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Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?

Article about: This is my first real post, so here’s to hoping I have done well. I recently acquired this M1, and I am intrigued by its apparent story. It is a Vietnam era helmet, but I am not yet certai

  1. #1
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    Default Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?

    This is my first real post, so here’s to hoping I have done well. I recently acquired this M1, and I am intrigued by its apparent story. It is a Vietnam era helmet, but I am not yet certain of the age of every component, as I have not had it long, and my eyes are pretty tired these days. Even so, the liner seems to be dated 61’ and the Mitchell cover 64’. There is a foam pad in the liner crown, which appears to have been white at one time, but has since yellowed and hardened. It has become pretty brittle, in fact, so it appears at least to have been there for some time. It also has a crudeness about it that screams of improvisation. Underneath this foam pad were two patches. One is a 173 Airborne patch, which appears to have been removed from a uniform, as it still retains the thread used to affix it. I do not yet know if this type of patch is correct to that era. The liner appears to have been taped to the helmet, or, at least around the edges, where it merges with the helmet, and is also marked with tape on the outside as well (shown). The tape looks like medical tape. Also of note, one of the metal chinstrap clips appears to have been improperly installed over the helmet bale. (It is not actually even clipped around the bale!) There is no elastic helmet band. Lastly, on the rear of the liner, there is a name written on the tape, in pencil. The name is MAPLES. Now I have not yet acquired the skills necessary to competently research such things, but it does appear that one Francis Leroy Maples did indeed serve in the 173rd, and was listed on the jump roster for Operation Junction City (Feb 22, 1967 – May 14, 1967). Sadly, Specialist Four Maples was killed in action on November 13th of the same year, 1967. Again, I really am not skilled at researching such things, but the possibility that this helmet might have belonged to this man is both intriguing and sobering . . . and humbling. To reiterate, I do not know whether this helmet ever even really belonged to this man, and, at the end of the day, I bought the helmet for what it was-a salty Vietnam era Airborne helmet. I did not buy the story. Even so, it is quite a sobering reminder of the truly solemn nature of our hobby. . . . Truly, I am thankful to have learned the name Francis Leroy Maples, to have had the opportunity to learn about his unimaginable sacrifice, and to have had the opportunity to read many things about the kind of man that he was (on his honor wall), whether this was actually his helmet or not. Thank you so much, brave sir, for your sacrifice.
    Click to enlarge the picture Click to enlarge the picture Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?   Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?  

    Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?   Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?  

    Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?   Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?  

    Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?   Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?  

    Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?   Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?  

    Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?   Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?  

    Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?   Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?  

    Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?   Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?  

    Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?   Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?  

    Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?   Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?  

    Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?   Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?  

    Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?   Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?  

    Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?   Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?  

    Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?   Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?  

    Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?   Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?  

    Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?   Vietnam Era M1 Airborne helmet- Operation Junction City?  


  2. #2

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    Great pick up, this is the nicest salty Vietnam helmet I've ever seen! While the story that comes with it is compelling based on the markings that are on the helmet/liner you have the right attitude of buying it for the "object" and not the story. It is pretty easy to take any swivel bail M1 and piece together a "Vietnam era helmet". Looking forward to what others have to say.

  3. #3

    Default

    Welcome FDR32,
    "Truly, I am thankful to have learned the name Francis Leroy Maples, to have had the opportunity to learn about his unimaginable sacrifice, and to have had the opportunity to read many things about the kind of man that he was (on his honor wall), whether this was actually his helmet or not. Thank you so much, brave sir, for your sacrifice".

    I think you have the right attitude. Unless this came from the family directly its difficult to attribute it to Francis L. Maples. But as an original piece of Vietnam War history I think it does no harm to commemorate his sacrifice, and all those who served through this helmet. It can take pride of place in your collection.

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