Army of the Republic of Vietnam ARVN Mechanized Rifle Squadron, 1967–1975

South Vietnamese M113 armored personnel carrier.

In 1967, ARVN Mechanized Rifle Squadron received additional M113 Armored Cavalry Assault Vehicles to increase the number of vehicles from three to five per cavalry troop. This organisation was unique to the ARVN armoured cavalry assault squadrons which fought mounted like tank squadrons. In fact, ARVN cavalry troopers preferred to fight from the roof of the M113 ACAV which offered better protection against mine blasts. Since the unit strength was not increased when additional vehicles became available, the vehicle crew was reduced to seven men per ACAV. The Support Troop of the Mechanized Rifle Squadron received M125.A1 Mortar Carriers to replace the M113s which had been used previously.

ARVN Mechanized Rifle Squadron, 1967

  • Squadron Headquarters Section
    • M113 ACAV
    • M113 ACAV
  • Armored Cavalry Assault Troop (ACAT)
    • M113 ACAV with 106 mm Recoilless Rifle
    • M113 ACAV
    • M113 ACAV
    • M113 ACAV
    • M113 ACAV
  • Armored Cavalry Assault Troop (same as above)
  • Armored Cavalry Assault Troop (same as above)
  • Support Troop
    • M125.A1 Mortar Carrier (81 mm)
    • M125.A1 Mortar Carrier (81 mm)
    • M125.A1 Mortar Carrier (81 mm)

Wargamers and diorama builders will find the ARVN Mechanized Rifle Squadron very interesting, because the vehicles were sprayed in a two-colour pattern of Olive Drab base colour with Sand disruptive stripes. The ARVN cavalry troopers wore plain olive drab, tiger stripe, duck hunter, and various woodland camouflage pattern uniforms.

ARVN Armored Cavalry Regiment, 1957-75