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Examine the state of the U.S.-backed and Diem-led South Vietnamese army against the communist Viet Cong

Examine the state of the U.S.-backed and Diem-led South Vietnamese army against the communist Viet Cong

The Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN), though well-equipped and trained by U.S. advisers, was poorly motivated and poorly led in its fight against the Viet Cong. From Vietnam Perspective (1985), a documentary by Encyclopædia Britannica Educational Corporation.
Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc.
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    By the summer of 1964, the successes of the Viet Cong on the battlefield led the U.S. government to conclude that only massive military intervention could save South Vietnam. From Vietnam Perspective (1985), a documentary by Encyclopædia Britannica Educational Corporation.
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    In August 1964, in response to an alleged attack by North Vietnamese patrol boats on U.S. destroyers in the Gulf of Tonkin, the U.S. Congress authorized Pres. Lyndon B. Johnson to take any action necessary to deal with threats against U.S. forces and allies in Southeast Asia. From Vietnam Perspective (1985), a documentary by Encyclopædia Britannica Educational Corporation.
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    In March 1965 U.S. Marines landed at Da Nang, South Vietnam, and regular troops of the North Vietnamese Army continued to infiltrate into the South. From Vietnam Perspective (1985), a documentary by Encyclopædia Britannica Educational Corporation.
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    With the defeat of the French at the Battle of Dien Bien Phu in 1954, the United States became concerned about communist gains in Vietnam. From Vietnam Perspective (1985), a documentary by Encyclopædia Britannica Educational Corporation.
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Related Articles: Vietnam War , Army of the Republic of Vietnam

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The same 'duty' compelled Ernie Stensgar to serve in the Vietnam war and on Coeur d'Alene tribal council for 45 years • Nov. 11, 2026, 6:30 AM ET (The Spokane Spokesman-Review)
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He lost his title for refusing to fight. It took a Rumble in the Jungle to win it back. • Oct. 30, 2026, 3:00 AM ET (Washington Post)

Transcript

NARRATOR: Despite a five-to-one superiority in numbers, American firepower, air mobility, and air supremacy, the one-hundred-thirty-thousand-man army of the Republic of Vietnam--known as AR-VIN--were no match for the Viet Cong. Though well equipped and trained, the AR-VIN were poorly motivated and poorly led by Vietnamese commanders. More importantly, in his fight with the Communists, Diem refused to seek the support of his own people. Ruling by decree, Diem gradually came to focus his attention not on the military and domestic problems [music] that were tearing his country apart, but on keeping himself and his family in power.
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