Armor, Body, Fragmentation, Protective, Vest Type, M-52
1967, 27 February,Company C, 9th Marines, Operation Chinhook
Service history
In service1952-1980+
Used byUnited States Marine Corps United States Navy
WarsKorean War
1958 Lebanon Crisis
Vietnam War
Specifications
Weight8.5 pounds (~3.8 kg)

M-52 Flak Jacket was a 20th century American flak jacket. It was used during the Korean and Vietnam wars.

Background

The M-52 Flak vest, or "Armor, Body, Fragmentation, Protective, Vest Type, M-52" was a flak vest designed for the United States Marine Corps during the Korean war. Following the joint US Army and Marine Corps designed M51 Flak Jacket, the M-52 used aluminum plates instead of Doron.[1][2]

Description

The M-1952A Body Armor was an 8.5 pound vest made up of twelve layers of flexible laminated nylon[3] and featured epaulets, a zip front closure and adjustable elastic draw cords on each side. It also had cargo pockets with the left one having a pen compartment.[4]

Combat Use

The Marine Corps first used the M-52 during the Korean War. However, it only reached frontline troops during late 1952, and only in relatively small quantities.[3] They would continue to use it throughout the 1958 Lebanon Crisis and during the early stages of the Vietnam War.[5] The U.S. Navy also used them quite heavily during the conflict, including their Mobile Riverine Force. The M-52 would be phased out of use by the M1955 during the Vietnam Conflict,[6] however, examples of use by the Marine Corps would be seen into the 1980s during training.[7]

References

  1. ↑ "U.S. Military Body Armor Korean War". 2021-01-27. Archived from the original on 2021-01-27. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
  2. ↑ "Lightweight Body Armor, Doron 1953". qmmuseum.lee.army.mil. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
  3. 1 2 Department, U. S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) History. ""This Vest May Save Your Life!"". arsof-history.org. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  4. ↑ "M1952A Flak Vest". www.vietnamgear.com. Retrieved 2023-12-17.
  5. ↑ PHOTO, DEFENSE DEPT (1967-03-19), English: Company C, 1/9 Marines advance through elephant grass during Operation Prairie III, retrieved 2022-12-19
  6. ↑ "U.S. Military Body Armor Vietnam". 2021-09-28. Archived from the original on 2021-09-28. Retrieved 2022-12-19.
  7. ↑ USMC (1980), English: A close view of a combat-ready Marine officer candidate as he checks the backpack of another candidate. Both of them are wearing camouflage paint on their faces. The Marines are students of The Basic School for Marine Officers Combat Training., retrieved 2022-12-19
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