Leopad (Beo gam) camouflage

Description

Locally produced versions of commercial duck-hunter jacket patterns introduced by U.S. military advisors in 1961 began to be manufactured around 1964. The Vietnamese name for this pattern is beo gam (“leopard”), so called because the spots in the pattern resemble those of a leopard. Although several variations exist, most beo gam patterns produced in Vietnam can be distinguished from those purchased from commercial sources in the United States or elsewhere in Asia by their denser concentration of spots. A typical beo gam pattern is a multicolored design featuring dark blue, green, lilac, maroon, deep pink, and olive spots on a khaki background. This was not a standard uniform for any unit of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam; instead, it was primarily used by Montagnard Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) units.