Original U.S. Vietnam War Era 43rd M*A*S*H Korean-Made Boonie Hat for Lieutenant General James Hollingsworth - 43rd MASH was Inspiration for Show

Original Item. One-of-a-Kind. This is an outstanding Korean-made Boonie hat made in theater for Lieutenant General James Francis Hollingsworth while he was serving as Commander of I Corps in Korea from 1973-1976. Hollingsworth was a Three Time Recipient Distinguished Service Cross, Four Distinguished Service Medals, Four Silver Stars, Three Legion of Merit Medals, Three Distinguished Flying Crosses, The Soldiers Medal, Four Bronze Stars for Valor, Thirty-eight Air Medals, Army Commendation Medal, Six Purple Hearts for Combat Wounds.

Hollingsworth served in the Third Army during World War II with the 2nd Battalion, 67th Armored Regiment and was wounded five times.

Brigadier General Hollingsworth served as assistant commander of the 1st Infantry Division in 1966–67. Hollingsworth and new division commander Major General William E. DePuy relieved a number of commanders whom they regarded as combat ineffective. During this tour he was profiled by English journalist Nicholas Tomalin in his story The General Goes Zapping Charlie Cong, which was published in The Sunday Times on 5 June 1966. After reading of these activities DePuy and Hollingsworth were reprimanded by Chief of Staff of the United States Army Harold K. Johnson who wrote to DePuy: "If I had wanted a lead scout in command of the 1st Division you would not have gotten the job. Your value and Holly's is proportional to the responsibility that you have for something over 15,000 men. Your job is not to shoot VC. Your job is to see that other people shoot VC." Tomalin's story was later used as part of the inspiration for the character Lieutenant Colonel Bill Kilgore in the film Apocalypse Now.

In 1972 Hollingsworth was serving as Commander of Third Regional Assistance Command in III Corps. During the Battle of An Lộc, part of the North Vietnamese Easter Offensive, Hollingsworth was responsible for organizing the air support that allowed the Army of the Republic of Vietnam forces to hold the town and ultimately defeat the People's Army of Vietnam assault.[2] During an interview taped by CBS, Hollingsworth said that he would never entertain a proposal by the Red Cross that the two sides should declare a temporary cease-fire at An Loc to treat the wounded. On another occasion, speaking of An Loc's attackers, he told reporters he intended to "kill them all before they get back to Cambodia." In each case it was clear that Hollingsworth considered himself the effective commander at An Lộc, even though a South Vietnamese officer was technically in charge. COMUSMACV General Creighton Abrams reportedly instructed Hollingsworth to "shut his mouth."

The Boonie cap is embroidered 43RD M*A*S*H on one side and LT GEN HOLLINGSWORTH on the other, with an I Corps patch attached to the top. A great Korean-made piece. It’s roughly a size 7.

Ready for further research and display!