Riverine Berets

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

As promised in my post on the HUNG-DAO label update, here are a few pics of a group of Riverine berets from a recent grouping that I picked up from a long time friend who served in TF-116, section 551. Note the HUNG -DAO label absent the D.T #. Jeff

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

Pic # 2

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

pic # 3

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

Pic # 4

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

pic # 5

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

pic #6

[Patrick Dempsey]

Jeff,

again a spectacular grouping!

Out of interest when did your friend serve?

Do you perhaps now think there could be a timeline of the addition/removal of the DT number that could be followed?

Glad you are the custodian of these items now.

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

Patrick,
Mr Erickson served in 69, as you can see by the 551 patch which denoted (section) instead of division. Timeline for the removal of the D.T. # is impossible to verify at this time. Im my life I have only seen perhaps 2 other berets in person, and perhaps 2 more via photograph that I would consider authentic.
I need to emphasize to other collectors that even though I have now verified the authenticity to my satisfaction of this label variation, I would still exercise extreme caution when looking at berets with this label. As I have said I have only examined a handfull of berets that I would consider (original) with this label minus the D.T. number. That means that I have examined hundreds that I deem as reproductions! Jeff

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

Patrick,
Also forgot to mention that this is a very large grouping and only a few items are pictured here. I am currently going through nearly 200 pictures and over 500 color slides. Some great shots of riverine insignia, battle damage on the boats, and many VC KIA shots. Also some great Seawolves pics as well. Truly a great grouping which only took me 20 years to acquire!

[hochiminhtrail]

grouping

well done Jeff, i m happy you got it, and the grouping is in good hands thats for sure

Alex

[kammo man]

Thanks for the book Jeff !!!
It was good to see you at the show and see some of your different berets .
owen

[nguoi tien su]

Wonderful grouping ! This is great you managed to keep it together. Congrats !

[VALERY226]

Great!
That's what I call a nice grouping!
Congratulations
V

[Satcong101]

Stunning

[Jeff Ashenfelter]

Thanks for all of the kind replys. Owen, I look forward to seeing the finished product on your T.S display.
Just a side note on the riverine grouping, by the time I arrived to buy the group the vet had stripped all of the insignia off of one of the jungle jackets because he thought it was too worn! And he ruined the jacket in the process. He also decided at the last minute to keep one of his boxed zippo TF 116 lighters just because he didn't think I would want 2 of the same thing. Oh well!