Item Description
Original Item: One-Of-A-Kind. The Republic of Vietnam Marine Division was part of the armed forces of South Vietnam. It was established by Ngo Dinh Diem in 1954 when he was Prime Minister of the State of Vietnam, which became the Republic of Vietnam in 1955. The longest-serving commander was Lieutenant General Le Nguyen Khang. In 1969, the VNMC had a strength of 9,300, 15,000 by 1973, and 20,000 by 1975.
The Marine Division traces their origins to French-trained Commandos Marine divisions recruited and placed under the command of the French Navy but officially incorporated in 1960. From 1970 onwards, the South Vietnamese Marines and Airborne Division grew significantly, supplanting the independent, Central Highlands based Vietnamese Rangers as the most popular elite units for volunteers. Along with the Airborne, the Marine Division formed the General Reserve with the strategic transformation under Vietnamization, with elite and highly-mobile units meant to be deployed in People's Army of Vietnam attacking points and incursions. By then, the level of training had improved considerably and U.S. Army General Creighton Abrams who oversaw Vietnamization stated that South Vietnam's Airborne and Marines had no comparable units to match it in the PAVN.
This division had earned a total of 9 U.S. presidential citations, with the 2nd Battalion "Crazy Buffaloes" earning two.
The photo album features the ARVN Marines emblem painted on the front which consists of an Eagle, Globe, Anchor and Red 5 Pointed Star with the outline of Vietnam in the center. The album features a photo copy of the Marine’s ID card that this album belonged to, Le-Hoang-Nghi and he is featured in many photos in the album, both while in military uniform and in civilian attire with his family.
The 87 photos feature both military life and personal life along with portraits, military life, speaking with American advisors, military emplacements and many more. The photos are in lovely condition with most being easily discernible while some do have minor to heavy water damage and wear.
This is a fantastic album from a seldom seen and praised unit of South Vietnam.
Comes more than ready for further research and display.
- This product is available for international shipping.
- Eligible for all payments - Visa, Mastercard, Discover, AMEX, Paypal & Sezzle
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