Original U.S. Vietnam War Type 2 Protestant Chaplain’s Kit with Partial Contents

Original Item. Only One Available. Going into the Vietnam era, Veteran chaplains would have used the kits they had from WW2 and/or the Korean War. While Jewish chaplains, by necessity, continued to use the larger, bulkier kits, this next kit was developed and began being issued to Protestant and Catholic chaplains in Vietnam in 1966 as the “Type 1,” then was slightly modified to reduce costs without reducing serviceability in 1971 known as the “Type 2.” It is designed as a weather-proof, light-weight kit that has everything needed to perform a worship service with the celebration of communion, including having candles!

This is a great example of the Type 2 Protestant Chaplain’s kit. The most noticeable difference between the Type 1 and Type 2 is the bag, which is a thinner, more shiny material than the Type 2 and doesn’t have a securing strap along the length of it (only two short ones over the top). The carry strap is also thinner than the Type 2, with an added shoulder cushion piece on it.

Sewn inside the bags on these kits are the checklist of included items (with care instructions, washing instructions for the fabric material, and regulations pertaining to the kit and its transport. The Type 1 kits do not have the fabric care instructions, which is how we were able to identify this as a Type 2.

This kit contains:
- Chalice
- Chalice Insert
- Chalice Paten
- Communion Paten
- Cross
- Candle Holders with Two Candles
- Flame Protectors (2)
- Bottles (2)
- Host Box
- Purificators
- Altar Cloths
- Corporals

It is missing the ciborium, host tube, host wafers, bible stand, bible, Chaplain scarf, and possibly some of the clothes. Some of the velcro is tearing, but overall the case is in fair service-used condition.
 
A fantastic kit, ready for further research and display.