North Vietnamese Army Pith Helmet with Capture Paper and Provenance Document

The pith helmet shows spots and stains from wear in the field. The liner is present although the string connecting the interior liner strips is missing. The chin strap is intact on the top of the front visor. The pith helmet is accompanied by the “War Trophy Registration / Authorization” form, dated 9 April 1971, and which reflects that the helmet was captured by Major Frederick G. Brigham of MACV Advisory Team 19. The helmet is also accompanied by a handwritten statement, presumably prepared by Major Brigham. The document reads:

“On 4 March about 1500 three of our units contacted two NVA platoons on the border of Mai Linh and Hai Lany districts. After an exchange of gun fire and artillery we called in some snakes (Cobra gun ships) and rocketed the area. This helmet belonged to one of the platoon leaders of the NVA platoons. Also this was some propaganda we found on him” (There is no propaganda material with the helmet).