M-17 Gas mask and case, this was that standard issue to troops. Why do you ask were we issued these mask and chemical warfare gear? The reason was not only the very remote possibility of gas some type of chemical attack, but the frequent use of CS tear gas used by our own troops against the enemy. It was SOP (standard operational procedure) to use gas when attacked (especially at night). This would be used to flush out sappers (enemy special forces) that may be hidden near the attacked firebase or LZ. For those that wore glasses optical inserts were supplied. In my case not and I was in a situation walking around with glasses hanging over my mask.

This was the most commonly used pouch of the war, with the model 1956 web gear. It was designed to be universal, so it could hold any of the following types of ammo. Two M-14 clips or four M-16 clips, six M-1 clips, 24 shotgun shells, three M-79 rounds or two hand grenades. Note the tie downs on the side that were used to hold hand grenades

Standard wear for all Army troops in Nam was this M1 Helmet. Note the elastic band that goes around it. This band was used to hold everything from grass for camouflage to cigarettes and bug juice (insect repellent). The Marines would not have this elastic band issued for some odd reason. The helmet was placed over a helmet liner and was pretty heavy to wear in the tropics but the alternative to getting a piece of scrapmetal in the head usually meant that they were worn. The 3rd platoon in many cases had the letters MP on the front as well as the division patch sewed on the left side and the numerals 23 on the right, to distinguish them as Military Police.

Rucksack and web belt, Typical issue to most troops that were going to the field or carrying things in combat. The web belt could be used to hold anything from the Ammo pouches above to medical kits or holsters to carry side arms. The rucksack was used to carry anything else that the soldier would want to carry such as C-rations or his toothbrush.

This is a air mattress that could be used to make the hard ground or even bunker a better place to sleep. Usually this was not carried out in the field as it just added to the load that a grunt would carry which was substantial to say the least. (For the most part MP's would not go into the field long enough to endure the hardships that the grunts went through but would in many cases have the same equipment.