U.S. Marine Corps In Vietnam
MAJOR MARINE HEADQUARTERS IN VIETNAM
9th Marine Amphibious Brigade
Arrived Vietnam: 8 March 1965 Departed Vietnam: 6 May 1965 The 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, later redesignated the 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade because the word "Expeditionary" recalled memories of the French colonial forces, was sent to Vietnam from Okinawa and posted to Da Nang to provide security for the Da Nang Air Base. The brigade consisted of two Battalion Landing Teams (BLT) composed of the 3rd Battalion, 9th Marines, and 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines. |
1st Marine Division
Arrived Vietnam: 23 February 1966 Departed Vietnam: 14 April 1971 The 1st Marine Division controlled primarily the 1st, 5th, and 7th Marine Regiments as well as the 26th and 27th Marine Regiments attached from the 5th Marine Division. It was stationed at Chu Lai until November 1966 when the division headquarters relocated to the Da Nang area where it remained. |
III Marine Amphibious Force
Arrived Vietnam: 7 May 1965 Departed Vietnam: 14 April 1971 The III Marine Amphibious Force was formed in Vietnam to command the Marine units which had been committed in the I Corps Tactical Zone. The U.S. Marines had been sent to meet the immediate enemy threat in the area, to post elite troops next to the North Vietnamese border and to take advantage of their unique ability to supply themselves "over the beach" without major logistical facilities developed at ports and airfields. The III Marine Amphibious Force acted as a corps-level headquarters over all U.S. Marine and Army units within the I Corps area. In February 1968 MACV F0rward Headquarters was established in the I CTZ to facilitate control over the increasing number of major army units deploying into the area. Although army units were present, this headquarters (later the XXIV Corps) came under III Marine Amphibious Force command. |
3rd Marine Division
Arrived Vietnam: 6 May 1965 Departed Vietnam: 30 November 1969 The 3rd Marine Division was primarily in command of the 3rd, 4th, and 9th Marine Regiments in Vietnam. It was located initially at Da Nang but moved into the Hue area in October 1966. In March 1968 the division relocated to Quang Tri and in June moved to Dong Ha, where it remained until November 1969 when it was posted back to Da Nang for redeployment from Vietnam. |