Unseen Photos

Photos from the album of SP4 Frank Wiener, depicting MAC V Advisors based out of the Special Forces Compound at Chi Lang. 

"The Chi Lăng Training Center, also known as That Son Special Forces Camp, was an Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) training center in Chi Lăng, Châu Đốc Province, South Vietnam. The center was originally used by the 5th Special Forces Group Detachment A-432 as the That Son Special Forces Camp, and was later taken over by the ARVN and MACV Advisory Team 61 for use as the main ARVN training center in IV Corps." (Kelley, Michael (2002). Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. p. 5-104.)

35mm slides taken by LTC D. Morris of HQ MAC V, depicting trips to Vung Tau in 1964 and 1965.

35mm slides of the US Special Forces at Camp A-401 at Don Phuc, Saigon, and Tay Ninh, 1966.

"A PCS Team or composite element designated TF GREEN took over the Old Don Phuoc camp from A1/311, 1st SFG(A). TF Green was replaced by PCS Detachment A5/333 and TF Green relocated to set up Cai Cai (see A-431). A5/333 relocated to Binh Hung and was redesignated A-411 (see A-404). Don Phuoc appears to have closed out for several months, until Detachment A-430 was set up to provide a reaction force capability. O/a 06/01/67 A-430 was redesignated A-401. (B-43 was established 2/67, did B-43 initially control the MSF/MGF detachments?) A-401 became the Ist Battalion, IV Corps Mobile Strike Force Command on 05/23/68. Did it move to Can Tho at the end of 1968? Don Phuoc (?) was converted to RF/PF o/a 05/31/70. Don Phuoc was located in Hong Ngu District, Kien Phong Province." (https://specialforcesbooks.com/A401.htm)

35mm slides of the Radio Relay Site on Nui Ba Den Mountain, June 1968.

"In May 1964 the mountain top was assaulted by the Special Forces 3rd MIKE Force and the peak was held by American forces with the 121st Signal Battalion establishing a radio relay station, callsign Granite Romeo Tango, there in February 1966. Supplied by helicopter for much of the war the Americans controlled the top and the Vietcong (VC) controlled the bottom and surrounding foothills. The base was occupied by over 140 Americans when on the night of 13 May 1968 the base was attacked and overrun by the VC. By 02:30 on 14 May the VC had been driven off by gunship and artillery fire. The results of the attack were 24 U.S. killed, two U.S. missing and 25 VC killed." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Virgin_Mountain)

35mm Slides and Negatives from LTC William Yaun, Assistant Division Engineer for the 25th ID from 1968-1970. 

Earlier photos from 1966/67 come from Cam Ranh Bay, where Yaun commanded a Company of engineers tasked with construction projects around the instillation. Yaun was stationed in Cam Ranh, Cu Chi, and Tay Ninh. A significant portion of the archive documents his responsibility of aerial reconnaissance, combining color slides, black & white negatives, and physical logs to construct a narrative of the projects he was assigned to. 

Misc. 35mm slides of aircraft and Air Force operations at various Air Bases in Vietnam, including Tan Son Nhut, Tuy Hoa, Da Nang, and Phu Bai.

Loose photo prints of 196th Light Infantry Brigade, January 1968. 

"With the situation in Vietnam escalating from an "advisory" role to direct confrontations with the North Vietnamese Army and its local supporting elements; the need for more ground troops was evident and resulted in the United States sending more troops to South Vietnam. Hence, the 196th LIB was sent to Vietnam on July 15, 1966 after being reactivated in September, 1965 at Fort Devens, instead of being deployed to the Dominican Republic. The brigade arrived on August 14, 1966 at Tay Ninh City via transport ships, where it began combat operations in the western area of the III Corps Tactical Zone. The brigade became part of the 23rd Infantry Division (the Americal Division) on September 25, 1967, and participated in Operation Wheeler/Wallowa, Golden Fleece, Fayette Canyon, Frederick Hill, Lamar Plain, Elk Canyon I, and Elk Canyon II. In early May 1968, the 2/1 of the 196th was flown in to assist at the Battle of Kham Duc." (2-1-196th.com)

Photo taken by an Airman assigned to the 57th Aeromedical Evacuation Squadron, 1971-72. 

"During the Vietnam War MAC Aerovac and PACAF 902nd AES based operations at Clark AB, Republic of the Philippines and with detachments in Southeast Asia; their mission was to provide in-flight medical aid to combat and noncombat casualties from the Republic of Vietnam, Indo-China, Korea and Southeast Asia; as well as perform special medical evacuation operations to bases in the Indian Ocean, and the South Pacific theater. Flying onboard C-141, C-130 and C-9A transports from Clark AB; the 57th and 902nd carried the sick, injured and wounded to medical facilities in the Philippines, Guam, Japan, Okinawa and throughout the Western Pacific." (https://www.c141flyingsquadrons.com/57th-aes)

Photo taken by a Coast Guardsman of the USCGC Chase. 

Photos include shore leave in Bangkok and Hong Kong, combat operations in South Vietnam, and an interesting incident where the SS Columbia Eagle, which had been mutinied by the anti-war crew, was returned to the Americans and inspected by a Navy EOD team. Approx. 1969-1970

"Squadron Three’s duties included participation in the Navy’s Market Time operation, consisting of coastal surveillance and at least twelve naval gunfire support (NGFS) missions. Chase participated in underway replenishment operations with Navy supply vessels, an unusual maneuver for Coast Guard cutters, and replenished smaller Coast Guard vessels operating in the theater both by helicopter and conventional alongside operations. Its personnel also participated in medical civilian assistance programs (MEDCAPs). After ten months in the Vietnam theatre, Chase returned with a Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation along with its Vietnam Service Medal." (USCG.mil)