Glossary

Military Slang used in Vietnam War

AC: aircraft commander.

ASAP: (A-sap) as soon as possible; a request for extreme urgency in a military assignment.

ARVN: Army of the Republic of Vietnam (Army of South Vietnam).

BANANA CLIP: banana shaped magazine, standard on the AK-47 assault rifle.

BAR: Browning Automatic Rifle, .30 cal, heavy, shoulder fired weapon.

BEEHIVE: a direct-fire artillery round with incorporated steel darts (fleshettes), used as a primary base defense munition against ground attack.

BIPOD: two-legged, supportive stand on the front of many weapons.

BINGO: Air Force term for the point in a flight in which there's only enough fuel remaining to return to base.

BIRD: any aircraft, usually helicopters.

BODY BAGS: plastic bags used for retrieval of bodies on the battlefield.

BUFF: slang for B-52

CAL: caliber

CAMMIES: camouflage uniforms. Some Coastguardsmen wore any of the various types and styles used in Vietnam.

CAR: rifle, predecessor to the M-16, the Carbine, CAR-15

CYB: cover your butt

DONUT DOLLY: American Red Cross Volunteer--female.

EGG BEATER: affectionate name for Huey or any helicopter.

FRAG: the common term for any grenade.

FREE FIRE ZONE: any area in which permission was not required prior to firing on targets.

FREEDOM BIRD: any aircraft that took you back to the "world" (U.S.A.). The aircraft on which you left Vietnam.

GA MUG: thank you.

GUNSHIP: an armed helicopter or adapted fixed-wing aircraft.

HOT TOC: hair cut.

HQ: headquarters.

HES: Hamlet Evaluation System

HEAT: High Explosive, Anti Tank.

HILLSBORO: an AF "command and control" aircraft

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