PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
to
The United States Navy Element of the
MOBILE RIVERINE FORCE (TASK FORCE 117)
for services as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For exceptionally meritorious and heroic service from 29 January to 4 March 1968 while engaged in armed conflict against communist insurgent (Viet Cong) forces in the Republic of Vietnam. Throughout the Tet (Lunar New Year) Offensive, the Mobile Riverine Force (MRF) was locked in nearly continuous combat as the enemy lay siege to or threatened to attack every large population center and military installation in the Delta. During this hectic, 35-day campaign, the MRF played a vital role in driving the enemy out of My Tho and Vinh Long, the most severely ravaged of all the Delta cities, and in preventing enemy forces from launching sustained attacks on Can Tho, Binh Thuy, Sa Dec, Cai Be, Cai Lay, the Army Base at Dong Tam, and many other less-populated areas. In every battle, MRF personnel, both individually and collectively, although often matched against forces of much greater size than their own, displayed outstanding courage and professionalism in subduing the Viet Cong challenge. Navy crewmen embarked in Monitors, Command and Communication Boats, Assault Support Patrol Boats, and Armored Troop Carriers were frequently ambushed at point-blank range from concealed positions along both banks of the narrow, jungle-enshrouded Delta streams. In each instance, they succeeded in suppressing the enemy fire before maneuvering their assault craft out of ambush areas. Together, the MRF Army/Navy team successfully met the challenge posed by the Tet Offensive, probably saving the Delta from being overrun by insurgent forces. The gallantry, professionalism, courage under fire, and devotion to duty displayed by the officers and men of the United States Navy Element of the Mobile Riverine Force were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
WASHINGTON
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending
RIVER ASSAULT FLOTILLA ONE
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For exceptionally meritorious service from 19 June 1967 through 16 January 1968 while operating with friendly forces engaged in armed conflict against communist aggressor (Viet Cong) forces in the Mekong Delta region of the Republic of Vietnam during Operations CORONADO I through IX. As the naval component of the Army/Navy Mobile Riverine Force (Task Force 117), the ships and assault boats of River Assault Flotilla ONE provided close logistic, communication, and gunfire support to troops of the United States Army's 9th Infantry Division and to the 5th Vietnamese Marine Corps Battalion which were conducting riverine assault operations. In so doing, a new concept of modern warfare in a counter-aggressor environment came into being and proved to be remarkably effective. As the only American strike force in the entire region, the Mobile Riverine Force vigorously pursued the Viet Cong along nearly every river, stream, and canal in the central Delta area, particularly in his known base sanctuaries. The assault boats of River Assault Flotilla ONE were the targets of repeated ambushes, many at nearly point-blank range, while traversing the narrow, heavily vegetated waterways, but flotilla crewman responded on every occasion with unyielding courage and intrepid valor to suppress the enemy's attacks. The CORONADO operations were directly responsible for depriving the Viet Cong of sole possession of hundreds of waterways they had dominated for more than a decade, for significantly reducing the combat effectiveness of the Viet Cong fighting forces, and for returning to the Vietnamese civilian his freedom of movement throughout much of the Delta. By their gallantry in the face of enemy opposition, their dedicated zeal on behalf of a beleaguered people, and their superlative performance as individuals and as a team, the officers and men of River Assault Flotilla ONE upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
All personnel attached to and serving with River Assault Flotilla ONE during the above-designated period, or any part thereof, are hereby authorized to wear the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon.
(Signed) John H. Chafee
Secretary of the Navy
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in commending
RIVER ASSAULT FLOTILLA ONE
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For exceptionally meritorious service from 5 March 1968 through 24 January 1969 while operating with friendly foreign forces engaged in armed conflict against communist aggressor forces in the Mekong Delta region of the Republic of Vietnam. As the naval component of the Army/Navy Mobile Riverine Force (Task Force 117), the ships and assault boats of River Assault Flotilla ONE provided close logistic, communication, and gunfire support to troops of the United States Army's 9th Infantry Division, the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Vietnamese Marine Corps Battalions, and the 9th and 21st Divisions of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam during riverine assault operations which were part of a concerted offensive campaign into communist-dominated rural areas. Ambushes and fire fights on the rivers and narrow canals were almost daily occurrences; and rocket and mining attacks were frequent and ever-present dangers. The multiple operations of River Assault Flotilla ONE during this period were directly responsible for weakening the hold of the Viet Cong and their North Vietnamese cohorts on the Delta, for depriving them of sole possession of hundreds of waterways, and for ensuring freedom of movement for Vietnamese civilians throughout much of the Delta. In the kind of close combat action which requires exceptional courage, enterprise, and patience, the officers and men of River Assault Flotilla ONE consistently exhibited these qualities. Their gallantry in the face of continuous enemy opposition, and their superlative performance as individuals and as a team, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
All personnel attached to and serving with River Assault Flotilla ONE during the above-designated period, or any part thereof, are hereby authorized to wear the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon.
Secretary of the Navy (Acting)
THE SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
WASHINGTON
The Secretary of the Navy takes pleasure in presenting
NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION
to UNITED STATES NAVAL SUPPORT ACTIVITY, SAIGON
for service as set forth in the following
CITATION:
For exceptionally meritorious service from 16 March 1966 to 30 April 1972, in providing logistic support to U. S. Navy, U. S. Coast Guard, and Free World Naval Forces in Military Regions ONE, TWO, THREE and FOUR, Republic of Vietnam. During this period, United States Naval Support Activity, Saigon was tasked with requirements to overhaul and repair craft and equipment; provide administrative personnel, accounting, health, and welfare services; and provide logistical and fiscal support in matters of weapons, ammunition, base defense, port services, air and surface transportation, and operational publications. Concurrently, programs were initiated to build Riverine Warfare (GAME WARDEN) support bases, develop and expand the Coastal Surveillance (MARKET TIME) and Harbor Defense support bases, develop support for the Mobile Riverine Force concept, and establish policies and procedures for the full range of logistic support. Despite an adverse and often hostile environment, and with a continual shortage of personnel and equipment, United States Naval Support Activity, Saigon provided these necessary support functions to the U. S. Navy and Coast Guard forces operating in all areas of the Republic of Vietnam. In planning, coordinating and supporting United States Naval Forces efforts in the Vietnamization Program which required an expeditious turnover of United States Navy assets to the Vietnamese Navy, United States Naval Support Activity, Saigon executed a carefully planned integration of United States and Vietnamese personnel and assets into a truly Vietnamese military effort with American advisors. The superlative performance of duty by the personnel of United States Naval Forces Activity, Saigon reflects great credit upon themselves and the United States Naval Service.
Secretary of the Navy
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