10/12/2026
Some patterns are simply camouflage. Others carry a history with them.
Tiger stripe became one of the most recognizable camouflage patterns of the Vietnam era. Developed by South Vietnamese forces in the 1950s and derived from French Lizard camouflage, the pattern was designed for the dense tropical environments of Southeast Asia. During the Vietnam War, it became closely associated with American Special Forces, MACV-SOG personnel, Navy SEALs, long-range reconnaissance patrols, and Ranger units. Although tiger stripe was never adopted as a standard U.S. military uniform, American advisers and special operations personnel wore uniforms obtained through South Vietnamese units, local manufacturers, and limited unit procurement. Its distinctive appearance and unofficial status came to symbolize the unconventional men and missions with which it was associated.
The Smithsonian notes that U.S. special operations forces adopted tiger stripe during the war, even though it never became an official Army-issue pattern.
For Beal R***e Co., our tiger stripe finishes are not about borrowing a military aesthetic simply because it looks good. They reflect the ingenuity, adaptability, and history of the men who wore the pattern in the field.
Some designs endure for a reason.
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