<P> Discontinued after the Civil War, the U.S. Army again issued ponchos of waterproof rubberized canvas to its forces during the Spanish--American War of 1898 . Two years later, both the Army and the Marines were forced to issue waterproof rubberized cloth ponchos with high neck collars during the Philippine--American War in 1900 . With the entry of the United States into World War I, both doughboys and Marines in France wore the poncho; it was preferred over the raincoat for its ability to keep both the wearer and his pack dry, as well as serving as a roof for a makeshift shelter . </P> <P> Just prior to World War II, ponchos were significantly improved during testing with the U.S. Army Jungle Experimental Platoon in the jungles of Panama, incorporating new, lighter materials and a drawcord hood that could be closed off to form a rain fly or ground sheet . Ponchos were widely used by United States armed forces during World War II; even lightly equipped foot - mounted forces such as Merrill's Marauders, forced to discard tentage and all other unnecessary equipment, retained their blanket and poncho . During the 1950s, new lightweight coated nylon and other synthetic materials were developed for military ponchos . The poncho has remained in service ever since as a standard piece of U.S. military field equipment . Today, the United States armed forces issue ponchos that may be used as a field expedient shelter . These garments are also used by hunters, campers, and rescue workers . </P> <P> During World War II, the German Army (Wehrmacht) issued the Zeltbahn (see Shelter half), a poncho that could be combined to form tents . A typical four - man tent used four Zeltbahnen . </P> <Ul> <Li> Clint Eastwood famously wore a poncho as the lead character in each of the films he starred in for Sergio Leone (A Fistful of Dollars, For a Few Dollars More and The Good, the Bad and the Ugly). This gave him a distinct look in comparison to other cowboy characters in films which usually preferred dusters . </Li> </Ul>

Where did the largest loose garment known as poncho originate