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Vung Tau City... sits on a peninsula jutting out from the Republic of Vietnam into the South China Sea in, III Corps Tactical Zone. Vung Tau was a natural site for the U.S. Naval facilities developed during the war. In addition, the resort town overlooked the South China Sea entrance to the serpentine river approach to Saigon the capital of South Vietnam and main port. |
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The Vietnamese Army Military Police [Quan Canh] Training School was located in Vung Tau. It was the only one of its kind in Vietnam, and was patterned after the United States Army Military Police School in Fort Gordon, Georgia. |
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Because of it's costal resort status, Vung Tau was also utilized as an in-country Rest & Recreation (R&R) location for U.S. and allied troops. Later in 1970 the status would change from an open to closed city for troops unless on authorized business. In addition to its costal resort status the city also depended on fishing to bolster its economy and with the pleasant weather local farmers provided fresh produce and meats for the populace. |
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1965 |
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Within weeks after their arrival in Vietnam the 615th MP Company sent a platoon of MPs from "Tent City" outside of Saigon to Vung Tau. Upon their arrival they found that the Vung Tau area was already being policed by another MP company, believed to the the 560th MP Company. The platoon stayed for approximately thirty days before being reassigned back to their company headquarters at Tent City. |
The 88th MP Company (K9) also staffed a detachment of approximately 18 to 20 teams commanded by a Sergeant. Before the formal kennels were constructed the K9's lived in command tents with sand floors. The unit also ate C Rations until mess facilities could be constructed. |
Reflections I was part of the 615th. MP platoon that was assigned to Vung Tau. It was a very interesting place. There was a Special Forces group based there as well as Australians, New Zealanders and South Koreans. It was a typical situation where we controlled the area in the daytime and the night belonged to the Viet Cong but I do not recall any major events during the time we spent there. It was standard town patrol and security. Our free time was spent in town or mostly at the beach. SP/4 Richard C. "Dick" Jones, 615th MP Company, 716th MP Battalion, Military Assistance Command Vietnam, Vung Tau and Tent City Saigon, August-December 1965. |
