The United States Marine Corps' counterinsurgency effort in the Vietnam War

This thesis will consider the history and accomplishments of the United States Marine Corps' counterinsurgency effort during the Vietnam War. The key component of the Marines' effort was the pacification program, which focused primarily on the people in the hamlets and villages in the First Corps Tactical Zone in the Repubiic of Vietnam. Through the use of Combined Action Platoons (CAPs), the Marines sought to secure and pacify the villages and hamlets of Vietnam against the Communist insurgents, the Viet Cong. This work will examine the differences in strategy between the Marines and the US Army and evaluate what effect this conflict had on the outcome of the war. The lessons the Marines' counterinsurgency efforts have for the low intensity conílict environment of the post-Cold War world of also will be considered.