Criteria The Navy Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself by outstanding heroism in action against an enemy (but not suff... The Navy Unit Commendation may be awarded by the Secretary of the Navy to any unit of the Navy or Marine Corps that distinguishes itself by outstanding heroism in action against an enemy (but not sufficiently to justify the award of the Presidential Unit Citation). It may also be awarded to a unit that distinguishes itself by extremely meritorious service not involving combat (but in support of military operations), which renders that unit outstanding when compared to other units performing similar service. MoreHide
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Criteria The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of Sout... The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of South Vietnam. The actions cited are for the same services that would have resulted in the award of a Valorous Unit Citation by the Army or a Navy Unit Citation MoreHide
Criteria
The unit citation of the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Medal was awarded certain units by the Vietnamese government for meritorious service during the period 1 March 1961 to 28 March 1974.
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical l... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces; or 3. Did not complete the length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during wartime, were: a. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released; or c. Killed in action or in the line of duty; or 4. Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. MoreHide
Description Of all the Navy’s bases in South Vietnam, An Thoi, on the southern tip of Phu Quoc Island in the Gulf of Thailand, was the most isolated. Almost 1,000 miles from Subic Bay, it severely taxed the SevenOf all the Navy’s bases in South Vietnam, An Thoi, on the southern tip of Phu Quoc Island in the Gulf of Thailand, was the most isolated. Almost 1,000 miles from Subic Bay, it severely taxed the Seventh Fleet’s mobile logistics support force during the Vietnam War. Naval leaders recognized early the strategic value of the site: from there the naval forces could readily interdict sea infiltration of communist men and supplies from Cambodia. Another favorable consideration was the availability to American units of real estate near the Vietnamese Navy’s existing compound.
In the summer of 1965, An Thoi was selected as a Coastal Surveillance Force combat and logistic base. Due to the U.S. Navy’s shortage of suitable vessels, the U.S. Coast Guard was called on to begin patrol operations in that area. Coast Guard Division 11, with nine 82-foot Point-class cutters (WPBs), began MARKET TIME coastal patrol operations from An Thoi in July 1965. The WPBs were joined by U.S. naval forces using PCFs and a gunboat of the Royal Thai Navy. In addition, a coastal surveillance command center was established to control operations in the sector.
While the Naval Support Activity, Saigon, Detachment An Thoi, worked to improve berthing, messing, supply, repair, transportation, security, and other support for the combat units, the 7th Fleet provided additional assistance. Repair ships USS KRISHNA (ARL-38) and USS TUTUILA (ARG-4) and non-self propelled barracks ships APL-21 and APL-55 were deployed to the site at various times from 1965 to 1969. Although new base facilities and a contractor-built 3,500-foot airstrip eased logistics problems, An Thoi continued to require much fleet support.
By May 1971, the An Thoi Logistics Support Base was turned over to the Vietnamese Navy. An Thoi furnished major overhaul services for river and coastal combat craft and supplied a number of smaller U.S. bases in the Gulf of Thailand region.... More
Description Situated on a peninsula jutting from South Vietnam into the South China Sea, Vung Tau was a natural site for the U.S. Naval facility developed there. An added bonus was the resort town of Vung Tau ovSituated on a peninsula jutting from South Vietnam into the South China Sea, Vung Tau was a natural site for the U.S. Naval facility developed there. An added bonus was the resort town of Vung Tau overlooked the entrance to the serpentine river approach to Saigon -- the nation’s capital and main port.
American naval presence at Vung Tau dated from 1954, when Naval Branch Group 1 helped French authorities construct an emergency tent camp for thousands of refugees evacuated from North Vietnam as part of the "Passage to Freedom" sealift operation.
Eleven years later, the Navy established both surface and air units of the Coastal Surveillance Force there. These units patrolled the South Vietnamese coastline in search of infiltrating communist ships and craft. A coastal surveillance command center at Vung Tau coordinated the operations of PCFs and SP-2 Neptune aircraft patrol units. Inshore Undersea Warfare Group-1-Detachment 1 (IUWG-1-1) was stationed on the mountaintop overlooking Vung Tau harbor and performed harbor patrols using their boats out of Cat Lo.
The Vung Tau site was also an interim staging area for the Navy’s forces deploying deeper into the Mekong Delta region south and west of Saigon. Beginning in January 1967, ships carrying the men and specialized landing craft that would form the naval component of the joint Army-Navy Task Force 117 (Mobile Riverine Force), anchored off Vung Tau.
USS BENEWAH (APB-35) and USS COLLETON (APB-36) were self-propelled barracks ships that would house the Army infantry and the Navy boat crews of Task Force 117. At the same time, the repair and maintenance ships Tutuila (ARG-4) and Askari (ARL-30), non-self propelled barracks ship (APL-26), and repair, berthing, and messing barge YRBM-17 arrived to provide the force with mobile support. The Mobile Riverine Force shifted to Dong Tam in June 1967, after training and material preparations were completed, but Vung Tau continued to serve its logistics needs.
Vung Tau also provided an operating base for the Navy’s helicopter and fixed wing assault units. In May 1967 Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron 3 established a headquarters at Vung Tau.
HAL-3 began its combat operations in South Vietnam from Vung Tau. Later, the HAL-3 command center moved to NSA Binh Thuy, deep in the Mekong Delta. Nevertheless, detachments of the Seawolves squadron continued to use the air facilities at Vung Tau. From April 1969 onwards, half of the fixed-wing Light Attack Squadron 4 (VAL-4) flew from the nearby U.S. Army airfield at Vung Tau. [The other half of VAL-4 flew from Binh Thuy.]
Under the direction of Naval Support Activity, Saigon, Detachment Vung Tau, logistics support was provided the locally based air and coastal patrol units as well as the river units deployed forward. On a weekly basis, an LST usually stationed off Cape Vung Tau, delivered food, fuel, ammunition, and other supplies to the floating base of the Mobile Riverine Force operating near Dong Tam. An Army-Navy liaison team used a small pier and warehouse to process and transfer incoming cargo to the LST. Also anchored in the roadstead were the repair ships USS TUTUILA (ARG-4) and – later -- USS MARKAB (AR-23). These ships provided depot-level repair and maintenance support to many river and coastal combat vessels, including the LSTs. In addition to these units, harbor defense and harbor clearance units were based at Vung Tau. Two heavy lift craft and other vessels of the HCU-1 command, belonging to Service Force U.S. Pacific Fleet, were positioned offshore prepared to salvage vessels in distress from the many waterways of South Vietnam.
As the Navy’s installations at nearby Cat Lo and in the Mekong Delta completed their development and took on greater logistics responsibilities, the Vung Tau facility diminished in importance. However, Vung Tau continued to serve as the maritime gateway to the southern regions of South Vietnam.... More
Description TF 115 was responsible for the harbor defense and surveillance units in the ports of Vung Tau, Cam Ranh Bay, Qui Nhon, Nha Trang, and Vung Ro, Inshore Undersea Warfare Groups (IUWG) 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5,TF 115 was responsible for the harbor defense and surveillance units in the ports of Vung Tau, Cam Ranh Bay, Qui Nhon, Nha Trang, and Vung Ro, Inshore Undersea Warfare Groups (IUWG) 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5, operated a total of 16 large personnel landing craft, 25 Boston Whalers, and 8 picket boats in Operation Stable Door. The 45-foot picket boats, which began to reach Vietnam in June 1967, carried a crew of one officer and five men and two .50-caliber machine guns, twin-mounted. In each port the units constructed harbor entrance control posts and equipped them with radios and surface search radars.
Description Operation Game Warden, Task force 116, was an operation to deny Viet Cong access to the resources in the Mekong Delta which was conceived of in December 1965. U.S. naval forces, backed by Marine artilOperation Game Warden, Task force 116, was an operation to deny Viet Cong access to the resources in the Mekong Delta which was conceived of in December 1965. U.S. naval forces, backed by Marine artillery on the ground, launching a rapid surprise attack on the dozens of small Viet Cong ports which were scattered around the Delta. Unprepared in the face of intense U.S. firepower, which included U.S. F-4 Phantoms dropping special illumination bombs which blinded the Viet Cong deck gunners, leaving to them being unable to accurately return fire on the attacking U.S. craft, the Viet Cong were incapable of mounting a stiff resistance. Much the Viet Cong fleet and its operators were destroyed.... More
Criteria The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who, after July 1, 1958, participate in specified United States operations or those in direct support of the United Natio... The Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces who, after July 1, 1958, participate in specified United States operations or those in direct support of the United Nations or friendly foreign nations MoreHide
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Description The mission fell to Lt. Gen. Bruce Palmer, the newly-designated commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps, and Maj. Gen. Robert York, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division. They initiated "Operation PowThe mission fell to Lt. Gen. Bruce Palmer, the newly-designated commander of the XVIII Airborne Corps, and Maj. Gen. Robert York, commander of the 82nd Airborne Division. They initiated "Operation Power Pack" and ordered a task force comprised of U.S. Marines and the 82nd Airborne to deploy beginning on April 28. The 7th Special Forces Group, Psychological Operations units, and various logistical support elements also participated.
For the Army, this was the first test of the new ROAD Concept (Reorganization Objective Army Division) designed to develop flexible, deployable forces capable of responding to multiple contingencies.
The initial Marine force arrived by helicopter from the USS Boxer and landed on the western edge of Santo Domingo. The 82nd Airborne Division's first elements were air-landed at San Isidro airfield east of the capital. Maj. Gen. YorkAca,!a,,cs plan called for a battalion size element from the 82nd to advance westward and secure the Duarte Bridge connecting the eastern and western sections of the city. They would then be assisted by loyalist elements in regaining control of Santo Domingo.
The 1st Battalion, 508th Infantry advanced to secure the bridge with close air support from Marine F-4 Phantom jets. Securing the area around the bridge was a hazardous undertaking, requiring house-to-house clearing operations while under fire from rebel forces. The effort was further complicated by the fact that the rebels were assisted by Dominican military defectors who wore the same uniforms as loyalist forces allied with the United States. By mid-afternoon on April 30, both the bridge and the cityAca,!a,,cs main power station were secure. By the following morning, the 82nd had advanced further west and linked up with Marine forces. Additional troops worked to permanently secure the east-west transportation route and this Line of Communication (LOC) was dubbed the "All-American Expressway" by the 82nd. To demonstrate that the U.S. military was firmly in control, Maj. Gen. York marched the 82nd Airborne Division band all the way through the corridor.
By the end of the first week, 500 Marines and two full battalions from the 82nd were conducting security operations on the ground, and by the end of May, the entire division was in country. Lt. Gen. Palmer directed subordinate commanders to begin stability operations. Soon the troops were conducting constabulary operations and distributing food, water, and medical supplies to the members of both factions. Ultimately, more than 40,000 U.S. troops participated in Operation Power Pack.... More
Instructors 1st REGIMENT 11th BATTALION COMPANY 225 9 June 1964
Captain Slade Cutter Commander,Naval Training Center
Captain Ira M.King Commanding Officer,Recruit Training Command
Commander W.W.Watkins Executive Officer
1st REGIMENT 11th BATTALION COMPANY 225 9 June 1964
Captain Ira M.King Commanding Officer,Recruit Training Command
Commander W.W.Watkins Executive Officer
Lt J.L. Giffin USN Brigade Commander
Lt R.E. Hartzell Regimental Commander
LtJG A.J. Kujawa USNR Battallion Commander
R.P.Flannigan GMG1 Company Commander