Operation SEALORDS: A Study in the Effectiveness of the Allied Naval Campaign of Interdiction
Abstract
The United States Navy involvement in the Vietnam War prior to 1964 was primarily blue water operations. In 1964, the Vietnam Delta Infiltration Study Group was tasked to conduct a comprehensive study of the problem of enemy infiltration of men and supplies into South Vietnam Mekong Delta region across the Cambodia and Laos borders. The findings of the group were published in the Bucklew Report and concluded that the border infiltration problem was significant and needed to be stopped in order to ensure victory in the Vietnam War. The recommendations were for the U.S. to develop an extensive riverine operations capability to assist the South Vietnamese military in conducting counter-insurgency operations to stop the infiltration problem. The Tet offensive of 1968 revealed that the coastal MARKET TIME and major river systems GAME WARDEN patrols were not totally affecting the border infiltration problem. Operation SEALORDS was established to patrol barriers that were designed specifically to stop the influx of men and supplies crossing the Cambodian border and sustaining enemy forces operating in the Mekong delta and Saigon areas. SEALORDS was systematically set up to take control of the Mekong delta region. The overarching key to the success of the operation was the joint combined efforts of the naval, ground, and air forces.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Apr 01, 2001
- Accession Number
- ADA401163
Entities
People
- Eugene F. Paluso
Organizations
- Marine Corps University