Patrol Cap

Cap from the Korean War

The M1951 Field Cap, introduced with the M1951 Uniform, was a derivative of the M1943 Field Cap, part of the M1943 Uniform. The M1951 cap was worn in the Korean War (June 25th 1950 to July 27th 1953), where it became known as the Patrol Cap by the US Army Rangers there.

It was made of wind-resistant olive drab cotton poplin, and had a flannel wool panel that folded down to cover the ears and the back of the head. It was soft enough to be worn underneath an M-1 helmet.

After the Korean War, the cap was replaced by the Ridgeway Cap, a stiffened version of the M1951 made by Falcon and known as the Jump Up cap.

The hat became famous outside America after being worn by Fidel Castro. The patrol cap was replaced altogether in 1962 with a baseball-like “Cap, Field (Hot Weather)” and during the Vietnam War by the Boonie Hat.

Other names for the Patrol Cap

• M1951 Field Cap
• Field Cap

Famous wearers of the Patrol Cap

• Fidel Castro