- index page -
An American Navy Hovercraft moves through the water, Vietnam, 1968.

The physical geography surrounding Vietnam with its long coastlines and vast river systems called for a major commitment of the US naval forces. Although the Navy was sometimes compromised at the strategic level by civilian political decisions, it achieved notable tactical success in the Vietnam War.

The naval forces ranged from the Marine Corps and Fighter Pilots to the Military Sealift Command that delivered 95% of the vehicles, ammunitions, fuel, equipment and other military supplies that entered the ports of South Vietnam. The Navy used everything that floats on water, ranging from surfboards to the immensely powerful carrier forces with their fighter, attack, early warning and electronic warfare aircraft, surface to air missiles, deck guns and anti-submarine weapons.

Navy Hovercraft