M -1969 Pattern Fragmentation Protective Body Armor Vest : Neil Davis

M 1969 Pattern Fragmentation Protective Body Armor Vest. The vest contains a ballistic filler sealed in a waterproof polyvinyl chloride (PVC) casing. The filler consists of 12 plies of ballistic nylon fabric in the front and upper back, ten plies in the back with an additional 2 plies, 127 millimeters wide up the spine and six plies in the collar. A set of plastic stiffeners are inserted under the fifth layer of ballistic nylon. The ballistic nylon is designed to protect against fragments and will stop penetration of lower handgun threats. The vest covering is made from olive drab nylon, has Velcro fasteners at the front and parachord nylon bindings at the sides. Two nylon pockets are on the front. Above the right pocket is written 'NBC' in black ink. Over the left pocket is written 'NEWS', with 'BOA CHI' above that. On the interior is manufacture information 'CO TRUNG BINH; SIZE MEDIUM; 6470-144-5798; ARMOR BODY, FRAGMENTATION PROTECTIVE WITH 3/4 COLLAR (RVNAF); USA 100-70-C0126'.

M 1969 Pattern Fragmentation Protective Body Armor Vest worn by the Australian news cameraman Neil Davis while filming news footage during the Vietnam conflict. The body armor vest was developed for use in Vietnam by the US Army and was manufactured under licence in Vietnam. Neil Davis went into the field with the Viet Cong as well as American Forces in Vietnam, and filmed the war in Cambodia and Laos. After the Vietnam War Davis covered many of the world's conflicts for the American National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC), eventually settling in Bangkok, Thailand. It was in Bangkok in 1985, filming a Thai Army coup, that he was killed by machine gun fire from a Thai rebel tank.