Sealords and Seawolves

This paper analyzes Operation SEALORDS, the US Navy’s integrated riverine interdiction and pacification effort in Vietnam. Specifically, this paper examines the effectiveness of the SEALORDS campaign and what lessons can be drawn from SEALORDS to aid the Navy in its development of a modern riverine force. Research was conducted through a historical case study methodology using as many primary sources as possible. This paper first examines the pre-SEALORDS Navy operations of Market Time, Game Warden, and the Mobile Riverine Force and then analyzes SEALORDS and the concurrent ACTOV program. The findings of this study are that the SEALORDS campaign was effective in reducing the flow of enemy forces into the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam and succeeded in expanding South Vietnamese government control into areas previously long controlled by the Viet Cong. SEALORDS operations led to disruption of enemy activity, increased pacification, restoration of commerce, and increased popular support for the US and South Vietnamese forces.

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