United States Army Engineer Command, Vietnam | |
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Active | 1966-1971 |
Country | United States |
Branch | US Army |
Role | Engineer |
Size | Command |
Garrison/HQ | Long Binh, Vietnam |
Commanders | |
Notable commanders | John A. B. Dillard Charles C. Noble |
United States Army Engineer Command, Vietnam (USAECV) was a unit of US Army Vietnam from 1966 through 1971.
The Command's first challenge was to execute General William Westmoreland's MOOSE program (Move Out of Saigon Expeditiously) - the commanding generals order for unit headquarters to get out of the capital. [1] This would require a great amount of construction projects. Major General Robert R. Ploger would become the USAECV commander. The second would be the continued construction of the pier at Cam Ranh Bay.
In 1967, USAECV's role changed from basic construction to combat support and upgrading lines of communication. The command took part in Operation Cedar Falls and Operation Junction City using "tank dozers" with Rome Plow blades to clear areas inside the Iron Triange creating landing zones and minesweeping.
In August 1967, Gen. Ploger concluded his time in Vietnam and was replaced by Major General Charles M. Duke. The next month discussions began with the commanders of Vietnam Field Force I and II about getting more engineer support in the field. It was decided to assign some of the brigades directly to the commands and U.S. Army Engineer Construction Agency, Vietnam would replace USAECV as the agency in charge of construction projects from 1971.
USAECV [3]
| September 1965 |
| August 1967 |
| May 1968 |
| July 1969 |
| December 1969 |
| May 1970 (interim) |
| June 1970 until inactivation |
18th Engineer Brigade
| September 1965 |
| September 1965 |
| December 1966 |
| April 1967 |
| September 1967 |
| November 1967 |
| September 1968 |
| May 1969 |
| May 1970 until inactivation |
20th Engineer Brigade
| August 1967 |
| November 1968 |
| November 1969 |
| October 1970 until inactivation |