The U.S. Naval Advisory Effort in Vietnam: An Inside Perspective

Commander Richard Kirtley was an advisor to the South Vietnamese Navy Mobile Riverine Forces in 1970-1971, tasked with implementing Nixon's policy of Vietnamization. The program called for the turnover of arms and equipment to South Vietnamese forces, while U.S. personnel trained their counterparts to continue fighting the war alone. Kirtley's account highlights the futility and frustration of the advisory effort during the withdrawal and the disastrous outcomes of both programs.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 277 pages
Publication date: 30 April 2022
Publisher: McFarland & Co Inc

Commander Richard Kirtley, a U.S. Navy advisor to the South Vietnamese Navy Mobile Riverine Forces in 1970-1971, was entrusted with the crucial task of aiding in the implementation of President Nixon's Vietnamization policy. This policy aimed to expedite the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam, with the ultimate goal of ending the war. The program entailed the transfer of arms and equipment to South Vietnamese forces, while U.S. personnel trained their counterparts to continue the fight independently. The U.S. Navy's supporting effort, known as Accelerated Turnover to the Vietnamese (ACTOV), placed significant emphasis on expediting this process.

Commander Kirtley's account provides a firsthand account of the advisory effort during the withdrawal, the implementation of both programs, and their catastrophic consequences. He vividly describes the futility and frustration experienced by the advisory team as they witnessed the inevitable failure of their mission. Despite the programs' lofty goals of covering up a lost-cause retreat, they ultimately failed to achieve their intended outcomes.

The Vietnamization policy and the ACTOV program were both characterized by a lack of strategic planning and a disregard for the realities on the ground. The U.S. troops were withdrawn from Vietnam without a clear exit strategy, leaving the South Vietnamese forces inadequately equipped and trained to face the growing threat of the communist regime. This decision ultimately led to the collapse of South Vietnam and the resurgence of communist control in the region.

Commander Kirtley's account serves as a cautionary tale of the consequences of misguided foreign policy and the importance of strategic thinking in military operations. It highlights the need for policymakers to consider the long-term implications of their decisions and to prioritize the well-being and security of the people they are intended to serve.

Weight: 302g
Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781476686950