President Richard Nixon once said, “No event in American history is more
misunderstood than the Vietnam War. It was misreported then, and it is misremembered
now. Rarely have so many people been so wrong about so much. Never have the...
Upon returning from Iraq, a 3rd Infantry Division Commander observed: “I had perfect situational awareness. What I lacked was cultural awareness. I knew where every enemy tank was dug in on the outskirts of Tallil. Only problem was, my soldiers...
When discussing guerrillas, people think of phantom elements characterized by their sudden and unexpected ambushes, insured victory in any engagement, uncanny skill in hiding, and successful resistance against any and all attacks. However,...
Office of the Assistant Chief of Staff, Intelligence
A collection of three orientation documents prepared by the U.S. Army Military Assistance Command, Vietnam. The first is a paper on Viet Cong Tactical Doctrine; it is a general summary of Viet Cong tactics and methods of operation in the Republic...
Though the United States military has excelled in winning wars, it has not enjoyed the same success at "winning the peace". That requires a coordinated effort from several Departments and agencies of the United States government-- an Inter-Agency...
The purpose of this paper was to discuss the current methods of countering enemy mines and booby traps and to examine more active techniques of countering this type of warfare. The enquiry was based on the author's experience in countermine...
Ayers, Lawrence M.; Anderson, Harold J.; Fleming, Lee A.; Mattingly, Ronald E.
Thesis Statement. Green Berets were successful in their
Vietnam mission despite the defeat of the South Vietnamese
forces.
Discussion. The defeat of the South Vietnamese forces caused
many to put the blame on the effectiveness of the Green...
This study focuses on tactical airpower in south Vietnam between 1961-1968. Some of the issues examined are command and control of airpower, the use of airpower at the tactical and the operational-strategic level of war, the role of helicopters,...
Contains a series of essays on various military campaigns and operations during World War II and the Vietnam War. All of the documents illustrate both the historical interest of the officer corps and the variety of tactical situations that can be...
This paper examines the role played by sanctuaries as they relate to irregular warfare in two conflicts. The first case study looks at the United States' efforts to defeat the advantages gained by the Viet Cong (and later the North Vietnamese Army)...
This is a narrative history of Army lawyers in Vietnam from 1959, when the first judge advocate reported for duty in Vietnam, to 1975 when the last Army lawyer left Saigon. Its principal theme is that, as the Army developed new strategies and...
This brochure illustrates the successful techniques used by the 2nd Battalion, 35th Infantry to detect, neutralize and destroy enemy tunnels. The importance of methodically searching out the enemy has been repeatedly emphasized during operations in...
US Army Section Military Assistance Group, Vietnam
It has become apparent that in the course of many recent operations large number of Viet Cong have not been apprehended due in large measure to the lack of appreciation by commanders of the importance of, and lack of troop experiences in, the...
This is one of a series published by the U.S. Army Center of Military History. They were written by officers who held responsible positions in the Cambodian, Laotian, and South Vietnamese armed forces during the war in Indochina. The document...
This monograph will present a critical analysis of all aspects of LAM SON 719 from the planning stage to the withdrawal from lower Laos. The document highlights the operational environment, planning/offensive/withdrawal phases, and critical...
During the war years, the Republic of Vietnam and the United States pursued a common goal; their armed forces fought against the same enemy, under the same campaign plan, with the same weapon systems, and in the same environment. The strategic...
United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
This is the Regional Force and Popular Force handbook for advisors which was used to provide pertinent data for the advisory effort at all levels, along with providing information which guided advisors to specific references concerning RF and PF...
Rural Development Division, Community Development Directorate, CORDS
This handbook was designed to inform advisors at all levels of the structure and nature of the Vietnamese village. Information is given about the village- past and present, village government, economy and finance, village security, and the American...
Rural Development Division, Community Development Directorate, CORDS
This handbook was designed to inform advisors at all levels of the structure and nature of the Vietnamese village. This was important to the CORDS mission because the government of Vietnam, in its Pacification and Development Plan for 1970, had...