Viet Cong Sun Helmet Badge (Original)

Viet Cong Sunburst caps and insignia, such as this example, were made of aluminum in the early 1970s, as was this piece. These VC insignia were observed in 1972 during negotiations between the United States and the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam concerning the exchange of prisoners of war. When the exchange took place in 1973, National Liberation Front soldiers present were seen wearing cap insignia of this same color tone on blue wide-brimmed hats. These National Liberation Front insignia were last documented in mid-1975 during victory parades and rallies following the fall of Saigon. After 1975, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam assumed all political and military functions and gradually phased out the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam, including its national flag and insignia. Note the blood-red color, rather than a candy-apple red, and the gilt enamel finish found on examples dated to 1975.