rivdiv111

• River Division 111 (RivDiv 111) was one of the original Mobile Riverine Force units in the Vietnam War, operating mainly in the Mekong Delta’s complex waterways. • RivDiv 111 was part of Task Force 117, which was a joint U.S. Navy and Army force designed to conduct riverine operations against Viet Cong insurgents. • The unit primarily operated Patrol Boat, River (PBR) and Armored Troop Carriers (ATCs), enabling rapid troop movement and fire support in shallow, narrow rivers. • RivDiv 111 played a key role in Operation Giant Slingshot (1968-69), interdicting Viet Cong supply routes along the Vam Co Dong and Vam Co Tay Rivers near the Cambodian border. • The division’s boats were heavily armed, often mounting twin .50 caliber machine guns, grenade launchers, and sometimes even flamethrowers for close-quarters river combat. • Members of RivDiv 111 frequently endured ambushes from concealed enemy positions, with engagements often at extremely close range and lasting mere minutes. • RivDiv 111 was noted for its close cooperation with the 9th Infantry Division, ferrying infantry and providing gunfire support during operations such as the Tet Offensive of 1968. • The unit received numerous commendations and several sailors earned individual awards for valor, including the Navy Cross and Silver Star. • Life aboard RivDiv 111’s boats was difficult: crews endured heat, insects, and constant danger, leading to a strong sense of camaraderie among the sailors. • After the Vietnam War, RivDiv 111’s legacy has been preserved by veteran associations and reunions, and its story is often featured in books and documentaries about the brown-water navy.