| Pat Ludwa, ready for out-processing. This was
a uniform of the post-Vietnam 1970's Currahee: khakis and a dark blue beret with the 1st Battalion, 506th flash. The flash and insignia were supposed to be worn directly over the left eye. For the beret to lie properly to one side, the lining and the inside front cardboard had to be removed. |
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in a Class A uniform with spit-shined Corcoran boots |
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During this era, the infantry regiments wore dark blue
berets. Each regiment had its own insignia on the
front of the beret; then each battalion had its own flash
(the cloth behind the insignia). Other support units had
berets of different colors. Some had bright red berets (as opposed
to the 82nd's maroon), and the MP's had lime green berets. If
the soldier was Air Assault qualified, he wore his wings
to the left of the flash. The 2/17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), had a similar and equally beloved tradition of wearing huge black Stetson hats with yellow cords and brass crossed sabers, along with yellow ascot scarves, black cowboy boots, silver spurs, etc. General Rogers didn't like that any better than he liked the blue berets! |
