Tiger Division (Maengho)
In August 1965 the Republic of Korea's National Assembly passed a bill authorizing the deployment of Korean troops, the first deployment of Korean forces beyond their borders since the 14th century, when Koreans were sent into Manchuria to fight the Mongols.
The first division sent over (September 1965) was the celebrated Capital Division, affectionately nicknamed the Tiger Division or Maengho with its famous roaring tiger unit patch.
This was an all-volunteer Korean unit, trained by the Americans and was considered the best force of the Korean military.
The Tiger Division was deployed just outside of Qui Nhon in Binh Dinh province, from where it could protect vital arteries such as Highways 1 and 19, as well as rice-growing areas and foothills to the north and west in 1965.
During Operation HONG KIL DONG (July-August 1967), the Koreans killed 638 and lost only 26 soldiers, a kill ratio of 24 to 1. Also amazing was the fact that 98 crew-served and 359 individual weapons were captured.
They Tigers were known for their ability to surrounded and annihilate Communist units. One such operation was on January 23-29, 1968 near Phu Cat.
Six companies of the Tiger Division engaged a Communist force, and then began forming a tight ring around the enemy. By day they tightened the noose, and at night they held their ground. The NVA fought desperately to break out, but was defeated after six days of intense combat. The kill ratio was amazing- 278 Communist dead for 11 Korean dead, a ratio of 25.3 to 1! Some Americans said the operation’s planning was unoriginal and the execution was too cautious, but the methods most certainly produced body counts
The Tigers were also uncanny in their ability to search territory and smoke out enemy soldiers and weapons. They would plan the operations meticulously and sometimes even rehearse it beforehand. The soldiers would seal off a relatively small area, no more than 9 or 10 square kilometers. Troops would be brought in by air and land, but would arrive at the same time to maximize the chokehold. Slowly but surely the cordon would be tightened, and everyone and everything would be searched. Civilians were separated and interrogated, routinely offered rewards if they cooperated. It was not unusual for an area to be searched three or four times by different platoons. To prevent enemy breakouts, the Koreans had special reaction forces that could plug holes in the perimeter. General William Peers considered the Koreans the best at these so-called “cordon and search operations.”
Every Korean soldier in Vietnam volunteered for service in Southeast Asia, ensuring a higher quality, more confident soldier than the conscripts sent into combat by the South Vietnamese or the Americans. However, it should be pointed out that Korean soldiers that volunteered for service in Vietnam were given bonuses: they would “receive credit for three years of military duty for each year served in Vietnam as well as additional monetary entitlements; further, combat duty would enhance their future Army careers.”
All the units sent to Vietnam (the Tiger Division, White Horse Division, the Korean Marines) had the longest and best records from the Korean War. These units were even deployed to parts of Vietnam that best resembled the terrain familiar to them from their native Korea.
Arrived at Qui Nhon
Sept 22, 1965
Returned Home
Mar 11, 1973
Headquartered at:
Qui Nhon
Order of Battle:
Divisional Headquarters and Headquarters Company
Cavalry Regiment, composed of three battalions
1st Infantry Regiment, three battalions
26th Infantry Regiment, three battalions
Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, Division Artillery
10th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm)
60th Field Artillery Battalion (105mm)
61st Field Artillery Battalion (105mm)
628th Field Artillery Battalion (155mm)
Divisional Engineer Battalion
Armor company
Reconnaissance Company
Signal Company
Military Police Company
Medical Company
Ordinance Company
Quartermaster Company
Replacement Company
Aviation Section
Total Strength Dispatched: 114,902
(OFF: 7,652 EM: 107,340)
KIA: 2,111 (OFF: 186 EM: 1,925)
WIA: 4,474 (OFF: 246 EM: 4,228)
Operations Conducted: 175,107
US Units that served alongside the Tiger Division were numerous:
9th Division Black Panthers.
Some written books about the Tiger Division include:
Being appended.
References
Trivia
Amongst many famous names in Korea, HIH the Crown Prince Yi Seok served as an enlisted man in this regiment after volunteering for service.
Books
Being appended.
External links
The Korean Vietnam Veterans Web Site in Korea
