EFFECT OF THE VIET CONG TET OFFENSIVE ON THE GVN PACIFICATION PROGRAM

• Document Type: SPECIALCOLLECTION
• Collection: Tet Declassified
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): 06786610
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: U
• Document Page Count: 5
• Document Creation Date: April 27, 2019
• Document Release Date: April 30, 2019
• Publication Date: February 12, 1968

Approved for Release: 2019/04/17 C06786610
� 'I
TO:
FROM:
VIETNAM. AFFAIRS STAFF
0/DU
DATE 13 Feb 68
Ambassador William Leonhart
Special Assistant to the President
GA.Carver, Jr.
� 1; E K '16 �
On 7 February, a member of my staff did an
informal memorandum for me on the effects of the
VC Tet offensive on the pacification program, whic
I sent to you.. Attached is an update of that memo.-
randum, done by the same officer, that you may
find of interest.
George A.. Carver, jr.
Special Assistant for Vietnamese Affairs
,
Attachment
Mr. Rostow
Secretary McNamara
General DePuy
Governor Harriman
Mr. Habib
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12 February 1968
MEMORANDUM
SUBJECT: Effect of the Viet Cong Tet Offensive
on the GVN Pacification Program
REF : Memo dtd 7 Feb 68, same subject
1. The data in this memorandum updates reference memorandum
and utilizes all information received from province and corps situation
reports received as of 0900 hours EST 12 February 1968.
Summary and Conclusions
2� There is little change in the situation since reference. The map
attached to reference should now show Quang Duc Province as probable
minor disruption to the RD program, and Kien Phong Province should now
reflect major disruption instead of "probable major disruption." To date,
casualties reported for all programs (RDC, Truon.g Son, Static Census
Grievance, and PRU) are 56 KIA, 83 WIA, and 37 MIA. VC casualties
casualties caused by the RDC or PRU elements are 60 KIA (body count)
and 1 captured.
I Corps
3. Quang Nam
A. Hoi An RDC Team #28 located inside the city suffered 3 K1A
and 7 WIA when it was hit by 2 VC mortar rounds on the night of 8 - 9
February.
B. On 11 February Quang Nam reported that the pacification
program for the moment was at a halt and would be for the next 10 days
or so until such items as refugees, transport, communications, and food
are dealt with.
4. Quang'Ngai reported on 11 February that since 31 January
casualties are 2 PRU WIA; 10 RDC KLA, and 30 WIA; 1 SCG MA; 2 RDC
Control Group MA and 3 WIA.
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5. Quang Tin reported that RDC casualties, as of 11 February, as
listed by the National Police are 4 RDC KIA.
6.* Quang Tri reported 10 February that refugees number 3,000
primarily from RD areas in Trieu Phong District. At least 3 New Life
Hamlets were destroyed. The refugees have stories of VC atrocities.
At least 3 VC battalions are in the RAD areas.
II Corps
7, On 9 February II Corps RDC reported that economic dislocations
appear to be increasing problems for most provincial capitals, resulting
from the influx of refugees and damage to the cities as a result of the
military activity. With the major highways and lines of communications
to the cities either cut or disrupted, food supplies are dwindling and prices
risin.g. Hoarding of foodstuffs is occurring in some cities where the popu-
lation is fearful of further attack.
8. Pleiku reported 8 February that the Montagnard Training Center
was attacked at 0010 hours. The attack lasted three hours. Three guards
were killed and two wounded. Ten local VC sappers were killed, 1 crew
served and 5 individual weapons captured along with ammunition, grenades
and mines. Heavy damage was inflicted by the VC on the farm demonstra-
tion area, the farm classroom and barber shop were demolished. There
was some damage caused by friendly rounds and supporting gunship. The
southeast tower bunker.was demolished and guards' barracks damaged by
B-40 rounds. The camp security force performance was exemplary.
9. Quang Duc reported 10 February that the RDC and Truong Son
teams have not been specifically targetted by the enemy although their
movement to 19 68 hamlets has been delayed due to better defensive position
being located in their old locations.
III Corps
10. Binh Long reported that during the night of 2 - 3 February
during the VC attack on Phu Loc village that 2 RDC were killed and 2
wounded.
11. Hau Nghia reported that on 1 February RDC Team #2 had
heavy VC contact along Rt. #1.
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12. Long Khanh reported that, as of 4 February, the PRU was loca-
ted along Highway 1 but was unable to return to Xuan Loc because of the
security situation. The Census Grievance Chief and Assistant Chief were
unable to return from a currently insecure district where they spent the
Tet holidays. The RD program situation was unclear at this time. Some
of the hamlets where the RDC were located were reported in enemy hands, but
other reports stated that the RDC had held off the VC. On 31 January a RDC
Team reported killing 2 VC. By 8 February, Long Khanh reported that the
GVN pacification program was operative.
IV Corps
13., An Xuyen. Static Census Grievance Cadre were reporting, as
of 8 February, on attitudes and reactions of the populace, VC movements
and VC propaganda activities.
14. Bac Lieu reported 8 February that 1 RDC Team had been fired
on twice but no casualties were reported. On 11 February, 30 PRU engaged
the VC northeast of Bac Lieu city. The CORDS compound in the city had
been attacked and was on fire as of 11 February.
15., Kien Giang reported 11 February that the CORDS compound had
been destroyed in Rach Gia.
16,, Kien Phone reported 11 February that all RDC Teams had been
pulled back to either Cao Lanh or other district towns.
17. Vinh Long, in reviewing the VC attack of 31 January, reported
that the RDC house was hit by B-40 rockets and sprayed with automatic
weapon's fire. The house was never physically assaulted although it was
frequently hit by harassing fire,, The PRU assisted ARVN during the
fighting, suffered 10 KIA, and 16 WIA when their compound came under
helicopter rocket fire on 2 occasions and was hit by artillery on another
occasion. The PRU compound was completely destroyed. On 12 February
Vinh Long reported that the Static Census Grievance program was back in
operation reporting on VC forces used in the attack on the city, people's
complaints against the VC, ARVN and the U.S.
JOHN D., J4COBS
letnames Affairs Staff
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-cNtUri
Distribution:
1 - Aostow
- Leonhart
1 - McNamara
1 -
1 - Harriman
1 - Habib
1 -
1 - RD/General
/ 1 VC Tet Offensive
1 - VAS/Chrono
1 - VAS/RAC
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