Bombing of AFVN

and other locations in Saigon

In 1964, US Forces in Saigon were under the command of the US Navy. There were US dependents living in the city, the MP's lived in hotels, often wore khakis and there were only about 6,000 US troops in country, mostly advisors to the Vietnam military (MACV). The MP mission was the protection of US lives and property and military law enforcement.

VC Bombings

A bicycle Bomb exploded outside the Ocean Bar. When MP's arrived several GI's were still finishing their beers inside and yelling because the explosion had screwed up their hearing.

A bomb at the Mayflower Bar. A sailor later reported to medics that he was injured here and asked if he would get a Purple Heart Medal. He was punished after doctors found his wounds were actually from a knife fight the same afternoon.

Investigating an explosion above the "Anna Bar".

It blew a hole in the ceiling and damaged VN residences on the 2d floor.

A VC bomb had just gone off at the Caravelle Hotel.  A corner room was heavily damaged.

Grenade tossed at off-duty MP's Cholon - An M26 hand grenade exploded at a bus stop where 5 off duty MP's were standing. They saw and heard the grenade's handle hit the ground and dove into a tailor shop. They were all OK. Several innocent Vietnamese on the street were not so lucky.

A policeman who was posted nearby tells his captain he saw two terrorists toss the grenade from a passing motorcycle. He claimed his carbine jammed. The captain jacked all 20 rounds onto the ground, then ordered the cop arrested for failing to fire on the VC's when he had a clear shot at them.

Explosion at the US Embassy=In 1965 this was the US Embassy in downtown Saigon. The crater is from a car bomb that went off the day before. The remains of the bomber's  vehicle - about 100 meters down the street.

Vietnamese having lunch at this sidewalk table were killed instantly.

A bomber's motorbike. Witnesses said a car and several bikes stopped next to the embassy  and police ordered them away. A fire-fight broke out and one VC was last seen firing into the smoking back seat of his car when the bomb went off.

A few seconds after a car bomb went off under the Brinks Hotel/BOQ. It was 6pm, Christmas Eve, 1964. They had posed as ARVN's to park their car bomb under the building.

Damage at the Brinks Officer's hotel/BOQ. Three Americans and 17 Vietnamese were killed. The US Armed Forces Radio was blown off the air, but it went back to broadcasting very soon from a VN radio station.

Guard Mount

SP4 Michael T.Mulvaney (far left)  later drove his patrol vehicle straight into attacking VC terrorists outside the Victoria Hotel/BOQ. The firefight that ensued alerted hotel occupants and gave them time to seek safety. He, another MP who had been guarding the hotel (PFC Patrick J. Brems) and the MP duty officer (LT Chester L. Lee)  were killed as they exchanged fire with the VC and their car bomb exploded.  The three MP's were awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart Medals.

 A "war story"...

 After the March, 1965 bombing at the US Embassy an ABC-TV reporter asked a "typical" MP  how many MP's had been on duty to protect it. He answered, "None, sir, it was guarded by US Marines - but there are MP's there now." When the newsman asked what one thing the MP could do to protect himself in the future, the MP replied, "I'd get my ass out of Saigon, sir

 US Army MP units in Saigon were awarded the US Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry With Palm for their actions during this period.

More My Canh Information is located here-

Dai Nam Attack

Annapolis Hotel attack 1969