11 Facts About ARVN

1.

ARVN began as a postcolonial army that was trained by and closely affiliated with the United States and had engaged in conflict since its inception.

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2.

Unique in serving a dual military-civilian administrative purpose, in direct competition with the Viet Cong, the ARVN had become a component of political power and suffered from continual issues of political loyalty appointments, corruption in leadership, factional infighting, and occasional open internal conflict.

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3.

ARVN troops pioneered the use of the M113 armored personnel carrier as an infantry fighting vehicle by fighting mounted rather than as a "battle taxi" as originally designed, and the armored cavalry modifications were adopted based on ARVN experience.

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4.

One notable ARVN unit equipped with M113s, the 3d Armored Cavalry Squadron, used the new tactic so proficiently and with such extraordinary heroism against hostile forces that they earned the United States Presidential Unit Citation.

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5.

The ARVN suffered 254,256 recorded deaths between 1960 and 1974, with the highest number of recorded deaths being in 1972, with 39,587 combat deaths, while approximately 58,000 US troops died during the war.

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6.

However, the ARVN equipment continued to be of lower standards than their American and other allies, even as the US tried to upgrade ARVN technology.

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7.

Still, Sir Robert Thompson, a British military officer widely regarded as the worlds foremost expert in counterinsurgency warfare during the Vietnam War, thought that by 1972, the ARVN had developed into one of the best fighting forces in the world, comparing them favorably with the Israeli Defence Forces.

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8.

ARVN gave the order that all deserters would be executed and pulled enough forces together in order to prevent the PAVN from taking Hue.

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9.

ARVN forces counter-attacked and succeeded in driving some of the PAVN out of South Vietnam, though they did retain control of northern Quang Tri Province near the DMZ.

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10.

The ARVN was left to fight alone, but with all the weapons and technologies that their allies left behind.

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11.

At Bien Hoa, ARVN soldiers made a strong resistance against PAVN forces ARVN defenses at Cu Chi and Hoc Mon start to collapse under the overwhelming PAVN attacks.

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