Capital Military Assistance Command

Worn from:
1 August 1969 - 19 March 1973.

The United States Army Vietnam is symbolized by the
crusader's sword (the "sword of freedom"). Placed
upon a scarlet base, it represents the Capital Military
Assistance Command. The two white five-pointed stars
placed on either side of the guard of the unsheathed sword
refer to the constant and combined effort of the United
States and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam to protect
Saigon, the capital of South Vietnam. The colors, red and
blue, represent the artillery and infantry forces that
defended the city. Capital Military Assistance Command
was originally the provisional "Hurricane Forward"
headquarters sent from II Field Force, Vietnam to Saigon to
counter the Tet Offensive of 1968. Led by Major General Hay,
it was known as "Task Force Hay."