1.
LS CROWD AT CEREMONY GROUND
2 ft

2.
MLS GEN. HARKINS & MR. NGUYEN RECEIVING TROOPS (3 SHOTS)
8 1/2 ft

3.
MLS BAND
10 ft

4.
MLS VIPS
11 1/2 ft

5.
MLS FROGMEN IN REVIEW (2 SHOTS)
17 ft

6.
MLS TROOP LANDING (3 SHOTS)
25 1/2 ft

7.
MS - DO. - (3 SHOTS)
32 ft



Initials VTS/S/MK/CLA/AMR



Script is copyright Reuters Limited. All rights reserved

Background: SOUTH VIETNAMESE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF STATE FOR DEFENCE MR. NGUYEN DINH THUAN AND U.S. MAC CHIEF, GEN. PAUL D. HARKINS WERE AMONG THE V.I.PS AT CAN THO ON OCTOBER 16 WHEN RIVER PATROL PLATOONS WERE "PRESENTED" TO THE PEOPLE OF CAN THO PROVINCE.

THE RIVER PATROL CREATED IN 1960 ARE CHARGED WITH PATROLS ON WATERWAYS, TRANSPORT OF TROOPS, ESCORT COMMERCIAL VESSELS AND SUPPORT TO INFANTRY IN OPERATIONS.

HIGHLIGHTING THE OCCASION WAS A DEMONSTRATION OF MASS LANDING BY EIGHT CIVIL GUARD RIVER PATROL PLATOONS ON NINH KIEW QUAY WITH THE SUPPORT OF THE HELICOPTERS.

EACH PROVINCE OF SOUTH VIETNAM HAS BEEN ALLOCATED WITH ONE RIVER BOAT PLATOON AND BY THE END OF THIS YEAR THE CIVIL GUARD WILL HAVE CONSIDERABLE RIVER FORCE READY FOR OPERATIONS ON ALL THE COUNTRY'S RIVERS AND CANALS.