Republic of Vietnam 18th Infantry Divison Certificate - Australian Army - 1 ATF

Republic of Vietnam 18th Infantry Divison - 1st Australian Task Force ( 1 ATF) weapons training certificate to Danh Soc of B Company of the 5th Cavalry Regiment, signed by 1 ATF commander, General Stuart Paul Weir, March 1970, RVNHS Archive.

 

              Australia began sending official military advisors to the Republic of Vietnam in 1962. As the military mission of Australia expanded, a central base of operations was established in Phuoc Tuy Province. One feature of the geography in the area selected for the Australian base were the remnants of an extinct volcano, which consisted of a partial crater. The Australians came to refer to this location as "Horseshoe Hill" due to its shape.

 

Australian instructor and Republic of Vietnam 18th Division soldiers,

Horseshoe Hill, Phuoc Tuy Province, 1969.

 

             Horeshoe Hill and the surrounding areas served as operation and training centers for Australian soldiers and their advisors to the military of the Republic of Vietnam. The majority of Republic of Vietnam servicemen who received training from the Australian Army did so in these areas of Phuoc Tuy Province. The Republic of Vietnam's 18th Infantry Division was trained more by Australian advisors than any other division in the Vietnamese military.

 

Soldiers of the Republic of Vietnam 18th Infantry Divison after finishing training at

Horseshoe Hill, Phuoc Tuy Province, 1970.

 

Australian instructor and Republic of Vietnam 18th Division soldiers,

Horseshoe Hill, Phuoc Tuy Province, September 1969.

 

            The training courses taught by Australian army instructors at Phuoc Tuy ranged from standard small arms courses to patrol and infiltration tactics as well as larger size unit operations. Training was conducted nearly year-round with most courses lasting for a few weeks. In later years, the 18th Infantry Division would become immortalized at the 1975 Battle of Xuan Loc when the division held out against the odds to delay the enemy.

 

General Stuart Paul Weir (left) at Phuoc Tuy, signator of the posted training certificate,

February 11, 1969.

 

            The document shown in this post is a certifcate issued to a Republic of Vietnam servicemen in the 5th Cavalry Regiment for completing a four-week training course in weapons and tactics at Horseshoe Hill in Phuoc Tuy. The document bears the insignia of the 18th Infantry Divison and the 1st Australian Task Force, which oversaw the training. It is signed by the Australian Task Force commander, General Stuart Paul Weir, and dates to March of 1970. In this post, RVNHS would like to reflect on the history of the 18th Infantry Division and of the Australian military instructors who helped to shape the division in support of the cause of the Republic of Vietnam.

 

A tank of the Republic of Vietnam 5th Cavalry Regiment in action near Bien Hoa,

February 1969.

 

      

Vietnamese Marine Khakis - TQLC

Republic of Vietnam Marine khaki shirt, 1964. RVNHS Archive.

 

         Like other branches of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, Vietnamese marines often wore khaki uniforms in the 1950s through mid-1960s. Khaki uniforms were used by all branches throughout the history of the republic, but were much more frequently worn in the earlier years. This shirt is dated 1964, and bears the sleeve insignia for the marine brigade, which features a dark background. In later years when the marine division was established, the background of the insignia was changed to green. The shirt also has shoulder ranks for a marine NCO, and a fourragere.

 

A Vietnamese marine poses for a portrait with his father in early khaki uniform. Note the fourragere, marine brigade patch, and shoulder ranks. RVNHS Archive.

 

Marine officer Le Hang Minh in khaki uniform with fourragere and insignia. RVNHS Archive.

 

 

Republic of Vietnam Month in California - October 2016 - VNCH

Text of legislation in the California State Senate.

 

       October 2016 marks the 60th anniversary of the adoption of the first democratic constitution of the Republic of Vietnam. Legislation to declare October 2016 as the official "Republic of Vietnam Month" in the State of California was recently passed. This month honors Republic of Vietnam veterans and government personnel who were imprisoned in 1975, and gives official recognition from the State of California to the sacrifices of these men and women and the contribution of Vietnamese Americans in California. The cities of Westminster, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana, California, (which comprise the bulk of Little Saigon in Orange County) also recognize October 26th each year as "Republic of Vietnam Day." RVNHS would like to share the details of this month's measure as a means of appreciation for the men and women of the Republic of Vietnam.

 

Saigon, October 26, 1956, National Day in the Republic of Vietnam.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Republic of Vietnam Naval Ratings - HQVNCH

Republic of Vietnam naval personnel,

note ratings worn on the left sleeves on some of the sailors, 1960s-70s.

 

      As with many navies around the world, sailors of the Republic of Vietnam were given specific ratings to denote their areas of specialization and training. These ratings were worn by enlisted ranks on the left sleeve. The ratings ranged from such fields as gunnery and torpedo specializations to sonar and medical designations. Photographic evidence from the period shows that although sailors may have particular ratings at a given time, the actual rating insignia was not always worn.

 

Examples of three ratings as they appear on Republic of Vietnam sailor jumpers.

 Left: a clerk, 3rd class. Center: an engineer, 2nd class. Right: an engineer 3rd class.

1960s-70s, RVNHS Archive.

 

      The ratings would appear on the upper left sleeve, and for petty officers would be accompanied by chevrons denoting the class of the rating, i.e. one stripe for third, two for second, and three for first class. Ratings appeared in black or blue colors. It is suggested the black denoted land based assignments while the blue was for those serving on vessels. Ratings could be worn not only on the white jumpers worn by sailors, but other fatigue uniforms as well.

 

Chart showing some (but not all) of the ratings in use by the Republic of Vietnam Navy, 1969, RVNHS Archive.

 

Republic of Vietnam sailor jumper with rating for an engineer, first class. 1960s-70s,

RVNHS Archive.

 

 

 

Republic of Vietnam Museum Fundraiser Dinner - November 3, 2016

 

          The Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces will be hosting a fundraising dinner on November 3, 2016, at Paracel Seafood in Westminster, California. RVNHS is affiliated with the museum, and we would like to encourage everyone to attend and show support for the museum and the rich history of the Republic of Vietnam. The museum recently opened this spring, and stands as a unique one-of-a-kind space for studying and preserving the legacy of the Republic of Vietnam. It is the only museum like it in the world, and is located right in the heart of the largest Vietnamese diaspora - Little Saigon in Orange County, California. The museum exists entirely on private donations, and is run by volunteers who donate from their own pockets, time, and effort to build and manage the museum.

 

       Proceeds from the fundraiser go towards the expansion of the museum into a much larger adjacent venue, and with your support this can become a reality. Please see the poster shown in this post for details on how to purchase tickets. Regular and VIP seats and tables are available. Reservations can be made in Vietnamese or English at the numbers provided. With your help the museum can continue its mission of honoring Republic of Vietnam veterans and their families, preserving history, and educating future generations.

44th Anniversary of the Second Battle of Quảng Trị 1972-2016

Republic of Vietnam Marines raise the flag over the Quảng Trị citadel, 1972.

 

            Forty-four years ago this summer, soldiers of the Republic of Vietnam were gripped in the middle of an eighty-one day battle to retake Quảng Trị province. The area was overrun by enemy forces during the Spring (or “Easter”) Offensive of 1972. However, the enemy offensive fell short of its projected aims, and the Republic of Vietnam was able to organize a successful counter-offensive. The battle was in many ways a test for the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces, coming after the withdrawal of the majority of United States military units as part of the “Vietnamization” of the war.

Map showing the location of Quảng Trị province and city on the northernmost border of the Republic of Vietnam along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ).

 

General Ngô Quang Trưởng who commanded Republic of Vietnam forces during the

Second Battle of Quảng Trị .

 

             General Ngô Quang Trưởng led the Republic of Vietnam forces in the battle, which principally consisted of marines and airborne troops. The raising of the Republic of Vietnam flag over the Quảng Trị Citadel was the subject of the most iconic photographs of the battle. Nearly all enemy units involved in the battle were destroyed. The Republic of Vietnam passed this major battlefield test, and proved its effectiveness to launch large scale operations when properly supplied.

Republic of Vietnam troops during the Second Battle of Quảng Trị, 1972.

 

 

 

Republic of Vietnam Civil Development and Welfare Posters - 1960s-70s - VNCH

Republic of Vietnam Community Defense and Local Development Plan poster, 1971, Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces.

 

              A group of five original posters pertaining to civil development and welfare programs organized by the Republic of Vietnam were recently donated to The Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces in Westminster, California. RVNHS is affiliated with the museum, and in this post we would like to share some information on these recently donated pieces. Each of the posters bears English text, which denotes them as having been used for raising international awareness. The following is an overview of the programs these posters represented.

 

Republic of Vietnam Veterans and War Widows Assistance Programs poster, 1970s, Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces.

 

Republic of Vietnam Veterans medal, 1967-1975, RVNHS Archive.

 

            The Republic of Vietnam Veterans and War Widows Assistance Programs were a collection of different agencies and charities dedicated to the welfare of former soldiers and the widows and orphans of the fallen. Many of the organizations that aided these individuals were non-governmental bodies, such as religious groups or Red Cross societies, but the Republic of Vietnam military also provided aid in addition to serving as the conduit for that delivered from outside organizations. On September 1, 1967, a medal was comissioned in two classes to be awarded to those individuals who undertook exceptional effort to provide aid to veterans and the families of fallen servicemen and women. The emblem of the medal - a helmet with anchor, wings, crossed rifle and shovel, and laurels - became the symbol for the assistance programs.

 

Republic of Vietnam People's Self Defense Force poster, 1970s,

Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces.

 

Video clip of Republic of Vietnam People's Self Defense Force female personnel receiving firearms training, August 10, 1968, Associated Press.

 

            The People's Self Defense Force (Nhân dân Tự Vệ) or NDTV was established in June of 1968. The force was created as a means to arm civilians for self defense against enemy attacks in the wake of the Tet Offensive. People's Self Defense Force units were created throughout the Republic of Vietnam in both rural villages and large cities. The members of the these groups comprised those who were of age, but not currently in military service. A large number of women served in the force as armed combatants alongside male counterparts.

 

Chiêu Hồi Program poster, 1970s,

Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces.

 

A Chiêu Hồi center, 1960s.

                  The Chiêu Hồi Program was a campaign started by The Republic of Vietnam to encourage defections from Communist operatives to the side of the republic. It began on a small scale in the early years of the republic, but became a major program by the late 1960s. It was staffed by Republic of Vietnam military personnel assigned to the program, as well as civilian staff and volunteers. The campaign consisted of leaflets, posters, and other material encouraging defection being distributed in areas of enemy activity. Those enemy personnel who took up the offer were then taken to centers where they were gradually integrated into the republic. Many defectors chose to serve in the ranks of the military of The Republic of Vietnam while others took on roles of intelligence operatives for the republic, or returned to civilian life. In total, upwards of 100,000 enemy personnel defected to the republic through the program.

 

Land to the Tiller Program poster, 1970s,

Museum of History of the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces.

 

        The "Land to the Tiller" campaign was a land reform program instituted by Republic of Vietnam President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu on Farmer's Day, March 26, 1970. The program aimed to allow larger numbers of rural agricultural workers to own their own land. Under the program, individual land ownership (in most instances) was limited to no more than fifteen hectares. Large landowners who relinquished ownership of tracks of land were compensated, and the new parcel owners were given assistance for developing farms. The primary goal of the program was two-fold. It was hoped to both raise the quality of life for landless agricultural workers and lead to greater agricultural output (many of the lands given to the farmers were idle without being used for agricultural work, thus the name of the program "land to the tiller.") With the end of the republic in 1975, the lands given to the agricultural workers were nearly all confiscated by the Communist authorities.