Vietnam War M1 Helmet Liner 300th Military Police

The 300th Military Police Company has a rich history during its deployment in Vietnam (from June 1966 to April 1972). The 300th MP Company was centrally stationed around the crucial Tan Son Nhut base near Saigon, serving as part of the 92nd MP Battalion.

Typical characteristics of a Vietnam 300th MP Liner:

• Manufacturer: This specific contract (DSA 100-71-C-1273) was executed at the time by the well-known American manufacturer Steinberg Bros.
• The Base: Glossy olive-drab painted plastic/fiberglass liner (usually the P64 version from the 1960s).
• The Colored Band: According to official records of MP helmets in Vietnam, the 300th MP Company wore a white horizontal band running all the way around the helmet.
• Front Marking: Large, crisp white "MP" letters on the front.
• Side Markings: The right side was often reserved for the battalion or brigade emblem.

Variations in markings ("428")

Because military police units needed to be quickly identifiable in the chaos of Vietnam (such as during the 1968 Tet Offensive, when Tan Son Nhut came under heavy attack), numbers were either applied as decals or painted on. Numbers like 428 on the back or side indicated the division post, the patrol vehicle (V-100 Commando armored car or jeep), or the personal roster number of the sergeant/officer.