The United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) was established on 8 February 1962, as a unified command subordinate to the commander-in-chief, Pacific.

   MACV has the mission of assisting the Republic of Vietnam Armed Forces to maintain internal security against subversion and insurgency and to resist external aggression. With headquarters in Saigon, MACV controlled all of the United States Armed Forces in Vietnam.

   MACV was involved in two basic activities. Its forces constantly sought to engage the enemy in combat on the ground and territorial waters of the Republic of South Vietnam, to provide assistance to the constitutional government of Vietnam to build a free society capable of defending itself.