Can you Help us Reunite a KIA Vietnam War Veteran's Helmet Found in the UK with its Rightful Owners?
On National Vietnam War Veterans Day, can you help us to return a KIA Vietnam War Veteran's Helmet found in a charity shop in the UK, to its rightful owners? We hope so. When eighteen year old Hugo Booth, a military enthusiast and history hunter living in Guernsey, came across a Vietnam War Veteran's helmet in a charity shop, he had no idea that the story of a young man called Jeffrey Rupp, who was killed in action at the young age of 20 would reveal itself to him. The more Hugo and his father Tony found out about Jeffrey, the more they knew that they needed to return the helmet to his family, if there are any family members remaining. To this end we are hoping that you might be able to help us to reunite this helmet with them. If you have any information please comment in the comments section or email me on tidelineart@gmail.com or email Hugo's father Tony Booth on tcbooth@hotmail.com We would love to hear from you.
If you would like to make a donation to help Hugo and Tony travel to the USA to return the helmet to the family, you can find Hugo's GoFundMe page here:-
www.gofundme.com/f/return-sol...
Any surplus funds will be given to the Purple Heart Foundation and the Vietnam Veterans of America Charities.
You can read a message from Hugo here:-
"My name is Hugo Booth. I am eighteen years old. I live in Guernsey in the British Channel Islands and the aim of this gofundme is to raise enough money to travel to the USA to return a personal military item to its rightful owners.
As a military enthusiast, I was very happy to acquire a Vietnam-era M1 helmet in a charity auction here in Guernsey and it wasn’t until after I got it home, that I realised that it bore the name of the young man who once wore it. On the front of the Kevlar insert is graffiti which reads ‘Rupp’. On the back is the peace sign and the words ‘vote Nixon’. My research revealed that several men with the name Rupp served in the Vietnam war, but PFC Jeffrey Rupp served in the 101st Airborne and this helmet has the distinctive Airborne chinstrap. Sadly, Rupp was severely injured six weeks into his tour near the Cambodian border in January 1969. He died of his wounds on a hospital ship five days later at the age of twenty. Tragically, Rupp’s family were notified of his death on the same day they received his last letter. I hope to soon locate his family, who I believe are from Wisconsin
Another interesting fact about this helmet is that it once belonged to the Hollywood star Oliver Reed, who gave it to one of his friends here in Guernsey. The helmet then ended up in a local charity shop which is where I found it. I am still researching how Rupp’s helmet travelled seven thousand miles from a battlefield in Vietnam to a charity shop in Guernsey via a Hollywood star, but I feel that now is the time to give the helmet to Rupp’s family. I am just a temporary custodian, and I would like to take it home to the family who love him still. I feel it is important that myself and my father go to America to give them Jeffrey’s helmet personally.
In order to do this I need to travel from Guernsey to the USA with my father. I would like to raise £5000 for our trip and I would be very grateful for any help you can give. Any surplus funds not necessary for our travel and accommodation will be divided between the Purple Heart Foundation and the Vietnam Veterans of America.
With sincere thanks,
Hugo Booth"
www.gofundme.com/f/return-sol...
gofund.me/f36755b9
**Message from Tony and Hugo** Hello to all of you who have so kindly viewed our video on Jeffrey Rupp, left so many comments, and so kindly contributed to our GoFundMe project. Thank you all. We would like to keep you informed about the project and start by talking a little more about the helmet itself. We know that it is an Airborne liner, fixed to a Kevlar insert, as it is stamped ‘Type II’ inside, which was Airborne’ and sets it apart from Type I liners which were in more general use. And is shown in the attached image. The year of issue, also written inside is ‘68’, which is also shown. Rupp was conscripted in 1968 at time when there was widespread escalation on the home front against the Vietnam war. His writing ‘Vote Nixon’ and the Peace sign fits exactly with the social history of this turbulent period in US history. Nixon was running for office while Rupp was training, promising to end Vietnam war if he is elected at the 37th president that year. Is it that hard to imagine a twenty-year old man, aware of the wide spread tide of opposition against a conflict he is being forced into would end soon. Richard Nixon looked to be his only hope and Rupp reflected this on his helmet insert where it could not be seen. We will post more pins for you to get to know this story in greater detail. Please do keep up the comments, as we are learning so much from you as well. And any donations you feel you can make will be very much appreciated. I feel sure that between us all, we can get this artefact back to his family where it truly belongs. With best wishes Hugo and Tony Booth www.gofundme.com/f/return-soldiers-family-vietnam-war-helmet
How so?
Hugo and Tony are totally legit,I can assure you. But perhaps you meant someone else. They are returning a long lost cherished item,to this fallen soldier’s family. I promise you,they are doing good work,doing this. 😌
Oh! I understand,well that mistake makes them look bad,it’s not helping their fundraising,it’s very important!
@@charlesperez9976 thanks Charles I've removed that comment
This video just blew my mind!!! I am Jeffrey Rupp's sister, he has 3 other siblings and we all live in Wisconsin. Would love to get this helmet back!
You will get Jeffrey’s helmet back,that’s a guarantee. ❤️
That's my brother. He is buried in eden Wisconsin. Will be in touch soon.
Respect.🪖 Truly.
This is my husband’s first cousin! Amazing! His name is Randy Rupp. We will pass this on to the family!
Hi Tracy, brilliant thank you. Feel free to email me nicola.white@tidelineart.com
Well Done Lady and Gentlemen. 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻
MS. White, thank you for caring about this issue... my late Father was a USAF Vietnam veteran, he served 1968-72, age 18 to 22. His tour of duty was Summer 1971-72. He spoke to me only a few times about the war; he did know a few men whose names are on the black wall monument. God bless you. 🇺🇸🪖🎖️
Never forgotten, also the peace sign and Nixon is notable for that time period, the Vietnam war was met with such controversy in the 60's IE: peace not war, flower Power. I remember were a few slogans, the men and women who were there Day and night and survived as well as those who lost their lives weren't recognized with the honor that they deserved when they got home. Now they are. We can be thankful for that. Thanks for your efforts. I remember my dad watching the evening news with Walter Cronkite with clips of the battles, black and white télévision. As a kid I didn't really understand but found it terribly upsetting. As Walter Cronkite said " and that's the way it is"
As a Viet Nam veteran, I am so pleased that these gentlemen are making such an effort to bring this helmet to Pvt. Rupp's family. I was in Nam on the date he died and can only pray that we never are involved in another "conflict" such as Viet Nam. John J. Shaw, Panel 14E, Line 94, my childhood friend KIA at age 21 in Nam.
Thank you for your service. Welcome home
Welcome home sir!
Thank you for your service. God Bless you and yours. Peace and love from Port Angeles Washington on the beautiful Olympic Peninsula in Washington State.❤️🙏🇺🇲
I hope you are successful. 🙏❤️🇺🇲
@@alenahawke475 Love Washington. I have visited it many times as my daughter and family live in the area of Kent.
Thank you Nicola! I have just shared this with my Dad who is in the VFW...Veterans of Foreign Wars and has been for decades. I asked him to share this with all VFW centers. We have family all over the US and I hope that we can bring this to his proper home. Just Thank You to Hugo and of course you! What lovely people you all are!
My brother is a Vietnam veteran. In truth it wasn’t his choice to go but he bravely did his duty and I’m proud of my big brother.
@SharonPadget Please extend my Welcome Home and Thank You for his service to your brave big brother. 🇺🇸
Huge respect from an American here 👍
The power of the internet will get this helmet back to the family ❤
Thank you for helping facilitate this, Nicola! American here, child of an American soldier who served in Korea and Vietnam, and was stationed in England for a time as well. Great respect to Hugo and his Dad, All the best with your admirable mission. I've just made a small contribution to the cause. I hope we can somehow follow along on the progress of this honorable project. 💞
Thank you very much
Oh my, thank you all for this. At the wall my finger reached out and ran over his name. These are the stories that reach deep into our humanity.
Hi, Nicola. Susan here. A quick search shows that Ancestry has a family tree for Jeffrey's family, including his four siblings (2 brothers and two sisters). I have sent a note to the tree editor (who happens to be based in England!), and advised him to contact you directly or through this link. It is very likely that there are direct relatives, given that he had so many siblings. Good luck!
Thanks Susan actually I've another puzzle I wonder if you can help with? I'll email you xx
@@nicolawhitemudlark Sure! I'd like that. Do you already have my email? Not sure I want to post it here!
I just looked him up and he only had one brother that died at one year. I can send links to the site that lists him.
I think I have it
The story behind the helmet, and the young man’s writing of his name on it, is what makes it so poignant and importantly gets back to his family. Oliver Reed is a minor tangent on its history. I’m sure it will be deeply treasured by his family.
I live in WI. I’ll share this info. Thank you for your kindness.
Thank you! ]
What a lovely gesture this young man and his Father are making for Jeffrey D. Rupp and his family. I will definitely contribute to the Go Fund Me campaign. A great thank you to Hugo and Tony Booth for your sensitivity and care and recognizing the importance of this military helmut from the Vietnam War. The Vietnam War was my generation's war and I grew up on the west coast of California in San Diego. War was different back then, not just in the number of dead but how they were brought home. The did not come home to Dover AFB, in Delaware, in a flag draped coffin. They came home by ship, in black body bags to a naval port in San Diego. Watching the evening news every night with my Dad, Walter Cronkite gave the body count to stunned Americans. My Dad, incidentally, was born and raised in Britain. Thank you again, much respect to you both. Janet Kirkwood Slicer
Dear Janet, thank you so much for your kind comment and your recollections. I hope this video raises awareness of the Vietnam Veterans Day, and that it gives us an opportunity to remember not just Jeffrey Rupp but all the people who died in this war. Many thanks and we will keep you all updated. ❤
This is where we see the good side of the internet..I'm sure there will be a positive result from seeing the comments so far..God Bless you Nicola and all those involved in this valiant endeavour...Karl from eastern Canada
My brother was in Vietnam Vet in the Army he went through a lot when he was in. As did every young man did! He told us some horrific stories about his time served. I am so grateful to these gentleman for their time they are putting in for Jeffrey Rupp & his family. I know they will appreciate all. Take care and good luck.
Thank you for watching this video which is a little different to my usual one! Thank you for all your comments and suggestions too which are really appreciated. We will keep you updated with any developments on this and my contact details are below if you need to get in touch. With it being National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29th it seemed an appropriate time to post this story about a KIA Vietnam Veterans helmet which was found here in the UK. If you can help with any info please email me at tidelineart@gmail.com or email Tony Booth on tcbooth@hotmail.com. We would love to hear from you. Thank you! Nicola
There is paper in Manitowoc - I will forward the video to them in case they can put out the word! The Herald Times reporter.
@@MsVictory1945 Thank you!
Thank you so much Nic for sharing this brave man's story.
I found his first cousin, and Jeff has four siblings that are still living. I will email you his cousin’s contact information!
Jeffrey David Rupp is buried in St Mary's cemetery in Fond du Lac, Wisconsin and his father's name was Joseph Francis Rupp who died in 1995 in Manitowoc, Wisconsin but is Buried in the same cemetery.
No matter the personal feelings concerning the Vietnam War or any war, we need to honor our soldiers young and old.
Doubt it will help but when I was a Khe Sann (?) in Vietnam I came across some name tags of a US marine. I googled the memorial wall in Washington and found that he had not died during the war, so I got in touch with the US Marine headquarters in the USA and sent the tags to them. They apparently forwarded them to him/his family.
Thank you, Nicola, for bringing Hugo and Tony to our attention. Their work is inspiring.
Fantastic work all involved. RIP all those young men and respect to all the Vietnam Veterans.
This really brings home that history is about the people.
I shared this to my FB page I have some family in Wisconsin I hope this is successful what a story
Thank you :) x
Hello, a friend of mine sent me this video. I want to applaud you, as well as Hugo & Tony for making a valiant attempt to honor our American military veterans. I love the effort put into this project, however I believe you have misidentified the original owner of this helmet for several reasons. The first, and most glaring is the steel helmet & associated accessories date from well after the Vietnam war. The helmet cover is a pattern that wasn’t adopted until 1971 (two years after Jeffery Rupp was identified as KIA). The helmet’s chinstraps are not the variety meant for airborne use, but are the modernized clip on style that was adopted in 1974. The liner itself is a late Vietnam period made airborne type, which started production around 1968 and would see widespread use in the following years. There would be a date on the inner suspension, but the big tell for the period is the material being a thick Nylon opposed to a much thinner duck cotton web. These airborne type liners saw widespread use with troops in non-airborne duties, and can be seen regularly used by stateside infantry troops in the mid 1970s. As I understand, all troops that were trained at Fort Bragg (Airborne, or otherwise) were issued a paratrooper variant helmet, as that’s what the base had readily available. In the video you touch upon another Mr. Rupp, who served in the 1970s. I believe that is your man. The individual components, and the configuration of the helmet set as a whole would be much more fitting for that timeframe.
@@nicolad8822 Where are you looking? In my experience it’s very difficult to find service members who did not participate in Vietnam, if not impossible.
Thank you for this explanation. I am absolutely not an expert, and I made this video in good faith believing that the helmet was verified in terms of age etc.. and I've no reason at the moment to believe it's not as described but when Tony and Hugo see your comment I've no doubt they will take steps to make absolutely certain. Nicola
Thank you for this posting, VN had an impact on many. I lost my biological father and an uncle to it, and I still have a cousin that is MIA. While serving is a long family tradition, going back to the French and Indian War, we always carry those that have gone before with us. I hope it makes it home where it belongs. Lest we forget.
Thank you for helping to get this helmet back where it belongs. As well as for showing the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. I think people don't realize just how many people have given their lives, not only in this conflict but others as well. Even if you don't agree with the reason the conflict was fought, we must NEVER forget the sacrifices of those who served!
Wonderful story. Tragic times. Friends were there.
Thank you, Nicola, for this heart-warming story and the efforts to return the helmet to the family. I served two tours in Vietnam with the US Navy as did 3 of my brothers, one who never returned. What you find on the foreshore, and share with us is a delight and is much appreciated. Most sincerely, David, United States Navy, Retired
@davidwamsley5749 Welcome Home to you brave sailor and your equally brave brothers. Thank you for your service and the ultimate sacrifice of your deceased brother🥺. May peace come to our planet someday soon. 🇺🇸
What a wonderful way to pay Homage to a solider if that era. A very sad time for all who were there and did not come back home. I value all soldiers men and women. Now and times past.my Dad was in the Army wounded in the Alaska islands. So many thanks and consider yourself hugged. God bless you all. Thank you Nicola for you wonderful kind heart n the Father and Son for honoring this solider. ❤️❤️❤️
What a lovely gesture. I hope Hugo is successful in fulfilling the wish to return the helmet to the Rupp family.
My ex husband went to Vietnam 3 times. It was a terrible war, he was never the same when he came back. I hope you find his family!
As a Veteran, thank you for this. Your followers will no doubt find his family and make this mission complete. Thank you 🙏
I sent your link to my sister in Wisconsin. Maybe she knows a Rupp family? who knows. Great story!
Hi Nicola. Just a side note. All Australians who served in the Vietnam War have their names on a memorial wall in Seymour Victoria Australia. Also there a movie Danger Close. Battle of Long Tan. RIP to who were lost
My father and father-law both fought in this war. Thank you for sharing this video and I hope the helmet will be returned.
Thanks Nicola what a story and did not realise it was Vietnam day, hope the lads can reunite the helmet back to the family of Rupp who sacrificed his life, thanks Nicola
A very worthwhile video Nicola and I agree that the helmet goes to the family. A poignant memory for the family. Thank you for putting this on. I know you do have US viewers. The American branch of my family are addicted to your posts. But living in the desert outside a large city has no chance of doing any mud larking themselves.
A wonderful heartfelt story, Nicola, I hope Jeffery's family get in touch so they could receive his helmet, great story. Neil.
Thanks Neil. I'll update everyone
Thank you for your help on this event, Nicola. Vietnam was a strange era in the United States. I had two cousins in the armed services during the event. Hope everything goes smoothly with your actions with the situation. See you on the next, Nicola. 🙏🏻🇬🇧👍🙂🇺🇸
The name Rupp may be a bit odd to a lot of people; but, not to those who live in Kentucky. We had a Basketball coach, Adoph Rupp, who coached Basketball for the University of Kentucky (42 years). The home Court for the University of Kentucky (UK) Basketball team is Rupp Arenia. Jeffrey D. Rupp may have been a member of Coach Adoph Rupp's family. Jeffrey D. Rupp may have Kentucky connections. I hope this helps.
I see that he was listed as from Bay Village, Ohio. That is a town right on Lake Erie, the western most city in Cuyahoga county. I know that he and he is buried in WI, but maybe there are some extended family members left there. Worth a look. What a wonderful thing that father and son are doing for that fallen hero. God bless! 12:16
What an amazing story! Thank you for posting this video! I was in school in 1969 in Western New York State, and one of my classmates had the last name of Rupp. I wonder if they were related? Also, my late father's birthday is January 17th. I posted this video on my KZhead channel page, and I hope that they reach their goal to be able to deliver the helmet personally. The world needs more stories like this! Thank you, Nicola! I love your channel and rewatch your videos often. I have ancestors from Britain, and your videos help me to feel closer to them. ❣
Also, I am a Mayflower passenger descendant, 3 of the 5 passengers being William White, and his wife Susanna, and their son Resolved White, from whom I directly descend. I love it when you find treasures with the name White on it! Thanks again for your wonderful production values in your videos. Love the music and the nature. Think Spring! ❣
Thank you. This is such an honor for Rupp and our veterans. Respectful.
I posted this on Facebook as I'm sure many others have. Good luck, guys, in getting funded and returning it in person. That war should never have happened.
Thank you!
Beautiful Nicola. Thank you for bringing this story of Jeffrey D. Rupp to my/our attention. So wonderful that you are helping to find his relatives.❤
I had a teacher in the 80's with that name and my sister owns a home once owned by a Rupp family.. We live in NE Ohio. Has to be the same family whether extended or immediate. My husband served in Viet Nam before I was born. This is so kind of you to do.
look up Bernard J Rupp(Kathro) Rupp he died 2001( is related to Jeffrey Rupp). Daughter Bridget(Herb) Moon Cedarburg. Son Bernard(Ellie) of Waikesha. Grand kids Kate, Christian & Megan of Cedarburg. I found this trying to do a quick research hopefully this helps in the return of the helmet. As an American I thank you for what you are doing. God Bless You
Thank you
From Ohio. Thank you so much for doing this. It's been posted on the Wall of Faces site by someone. I'm sure it will help.
That is a wonderful story. My husband was there at the same time as Mr. Rupp. He made it back home and died in 2021. The saddest part is like hillary clinton as a warmonger is mostly the cause for too many deaths in any country. And for her to not take accountability for her decisions is a tragedy in itself. My husband was wounded twice and also saved others from death. He to was also rescued by others in his troop. His helmet was blasted off his head and his gun ripped to shreds. So fortunate to be alive after all that. What a great find for the father and son wanting to return it.
*Nicola, which ever of the two RUPP men mentioned in this video, is that this helmet finds it's way back home to the rightful owner's family. Lots of info in all the comments for Hugo, Tony & yourself to read thru in this search. Too many died in this war from many countries that went to Vietnam. Personally I would like to see all wars ceasefire & that there are no more wars on Planet Earth. Let there be peace worldwide 🙂nz*
Thank you Andrea
I really hope they are successful in finding the family of Pvt Rupp, if I were his brother, I would extremely happy to get this piece of history, and something of my brothers. I'm extremely proud to be a veteran myself, I would do it all over again. Hopefully you can make a video of them returning the helmet to his family, I would love to see that.
I've met alot of Vietnam vets they are only about 15 years older than me so they were all the older guys at work when I was just starting work I never met any of them that wanted anything to do with stuff from that war
I can certainly imagine!
Thank for this wonderful effort to reunite this helmet with Jeffrey's family. From reading the comments, it sounds as though you have accomplished this! At the time of the war, many Americans did not appreciate the sacrifices made by these courageous men and women. Thank you for bringing it to light.
Shared with a friend in WI. Hope this can find its real home ❤.
Thank you so much Nicola for covering this poignant find. I have a really passion for Guernsey, having been involved in installing the bells in the Ton Church back in 1995. I was also fortunate enough to be in Philadelphia and see the memorial bike ride go through - it was incredibly moving, taking into account how long it lasted. I do so hope that this helmet finds its way home, and I have made a small contribution to help make that happen.
When Hugo explained the meaning of the empty tag, I found it extremely moving...and the walls so so full of names, how awful...we will remember them...❤❤❤
I grew up near a family in Seattle with the same surname of Rupp. They spelling was the same, however they pronounced their name as “Roop”.
10:20 EST. Thank you for this. I contacted a friend with the last name Rupp whose family is from Ohio. He said he would ask if there is a Jeffrey in the family.
Rupp is a very important name here in Kentucky! Good luck to these fellows in their journey.
He is buried with his parents and infant brother at BURIAL Saint Mary's Cemetery Eden, Fond du Lac County, Wisconsin, USA
I searched on Google Maps where the cemetery is and where his father was living at the time of his body being returned, it's over seven hours drive away!
When Jeffrey Rupp's father Joseph died in 1995, Joseph's obituary, published in Fond du Lac and Manitowoc, Wisconsin newspapers, gave the names and locations of Jeffrey's four surviving siblings. In 2024 the siblings would be aged about 70 to 80 years. The internet will provide.
I shared on my Facebook page here in the States. Very interesting story and history 🙏🏻 The family appreciates your efforts!!👏🇬🇧👏❣️
I live in Wisconsin I will share on Facebook.
I'll definitely share this around and hopefully you'll be successful in locating his family 🙏
Hey Nicola ✨ It looks like Hugo and his father have been on the NARA-AAD site and possibly Find a Grave to get the information and photographs they already have. I would personally try and track down the family at the earliest opportunity, but it's Hugo's choice, and have they been in touch with the 101st Airborne Division Association ? However the helmet arrived in Oliver Reed's possession ?, is probably via a film set or fellow industry friend, where army surplus equipment had been purchased for the shoot. The full story I doubt you will ever know, but hopefully as many pieces of the mystery can be found.........Oliver Reed starred in Hannibal Brooks, a WW2 era film, where the helmet may have been used?......the design hadn't changed before the Vietnam war?! Stay Safe as Always & Happy Easter 🧡☮🕊☯ 🐣
Screen shots were taken and I've now posted this to my Facebook page, here in the US!!
Thank you Nicola, that was deeply beautiful.
It may be an Army surplus item. Someone may have bought it at an Army surplus store. I was in the Women's Army Corps (1966-1969). I don't remember anyone being allowed to keep a helmet.
Hola amiga 🙋♂️🇨🇱⛏️🗝️💍😊🙏💞💞, saludos y un abrazo desde chile
This is a nice effort guys, but I believe premature. As some commentators have said already, the helmet hardware does not seem match the time frame of KIA Rupp in 1969. Do you have any actual solid evidence that this helmet was ever in Vietnam, or belonged to the mentionned soldier? It does not seem like it. The helmet cover doesnt look like something that was ever used in combat conditions, and does not match the wear visible inside the liner. Perhaps this helmet was recycled and reused at some point? You can do more harm than good by letting the family imagine that this is their relative's helmet, only for it to turn out that there is no evidence linking KIA Rupp to this helmet. I would advise posting detailed photos of the helmet and cover on the USmilitaria forum for example and seeing what experts in each of the components (cover, cover band, chinstrap, liner, etc) have to say.
As an enthusiast in the UK I feel very reluctant to dishearten such a charming and worthy undertaking but I thoroughly endorse what our friend here has to say and getting it wrong with the emotions of the family, in a public way perhaps, does not bear thinking about. The commentator who speaks about the helmet, its components and dates appears very coherent to me and every observation is susceptible of verification. When it comes to the attribution of a provenance, it is wholly appropriate to exercise riguor in the standard of proof. There is a big difference between a name which may be one of several and a name, which is demonstrably unique. Sadly, hopes for this helmet are not corroborated by a full name, unit or service number so we must turn to secondary resorts for a conclusion. Much as I would like to see a happy and charming outcome, what the occasion demands right now is a cool head and a sound informed judgment about the artifact in hand.
Thank you for your comment. You are absolutely right of course and I made this video in good faith believing that the helmet was verified in terms of age etc.. and I've no reason at the moment to believe it's not as described but when Tony and Hugo see your comment I've no doubt they will take steps to make absolutely certain. Nicola
@@jonathanlewis453 Thanks Jonathan. I appreciate your comment.
@@nicolawhitemudlark It is very obvious that all the people involved in this video did so in the best of faith. But US helmets can be tricky as similar hardware was used for decades, and not necesseraly ever sent to a war zone.
thank you for your video. i hope the family gets this back. and thank you for educating me with the national Vietnam veterans day.
Mrs. Nixon was visiting Vietnam in 1969 and was well received by the troops. Indeed Nixon ran on getting the troops out and the drawdown began that summer. During training the liner was commonly worn on Actives not on rang or jumping the helmet could be used as a deadly weapon and the Army frowned on its troops being unable to perform their duty.
The consequences of war last a lot longer than the memory the rich and powerful have for the consequences of their actions and decisions. When I was growing up in the sixties, around when Jeffrey Rupp died in 1969, there were still two Boer War veterans living in Hitchin, both of whom had lost limbs in the battle of Spion Kop and who would make weekly excursions in hand-cranked bath-chairs to Merricks sweet-shop and tobacconists on Market Place (which is still there). They ceased to be seen in public in the mid nineteen seventies and died around 1980, having lived longer without their limbs than most men of their generation lived in total. I used to queue at the barber's shop for my haircuts with men who'd fought on the Somme; there were living reminders of past wars all around us, none of which seemed to register with Tony Blair's generation as they sauntered into four avoidable wars in the course of one Prime Minister's spell in office. Joseph Chamberlain was widely resented for the Boer War and Neville Chamberlain is often presented as being "to blame" for the Second World War, yet such is the power of media manipulation that the architect of wars in Sierra Leone, Kosovo, Afghanistan and Iraq somehow rises above all criticism and all reproach.
Bless you for what you are doing
Hi The helmet liner is made of a fibre type material not of Kevlar It has the webbing straps with a buckle to attach an extra chin cup This makes the liner an Airborne helmet not just an Infantry helmet Hope all this helps. Thank you for another excellent video
Thank you
that helmet doesnt belong with that liner. that style of angled bracket chinstrap wasnt standardized until 1973 and didnt see general issue until 1975. they were not airborne as the airborne used the earlier style m1C chinstrap with snap extensions. the cover is an ERDL pattern 1st issued in 1969 in very limited numbers only becoming general issue a few years later meaning very few made it to vietnam. and the camouflage band is not a us issue one. ive seen some like it on helmets coming out of the uk so i assume it originates there. like the old saying says buy the item, not the story. the liner is a vietnam era TYPE II paratroopers liner and should be paired with an M1C paratroopers helmet with a mitchell pattern cover. you can identify these because the chinstrap has small extensions on them with snaps that snap into the liner to keep them together during a para jump. the liner may have been used by rupp during training here in the states during jump school. the pic of rupp is the standard type taken at the completion of training prior to assignment to a unit. thats why the uniform is so plain and does not have distinctive unit insignia on the lapels or shoulder loops nor a unit patch. you have to remember these helmets were in service for 45+ years and the parts were mixed and matched throughout its time in service. it was standard practice for the helmet and liner to be split apart for cleaning when being put in storage. after the war when they were being sold for surplus surplus stores would by them in large lots and either sell them separately or pick parts out of the different lots to assemble a complete one. i remember as a kid in the 70s the local army surplus store having 2 large bins, 1 with helmets for $4 and one with liners for $1. i put together a few helmets that way myself. wish i had bought more lol. dm sent via facebook with some more pertinent info. godspeed on the quest to reunite the liner with the family.
Thank you for this explanation
@@nicolawhitemudlark youre welcome!
I have posted on Instagram to help spread the word. I also shot a question to the VA online. Hope you have luck finding the family!
I remember when Vietnam War vets were young. Now they are in their 70s. I've also met a Vietnameese veteran of the ARVN who was wounded during the fall of Saigon in 1975 and another that was drafted into the Communist Vietnamese army just in time for the Sino-Viet War of 1978 after the Vietnamese invaded Cambodia to depose Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge. He fled Vietnam with the Laotian Boat People in 1980 and ended up here. 😊
Thanks for sharing this Nicola!
bravo on giving platform to this quest nicola.
Thank you ❤
Am I the only one who would absolutely NOT want to remember a loved one by a war he!met? I have horrific memories as a child seeing that war covered on the news and in magazines.
We are all different, many of us would value any piece that had a physical connection to someone we loved, others not. It’s very personal.
@@hattyburrow716 yes agreed. It's so personal it really is. xox
Hi Nicola. Love the channel. Lovely gesture to return this artifact to the family of the owner. However, Who gains from a crowd funder to send two people across the Ocean, in order to deliver it by hand?
I suspect Oliver Reed came into possession of the helmet as a movie prop from Hannibal Brooks. Which means it was probably garnered as pieces from an Army Surplus store by a prop master or one of the prop crew and he took it as a souvenir of the shoot. I think that would explain why the pieces don't match standard issue and would also explain how he got a hold of it being that soldiers and their families were not allowed to keep the helmets at the time the servicemen were killed.
Thank you
WOW, what a great idea!
I'm close to Wisconsin but it's a big state. The "vote Nixon" must have been early because he was well hated by most of us near draft age later in the war.
Yes,he was hated by people near draft age,because they knew he could have ended the war. Instead,he did it only when he was good and ready.
remember nixon made campaign promises to get us out of the war. and he did, eventually deliver on the promise.
I believe that Nixon campaigned with the promise to end the Vietnam war if he was elected.
Thank you
Brilliant Nicola thank you for sharing...Love from Norfolk.
Thx Roy
I wish I could help, I will do what I can. Thank you Nicola!
I wish I could help you. Best of luck from Ohio. Thanks for sharing this story.
TY Nicola❤
Happy Easter Best Wishes
Hope this all works out. I'm from a small town in Ohio not that far from Bay Village and can say that it's a quiet life in general. Best wishes to all involved.
Thank you
Rupp or Rupp’s is big in my town, Sheboygan Wi. They have a restaurant here so maybe this could help….
Yup, Rupp's I know came from n w Ohio! Down there Rupp,They pronounced it asif it wad spelled Roop! He told me that's the way it was pronounced until they came to michigan! Their was a brand of mini bikes and snowmobiles called 'Rupp'! He looks a lot like the Rupp's I know!
II forwarded it to a possible Rupp relative here in Michigan.