Republic of Vietnam 2nd Infantry Division History Book, printed by
the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Saigon, February 1, 1969, RVNHS Archive.
A recent acquisition to the archive, this 1969 dated history of the 2nd Infantry Division was published by the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces in Saigon. The text provides a detailed early history of the division and its units. It also offers a contemporary late 1960s insight into the daily activities and challenges of not only the 2nd Infantry Division, but many other Republic of Vietnam military units as well. The book includes both Vietnamese and English text.
Opening pages of Republic of Vietnam 2nd Infantry Division History Book, printed by
the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Saigon, February 1, 1969, RVNHS Archive.
The division was originally formed on February 1, 1955, at My Tho. It was first designed the 32nd Infantry Division. Other texts note the name change to the 2nd Infantry Division as taking place in November of 1956, but in this text the date is given as January 1, 1959, which according to veterans is the correct date. It also coincides with this book being published on the tenth anniverasy of the division's designation as the second. The division's operational areas changed at times, but in 1969 the division was responsible for the defense of Quang Tin and Quang Ngai provinces along the coast. At the time of the text's publication, the division included the 4th, 5th, and 6th Infantry Regiments.
Vietnamese and English language pages for the history of the 2nd Infantry Division,
Republic of Vietnam 2nd Infantry Division History Book,
printed by the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Saigon, February 1, 1969, RVNHS Archive.
The book includes overviews of the division's activities ranging from combat operations to aid for the civilian population. Specific details of some of the psychological warfare operations from the previous year (1968) are included, which show the great extent to which these activities played a prominent role in the division's life. From January to November of 1968, alone, the division distributed 112,300,000 leaflets, 689,850 magazines and newspapers, and 76, 298 medical kits to the civilian population. Additionally, 521 movies and entertainment shows were offered to soldiers and civilians on behalf of the division.
Photo of one of the entertainment show's presented by the division,
Republic of Vietnam 2nd Infantry Division History Book, printed by
the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Saigon, February 1, 1969, RVNHS Archive.
Medical aid provided by nurses and Women's Army Corps members attached to the 2nd Infantry Division, Republic of Vietnam 2nd Infantry Division History Book, printed by
the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Saigon, February 1, 1969, RVNHS Archive.
The period after the 1969 publication of this text continued to see the division engage in ongoing combat and civil operations through 1975. This primary text offers a rare glimpse into the early history of the division and its status in the late 1960s, after having been operational for fourteen years. In this post, RVNHS would like to share some of the information from this book in honor of the men and women who served in the Republic of Vietnam's 2nd Infantry Division.
Displays of enemy weapons captured by the 2nd Infantry Division,
Republic of Vietnam 2nd Infantry Division History Book, printed by
the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Saigon, February 1, 1969, RVNHS Archive.
President Nguyen Van Thieu and General Nguyen Van Toan (commander of the 2nd Infantry Division at the time of the book's publication) during a divisional award ceremony
(note the divisional citations being placed on the division's flag),
Republic of Vietnam 2nd Infantry Division History Book, printed by
the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Saigon, February 1, 1969, RVNHS Archive.
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