Office of the Historian

155. Telegram From the Commander, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (Westmoreland) to the Commander in Chief, Pacific (Sharp)1

Saigon, February 23, 1965, 8:30 p.m.

MAC JOO 5633. Personal for Adm Sharp and Gen Wheeler from Westmoreland. A. MACV 5515, DTG 220743Z Feb.2 B. Embtel Saigon to JCS 473, 22 Feb.3

1.
Reference A recommends MEB (minus) tailored to security requirements at Da Nang be deployed on phased basis as soon as political clearance is obtained. Reference B states Amb Taylor would be willing to recommend placing a Marine BLT at Da Nang.
2.
In view of the great importance of the Da Nang air base to current U.S. strategy, augmentation of U.S. security forces is desirable soonest. Before the Marine engineers can start preparations for Hawk battery on hill 3un [garble] security of site is mandatory. Adequate VN forces are not available for this purpose without detracting from other important missions.
3.
To avoid further delay, I recommend at this juncture the immediate deployment of one reinforced BLT augmented by a small headquarters to assume control of all Marines ashore to include MTU 79.3.5 now at Da Nang, the Hawk Battalion, and the BLT. Reinforcement would consist of the helicopter squadron of MEB to provide support for the Marines as well as GVN forces as required.
4.
I will review the situation after the deployment of the recommended force and make further recommendations as necessary.
5.
Brigadier General Karch of 9th MEB with small staff visited here yesterday and conferred with General Throckmorton and MACV staff and subsequently made reconnaissance at Da Nang. He is developing a tailored force to meet minimum requirements. Information will be forwarded after review.
  1. Source: Department of State, Central Files, POL 27 VIET S. Top Secret. Repeated to CJCS, the White House, and the Department of State. Received in the National Military Command Center at 1:52 p.m.↩
  2. See footnote 3, Document 153.↩
  3. Document 153.↩