III MAF FMFPAC

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Branch

U.S. Air Force

Members

About III MAF FMFPAC

The **III Marine Amphibious Force (III MAF)**, part of the Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (FMFPAC), was activated in 1965 during the Vietnam War to coordinate and command all Marine Corps operations in Vietnam. Headquartered in Da Nang, III MAF oversaw major combat units including the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions, and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, playing a crucial role in counterinsurgency, amphibious operations, and large-scale offensives such as Operation Starlite and the defense of Khe Sanh. The unit worked closely with Army, Navy, and South Vietnamese forces, adapting to complex guerrilla warfare and challenging terrain. III MAF was deactivated in 1971 following the drawdown of U.S. forces, but its legacy continued as a cornerstone of Marine Corps operational doctrine in expeditionary warfare.

Unit Members

Kenneth Vickers

U.S. Marine Corps

III MAF FMFPACView Profile

Armando Rodriguez

U.S. Marine Corps (1966 - 1970)

III MAF FMFPACView Profile

Photos

U.S. Marine Corps • 1968

About III MAF FMFPAC

About this Unit

Historical Facts

• III MAF Origins: The III Marine Amphibious Force (III MAF) was activated in May 1965 in Da Nang, Vietnam, to command Marine operations during the escalating Vietnam War. • FMFPAC Connection: III MAF was a key subordinate command of Fleet Marine Force, Pacific (FMFPAC), which oversees all US Marine forces in the Pacific Theater. • Combat Leadership in Vietnam: III MAF commanded all U.S. Marine combat units in Vietnam, overseeing famous units like the 1st and 3rd Marine Divisions, and the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. • Operation Starlite: III MAF led the first major American ground offensive of the Vietnam War, Operation Starlite, in August 1965, against the Viet Cong's 1st Regiment. • Humanitarian Operations: Beyond combat, III MAF Marines provided critical humanitarian assistance, including medical care and infrastructure projects to Vietnamese civilians. • Khe Sanh Defense: III MAF oversaw the legendary defense of Khe Sanh Combat Base during the 1968 siege, a pivotal moment in the Vietnam conflict. • Agent Orange and Environmental Legacy: III MAF units were exposed to Agent Orange and other defoliants during operations, resulting in long-term health effects for many veterans. • Post-Vietnam Evolution: After the Vietnam War, III MAF was relocated to Okinawa, Japan, and continues today as III Marine Expeditionary Force (III MEF), a rapid-deployment Marine force. • First Use of Helicopter Assaults: III MAF pioneered large-scale helicopter-borne assaults and vertical envelopment tactics in Vietnam, changing modern military doctrine. • Decorations and Honors: Units under III MAF received numerous unit citations and individual awards, including Medals of Honor, for extraordinary heroism and sacrifice.