Civil affairs

A.            General.

1.                 This command’s Civic Action program consists primarily of medical assistance, development of local village governments and both joint and self-help projects.  Civic Actions are conducted in three villages, Ky Ha, Ky Hoa, and Ky Xuan.

(a)               Ky Ha Village has an active government, which plays an important part in the peoples lives.  Providing them with leadership and an organized means of communicating their needs to higher authority for assistance.  The village has an active PF platoon, a well-organized Self Defense Corps (Home Guard) and can all but be considered secure.

(b)               The government of Ky Hoa village has grown from a rough beginning into a well functioning organization, due primarily to the leadership of an enthusiastic Village Chief.  One PF platoon is present in the village and the Self Defense Corps is active and effective in all hamlets.  The people of Ky Hoa are very responsive to the programs and projects initiated by Company D, and have a definite desire to help themselves.

(c)               Ky Xuan, under the leadership of the Village Chief, has a fairly effective government, which is beginning to become as increasingly important part of the peoples lives.  The people are quite friendly and have confidence in the Marines on the island as well as being responsive to their programs.

2.                 See Daily Civil Affairs Situation Reports (attached).

B.        Significant Events.

1.                 The Civic Action Out-Patient Clinic and company corpsmen held scheduled treatment (MedCAP) in all three villages.  The doctor and corpsmen treated a total of 3,433 villagers during the month.  In addition, dentists provided treatment in one village, Ly Hoa, treating a total of 10 people.

2.                 MedCAP was twice provided at Ky Chanh Market Place.  The MedCAP was conducted in conjunction with a tactical operation and the villagers were responsive and enthusiastic towards the program.  Treatment was rendered to 200 patients.

3.                 The MedCAP village health workers in Ky Hoa Village distributed 50 bars of soap, 60 toothbrushes and 40 tubes of tooth paste, during the practical application phase of their instruction on physical and dental hygiene.

4.                 Assistance was given to the financial team from province, which on two occasions reimbursed 350 of the 600 villagers whose property was purchased by the government for military use.  Thirty-nine million piastres have thus far been paid.

5.                 Three portable radios were distributed to the Hamlet Chiefs of Ky Xuan Village.  The radios were provided by the United States Overseas Mission for the purpose of providing remote areas with a news media.

6.                 The Third Marine Division Band performed at Hoa Trung Hamlet, Ky Hoa Village and Ky Xuan Village Headquarters.  The performance was thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated by 500 Vietnamese and 200 Marines.

C.        Civil Action Projects.

1.                 Distribution of 925 sheets of roofing tin was made to 185 families of Hoa My Hamlet, Ky Ho Village, each family will received 5 sheets ----- and an additional 15 sheets when the shipment is received.

2.                 A Refugee Camp is being constructed in Hoa Long Hamlet, Ky Hoa Village.  The camp is being constructed on a ‘Self Help’ basis.  The United States Overseas Mission has provided roofing tin, 100 bags of cement and 1,000 pounds of wheat.  The wheat is being distributed to the 84 families who will inhabit the camp and who are performing the construction.  Completed are the four wells and structure skeletons.  The completion date of the Refugee Camp is scheduled for the end on March.

D.         Problem Area.

1.                 A continuous problem is the cooperation of the Vietnamese people with their government.  This problem will decrease when their confidence is again restored in the security provided them against VC retaliation.

E.        Plans.

1.                 Development of a Self Defense Corps in Ky Xuan village.  This is dependent upon assignment of at least one Popular Force Unit.

2.                 The installation of a Boat Inspection Center at Sam Hai.  This facility would render inspection and registration of all boats in the District, thereby, providing a security measure on the waterways.

3.                 To encourage participation of other Marine units in the Civil Affairs Program.  This would concentrate many units in the area where one unit operated previously.  It is hopeful, that this will increase the confidence and strengthens the relationship between the Vietnamese people and the GVN.

This page last updated 21 August 2011