| Republic of Vietnam Airborne Division | |
|---|---|
| Vietnamese: Binh chủng Nhảy dù Quân lực Việt Nam Cộng hòa | |
 Vietnamese Airborne Division insignia | |
| Active | 1 January 1948 – 30 April 1975 |
| Country |  State of Vietnam Republic of Vietnam |
| Allegiance | State of Vietnam Republic of Vietnam |
| Branch | Vietnamese National Army Army of the Republic of Vietnam |
| Type | Airborne forces |
| Size | 13,000 in 1967 |
| Garrison/HQ | Tan Son Nhut, near Saigon |
| Nickname(s) | Bawouans (in French) Lính nhảy dù (in Vietnamese) Thiên thần mũ đỏ (Angels in Red Berets) Thiên binh (Heavenly Army) |
| Motto(s) | Thiên Thần Sát Cộng (Angels Kill Communists) |
| Colors | Red |
| Anniversaries | 1 January |
| Engagements | First Indochina War Vietnam War Cambodian Civil War Laotian Civil War |
| Commanders | |
| Notable commanders | Đỗ Cao Trí Nguyễn Văn Vỹ Cao Văn Viên Nguyễn Khánh Dư Quốc Đống Nguyễn Chánh Thi Nguyễn Khoa Nam Đoàn Văn Quảng Lê Quang Lưỡng |
| Insignia | |
| Division flag |  |
,_1967.jpg)
The Vietnamese Airborne Division or VNAD (Vietnamese: Sư đoàn Nhảy dù Quân lực Việt Nam Cộng hòa Chữ Hán: 師團趂𢂎軍力越南共和 or Vietnamese: Binh chủng Nhảy dù Việt Nam Cộng hòa Chữ Hán: 兵種趂𢂎越南共和) was one of the earliest components of the Republic of Vietnam Military Forces (Vietnamese: Quân lực Việt Nam Cộng hòa – QLVNCH; Chữ Hán: 軍力越南共和). The Vietnamese Airborne Division began as companies organized in 1948, prior to any agreement over armed forces in Vietnam. After the partition of Vietnam, it became a part of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam. This division had its distinct origins in French-trained paratrooper battalions, with predecessor battalions participating in major battles including Dien Bien Phu and retained distinct uniforms and regalia.[1] With the formation of an independent republic, the colonial paratroopers were dissolved, however regalia and aesthetics alongside the nickname "Bawouans" would be retained.
The Airborne Division, alongside the Vietnamese Rangers and the Marine Division were often regarded as among the most effective units, with former airborne advisor General Barry McCaffrey noting that "those of us privileged to serve with them were awestruck by their courage and tactical aggressiveness. The senior officers and non-commissioned officers were extremely competent and battle-hardened."[2] Eight of nine battalions and three headquarters had earned US Presidential Unit Citation (United States)[1] of which eight of these were earned by the Airborne between 1967-1968 which included the Tet Offensive period.[3] Airborne commanders were often highly rated, with Airborne Commander Ngô Quang Trưởng once described by former Airborne-adviser and Gulf War commanding General Norman Schwarzkopf Jr. as "the most brilliant tactical commander I have ever known".[4]
- ^ a b "Angels in Red Hats". vnafmamn.com. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
- ^ McCaffrey, Barry R. (2017-08-08). "Opinion | The Forgotten South Vietnamese Airborne". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
- ^ "Ragged Edge of Vietnamization | HistoryNet". www.historynet.com. 10 April 2017. Retrieved 2018-05-27.
- ^ "'The Most Brilliant Commander': Ngo Quang Truong | HistoryNet". www.historynet.com. 15 October 2007. Retrieved 2018-05-27.