ARVN 5th ARMORED CAVALRY SQUADRON MEKONG – SAIGON Vietnam War

Description

ARVN 5th ARMORED CAVALRY SQUADRON MEKONG – SAIGON Vietnam War

• Stationed near Saigon: The 5th Armored Cavalry was based with the rest of the 5th Division in Biên Hòa, a strategically important town on the northern outskirts of Saigon. This position put it on the front lines for many key operations.
• Combat support: As an armored cavalry unit, its primary equipment was the M113 Armored Personnel Carrier. ARVN troops, including those in armored cavalry squadrons, were known for adapting the M113 to be used aggressively as an infantry fighting vehicle rather than just a transport, a tactic that influenced US forces.
• Role in III Corps: The squadron’s missions centered on providing armored mobility, reconnaissance, and fire support to the infantry regiments of the 5th Division. It was involved in operations throughout the division’s area of responsibility, which covered the northern approaches to Saigon.
• 1972 Easter Offensive: The squadron saw heavy combat during the 1972 invasion, particularly around the towns of Lộc Ninh and An Lộc. Alongside the 5th Division’s infantry, it faced a massive North Vietnamese attack supported by tanks and artillery. While its parent division’s 9th Regiment was overwhelmed at Lộc Ninh, the squadron played a role in the defense of An Lộc, a critical victory for South Vietnamese forces.
• Defense during the final days: In 1975, the squadron was part of the ARVN forces defending the approaches to Saigon. The fighting was desperate and ultimately unsuccessful, leading to the collapse of the 5th Division and the fall of the capital.