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This a non-regulation Australian style bush hat worn by members of the United States Air Force serving in Thailand during the Vietnam War.

This hat was worn by the donor, who flew four combat missions in Vietnam either piloting or in formation with the Museum's F-105 at the end of 1967 with the 34th Tactical Fighter Squadron.

According to the donor, the “Go to Hell Hat” was a Thai-made Australian Bush hats worn by F-105 pilots and their Electronic Weapon's Officer (EWO) who were stationed in Thailand at Takhli and Korat.

'When a new pilot arrived at Takhli or Korat, he immediately purchased a 'go to hell hat' (an) Australian bush hat at the Post Exchange. For each mission flown against North Vietnam, he etched a black hash mark on the front of the hat; for missions into the Hanoi area (Route Package 6), he penned a red mark on the hat. Status in an F-105 Squadron often boiled down to how many red and black hash marks a pilot wore, with the ultimate status symbol being the 100-missions patch he received at the end of a tour.'

 Display Status

This object is not on display at the National Air and Space Museum. It is either on loan or in storage.
Object Details
Country of Origin Thailand Type PERSONAL EQUIPMENT-Helmets & Headwear Physical Description United States Air Force (USAF) bush hat; olive green cotton with up turned brim; silver Captain's rank insignia on front peak with 32 black hash marks and 9 faded red hash marks; embroidered arched insignia on right side of the brim with red and white boarder with blue background and white letter text "THAILAND" and embroidered rectangle insignia on right side of the brim with red and white boarder with blue background and white letter text "KORAT"; cord chin strap. Dimensions Clothing (Overall): 31.7 × 21 × 7cm (1 ft. 1/2 in. × 8 1/4 in. × 2 3/4 in.)
 Materials Organic Fibers
Plastic
Non-Magnetic White Metal
Iron Alloy
Ink
 Inventory Number A20160001000 Credit Line Gift of Jacob C. Shuler Data Source National Air and Space Museum Restrictions & Rights Open Access (CCO)
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