U.S. Marines In Vietnam: The Advisory And Combat Assistance Era, 1954-1964 by Capt. Robert H. Whitlow

Author:Capt. Robert H. Whitlow [Whitlow, Capt. Robert H.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: History, Military, Vietnam War, United States, Special Forces, Strategy
ISBN: 9781787200852
Google: RIvjDAAAQBAJ
Publisher: Pickle Partners Publishing
Published: 2016-08-09T03:01:38+00:00

Training began almost immediately after the Marine units were in position at Udorn and Nong Ta Kai. Generally the MEB adhered to a training program designed to help fulfill three requirements: to make its presence known and thereby enhance its credibility as a “show of force”; to acclimatize the individual Marines to the hot, humid, tropical climate; and finally, to familiarize the operational elements and their commanders with the surrounding terrain. The primary objective of this program, of course, was to prepare the brigade for combat should that contingency arise out of the troubled situation in Laos. Coordinated air-ground exercises conducted around Udorn enabled General Simpson’s command to publicize its presence in the area while concurrently refining its heliborne and close air support capabilities.{103} In addition to air-ground exercises, Lieutenant-Colonel Adams’ infantry companies sharpened their skills in patrolling of all types and made frequent use of nearby Thai Army firing ranges to maintain their weapons proficiency. All field training was conducted in an unpopulated area defined by the Thai government and every precaution was taken so as not to disturb the local population. The Marine units utilized blank ammunition exclusively in training except for the closely supervised live fire exercises.

Realizing that the ultimate success or failure of the American commitment in Thailand might hinge on the relationships U.S. military men established with the Thai populace, General Simpson ordered his command to initiate a civic action program. The day after his arrival at Udorn, Simpson met with local civilian officials and established the basis for a people-to-people program similar to the one instituted by SHUFLY Marines at Soc Trang. Thereafter, the MEB’s goal in this area was to foster among the Thai a favorable impression of the individual Marine, his commanders, and his unit. The people-to-people program which followed was, in all respects, a concerted and integrated effort. Officers taught conversational English classes to interested civilians both at Udorn and at Nong Ta Kai, while Leatherneck engineers and Navy Seabees (who arrived near the end of May) helped repair public buildings. Navy medical and dental personnel attached to Colonel Mickey’s ProvMAG and Lieutenant-Colonel Adams’ BLT joined the effort by administering almost daily to the physical ailments of the local populace and occasionally visiting the more remote villages by helicopter. In an action intended to help prevent friction between Marines and Thai townspeople, General Simpson directed that MEB units disembark from trucks as they approached towns, march through the population centers at sling arms, and re-embark aboard their trucks at the opposite end of the town. Relying on this broad array of simple but effective programs, the 3rd MEB was able to impress upon the civilian population that its mission was one of assistance and good will rather than occupation.

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