M-1955
The M-1955 is a fragmentation vest that was used by the US Marine Corps during the Vietnam War , among others .
history
In 1943, the US Navy Research Laboratory began looking into the possibility of creating lightweight body armor for the Marines and ship crew members in exposed positions.
At the same time, the Office of the General Quartermaster of the Military Planning Division was concerned with the usability of non-metallic, ballistic materials for helmets and protective vests - on the one hand to reduce weight, on the other hand to save metals that were important for the war effort.
In May 1943 the Dow Chemical Corporation succeeded in developing a promising material consisting of glass fibers bound in ethyl cellulose under high pressure . The new material was named "Doron" after Colonel F. Doriot, chief of the Military Planning Division.
Tests proved that the ethyl cellulose did not perform as desired at high temperatures. Instead, a new resin (methacrylate) was used that had the desired properties. The resulting laminate was named "Doron 2". A 1.5 mm thick plate made of eight-layer Doron 2 was just about able to withstand the projectile from an M1911A1 pistol . Therefore, it was decided to use a 3 mm thick 15-layer board for practical use.
The US Army decided that a combination of nylon fabric and aluminum plates would be more suitable for their purposes . The Navy found the lighter Doron to be more suitable.
Further testing, under the supervision of the Bureau of Medicine and Surgery, found that using larger panels in a protective vest was the best solution. The tests also showed that padding under the panels was desirable, but not necessary. For weight reasons, it was decided not to use it.
For the sake of simplicity, the first vests were constructed by sewing Doron plates into pockets and fastening them inside a normal USMC field jacket. 1000 of these vests were given to the 2nd Marine Division of III. Amphibious Corps issued in time for landing on Okinawa in April 1945.
After the war, tests continued with various ballistic materials. The Naval Medical Laboratory at Camp Lejeune developed a simple pull-over vest with slightly curved Doron plates. The Biophysics Division of the Chemical Corps Medical Laboratories was doing basic research in wound ballistics and body protection at the same time , using nylon fabric, Doron, steel and aluminum in various combinations.
When the Korean War broke out, a commission of experts determined that body protection would be desirable in any case.
500 of the Doron vests, as used in Okinawa, were flown to Korea in September 1950 for the Seoul-Inchon offensive. The mass was lost along the way and only 50 vests made it to the 1st Marine Division. The vests were assigned to the division's reconnaissance company, but in the chaos of the fighting over the Chosin Reservoir , no reports have been written about the vests' use.
At the same time, the US Army continued research; Doron was still rejected. The Army considered 12 layers of nylon fabric to be the best solution, as the fabric offered adequate protection against splinters and, due to its flexibility, was well suited for protective vests.
The laboratory at Camp Lejeune also received these results. There it was decided to make some changes to the overcoat; the most important was the installation of 12 layers of nylon fabric in the upper part of the vest, which covered the shoulders. 16 slightly curved Doron plates protect the chest and stomach. The vest weighed about three kilos.
In June 1951 the modified vest went to Korea for a troop test. The results were encouraging: the vests could be worn even in mountainous terrain and offered good protection. They also had a positive effect on the soldiers' morale. The disadvantage was that the vests dammed up body heat and absorbed a lot of moisture, which made them gain weight.
After the troop trials, it was decided to purchase 1400 vests with changes based on the experience gained for further trials. However, the Marine Corps did not want any further delays and demanded the introduction and procurement of 500 vests, which should reach the 1st Marine Division by January 31, 1952 at the latest. This vest was named "Vest, Armored, M-1951". A second procurement contract for 2500 vests followed.
The M-1951 was an instant success - Marine Corps statistics showed the Vests reduced chest and abdominal injuries by up to 70%.
The M-1951 weighs about 3.5 kg, has no collar and is closed with a zipper at the front . A flap with press studs covers the zip. The shoulder area is protected by 12 layers of nylon fabric, the chest, stomach and back areas are protected by overlapping Doron panels. Although the protective value of nylon layers and Doron plates is practically the same, the rigid plates provide better protection against bulging caused by projectiles and reduced the risk of soft tissue injuries.
After the Korean War, the M-1951 was improved based on operational experience. The improved vest was introduced in 1955 as "Vest, Armored M-1955". The name was later changed to "Armor, Body, Fragmentation Protective; Upper Torso; (W / Collar, M-1955)".
The M-1955 remained in service with the US Marine Corps and the US Navy until the PASGT (Personal Armor System, Ground Troops) was introduced in 1978.
description
The M-1955 consists of 13 layers of nylon fabric in the shoulder area. In the area below, the vest consists of 23 3 mm thick, approximately 135 × 135 mm large Doron panels, which are sewn into pockets in the vest in three overlapping rows (and also overlapping within the row).
The vest is made of water-repellent cotton fabric. The 3/4 collar contains six layers of nylon fabric. The vest opens at the front and is closed with a sturdy zipper. The zipper is positioned so that the panels slightly overlap when closed. It is also covered with a flap that is closed with four snaps.
Over the right shoulder of the vest runs an approximately 45 cm long piece of rope sewn into cotton fabric, which is known as the "Rope Ridge". It prevents the strap of a slung rifle from slipping off the rather smooth shoulder of the vest. The vest has an open pocket on the left front of the chest, which can hold a first-aid pack (although exactly one pack of cigarettes fits inside ...). Around the lower edge of the vest there is a strap about 25 mm wide, which is equipped with metal eyelets, to which equipment can be attached with the metal hooks of the M1910 carrying equipment.
Vests manufactured after 1967 have two large stowage pockets at the front that are closed with buttoned flaps. The pockets are made of nylon fabric, while the vest is still made of cotton fabric. These pockets are useful because the vest prevents access to the pockets of the uniform blouse when it is closed.
In action
The US Marine Corps placed much more emphasis on soldiers in the field wearing their vests than was the case with the US Army. Personal carrying equipment (M-1961 or M1956) was usually worn under the vest; this was easier because the M-1955 is shorter than the US Army counterparts ( M-1952 and M-69).
The vest is heavy and rattles a little, but does not retain body heat as much as the US Army nylon vests. It's more comfortable to wear than the M-69 because its collar is lower and doesn't restrict head movement as much.
swell
- Simon Dunstan: Flak Jackets - 20th Century Military Body Armor. Osprey Publishing Ltd., London UK 1984, ISBN 0-85045-569-3 ( Men-at-arms Series 157).
- Kevin Lyles: Vietnam. US Uniforms in Color Photographs. Windrow & Greene, London UK 1992, ISBN 1-872004-52-0 ( Europa Militaria Special 3).