I work with a Vietnam veteran in my Army Reserve unit. He wears the subdued version Tropic Lightning Combat patch from his tour in Vietnam. It was my understanding that Vietnam vets could wear a colored version of their combat patch if they were a Vietnam vet. Since you don't see very many of these vets around still serving, it really stands out when you see a guy wearing the colored version on their BDU's. I have only seen 2 soldiers wearing the colored version, a full bird from Ft. Riley, and another soldier during my tour in the 25th. Could anyone please clarify this for me and possibly point me out the regs that state wether or not they can? Thank you, SGT. Trent Gilliam

Sarge, all I know is that when I came home in '68 I still had another year to do in Fort Hood, & at that time we all wore the full color Electric Strawbwrry on our right sleeve, on all of our uniforms, even though we wore the subdued in Nam. I thought the subdued was for Hostile action areas only, but **** I may still not know anything.

Thanks for the prompt response. I was just trying to answer this question for my buddy because when I mentioned the possibility that he could wear his old school patch he was really pumped. Again, Thanks

i'm confused which an easy thing for me to be but i never heard of a VIETNAM ERA COMBAT PATCH. MY UNSTANDING WAS IF ONE SERVED DURING THE VIETNAM WITHOUT BEING IN-COUNTRY WAS A VIETNAM ERA VET. ON THE OTHER HAND IF ONE SERVED NOT ONLY DURING THIS ERA BUT IN-COUNTRY WAS SIMPLY A VIETNAM VET. I PERSONAL BELIEVE WHERE EVER ONE SERVED DURING VIETNAM SHOULD SHOULD BE A VIETNAM VET. PRIVATE POUNDS BRAVO COMPANY TRIPLE DEUCE 25TH INFANTRY VIETNAM SAVAGEGRACE MY NEW HANDLE:PRIVATE PISTABIT #S

Please be safe with divulging info to this individual as known socio-path and I have witnessed many whom have been used for information and abused by information given.

You must go on current regulations. The subdued patch on the BDU and the color patch on Dress Blues or Greens if they are still around.