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This page shows some examples of chaplain’s head gear. You’ll notice that until recently there was a lot of standardization, even if the regulations gave guidance. Even modern helmets varied a little based on unit SOP. It would be impossible to show every possible variation, but hopefully this sampling will show what chaplains wore on their heads over the years, and the changes that occurred.

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U.S. – 1870s – Army – Képi Hat

(From the Philippi Collection website):

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U.S. – 1880s – Army – Visor Hat

Hat on display at the U.S. Army Chaplain Corps Museum (photo by Daryl Densford).

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U.S. – 1929 – Army – Visor Hat

Chaplain’s visor hat as worn by Chaplain (COL) Julian Yates in 1929, Army Chief of Chaplains (photo author’s collection):

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U.S. – WW1 – Army – Steel Helmet

WW1 helmet with cross on front scratched in instead of painted. This chaplain belonged to the 91st ID (photo from US Militaria Forum):

This helmet has the cross above the painted insignia for the 26th Division (photo from US Militaria Forum):

Basic WW1 helmet with cross painted in white on front of helmet (photo from US Militaria Forum):

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U.S. – WW2 – Army – Steel Helmet

Helmet belonging to a 2ID chaplain.Steel pot has painted 2ID insignia but no cross. Liner has painted 2ID insignia with cross below it. (Photos from Militaria Forum):

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WW2 steel helmet with cross painted on the front and the painted insignia of the 505th PIR, 82nd Airborne Division, painted on the sides. This may not be an original but is representative of originals:

 

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WW2 helmet of 1ID chaplain with painted insignia and metal cross attached below it. On display at the 1st ID Museum at Omaha Beach (photo from the 1st ID Museum Facebook page):

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This WW2 helmet has the cross painted on top of the painted 5th ID insignia (photos from Phil Babs’ blog):

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Nice example of a WW2 helmet with the cross painted below the VII Corps insignia with “follow me” stripe painted on back (photos from U.S. Militaria Forum):

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This is an M1, fixed-bail steel helmet with the cross scratched into the front instead of painted (photo from U.S. Militaria Forum):

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U.S. – WW2 – Navy – Steel Helmet

Helmet belonging to Navy chaplain J.F. Hamblin. Steel pot with swivel bail & cotton strap with hook. Liner with leather strap. (Photos from Militaria Forum).

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WW2 Navy steel helmet with unique cross painted on the front and the rank painted on front brim (photo from U.S. Militaria Forum):

WW2 Navy steel helmet with simple cross painted on the front and the chaplains initials stenciled on the back (photos from U.S. Militaria Forum):

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WW2 Navy steel helmet painted all white with “chaplain” stenciled on the front (photo from U.S Militaria Forum):

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WW2 helmet worn by Medal of Honor winner, Chaplain Joseph O’Callahan on display on the USS Yorktown Museum (photo from U.S. Militaria Forum):

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U.S. – 1950s – Army – Steel Helmet

Steel helmet with metal cross welded on front. Helmet sanded and painted with glossy paint. (Photos from Militaria Forum).

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Very unusually camouflaged chaplain’s helmet, ca 1955-60 with horses stenciled around the helmet and a metal cross attached to front. Possibly from a unit within 18th Airborne Corps (from U.S. Militaria Forum):

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U.S. – Vietnam War – Army – Steel Helmet

Two Vietnam-era steel helmets. The first has a camouflage cover with sewn-on cross. The second has a painted cross (photos from U.S. Militaria Forum):

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This helmet has sewn on both the cross and colonel rank, unusual for this period. Also, cross seems to be locally sewn (photo from U.S. Militaria Forum):

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U.S. – Vietnam War – Navy – Steel Helmet

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Repainted/Reissued Navy helmet painted grey with blue painted cross (photo from U.S. Militaria Forum):

 

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Vietnam-era Navy chaplain’s helmet painted great with large gold cross on front and rear (photos from U.S. Militaria Forum):

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U.S. – 1980s-1990s – Army – Kevlar Helmet

With BDU cover and sewn-on cross.

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U.S. – OEF, OIF – Army – Advanced Combat Helmet (ACH)

With ACU cover & sewn-on cross. This particular helmet was worn in OEF (’06-’07) & OIF (’08-’09), (author’s collection).

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British – Korean War – Visor Hat

Hat worn by a British Chaplain during the Korean War:

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French – WW1 – Helmet

French helmet with multiple-layered cross and leather inner webbing and strap:

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French chaplain’s helmet (casque d’aumonier militaire) with simple metal cross attached to front, 1915-1922 (from the Philippi Collection website):

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German – WW2 – Helmet

WW2 Wehrmacht chaplain’s helmet (from the Passion Militaria forum):

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