The Unwritten History of the ARVN: Why a Comprehensive Account is Missing

For nearly five decades, the history of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) remains elusive. Despite several attempts to document this critical period, a comprehensive and thorough history remains conspicuous by its absence. The former Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam) has been engulfed in silence since its fall on April 30, 1975, and efforts to capture its military history have largely been unsuccessful.

Why is a Comprehensive ARVN History Lacking?

The absence of a compelling, full-fledged history of the ARVN can be attributed to several factors. First and foremost, the prevailing narrative from both the winning and losing sides often suppresses the truth, making it difficult to extract a balanced and accurate account. The winning side, the Vietnam People's Army, may not wish to delve too deeply into the ARVN's failings, as this could imply a need for extensive propaganda and alterations to current narratives. Similarly, the vanquished side, the United States and its allies, may be reluctant to revisit the ARVN's shortcomings, as doing so could cast doubt on their own war strategies and policies.

A Look into the ARVN's Effectiveness

To understand why a comprehensive history of the ARVN is elusive, one must consider the document, The South Vietnamese Army Today, released in 1966 by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). Although not widely known, this document provides valuable insights into the ARVN's performance and challenges.

A few notable points from the CIA document include:

Limited Combat Performance: The presence of a large number of U.S. military advisors did not significantly enhance the combat effectiveness of the ARVN. Regional Variations: In many areas, the performance of the ARVN was unsatisfactory and only marginally effective. High Desertion Rates: Desertion among ARVN soldiers was alarmingly high. Inadequate Unit Capabilities: Individual ARVN units struggled to match numerically equal Viet Cong or North Vietnamese Army (NVA) units. Low Morale: Low-level soldiers were dissatisfied due to low pay, inadequate housing, and family welfare, as well as frequent rotations in isolated areas. Defections: Many ARVN soldiers defected to the Viet Cong.

These issues, as highlighted in the CIA document, paint a dire picture of the ARVN's capabilities and morale during the Vietnam War.

Available Material on ARVN

Despite the challenges in creating a comprehensive history, a wealth of material exists on the ARVN. Books written in Vietnamese by ARVN veterans are widely available in Vietnamese communities, often found in Vietnamese bookstores. In English, there are a number of books that explore various aspects of the war, though not as many as in Vietnamese. For those interested in an official account, the "Trong Giai Doan Hinh Thanh 1946–1955", volume Quan Su 4, of a series published in Taiwan in 1972, provides a detailed account. This volume can be found in a bookstore on Bolsa Avenue in Westminster, California, also known as "Little Saigon."

Conclusion

The lack of a comprehensive history of the ARVN remains a significant gap in our understanding of the Vietnam War. The reasons for this gap are multifaceted, involving both the reluctance of the losing and winning sides to fully acknowledge the weaknesses and failures of the ARVN. However, the wealth of available material and the ongoing research efforts aim to fill this void and provide a more complete picture of the ARVN's role and performance.

Reliable sources such as the CIA document and various books offer valuable insights. However, a collaborative and comprehensive effort is needed to compile a thorough and unbiased history of the ARVN. As the years pass, it becomes increasingly important to preserve the memory of those who served in the ARVN and to understand the complexities of this pivotal period in modern history.