Comes with a hand-signed C.O.A.

This rare and museum-grade Vietnam War artifact was used at the infamous MARINE CORPS SCHOOL at Quantico, Virginia to train US Marines on “SMALL UNIT TACTICS”. Dated 1963 this extremely detailed Vietnam War manual was produced in very limited quantities and was used to teach about… the organization of platoons and battalions, attack structures, fire, team formations, plans of attack, deception, types of defense, defensive positions, perimeter defense, night, defense, employment of machine guns, offensive strategies, attack of a fortified position, combat in urbanized areas, terrain and weather, helicopter airborne operations, scouting, patrolling, etc. This is an extremely detailed document detailing some of the most confidential information for teaching US Marines about some of the most tactics they would use on the battlefield. This manual contains secret diagrams, pictures, maps, and data.

The Vietnam War, which spanned from 1955 to 1975, was one of the most significant conflicts of the 20th century. The United States' involvement in the war saw the development and implementation of various military strategies and tactics, ranging from conventional warfare to unconventional guerrilla warfare. This essay will explore the U.S. types of defense, defensive positions, perimeter defense, night defense, employment of machine guns, offensive strategies, attack of fortified positions, combat in urbanized areas, terrain and weather considerations, helicopter airborne operations, scouting, and patrolling during the Vietnam War.

I. U.S. Types of Defense

During the Vietnam War, U.S. forces primarily employed two types of defense strategies: active defense and passive defense. Active defense involved actively patrolling and engaging enemy forces to disrupt their operations. Passive defense, on the other hand, focused on securing strategic positions and maintaining fortified bases to repel enemy attacks. The choice between these strategies often depended on the specific operational objectives and the local circumstances.

II. Defensive Positions

Defensive positions varied depending on the specific geographical and tactical requirements. In the dense jungles and challenging terrain of Vietnam, troops often established defensive positions in the form of bunkers, foxholes, and trenches. These positions provided cover and concealment, allowing U.S. forces to protect themselves from enemy fire and ambushes while also providing firing lanes to engage the enemy.

III. Perimeter Defense

Perimeter defense was a crucial aspect of U.S. military operations in Vietnam, particularly in base camps and fire support bases. Troops established defensive perimeters around these positions to protect against enemy attacks. These perimeters were often fortified with concertina wire, sandbags, and defensive emplacements like machine gun nests and mortars.

IV. Night Defense

Nighttime in Vietnam posed unique challenges as it provided cover for the enemy's stealthy movements. To counter this, U.S. forces employed various night defense tactics, including the use of starlight scopes and other night vision equipment. These technologies enhanced their ability to detect and engage enemy forces under the cover of darkness.

V. Employment of Machine Guns

Machine guns, such as the M60 and M2 Browning, played a significant role in U.S. defense strategies during the Vietnam War. These weapons provided suppressing fire and helped maintain a strong defensive posture. They were often placed in strategic positions to cover potential enemy approaches and ambush points.

VI. Offensive Strategies

While defensive operations were critical, the U.S. also conducted offensive operations to disrupt enemy activities and gain control over territory. Search-and-destroy missions were a common offensive strategy, involving the systematic search for enemy forces, followed by engagement and destruction. These missions aimed to reduce the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army's ability to operate in a given area.

VII. Attack of Fortified Positions

Engaging fortified positions, such as enemy bunkers and tunnels, was a challenging aspect of the Vietnam War. U.S. forces employed various tactics and weapons, including artillery, airstrikes, and infantry assaults, to neutralize these strongholds. Combat engineers were often tasked with clearing tunnels and bunkers using explosives and other specialized equipment.

VIII. Combat in Urbanized Areas

Urban combat was infrequent but highly challenging in Vietnam. U.S. forces faced the difficulty of distinguishing between enemy combatants and civilians in densely populated areas. Tactics involved house-to-house clearing, often requiring careful coordination between infantry, armored units, and air support to minimize civilian casualties.

IX. Terrain and Weather Considerations

The harsh terrain of Vietnam, characterized by dense jungles, swamps, and mountains, posed significant challenges to U.S. forces. Navigating through this terrain required specialized training and equipment, such as helicopters for rapid troop movement and riverboats for navigating waterways. The country's tropical climate, including monsoon seasons, affected mobility and operational effectiveness.

X. Helicopter Airborne Operations

Helicopters, notably the UH-1 Iroquois, commonly referred to as the "Huey," played a pivotal role in U.S. military operations. They were used for troop insertion, extraction, and resupply. Helicopter operations provided the flexibility needed to respond rapidly to changing battlefield conditions, but they also exposed troops to enemy fire during landing and takeoff.

XI. Scouting

Scouting was crucial to gather intelligence about enemy movements and positions. Reconnaissance units, often comprised of highly trained soldiers, operated deep within enemy territory to provide critical information to U.S. commanders. This intelligence helped plan defensive and offensive operations effectively.

XII. Patrolling in Combat

Patrolling was a fundamental component of U.S. military tactics in Vietnam. Troops conducted both reconnaissance and combat patrols to gather information, disrupt enemy activities, and maintain pressure on enemy forces. These patrols ranged from small reconnaissance teams to larger units, depending on the mission's objectives.

The Vietnam War presented a complex and challenging operational environment for U.S. forces, requiring a diverse range of defensive and offensive strategies and tactics. From the dense jungles to urbanized areas, the military adapted to the unique circumstances of the conflict. The use of defensive positions, machine guns, and night vision technology, as well as the employment of helicopters and scouting operations, all played vital roles in shaping the U.S. military's approach to combat in Vietnam. This war remains a significant chapter in military history, providing valuable lessons in unconventional warfare and the complexities of counterinsurgency operations.