Operation New Life was the refugee resettlement program on Guam, active between April 23, 1973 and November 1, 1975, that processed approximately 111,000 Vietnamese refugees evacuated from the collapsing Republic of Vietnam. These refugees lived in tent cities on the island that the US Military constructed as they were processed for entry into the United States [1]. A significant portion of the Vietnamese refugees came from the educated elite, with approximately 35% able to speak English and 40% Catholic, hence why a chaplain would be important [2].
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/1_front-3-scaled.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/2_back-3-scaled.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/3_right-2-scaled.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/4_left-2-scaled.jpg)
The hat is made from synthetic material. It was possibly embroidered locally on Guam.
Top:
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/5_top-1-673x960.jpg)
Inside:
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/6_inside-1-819x960.jpg)
Tag:
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/tag-861x960.jpg)
Size tag.
Embroidery:
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/embroidery_inside-scaled.jpg)
![](https://kommandopost.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/embroidery_inside2-scaled.jpg)