9th inf 5th of the 60 mech inf in vietnam

• Unit Designation: The 9th Infantry Division, 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry Regiment (Mechanized) was a mechanized infantry unit of the U.S. Army, known as part of the “Go Devils” during the Vietnam War. • Deployment to Vietnam: The unit deployed to Vietnam in December 1966 and was primarily assigned to the Mekong Delta region, a challenging area with extensive waterways and rice paddies. • First Mechanized Unit in the Delta: The 5th Battalion, 60th Infantry was among the first mechanized infantry battalions to operate in the Mekong Delta, adapting armored personnel carriers (APCs) for the watery terrain. • Role in Operation CORONADO: The battalion participated in Operation CORONADO (1967), a series of riverine and ground operations designed to disrupt Viet Cong activity in the Delta. • Riverine Operations: The 5/60th worked closely with the Mobile Riverine Force (MRF), utilizing boats and armored vehicles to engage enemy forces along the waterways and canals. • Battle of Ap Bac: The 5/60th operated in areas near the site of the famous Battle of Ap Bac, using lessons learned from previous combat to adapt tactics against guerrilla forces. • Heavy Combat in the Tet Offensive: The unit saw intense action during the 1968 Tet Offensive, especially in My Tho and Ben Tre, holding key positions and repelling enemy attacks. • Innovative Tactics: The battalion pioneered “night ambush” tactics, using mechanized firepower and mobility to intercept enemy forces moving under cover of darkness. • Decorations and Honors: The 5/60th Mechanized received multiple unit citations, including the Valorous Unit Award and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Palm for extraordinary heroism. • Legacy and Reunions: Veterans of the 5/60th Mech have remained active in preserving their history, holding regular reunions and maintaining associations to honor their service in Vietnam.