United States. Army, Vietnam

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The rapid buildup of United States Army ground forces, both combat and logistical units, in 1965, resulted in the establishment of an all-army headquarters element under the operational control of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam to directly command these units. On July 20, 1965, the United States Army Support Command Vietnam was reorganized and redesignated the United States Army, Vietnam (USARV) with the missions of assuming operational control of all U.S. Army and Free World Military Assistance Forces in the Republic of Vietnam and establishing logistical organizations to support these forces.

Headquarters, USARV was initially established in Bien Hoa, a suburb of Saigon. However, the presence of so many Americans in the city lead to friction with various elements of the South Vietnamese population. In 1967 plans were drawn up to remove the headquarters to a more remote area and on July 15 USARV took up its new quarters at Long Binh, just north of the city.

By December 1965, there were over 100,000 officers and men assigned to USARV. These numbers grew dramatically each year until by the end of 1968 there were in excess of 325,000 military personnel under the direct control of USARV. This was the high point of American involvement.

In mid-1969 United States forces began redeploying from Vietnam. The immediate effective of this action was to begin a reduction in the USARV staff and logistical elements. In June 1970, the 1st Logistical Command was dissolved and its staff functions and personnel were transferred to Headquarters, USARV. Then on October 1, 1970, the USARV headquarters underwent a massive reorganization that consolidated many formerly separate functions into a much smaller staff structure.

USARV Commanders were: General William C. Westmoreland, July 20, 1965; and General Creighton W. Abrams, July 3, 1968. USARV Deputy Commanders included: Brigadier General John Norton, July 20, 1965; Lieutenant General Jean E. Engler, January 16, 1966; Lieutenant General Bruce Palmer, Jr., May 14, 1967; Lieutenant General Frank T. Mildren, August 8, 1968; and Lieutenant General William J. McCaffrey, June 15, 1970.

Staff consolidations continued over the next eighteen months as more army units deployed from Vietnam. Finally, on May 15, 1972, the functions of the Headquarters, USARV and MACV were consolidated into a new organization designated the United States Army Vietnam/ Military Assistance Command Vietnam Support Command (USARV/MACVSUPCOM).

Archival Resources
Role Title Holding Repository
creatorOf Civil Affairs Unit Records National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Destruction Register Files National Archives at College Park
referencedIn McCaffrey, William J., 1914-. William J. McCaffrey papers, 1967-1997. U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center
creatorOf Depot Supply Operation Reporting Files and Requisition Register Files National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Organizational and Publication Record Set Files National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Finance Unit Records National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Seitz, Richard J. (Richard Joe), 1918-. The Richard J. Seitz papers, 1918-1973. U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center
referencedIn Linnell, Frank H. Frank H. Linnell papers, 1942-1970. U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center
creatorOf General Records Related to the 16th Military History Detachment National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Audio Recordings from the US Forces in Southeast Asia National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Line of Duty and Organizational Roster Files National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Subject Files National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Public Information Detachment Records National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Unit History Files National Archives at College Park
creatorOf General Records Related to the 16th Military History Detachment National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Daily Staff Journals Relating to Command Support in the Ryukyu Islands National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Records Relating to Unit Deployments to South Vietnam National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Daily Journals, Reference Publications, and Reports on Lessons Learned National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Engler, Jean E. (Jean Evans), 1909-. Jean E. Engler photograph collection. U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center
creatorOf Armor Unit Records National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Cargo Analysis Files, Cargo and Passenger Invoices, Claim Files, and Daily Journal Files National Archives at College Park
creatorOf General Records National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Psychological Operations Unit Records National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Cargo Analysis and Terminal Facilities Files National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Moving Images Relating to U.S. Military Activities in Southeast Asia National Archives at College Park
referencedIn Mabry, George L., Jr. The George L. Mabry, Jr. papers, 1970-1972. U.S. Army Heritage & Education Center
Finance Unit Records National Archives at College Park
creatorOf Administrative Unit Records National Archives at College Park
Role Title Holding Repository
Relation Name
associatedWith Abrams, Creighton Williams, Jr., 1914-1974 person
associatedWith Engler, Jean E. (Jean Evans), 1909- person
associatedWith Linnell, Frank H. person
associatedWith Mabry, George L., Jr. person
associatedWith McCaffrey, William J., 1914- person
associatedWith Palmer, Bruce, 1913-.... person
associatedWith Seitz, Richard J. (Richard Joe), 1918- person
associatedWith Westmoreland, William Childs, 1914-2005 person
Place Name Admin Code Country
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Corporate Body

Establishment 1965-07-20

Disestablishment 1972-05-15

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Ark ID: w6ps292b

SNAC ID: 14979589