The CISO was an organization established to supply equipment to the South Vietnamese Army, the CIDG, special forces, and reconnaissance units, and it played a central role in producing a wide variety of tiger-stripe camouflage patterns. This item is a typical tiger-stripe boonie hat manufactured and supplied through the CISO.

The CISO (Counter Insurgency Support Office) is an indispensable part of any discussion of the Vietnam War.

This camouflage pattern—known among collectors as the “Okinawa Pattern” or “JWD” (John Wayne Dense)—is a popular, early-era design. This particular piece is believed to have been manufactured in a sewing factory on the Japanese mainland or in Okinawa, and its appeal lies in the beautiful contrast created by the thick black stripes interwoven with delicate olive-brown hues.

On the inside, a size tag (S) with red lettering on a white background—characteristic of Japanese-made “Tiger Stripe” camouflage—remains, reflecting the typical specifications seen in the mid-1960s. This tag is known as a detail frequently found on items sewn in Okinawa.

The boonie hat itself features the iconic silhouette of CISO-manufactured models from the Vietnam War era; the balance between the moderately long brim and the crown gives it a unique character not found in later mass-produced models. It is a highly refined piece that evokes images of special forces personnel and elite South Vietnamese Army units actually wearing it in the jungle.

Furthermore, this item is in excellent condition—apparently unused—with its vibrant camouflage pattern and the fabric’s original stiffness still firmly intact. While the air vent hardware shows some rust from long-term storage, the rest of the hat is in exceptionally good condition; considering its age of approximately 60 years, this level of preservation is truly remarkable.

Although it is a smaller size (S), this early CISO-manufactured boonie hat is extremely rare and is scarcely seen on the market today. As a masterpiece representing the Tiger Stripe Collection, we confidently recommend it as a must-have collector’s item.

Product Name: Mid-1960s CISO Cut Okinawa Pattern (JWD) Tiger Stripe Boonie Hat Country of
Manufacture: Japan (Sewn in Okinawa)
Era: Mid-1960s
Camouflage Pattern: Okinawa Pattern (JWD) Tiger Stripe
Size: S

Condition

In very good condition; appears to be unused. The fabric retains its stiffness, and the camouflage colors remain vivid. There is slight rust on the air vent hardware due to storage, but considering its age, this is an exceptionally beautiful piece.

Please note that returns are not accepted for used items.

Size (Flat Measurements)

Head circumference: Approximately 57