About this Unit
MACV Team 28, also known as Advisory Team 28, was a unit of the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) tasked with providing advisory support to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) in Phu Yen Province. Operating during the Vietnam War, the team worked closely with local South Vietnamese military and government officials to coordinate counterinsurgency operations, improve security, and implement pacification programs. Team 28's advisors assisted in planning and conducting military operations against Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces, often accompanying ARVN units in the field. Their efforts contributed to the broader U.S. strategy of strengthening South Vietnamese self-sufficiency and stability in the region.
Historical Facts
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Advisory Mission: MACV Team 28 was part of the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) Advisory Teams, tasked with advising and assisting South Vietnamese military units during the Vietnam War.
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Location: Team 28 was primarily assigned to Phu Yen Province, located along the south-central coast of South Vietnam, an area known for both its strategic importance and frequent enemy activity.
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Key Role: The team worked closely with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 22nd Division and local Regional and Popular Forces, providing military training, operational planning, and support.
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Small, Diverse Team: MACV Team 28 was composed of a small group of Army, Navy, Air Force, and Marine advisors, often numbering fewer than 50, but representing a variety of military specialties.
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Hazardous Duty: The Phu Yen area was subject to frequent Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army attacks, making Team 28’s advisory work particularly dangerous. Several team members were killed or wounded in action.
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Heroic Actions: Captain Jon E. Swanson, an advisor from Team 28, was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroic actions as a helicopter pilot near Dak To, reflecting the valor often displayed by team members.
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Civil Affairs: Team 28 played a significant role in Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support (CORDS), assisting with local construction, medical aid, and education projects to win "hearts and minds."
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Language and Culture: Advisors were encouraged to learn Vietnamese and adapt to local customs, fostering closer cooperation with their South Vietnamese counterparts.
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End of Mission: As U.S. involvement in Vietnam wound down, MACV Team 28 was withdrawn in 1972 as part of the broader American drawdown and "Vietnamization" process.
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Legacy: Veterans of MACV Team 28 maintain a strong camaraderie, with several websites and reunions dedicated to preserving the team’s history and honoring those who served and sacrificed.
