Red Markers, Close Air Support for the Vietnamese Airborne, 1962-1975

FROM 1962 UNTIL EARLY1973, a handful of USAF officers and airmen directed close air support for the Vietnamese Airborne and its American advisors in MACV Advisory Team 162. This Red Marker detachment began as a single Air Liaison Officer. It grew into a combat unit of 36 personnel with a dozen aircraft before shrinking to a single officer as the United States withdrew from combat. Over the decade of its existence, less than 175 men served in the unit. Five of them died in combat. This award winning history of these forward air controllers from the beginning to the end is based on contributions from 76 men who were there.