Uploaded January 2022 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
General Westmoreland has taken his share of criticism for the allied failure in Vietnam. Today, we talk to professional historian Dr. John Sherwood, author of "War in the Shallows" about one of Westmoreland's best ideas in the Vietnam War--the Mobile Riverine Force. General Westmoreland was a strong proponent and advocate for this unique, combined armed force.
Created to patrol and control the vast, strategically vital Mekong Delta region, the MRF developed into a highly successful rapid reaction force. Dr. Sherwood explains why the joint US Army/Navy command structure worked so well, how the Mobile Riverine Force was equipped, and why it struggled in one of its costliest defeats on the Rac Ba Rai in late 1967.
Our thanks not only to Dr. John Sherwood, but also to the entire staff at the Washington Navy Yard for helping to arrange this interview. You can purchase a print copy of "War in the Shallows" or download a free PDF copy, courtesy of the US Navy History & Heritage Command:
https://www.history.navy.mil/research/publications/publications-by-subject/war-in-the-shallows.html
General Westmoreland has taken his share of criticism for the allied failure in Vietnam. Today, we talk to professional historian Dr. John Sherwood, author of "War in the Shallows" about one of Westmoreland's best ideas in the Vietnam War--the Mobile Riverine Force. General Westmoreland was a strong proponent and advocate for this unique, combined armed force.
Created to patrol and control the vast, strategically vital Mekong Delta region, the MRF developed into a highly successful rapid reaction force. Dr. Sherwood explains why the joint US Army/Navy command structure worked so well, how the Mobile Riverine Force was equipped, and why it struggled in one of its costliest defeats on the Rac Ba Rai in late 1967.
Our thanks not only to Dr. John Sherwood, but also to the entire staff at the Washington Navy Yard for helping to arrange this interview. You can purchase a print copy of "War in the Shallows" or download a free PDF copy, courtesy of the US Navy History & Heritage Command:
https://www.history.navy.mil/research/publications/publications-by-subject/war-in-the-shallows.html
