The History of the M-65 Field Pants
Just like its matching M-65 Field Jacket, the M-65 Field pant underwent many changes between WWII and the Korean War.
The uniforms and equipment of WWII continued in use until the war in Korea (starting in June 1950.) Harsh cold weather conditions in the mountains of Korea and the advent of new materials led to the M-1951 changes in clothing and gear.
The U.S. Army entered the Korean War with largely the same uniforms and equipment, subject to minor modifications, as those used in World War II. This was the case because the clothing and uniforms of World War II had undergone rapid adaptation under the pressure of the war and were very well suited to the technologies of the time and to battlefields all over the world. For field uniforms, olive drab herringbone twill battle dress
was formalized in 1949 when the U.S. Army Uniform Board created the "field and work clothing" category of uniforms. In Korea, there was further adaptation of the basic styles already in use, especially for the harsh winter weather of the Korean peninsula.
Both the field pants and pant liner were part of the innovative M-65 uniform design that originated in 1965, when it was issued to the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War.
- M1951 cotton sateen arctic (extreme cold weather) parka (Parka, Shell, M-1951), with or without liner (Liner, Parka, M-1951), with or with-out separate fur ruff hood (Hood, Winter, M-1951)
- Trouser, Shell, Field, Arctic, M-1951 (extreme cold weather), with or without Liner, Trousers, Field, M-1951
- Trousers, Field, Wool M-1951 with Trousers, Shell, Field M-1951 (to be worn over trousers) or Liner, Trousers, Field M-1951 (to be worn inside the trousers). The M-1951 trouser shells had side cargo pockets like the WW II paratrooper uniforms.
- M1951 OG 108 wool/nylon blend shirt (Shirt, Field, Wool, 0G108)
- M1951 Cap, Field, Cotton (mild weather fatigue hat)
- M-1951 Cap, Field, Pile (winter hat)
- Other M1951 cold weather items and accessories such as wool knit stocking cap and Mittens, Arctic (with harness)