CHAPTER 21

U.S. Marine Advisors and Other Activities

U.S. Marine Advisors and the Vietnamese Marine Corps—The Vietnamese Marine Corps in Lam Son 719 The Marine Advisory Unit and Solid Anchor—Sub-Unit 1, 1st Air and Naval Gunfire Liaison Company The Special Landing Force—Marines on the MACV Staff—Embassy Marines—Conclusion

U.S. Marine Advisors and the Vietnamese Marine Corps

U.S. Marine Advisors supported the Vietnamese Ma­rine Corps (VNMC) from Its activation in October 1954. Originally a part of the Naval Advisory Group (NAG), which was responsible to ComUSMACV, the Marine Advisory Unit (MAU) was the link between the VNMC and the American command. At the be­ginning of 1970, the MAU was commanded by the Senior Marine Advisor (SMA), Colonel William M. Van Zuyen, and had a Marine strength* of 39 officers and five enlisted men. In addition, the staff usually had one Navy doctor as medical advisor and two corps-men. American Marines from all general occupation­al fields—combat, combat support, and combat service support—rounded out the MAU staff. Marines advised most VNMC staff sections, and since VNMC battalions tended to maneuver tactically in two large elements, common MAU practice was to have two Ma­rine advisors with each battalion, one with each ele­ment, and three advisors with each brigade.1

Activated in 1954, the VNMC was formed from old French-organized commando and riverine units. The VNMC was originally assigned to conduct amphibi­ous and riverine operations as part of the Vietnamese Navy (VNN). From 1954 to 1971 the VNMC expand­ed from a strength of 1, 150 officers and men to 13, 500,2 growing from a brigade- to a division-size organiza­tion, while gaining separate service status. From its very beginning the VNMC was an important combat element of the RVNAF. As part of the General Reserve, it fought in all four Corps areas, and during the 1968 Tet Offensive helped retake the Citadel in Hue City. Relying on U.S. Marine Corps advisors from the start, the VNMC, unsurprisingly, reflected this in­fluence in its recruiting, organization, and training. Like its American counterpart, the VNMC recruited volunteers and did not draft. Its recruiting program stressed patriotism and challenged 'young men to prove themselves equal to rigorous, disciplined life.' This proved to be as effective in Vietnam as it was in the United States. Thirteen enlisted recruiting teams were located throughout the country. By mid-1971, 610 men were being enlisted monthly, which was enough to replace 'normal attrition' and keep up with autho­rized strength increases. Officers were appointed from varied sources: the National Military Academy, the two-year infantry school for reserve officers, and the 12-week officer course for meritorious NCOs.3

The MAU emphasized the importance of training. By 1971 the VNMC Training Command, located northwest of Thu Due in Military Region III near Sai­gon, could accommodate 2, 000 students and provide basic recruit and advanced individual infantry train­ing, as well as officer, NCO, and sniper courses.

Since 1956 some 200 VNMC officers and a num­ber of enlisted men had attended courses in the Unit­ed States and Okinawa. Included were 14 lieutenants and two captains who had attended either the U.S. Marine Corps Basic School or Amphibious Warfare School at Quantico during 1957 and 1958 and now held key positions, including Commandant, in the VNMC. One-fourth of the training command instruc­tors had been through U.S. Marine recruit training, the Drill Instructor School at San Diego, and had com­pleted the U.S. Marine Corps Marksmanship Instruc­tor Course. Offshore training gave the VNMC vital knowledge and skills, and also created 'a basis for com­mon understanding between MAU personnel and the Vietnamese—a factor essential to the successful ad­visory effort.'4

The mission of the MAU was to 'foster a VNMC capable of conducting amphibious, riverine, helicopterborne, and ground operations, and to assist in es­tablishing a sound, enduring logistical and administrative procedure within the VNMC.'5 The MAU also closely monitored the Military Assistance Service Fund (MASF) program that supported the Vietnamese Marines.

The VNMC requisitioned most of its supplies and equipment through the RVNAF supply system until

* The task organization of the MAU was increased in the spring of 1970 to include 56 officers and 22 enlisted Marines. Col Richard F. Armstrong. Comments on draft ms. n.d. (Vietnam Comment File). Armstrong's comments include a memo depicting me changed T/0. See also monthly historical summaries for personnel breakdowns.