S.L.A. Marshall stated that no more than 25% of American fighting men engaged the enemy during the course of a World War II battle. His research during the Korean War showed this value had increased to 50%. If the 50% figure remains valid, then the effective strength of the 6 man dismounted Bradley squad is equivalent to only three men. The strength of a light infantry squad is at best 5 men. Did American soldiers in Vietnam put out an effective volume of small arms fire? This question and its applicability to current training and future combat are addressed in this monograph. The basis for analysis is two surveys, one of 500 Vietnam veteran members of the 1st Cavalry Division Association and a second of 63 officers who served as platoon leaders or company commanders in Vietnam. The surveys questioned respondents regarding personal engagement of the enemy, engagement by other unit members, causes for failing to fire, and training advice for contemporary soldiers. The results bode well for an American army that may fight in other Vietnam-type wars or have to fight outnumbered and win. Over 83% of the soldiers equipped with individual weapons and over 86% of those manning crew-served systems engaged the enemy in Vietnam.

ADA 191403 Approved for public release; Distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)