The duck camouflage design originated out of necessity during the aftermath of the Pearl Harbour attack. As the Pacific Theatre, extending to New Guinea—a sizeable island off the northern coast of Australia—became a highly contested region, numerous Allied military installations on the island posed a significant threat to Axis forces.

From early 1942 to the conclusion of the war in 1945, New Guinea played a pivotal role in the operational dynamics of the Pacific.

However, the tropical environment presented a challenge for American, New Guinean, and Australian forces. The solid colour of the existing military uniforms stood out against the lush jungle backdrop, characterised by a myriad of contrasting green, brown, and beige hues. 

After conducting a thorough survey of the area, Allied Commander-in-Chief General Douglas MacArthur commissioned adaptive equipment. He also specifically requested a modified version of the disruptive coloration camouflage pattern that the US Army Corps of Engineers had been developing.

 The resulting one-piece outerwear jumpsuit featured a dappled pattern incorporating five green and brown tones, effectively concealing the outlines of soldiers as they navigated through the jungle marsh. This innovative camouflage design ultimately proved successful during the New Guinea campaign, prompting the development of a three-colour variation tailored for desert conditions.