About this Unit
MACV Team 9, also known as Advisory Team 9, was a United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) advisory unit during the Vietnam War. Activated in the early 1960s, Team 9 was primarily assigned to Binh Dinh Province in the II Corps Tactical Zone. The unit’s mission was to advise and support the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 22nd Infantry Division and local territorial forces in their operations against the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army. Team 9 played a crucial role in coordinating U.S. support, including artillery, air strikes, and logistics, while also training South Vietnamese forces in counterinsurgency tactics until the drawdown of American forces in the early 1970s.
Historical Facts
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Advisory Role: MACV Team 9 was part of the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) Advisory Teams, focusing primarily on advising and assisting the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) units in their region.
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Location: MACV Team 9 was primarily located in Kien Hoa Province (now known as Ben Tre Province) in the Mekong Delta, a region of significant Viet Cong activity.
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Early Engagements: Team 9 was involved in numerous early counterinsurgency operations, working closely with local ARVN units and Regional Forces to secure rural villages from Viet Cong influence.
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Tet Offensive: During the 1968 Tet Offensive, Team 9 advisors played a key role in helping ARVN units repel Viet Cong attacks on provincial capitals and critical infrastructure in their area.
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Riverine Operations: Due to the delta’s geography, Team 9 often coordinated joint operations involving riverine patrols and amphibious assaults with U.S. Navy and ARVN units.
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Intelligence Gathering: Advisors in Team 9 were instrumental in gathering local intelligence, building networks among village chiefs, and identifying Viet Cong supply lines and hideouts.
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Medal of Honor Recipient: Some members of Team 9 were recognized for valor, including Captain Ronald E. Ray, who was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions in Kien Hoa Province in 1966.
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Civil Operations: Team 9 participated in CORDS (Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support) programs, helping rebuild villages, improve infrastructure, and win local support.
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Casualties and Sacrifice: Team 9 suffered casualties in ambushes and combat, highlighting the dangers faced by advisors operating alongside ARVN units in contested areas.
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Legacy: The unit’s efforts contributed to the eventual pacification of Kien Hoa Province, and many veterans of Team 9 have maintained close ties, commemorating their service with annual reunions and online memorials.
