a maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft. He rose to become the Commanding Officer of a P2V squadron, VC-8, stationed at the Naval Air Station Patuxent River (PAX River).

Lloyd's skills and experience earned him a place in the prestigious Test Pilot School as part of Class XVI, where he honed his abilities in evaluating new aircraft. His test pilot tour at PAX River was followed by an assignment as the Executive Officer of the USS Franklin D. Roosevelt (CVA-42), a Midway-class aircraft carrier. The Roosevelt, with its powerful air wing and advanced radar systems, played a critical role during the Cold War.

Following his time on the Roosevelt, Lloyd was assigned to a joint staff position in Hawaii before returning to PAX River in 1960. There, he served as the Commanding Officer of Service Test and later as the Test Coordinator for the entire area, eventually acting as Commander of the Naval Air Test Center (NATC). During this period, Lloyd underwent helicopter training and went on to set numerous international speed records, achievements that earned him and his copilot the Distinguished Flying Cross.

Captain Lloyd retired from the Navy in 1963, having become qualified to fly every type of aircraft in the Navy's inventory, including fixed-wing planes, jets, and helicopters. His post-Navy career saw him join Boeing Aircraft as the chief engineer and chief test pilot for the company's helicopter division. In this role, Lloyd was instrumental in the design and armament upgrades of the Boeing CH-47 Chinook, a dual-rotor helicopter that played a vital role in the Vietnam War.

 

After retiring from Boeing, Captain Bruce K. Lloyd, Jr. chose to channel his vast knowledge and experience into education. He took on the role of a teacher, imparting his wisdom in Physics and Advanced Mathematics to students at a private high school in the Philadelphia area. His passion for learning and dedication to mentoring young minds became a new chapter in his life, reflecting his commitment to service in all its forms.

Captain Lloyd passed away in 1987, leaving behind a legacy of excellence in naval aviation, engineering, and education. He was laid to rest with honor at Arlington National Cemetery, a fitting tribute to his lifelong dedication to his country. His wife, Jane Johnstone Lloyd, with whom he shared over 45 years of marriage, passed away in 1993 and was buried beside him at Arlington, where they now rest together.

If you have some US Military Uniforms and want to share your story or a family member story through our website. Please contact us at cs@raregearusa.com

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