About this Unit
The Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV), Vinh Long, operated as a key advisory and support group in the Mekong Delta during the Vietnam War. Established in the early 1960s, the unit provided military assistance, training, and operational guidance to South Vietnamese forces in Vinh Long Province. MACV advisors in Vinh Long often accompanied local ARVN (Army of the Republic of Vietnam) units on combat missions against Viet Cong insurgents, helping to coordinate U.S. firepower and logistics. The unit played a vital role in pacification programs and the implementation of Vietnamization policies until the American withdrawal in the early 1970s.
Historical Facts
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MACV stands for Military Assistance Command, Vietnam: Established in 1962, MACV was the US military command structure for all American forces in Vietnam, coordinating advisory and combat operations.
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Vinh Long's Strategic Location: Vinh Long is a city in the Mekong Delta, a region of crucial importance due to its waterways, rice production, and proximity to Saigon.
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MACV Team 52 – Vinh Long: The province-level advisory team for Vinh Long was known as MACV Advisory Team 52, tasked with supporting South Vietnamese military and civil authorities.
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Advisory Role: MACV advisors in Vinh Long worked closely with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), providing training, intelligence, and operational support.
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Vinh Long Airfield: The Vinh Long Airfield hosted US Army helicopter units, notably the 175th Assault Helicopter Company ("Outlaws" and "Mavericks"), supporting MACV operations and regional mobility.
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Tet Offensive 1968: During the Tet Offensive, Vinh Long and its airfield came under attack from Viet Cong forces, resulting in fierce fighting and significant casualties.
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Riverine Operations: Given the Delta’s network of rivers, MACV coordinated with the US Navy’s Mobile Riverine Force, conducting joint operations to disrupt enemy movement and supply.
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Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support (CORDS): MACV Vinh Long played a major role in CORDS, blending military and civilian efforts to pacify the province and win local support.
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Legacy of "Vietnamization": In Vinh Long, as elsewhere, MACV advisors were key to the US policy of "Vietnamization," training ARVN units to take over the war effort as US forces withdrew.
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Enduring Memorials: Today, the service and sacrifice of MACV personnel in Vinh Long are remembered by veterans' organizations and in military history, with reunions and dedicated websites preserving their stories.
