John K. Mahon and Romana Danysh

“ Only a handful of mechanized units went to Vietnam, but numerous mechanized infantry battalions were assigned to mechanized and armored divisions in Europe and in the United States. Most airborne personnel in Vietnam lost their jump pay, because their units did not have the opportunity to utilize their unique capabilities, but the airborne battalions in the strategic reserve proved their constant readiness in various emergencies, such as the 1965 Dominican Republic crisis and several domestic civil disturbances. ”

“ The infantry organizational structure existing in 1969 was well suited to the strategy and tactics of flexible response, but regardless of the great variety of infantry units, many of them highly specialized, the basic mission of the infantry remained unchanged. The infantryman of the future may be armed with the SPIW, may wear a spacesuit-like uniform with a built-in two-way radio, and may be transported by his own individual jet propulsion system. ”

“ Personnel who would normally man the heavier infantry weapons were frequently used to make up a small fourth rifle company within the battalion. This unit served as a command post security force and as an emergency reserve, thereby giving the, battalion commander three maneuver companies and additional flexibility in the employment of the battalion. Since this provisional extra company was so common, and it increased the capabilities of the battalion significantly, official permission was given to all infantry battalions in Vietnam to organize such units on a permanent basis. ”

“ The rifle companies in both battalions had three rifle platoons supported by an 81-mm. mortar platoon, and the rifle squads consisted of ten men. The basic individual weapon in the light infantry battalion was the M14 rifle, while the airmobile unit was authorized M16 rifles. The new battalions had fewer telephones and radios than other infantry units and the number of vehicles, particularly in the airmobile battalion, was considerably smaller than in the standard infantry battalion. Regular infantry units, serving in Vietnam did not use all of their authorized heavy weapons and equipment. ”

“ Infantrymen, therefore, were not reluctant to leave some of their own fire support weapons behind. Since the enemy did not employ heavy armored forces, certain heavy weapons (notably the big antitank missiles and 106-mm. recoilless rifles) were used rarely or not at all, simply because they were not needed. ”

“ By the, end of 1969 this recommendation was still under study by the Army Staff, but TOE's were already being prepared for the new headquarters and combat support companies. Although few mechanized infantry units were sent to Vietnam, those that served there operated effectively wherever the terrain permitted. They were equipped with M113 and M113A1 armored personnel carriers, which were sometimes employed as fighting vehicles in a tank-like role. The mechanized battalion was modified to include a smaller fourth rifle company, but a separate combat support company was not authorized. ”