HISTORY OF THE SOUTH VIETNAMESE MARINE CORPS

The 5th Marine Battalion

First Lieutenant Duong Buu Long

By the end of 1964, the 5th Marine Battalion had been formed. Its base camp was located at Suoi Lo O, Di An in the province of Bien Hoa. The battalion's First Commander was Major Tinh. Next in command was Major Duong Hanh Phuoc.

After having completed its training, the 5th Battalion had its baptism of fire in 1965. In the provinces of Kontum and Pleiku in central Vietnam; the NVA had gathered there and were creating much havoc.

Although it was but newly created, the 5th Battalion's effort was highly admirable. It succeeded in recovering the subdistricts of Dakto and Tumorong, both of which had fallen into enemy hands. The battalion also managed to bring the siege at Duc Co camp, on the Laotian border, to an end. The camp had been besieged by the NVA for four months, and was on the brink of toppling into their clutches. In this particular battle, the 5th Battalion felled a great number of Viet Cong, and seized countless weapons. The whole battalion was later honoured in a ceremony to mark their victory, a ceremony which was presided over by the Commander of II Corps, Lieutenant General Vinh Loc. 

First Lieutenant Duong Buu Long