About this Unit
Commander Naval Forces Vietnam (COMNAVFORV) was the United States Navy command responsible for naval operations during the Vietnam War, established in 1966. Its primary mission was to oversee and coordinate riverine, coastal, and logistical naval operations, including the famous "brown-water navy" efforts such as Operation Game Warden and Operation Market Time. COMNAVFORV worked closely with South Vietnamese naval forces to interdict enemy supply lines, patrol the Mekong Delta, and support ground operations. The command played a crucial role in the U.S. military's efforts to control the waterways of Vietnam until its deactivation in 1973 following the drawdown of American forces.
Historical Facts
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Establishment: Commander Naval Forces Vietnam (COMNAVFORV) was established on 1 April 1966, consolidating U.S. Navy operations in the Republic of Vietnam during the Vietnam War.
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"Brown Water Navy": COMNAVFORV oversaw the so-called "Brown Water Navy," which operated river patrol boats, Swift Boats, and other craft in the Mekong Delta and inland waterways—a unique naval environment.
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Operation Market Time: One of its primary missions was Operation Market Time, an extensive coastal interdiction campaign to prevent North Vietnamese supplies from reaching the South by sea.
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Riverine Warfare Innovation: COMNAVFORV was central to the development of modern riverine warfare tactics, blending naval and ground operations in challenging terrain.
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Mobile Riverine Force: COMNAVFORV worked closely with the U.S. Army to create the Mobile Riverine Force, a joint Army-Navy task force that conducted search-and-destroy missions in the Delta.
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Vietnamization: As part of the Vietnamization policy, COMNAVFORV played a key role in training and equipping the Republic of Vietnam Navy, ultimately transferring hundreds of vessels by 1972.
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Headquarters Location: The headquarters was located at Camp Tien Sha in Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City), making it a central hub for U.S. naval operations in Southeast Asia.
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Naval Advisors: COMNAVFORV included the Naval Advisory Group, which embedded U.S. advisors with South Vietnamese naval units to improve their effectiveness.
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Notable Commander: Vice Admiral Elmo Zumwalt Jr., one of its most famous commanders, later became Chief of Naval Operations and implemented significant reforms in the U.S. Navy.
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Disestablishment: COMNAVFORV was officially disestablished on 29 April 1973, as American involvement in Vietnam ended and the U.S. withdrew its combat forces.
