Why does Sgt. Hack like the M-51 Field Jacket?


Why does Sgt. Hack like the M-51 Field Jacket? Sgt. Hack was issued this type jacket upon his entrance into the United States Army.  Although first issued in 1951, the M-51 was supplied to our troops well into the Vietnam war.  This jacket superseded the M-43 which was used during World War II.  The M-51 has bi-swing pleats with a zipper and stud fastening.

Military Field Jackets were based upon a civilian jacket suggested by Maj. General James K. Parsons.  The Military Field Jackets were designed so that they could be worn with both winter and summer uniforms as well as fatigue uniforms.  The olive drab cotton field jacket known as the OD Jacket  was adopted in June 1940.  At the beginning of WWII this was the standard jacket for all Army personnel, except those that had specialist clothing or extreme climatic conditions.  This jacket proved to be an inadequate outer garment as its thin lining provided poor insulation during cold weather and little protection  from wet weather.  Additionally its light shade stood out making soldiers more visible.  Military Field Jackets continued to evolve and the OD Field Jacket was replaced by the M-1943.

The M-1943 was longer than the OD Field Jacket, with a darker OD 9 Cotton Satteen, detachable hood, drawstring waste, two large breast pockets, and loop fastening.  Issued up to the Korean War, is was further improved with the introduction of the M-51 in 1951.

In 1965, the M-65 was introduced and became the fourth version of Military Field Jackets.  It has a built in hood that rolled up & fits in a pouch on the back of the neck and has Velcro fasteners on the sleeve cuffs & collar. Introduced in olive green shade 107 it includes two large hip pockets & medium-sized breast pockets.  The M-65 was widely used during the Vietnam war.

With his choice of any jacket in his collection at US Wings, Sgt. Hack feels most comfortable and secure in his first choice, the M-51.