North Vietnamese Air Force Major Collar Tabs

The NVA wore collar tabs extensively in the North. In spite of regulations requiring them to be left in the North, some collar tabs made their way to the South and were found in packs and pockets.

Wartime collar tabs can be easily distinguished from post war in that wartime always were made of wool felt, like these. Post 1975 collar tabs are made of polyester.

They were attached to the collar by aluminum prongs or brass wire. Small string loops were typically sewn onto the collar where the prongs would pass through.

This pair is for an air force man. Specialized Air Force personnel went South and played a role in established anti-aircraft defenses around major base camps or assisting in recovering parts from downed aircraft.