CAP Mot: The Story of a Marine Special Forces Unit in Vietnam, 1968-1969

— Vol. 5: of War and the Southwest Series

Published: March, 1997  Pages: 384  Features: 28 b&w photos. 4 illus. map. Index.

The Marines’ Combined Action Platoon program—CAP—was one of the most innovative approaches to pacification used in Vietnam. From experience in other civil wars in Haiti, Nicaragua, and the Dominican Republic, the Marine Corps believed that firepower alone would not subdue the enemy, that the people had to be won over. Consisting of a volunteer rifle squad, a Navy medical corpsman and a locally recruited platoon of Popular Forces (PF), the CAP lived among the villagers 24 hours a day for the express purpose of protecting and helping them to survive the dangers of their enemies. They also were to help them improve their health and their daily lives. more... about CAP Mot: The Story of a Marine Special Forces Unit in Vietnam, 1968-1969