CHAPTER l
A Puzzling War
III MAF January 1968-MACV
and Command Arrangements-South Vietnam and I Corps The Enemy-Focus on
the North-MACV Vis-a-Vis Marines-An Ambivalent Outlook
III MAF January 1968
After more than two and a half years since the commitment
of major U.S. combat forces to the war in Vietnam, the III Marine Amphibious
Force (III MAF) entered 1968 with portents of a possible climax to the
conflict. American intelligence indicated a buildup of enemy forces
throughout South Vietnam and especially in the northern border region.
Regiments from three North Vietnamese Army (NVA) divisions massed in
the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) dividing the two Vietnams and in Laos near
the isolated Marine base at Khe Sanh. To counter this threat, the American
command prepared to reinforce the Marines in I Corps Tactical Zone (ICTZ),
the five northern provinces in South Vietnam. Although 1967 ended and
1968 began with the usual holiday truces between the opposing forces
(more honored in the breach than in the observance), the Marines girded
themselves for future heavy fighting.
With its headquarters at the sprawling and centrally
located Da Nang base. III MAF at the beginning of January 1968 numbered
more than 100,000 Marines,sailors, and soldiers. Lieutenant General
Robert E. Cushman, Jr., Naval Academy Class of 1935 and Commanding General,
III MAF, since the previous June, had under his command two reinforced
Marine divisions, the 1st and 3d; a U.S. Army division, the Americal;
the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing (1st MAW); and the Force Logistic Command.
Supplementing these units and temporarily attached to III MAF were the
nearly 3,000 Marines of the Seventh Fleet's two special landing forces
(SLFs). Part of the U.S. Pacific Command's strategic reserve, the SLFs
each consisted of a Marine battalion landing team (BLT), a battalion
reinforced by supporting elements and a helicopter squadron. In addition,
the III MAF commander had "coordinating authority" over the
tour-battalion Republic of Korea (ROK) 2d Marine Brigade (meaning orders
to the Koreans took the form of requests). Including the ROK Marines,
General Cushman had available 40 infantry battalions and 23 Marine aircraft
squadrons in the III MAF area of operations, extending some 220 miles
from the DMZ in die north to the border with II Corps Tactical Zone
in the south.1
Depatment of Defense Photo
(USMC) A192347
Marine LtGen Robert
E. Cushman. Commanding, General, III Marine Amphibious Force, returns
a salute during a ceremony at Da Nang. By January 1968. III MAF. the
senior U.S. command in l Corps, the fire northern provinces of South
Vietnam, equalled a field army in size.
The 53-year-old Cushman, commanding nearly a field army
in size, had multiple responsibilities which had grown apace with the
expansion of III MAF from the original Marine contingent, the 5,000-man
9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade (9th MEB), which had landed at Da Nang
in March 1965. As the senior U.S. general officer in I Corps, General
Cushman wore several "hats." As well as Commanding General,
III MAF, he was both the U.S. I Corps "Area Coordinator" and
"Senior Advisor." In one capacity or another he was responsible
for all U.S. forces in the northern five provinces.2
Well respected in the Corps, with a reputation for intelligence
and political adroitness. General Cushman brought a broad background in
both military and national affairs to his duties at III MAF. The native
Minnesotan, a battalion commander in World War II, was awarded the Navy
Cross for heroism at Guam. Following the war, he served as an instructor
at the Marine
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