Military Assistance Command, Vietnam

U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam
shoulder sleeve insignia
Active1962–1973
Country United States of America
Part ofUnited States Pacific Command
Garrison/HQTan Son Nhut Airport, South Vietnam
Nickname(s)"MACV"
DecorationsGallantry Cross (Vietnam) with Palm[1]: 3 
Battle honoursVietnam[1]: 4 
  • Advisory 1962–1965
  • Defense 1965
  • Counteroffensive 1965–1966
  • Counteroffensive, Phase II 1966–1967
  • Counteroffensive, Phase III 1967–1968
  • TET Counteroffensive 1968
  • Counteroffensive, Phase IV 1968
  • Counteroffensive, Phase V 1968
  • Counteroffensive, Phase VI 1968–1969
  • TET 69/Counteroffensive 1969
  • Summer–Fall 1969
  • Winter–Spring 1970
  • Sanctuary Counteroffensive 1970
  • Counteroffensive, Phase VII 1970–1971
  • Consolidation I 1971
  • Consolidation II 1971–1972
  • Easter Offensive 1972
  • Cease-Fire 1972–1973
Commanders
Notable
commanders		Paul D. Harkins
William C. Westmoreland
Creighton W. Abrams
Frederick C. Weyand

The U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) was a joint-service command of the United States Department of Defense, composed of forces from the United States Army, United States Navy, and United States Air Force, as well as their respective special operations forces.

MACV was created on 8 February 1962, in response to the increase in United States military assistance to South Vietnam. MACV was implemented to assist the Military Assistance Advisory Group (MAAG) Vietnam, controlling every advisory and assistance effort in Vietnam. It was reorganized on 15 May 1964 and absorbed MAAG Vietnam to its command when combat unit deployment became too large for advisory group control.[2]: 59 

General Paul D. Harkins was the first commanding general of MACV (COMUSMACV), and was previously the commander of MAAG Vietnam. After reorganization he was succeeded by General William C. Westmoreland in June 1964, followed by General Creighton W. Abrams (July 1968) and General Frederick C. Weyand (June 1972).[2]: 59 

MACV was disestablished on 29 March 1973 and replaced by the Defense Attaché Office (DAO), Saigon. The DAO performed many of the same roles of MACV within the restrictions imposed by the Paris Peace Accords until the Fall of Saigon.[2]: 59 

  1. ^ a b United States. Dept. of the Army Pamphlet 672-3. Update. Washington: GPO, 1986.
  2. ^ a b c Stanton, Shelby (1987). Vietnam Order of Battle. Galahad Books. ISBN 978-0-671-08159-1.