You didn't have to be "SpecOps" to not be issued a pistol. Very few enlisted men other than senior NCOs were issued .45s. A lot of them bought their own sidearms until that was shut off in 66. Plus, most folks in RVN prior to 65 were in fact part of some form of "SpecOps" I was a Marine and all of us were either directly or indirectly (attached) to MACV in 63. Even the helicopters and Bird Dogs up in Danang belonged to MACV in 63. Most Marine units were phased back into Marine units as those units (3MARDIV and 1stMAW)came into RVN after 63.In early 63 ShuFly was a MACV command, something constantly contested by Marines who weren't there then.Long story short, we were "Misbegotten Children" that sometimes bought our own sidearms. The Old Timers that came in 65 and after forget there was a "special presence" in RVN prior to that time.