Did the US Army in Vietnam wear full colour insignia?

A quick basic look at the changes to the US Army badges.

• Up to June 1966 full colour insignia worn on the combat uniforms.
• From June 1966 to December 1967 a mix of colour and subdued insignia was seen in use in Vietnam, this was the transitional phase when the colour insignia was being replaced by the subdued insignia.
• From December 1967 Subdued insignia (black and green) worn on the combat uniforms.
• Up to 1968 Name tape and US Army tape worn horizontally to the ground.
• After 1969 the placement of the name tapes and US Army tapes where officially changed to be worn on an angle running along the top of the pocket.
• The  following is a more detailed look at the insignia worn during the Vietnam war from the early Advisor period through to the end of the war.
• The main changes to the US Army combat uniform insignia during the Vietnam War by year order.

Colour of insignia worn in Vietnam Up to June 1966

At the start of the Vietnam war and up to the 9th of June 1966 all the American combat uniforms at that time like the O.G. 107 (Sateens) and the 1st pattern tropical jungle uniform and the summer dress (dress B) chino uniform was worn with full colour cloth insignia. The full colour insignia included unit shoulder patches, name tapes, US Army tape and any qualification award.

Up to June 1966 the badges on combat where the following colours.

• Shoulder sleeve unit patch full colour.
• US Army distinguishing insignia (name tape) gold lettering on a black background. Worn over the left chest pocket.
• Name tape black lettering on a white background.

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From 9th June 1966

On the 9th June 1966 "US Army Vietnam" decided to introduce subdued insignia for all combat field and work uniforms including the tropical combat uniform and flight suits this was initially to be completed by the 15th January 1967 but due to shortages in the supply of subdued badges the official deadline for all combat uniforms to be using subdued insignia was officially targeted to be in place by 31st December 1967.

During this time you would see either colour or subdued insignia on combat uniforms while the subdued insignia was gradually phased into service.

Colour unit shoulder insignia can still be seen being worn after this date due to shortages in supply or blatant ignoring of the rules, like the 101st airborne division where a mixture of subdued and full colour screaming eagle shoulder patches where worn on their uniforms throughout the war.

Styles of badges used in Vietnam

US military issue, where fully embroidered and had a merrowed edge and where made in full colour and subdued (black and green).

US Military Issue Full Colour

US Military Issue Subdued

Locally made, this where worn for two reasons either due to a soldiers preference to this style or the simple problem of not enough of the US made patches being available in Vietnam.

Vietnamese Locally Made Subdued

Vietnamese Locally Made Full Colour