The U.S. military issued a number of different helmets designs to its soldiers during the Vietnam War, including the M-1 helmet, which was used during World War II and the Korean War, and the PASGT (Personnel Armor System for Ground Troops) helmet, which was introduced in the 1980s.
The M-1 helmet was made of steel and had a liner that could be adjusted to fit the wearer’s head. It provided good protection against shrapnel and other debris, but it was heavy and not well-ventilated, which made it uncomfortable to wear in the hot and humid climate of Vietnam.
The PASGT helmet was made of Kevlar and was designed to be lighter and more comfortable than the M-1 helmet. It provided good protection against shrapnel and bullets, and it also had a built-in chin strap to help keep it securely in place on the wearer’s head.
North Vietnamese and Viet Cong soldiers also wore helmets to protect their heads, but these helmets were generally of simple design and made from lightweight materials such as fiberglass or plastic.
A Brief History of The Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a long, costly and divisive conflict that pitted the communist government of North Vietnam against South Vietnam and its principal ally, the United States. The war resulted in the deaths of over 3 million people, most of whom were Vietnamese.
The conflict began in the 1950s, when Vietnam was still a French colony, and continued after the country gained independence in 1954. The United States became involved in Vietnam in the 1950s to try to prevent the spread of communism, but it was not until the 1960s that the U.S. began sending large numbers of troops to the region.
The war was fought in both Vietnam and Laos, and also involved the secret bombing of Cambodia by the U.S. The Viet Cong, a communist guerrilla force supported by the North Vietnamese Army, fought against the South Vietnamese government and its allies.
The war ended in 1975 when North Vietnamese forces captured the South Vietnamese capital of Saigon. The United States withdrew its troops, and Vietnam was reunified under communist rule. The war had a lasting impact on Vietnam, the United States, and the world at large, and it remains a controversial and heavily debated topic to this day.
Which Countries Fought in The Vietnam War?
The Vietnam War was fought primarily between North Vietnam and South Vietnam, with the North supported by the communist governments of China and the Soviet Union, and the South supported by the United States and other countries in the anti-communist coalition known as the Southeast Asia Treaty Organization (SEATO).
In addition to the United States, other countries that provided military support to South Vietnam included Australia, New Zealand, Thailand, and South Korea.
The war also involved the secret bombing of Cambodia by the United States, and there were smaller numbers of troops and advisers from other countries, such as Canada, France, and West Germany, that served with the U.S. and South Vietnamese forces.
The conflict had a global impact and was widely protested around the world, with many people expressing opposition to the U.S. involvement in the war.