culottes A woman’s or girl’s garment consisting of trousers made full in the legs to resemble a skirt.
rear-echelon A subdivision of a military force, farthest from the enemy.
NCO Noncommissioned officer.
E-6 An enlisted man’s grade.
RFs, PFs Regional forces of S. Vietnam, also called Ruff-Puffs.
ARVN Army of the Republic of Vietnam (Army of S. Vietnam).
Green Beret A member of the Special Forces of the U.S. Army, the “Green Berets” (from the green beret worn as part of the uniform).
EM Enlisted man.
C-130 (Hercules) Aircraft that primarily performs the tactical portion of an airlift mission. It can operate from rough dirt strips and is the prime transport for airdropping troops and equipment into hostile areas.
USO United Service Organizations, a civilian arm of the U.S. Army that offered diversions and entertainment for soldiers both on the homefront and in active combat areas overseas.
hootch Military slang for a place to live in, specifically a shack or thatched hut, as in Vietnam.
Sterno Trademark for gelatinized methyl alcohol with nitrocellulose, sold in cans as a fuel for small stoves or chafing dishes.
ville A small village or group of huts in rural Vietnam.
AK-47 Basic infantry weapon of the NVA and Viet Cong.
Darvon A white, crystalline, narcotic analgesic used for the alleviation of moderate pain.
joss sticks Thin sticks of dried paste made of fragrant wood dust, a kind of incense.
MP Military Police.
CID Criminal Investigation Department.
