1st Model Buffalo Bill Knife

James Bath’s 1^st Model, Buffalo Bill Knife that was engraved on one side of the blade: SFC JAMES BATH, FOB #2, 1966 – 1967 and the reverse reads: “UP YOUR ASS WITH SHINING BRASS”. The quote is in reference to President Johnson authorizing the penetration of Laos by US led ground reconnaissance teams (OPS-35) classified as Shinning Brass.

James D. Bath served two tours in Vietnam. His first tour was in 1966 with Military Assistance Command Vietnam Studies and Observations Group (MAC V SOG) Forward Operational Base #2 (FOB#2), Recon Company assigned to Spike Team Colorado. He returned for a second tour in 1971 with MAC V SOG, Command and Control North (CCN) / Task Force 1 Advisory Element (TF1AE), Recon Company, assigned as the Recon Company First Sergeant. During the veteran’s tour, he participated in the third High Altitude Low Opening (HALO) Combat Jump with Recon Team Waugh.

Master Sergeant (E-8) Bath retired from the Army in 1976 after twenty years’ service with twenty-four months in Vietnam.