About this Unit
Task Force 117, also known as the Mobile Riverine Force, was a joint U.S. Navy and Army unit established during the Vietnam War to conduct operations in the Mekong Delta’s complex riverine environment. River Division 13 (RIVDIV 13) was one of the subordinate units within TF117, operating heavily armed Patrol Boat, River (PBR) and Armored Troop Carrier (ATC) craft to patrol and secure waterways. Within RIVDIV 13, River Squadron 132 (RIVRON 132) and its component River Section 132-1 (R132-1) played key roles in interdiction, troop transport, and fire support missions. These units faced frequent enemy ambushes yet contributed significantly to disrupting Viet Cong supply lines and supporting ground operations throughout the delta region.
Historical Facts
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TF117 – The Mobile Riverine Force: Task Force 117, also known as the Mobile Riverine Force, was a joint US Navy and Army unit formed during the Vietnam War to conduct operations in the Mekong Delta’s complex river network.
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RIVDIV 13’s Role: River Assault Division 13 (RIVDIV 13) was a key component of TF117, operating armored riverine craft to deliver troops, provide fire support, and patrol waterways infested with Viet Cong forces.
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RIVRON 132 and Its Boats: River Assault Squadron 13 (RIVRON 13), particularly River Assault Section 132 (R132), operated a variety of boats, including the Armored Troop Carrier (ATC or “Tango boat”), Monitor, and Command and Control boats.
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R132-1 – A Specific ATC: R132-1 was the hull number for a specific ATC within RIVRON 132. These boats were essentially floating armored personnel carriers, vital for moving troops through hostile waters.
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First Mobile Riverine Force Operation: TF117 conducted its first major operation, “Coronado I,” in June 1967, marking the first large-scale, coordinated Army-Navy assault in the Mekong Delta.
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Combat Intensity: The riverine forces, including RIVDIV 13, frequently engaged in close-range firefights with the Viet Cong, sometimes at ranges of less than 50 meters, making river warfare uniquely intense and dangerous.
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Innovative Tactics: TF117 pioneered “waterborne mobile operations,” using boats like those of R132-1 to surprise and outflank enemy forces in areas inaccessible to traditional vehicles.
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Living Conditions: Members of RIVDIV 13 and R132-1 often lived onboard their craft or on barracks ships anchored in river anchorages, enduring harsh conditions, tropical diseases, and constant threat from enemy ambushes.
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Medal of Honor Recipients: Several sailors and soldiers serving with the Mobile Riverine Force, including those in river assault divisions like RIVDIV 13, received high decorations for heroism, including the Medal of Honor.
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Legacy: After their Vietnam service, the tactics and experiences of TF117, RIVDIV 13, and R132-1 influenced later riverine and littoral operations, shaping modern US Navy riverine warfare doctrine.
