This is a WWII issue M-2 jungle first aid kit. It is in used, good condition. It is slightly faded. The internal pockets were removed and the front of the pouch shows marks where the stitching was removed. This pouch is clearly stamped "J.A. Shoe" and it is dated 1944.



The jungle first aid kit was devised in WWII and adopted by the U.S. Marines and the U.S. Army. It was meant to address deficiencies in existing 1st aid kits and it replaced the M-1 jungle kit. Recognizing the complications inherent with combat in the tropics, the U.S. Military devised a small, belt mounted pouch that would carry more than the standard bandage issued to soldiers in Europe. The contents varied, but usually included water purification tablets, iodine, band-aids, foot powder and insect repellant. After WWII, the Army abandoned the idea of an individual jungle aid kit, but the USMC retained the idea and ubiquitously issued them to Marines in Vietnam. The design of the pouch was virtually unchanged from WWII to Vietnam.