1960s Vietnam-Era New Jersey Army National Guard Medic Uniforms

Family-preserved grouping of Army Green service, Army Khaki summer service, and OG-107 utility uniforms associated with a Sergeant of the 50th Medical Battalion, 50th Armored Division.

Overview

This grouping represents three principal uniforms worn by a New Jersey Army National Guard medic during the 1960s: the formal Army Green service uniform, the short-sleeve Army Khaki summer service uniform, and the OG-107 utility uniform commonly known as fatigues. Together, the original photographs and surviving garments show how the same Guardsman appeared in formal service dress, warm-weather duty dress, and everyday utility clothing.

The uniforms retain the insignia of a Sergeant in the 50th Armored Division and the distinctive insignia of the 50th Medical Battalion. The official period designations are Army Green, Army Khaki, and olive green utility uniforms.

Then and Now

Specifications

Army Green Service Uniform

The dark green uniform is the Army Green service uniform, commonly described as the Army Class A uniform. It was the standard formal service uniform of the period and could be worn throughout the year. The complete uniform consisted of the four-button Army Green service coat, matching trousers, a light-colored service shirt, black necktie, black low-quarter shoes, and either the enlisted service cap or authorized garrison cap.

The preserved coat retains Sergeant chevrons, the nameplate, enlisted “U.S.” and Army Medical Service collar disks, 50th Medical Battalion distinctive unit insignia on the shoulder loops, the 50th Armored Division shoulder sleeve insignia, and the weapons qualification badge.

Army Khaki Summer Service Uniform

The light-colored short-sleeve uniform is the Army Khaki summer service uniform. It provided a lighter warm-weather alternative to the Army Green uniform and served in a less formal duty role broadly comparable to later Class B wear. The short-sleeve shirt was designed to be worn tucked into matching khaki trousers with the collar open and without a necktie.

The shirt retains Sergeant chevrons, the nameplate, enlisted “U.S.” and Army Medical Service collar disks, and the Sharpshooter Weapons Qualification Badge.

OG-107 Utility Uniform

The green work uniform is the OG-107 utility uniform, commonly called fatigues. It was intended for everyday work, training, maintenance, and field duties rather than formal service occasions. The uniform consisted of a cotton sateen utility shirt and matching trousers, worn with a trouser or web belt, black combat boots, and olive green utility headgear.

The surviving shirt retains the black-and-gold U.S. ARMY tape, name tape Sergeant chevrons, 50th Armored Division shoulder sleeve insignia, and collar insignia. Its lighter appearance today reflects normal wear, repeated laundering, and the aging of cotton sateen fabric.

Headgear

Army Green Enlisted Service Cap

The formal peaked cap accompanies the Army Green service uniform. It has the plain black visor and black chinstrap associated with the enlisted version of the service cap and is shown in the original portrait with the complete service uniform.

Army Green Garrison Cap

The folding cap displayed with the khaki uniform is the U.S. Army garrison cap, also commonly called the overseas cap. This lightweight side cap was authorized for enlisted personnel with the Army Green, Army Tan, and Army Khaki uniforms and provided a less formal alternative to the peaked service cap. Its compact construction allowed it to be folded and carried easily when not being worn.

Olive Green Utility Cap

The soft olive green utility cap accompanies the OG-107 fatigue uniform. Its simple, practical construction suited routine training, work, and field duties.

Rank, Branch, and Unit Insignia

Sergeant Chevrons

Three upward-pointing chevrons identify the wearer as a Sergeant, E-5. The same rank appears across the surviving uniforms, helping establish the garments as one personal grouping rather than unrelated pieces.

Army Medical Service Collar Insignia

The circular collar disk bearing the medical caduceus identifies enlisted service in the Army Medical Service. It is paired with the standard enlisted “U.S.” disk on the opposite collar.

50th Medical Battalion Distinctive Unit Insignia

The two enamel devices are the distinctive unit insignia of the 50th Medical Battalion. Their red cross and medical colors identify the battalion’s mission, while the additional heraldic elements reflect the unit’s lineage. On the Army Green service coat, the insignia are worn on the shoulder loops.

50th Armored Division and “Jersey Blues” Tab

The triangular shoulder patch identifies the 50th Armored Division, the major New Jersey Army National Guard formation represented by the uniforms. The separate yellow-and-blue JERSEY BLUES tab reflects the division’s strong New Jersey identity. When worn as part of the complete shoulder sleeve insignia, the tab was positioned beneath the armored division patch. The surviving tab is an important reminder of the division’s New Jersey period before later organizational changes ended its use.

Weapons Qualification Badge

The badge is the U.S. Army Sharpshooter Weapons Qualification Badge, recognizable by its cross-shaped form and central target. Suspended beneath it are CARBINE and RIFLE qualification bars, recording Sharpshooter-level qualification with both weapon categories.

Uniform Designations

The official identifications are Army Green Service Uniform, Army Khaki Summer Service Uniform, and OG-107 Utility Uniform. The designation OG-107 refers to the olive green color specification associated with the utility clothing and is the only numerical designation needed for this profile.

Assessment and Provenance

This is a family-preserved grouping of three 1960s New Jersey Army National Guard uniforms belonging to the same original wearer. Their association is supported by matching rank, branch insignia, unit insignia, nameplate, weapons qualification badge, and period photographs showing each principal uniform in wear.

The grouping is especially valuable because the surviving garments can be presented beside the original photographs in a direct “then and now” format. The separate 50th Medical Battalion insignia, Sharpshooter badge, and Jersey Blues tab add supporting detail without requiring individual artifact profiles. Together, the uniforms document the appearance of a New Jersey Army National Guard medic in formal, summer, and utility dress during the Vietnam era.

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