Vietnam Studies

[Includes 2 tables, 5 charts, 7 maps, and 28 illustrations] This book forms part of the “Vietnam Studies” series produced by various senior commanders who had served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War; each officer was chosen for their knowledge of the number of specialized subjects that were covered by the series. “More than forty nations provided assistance to the Republic of Vietnam in its struggle against North Vietnam. This aid ranged from economic and technical assistance to educational and humanitarian contributions. Hundreds of Free World civilians worked in Vietnam as doctors, teachers, and technical specialists. Eight nations also provided military assistance. The flags of these Free World countries-the United States, the Republic of Korea, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of China, and Spain-flew alongside the colors of the Republic of Vietnam at the headquarters of the Free World Military Assistance Forces in Saigon. The military contributions of these nations included combat troops, army medical teams, and individual political warfare advisers. The degree of assistance and co-operation among the concerned Free World nations resulted from years of work and involvement. While many nations expressed sympathy for the plight of South Vietnam, aid did not always come easily, quickly, or to the extent desired. Many nations, beset by their own internal economic and political problems, could do little to help; others did nothing. The story of the efforts of the contributing nations and the efforts to enlist their aid is the subject of this monograph.”

[Includes 11 charts, 1 map, and 20 illustrations] “In combat situations prior to Vietnam, U.S. military forces had an existing command and control structure which could be tailored to accomplish the task at hand. In Europe during World War II General Dwight D. Eisenhower modified the command structures developed for the North African and Mediterranean operations to form Supreme Headquarters, Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF). After his departure from Bataan in 1942, General Douglas MacArthur had several months in which to design the command structure that ultimately contributed to the defeat of the Japanese...There, the command and control arrangements, which ultimately directed a U.S. Military force of over 500,000 men, evolved from a small military assistance mission established in 1950. The Military Assistance Advisory Group’s philosophy of assistance rather than command significantly influenced the development of the organization. “This monograph describes the development of the U. S. military command and control structure in Vietnam. The focus of the study is primarily on the Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV), and the U.S. Army in Vietnam (USARV). The relationships with the joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS), Commander in Chief, Pacific (CINCPAC), U.S. Army, Pacific (USARPAC), and other outside agencies are discussed only as their decisions, policies, and directives affected MACV and operations within South Vietnam. The air war against North Vietnam and naval operations of the U.S. Seventh Fleet were CINCPAC’s responsibilities and are only mentioned in regard to their impact on MACV and the forces under MACV. “This study is not a conventional military or diplomatic history of the war in Vietnam. Rather, it is an analytical appraisal of the command and control structure.”

[Includes 28 illustrations & 15 maps] Engagements with the elusive Vietcong and NVA were unlike the frontlines and complex battles that the United States military had been fighting for over a hundred years; they were often short, brutal affairs. The U.S. soldiers and marines were often thrust into battle outnumbered and in hostile territory, or ambushed in convoy or on patrol; but given a fair fight the Americans would most often come out on top. Three authors, all of whom had seen action in Vietnam, set about collecting and illustrating examples of the types of fighting that occurred during the war; from the famous battle between the 7th Cavalry and the NVA in the Ia Drang valley to the countrywide Tet offensive. The examples recounted in this book in vivid and expert detail are; Fight at Ia Drang by John A. Cash Convoy Ambush on Highway 1 by John Albright Ambush at Phuoc An by John A. Cash Fight Along the Rach Ba Rai by John Albright Three Companies at Dak To by Allan W. Sandstrum Battle of Lang Vei by John A. Cash Gunship Mission by John A. Cash Authors “John Albright served in Vietnam as a captain in the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment and participated in the action, "Convoy Ambush on Highway 1." ...He has served two short terms in Vietnam as a civilian historian while employed in the Office of the Chief of Military History. “John A. Cash, Major, Infantry, an experienced officer, served in Vietnam as a company commander and as a member of a brigade operations staff in the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), in the latter capacity participating in the action, "Fight at Ia Drang." He also served two short tours in Vietnam as a historian on special missions for the Office of the Chief of Military History, to which he was assigned from 1966 through 1968. On the second short tour he was involved in the action, "Gunship Mission." “Allan W. Sandstrum, Lieutenant Colonel, Field Artillery, served on the G-3 staff of I Field Force, Vietnam.”

[Includes 13 charts, and 46 illustrations] This book forms part of the “Vietnam Studies” series produced by various senior commanders who had served in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War; each officer was chosen for their knowledge of the number of specialized subjects that were covered by the series. The challenge facing the General McChristian in 1965 was exceptionally daunting, as deputy head of General Westmoreland’s Intelligence section his orders were clear he was told that he must "Find the enemy!". A daunting task in a country filled with insurgents, uniformed enemy using other countries to move toward their targets, double agents, spies and a South Vietnamese Intelligence service to be integrated into his plans. As he himself put it: “I knew that finding the enemy was only part of the challenge. Our soldiers would have to fix and fight him. They would need to know enemy strength, capabilities, and vulnerabilities as well as information on the weather and terrain. Such intelligence had to be timely, accurate, adequate, and usable. It was to be my job to build an organization to meet that challenge.” It is remarkable that he achieved a good measure of success in his task in only two years in a country with so many endemic issues, and even more so that he was able to distil his story and of his department in to this detailed but very readable exposition of the Intelligence services in Vietnam. A complex and engaging study of a very difficult job done well.

An account of North Vietnamese attempts to seize control of Quang Tri and Thua Thien Provinces and the response of the allied forces, particularly U.S. Army units. Contents Chapter I. EARLY DEVELOPMENTS Background The Northern Border, 1965-1967 Continuing Activity Along the Demilitarized Zone II. PREPARING FOR A SHOWDOWN The Anti-Infiltration System Free World Forces The Growth of Logistic Facilities Upgrading of the Vietnamese Army Forces III. THE BLEAK PICTURE Operation Niagara. The Battle of Keh Sanh- Opening Round The Tet Offensive--First Phase The Battle for Hue Intelligence Battle for Quang Tri Enemy Attacks on the Logistical System Task Force Clearwater IV. U.S. RESPONSE TO THE TET OFFENSIVE Planning for the Reliel of Khe Sanh Single Manager for Air Concept V. KHE SANH AND PEGASUS Planning for Pegasus Operation Orders VI. THE FREE WORLD COUNTEROFFENSIVE Opening Operations Back to A Shau VII. ANALYSIS OF NORTH VIETNAMES GOALS AND FAILURES Intelligence Organization for Combat Airmobility Superior Firepower Communications Logistics Improvement of Vietnamese Armed Forces The Other War Conclusion GLOSSARY INDEX

First published in 1978. From the preface: "The purpose of this monograph is to relate in specific terms what logisticians did and how they did it in supporting combat forces in Vietnam. Not only were American soldiers supported, but at the height of hostilities, in addition to U.S. Forces, the U.S. Army in Vietnam also provided support to the military forces of the governments of South Vietnam, Republic of Korea, Thailand, Australia, New Zealand, and other allied countries".