The TYPE C-1 VEST, EMERGENCY SUSTENANCE was developed by the U.S. Army Air Forces for aircrews operating in the latter stages of World War II. First-pattern examples, distinguished by angled upper chest pockets, were issued predominantly to crews operating in the Pacific theater. The design accommodated a range of survival equipment suited to jungle and open-water emergencies and, though conceived for universal deployment, the vest adapted well to tropical and Arctic environments.

The vest was intended to be worn over the uniform and A-2 leather jacket but beneath the B-7 life preserver, body armor, and parachute harness. In practice, the combined weight of the fully loaded vest proved cumbersome in certain theaters, leading to the development of a supplementary musette bag that could be attached to the parachute harness for bailout, with the vest then equipped following landing.

Three distinct variants of the C-1 are documented: the two earliest feature slant-cut front pockets secured by large urea buttons, while the final production version uses straight, top-opening pockets secured by ring-snap fasteners. All pockets were labeled and numbered externally to identify their intended contents. A leather-reinforced canvas holster on the left side accommodated a standard-issue .45 caliber M1911 pistol. Standard contents varied by deployment region but typically included emergency rations, an ESM-2 signaling mirror, waterproof match case with compass, first aid kit, fishing and sewing kit, insect repellent, signaling flares, a survival manual, and the reversible yellow and olive Type C-1 survival cap, reproduced by The Real McCoy’s as the REVERSIBLE SUN HAT WITH ADJUSTABLE BAND. When fully equipped, the vest weighed approximately 11 pounds.

The TYPE C-1 VEST, EMERGENCY SUSTENANCE is adjustable via tie tapes at the rear and was issued in a single universal size. Production ran from 1944 to 1945; however, existing stock remained in service well beyond the end of the war, seeing continued use through the Korean War and partially into the Vietnam era.

Cotton Rayon Blend Fabric

Cotton Sewing Thread Construction

Four-part fastening: Ring-type snap buttons

Urea Buttons

Made in Japan