Analysis of Military Assistance Command Vietnam, Studies and Observation Group (MACVSOG) Against the Special Operations Forces (SOF) Truths
Abstract
The establishment of MACVSOG in 1964 was the first time the US military assumed overall responsibility for covert missions which were traditionally left to the CIA. MACVSOG then was responsible to fill four specific missions: OP 34, code named "Timberwork," responsible for agent operations and deception inside North Vietnam, OP 39, code name "Humidor," black psychological operations, OP 37, "Plowman," covert maritime operations above the 17th parallel, and, OP 35, "Shining Brass/Daniel Boone," cross border operations in Laos and Cambodia. MACVSOG and its Vietnamese counterpart organization, the Strategic Technical Directorate (STD), were jointly responsible to recruit, man, train, equip and deploy forces. MACVSOG was forced to find the right people for covert operations, produce the necessary numbers able to carry out its mission, ensure the force is competent in the necessary mission sets and create varying levels of interoperability with conventional forces. OPs 34, 39 and 37 began immediately in early 1964 executing missions which resulted in mixed failures and successes. OP 35 did not begin operations until nearly 1966, almost a full two years after its sister OPs, but were immediately successful. OP 34s agent operations continued until late 1968 but were almost completely unsuccessful, costing high attrition amongst the trained Vietnamese agents. OP 39s black psychological operations also ended late 1968 but were noted as having positive operational effects. OP 37 operated above the 17th parallel almost immediately after MACVSOG's inception but with habitually limited success. In 1966, OP 37 forces began operations in South Vietnam and by 1968, no covert maritime operations were directed against North Vietnam. OP 35 was successful throughout its existence and its operations ceased in 1972. MACVSOG relinquished control of all operations to the STD in 1972 and the command was dissolved.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 08, 2020
- Accession Number
- AD1177859
Entities
People
- Daniel J. Staheli
Organizations
- Marine Corps University