The Montagnard Bracelet Duke wore.

The Montagnard bracelet, a prestigious symbol of friendship and respect, was given to U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers ("Green Berets") and others during the Vietnam War.

John Wayne received his bracelet in Vietnam from a Montagnard Strike Force led by a U.S. Special Forces A-Team.  "Duke" never took it off.

This is the letter from John Wayne to Captain Dick Bishop.

Only two of the 3,000 Montagnard refugees in the U.S. possessed the ancient free-hand engraving skills that adorn the bracelets.  In 1994 the most elderly of the two had a stroke so there's only one left.   We have not been able to find any in Vietnam who survived the post war years.

You can purchase yourself one by following the link below.
http://www.montagnards.org/John_Wayne_bracelet_aka_Montagnard_bracelet.html 

 

 

Discuss this on our message board