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By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States and as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States, I have today awarded
THE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (NAVY)
FOR EXTRAORDINARY HEROISM to
RUNG SAT SPECIAL ZONE RIVER PATROL GROUP

for service as set forth in the following citation:

For extraordinary heroism and outstanding performance of duty in action against an armed enemy in the Republic of Vietnam from 24 June 1969 to 28 February 1970. During this period, the Rung Sat Special Zone River Patrol Group operated throughout the 405-square-mile maze of rivers, canals, waterways and mangrove swamps of the Rung Sat Special Zone and on the upper Saigon River. When enemy sappers mounted an aggressive offensive against free-world merchant shipping in late spring of 1969, the Rung Sat Special Zone River Patrol Group, in conjunction with South Vietnamese forces, commenced a unique, unrelenting campaign of combined counter-offensive operations. Over two-hundred successful combined operations with United States Army, Air Force and South Vietnamese ground, air and waterborne units were conducted, which routed the enemy from his sanctuaries, denied him access to his source of food, restricted his freedom of movement, and established security for the safe passage of 4,800 free-world merchant ships on the vital Long Tau shipping channel to Saigon. Concurrent with operations in the Rung Sat Special Zone, the task group demonstrated great flexibility and response by initiating counter-offensive operations against threatening enemy forces on the upper Saigon River. Despite extremely limited support facilities, incessant heat, and torrential monsoon rains, units of the task force fought a series of savage battles, repeatedly distinguishing themselves, and inflicted great losses on the enemy, denying him further use of a major infiltration route threatening the city of Saigon. The outstanding courage, resourcefulness, and perseverance displayed by the officers and men of the Rung Sat Special Zone River Patrol Group were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Signed: Richard Nixon

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Eligible UnitDate FromDate To
River Squadron 5323 JAN 7028 FEB 70
Light Attack Squadron 4 DET B24 JUN 6928 FEB 70
Helicopter Attack (Light) Squadron 3 DET 224 JUN 6928 FEB 70
Mine Division 11224 JUN 6928 FEB 70
Mine Division 11324 JUN 6910 AUG 69
Mobile Support Team 424 JUN 6923 SEP 69
Mobile Support Team 2 Det ALFA24 JUN 6923 SEP 69
Mobile Support Team 2 Det DELTA24 JUN 6923 SEP 69
River Assault Division 15324 JUN 6923 SEP 69
River Division 53308 AUG 6930 SEP 69
River Division 55424 JUN 6904 JUL 69
River Division 57124 JUN 6915 OCT 69
River Division 59324 JUN 6915 OCT 69
River Squadron 59 Staff24 JUN 6915 OCT 69
SEAL Team 2 Det ALFA 4th Platoon18 DEC 6928 FEB 70
SEAL Team 2 Det ALFA 5th Platoon19 FEB 7028 FEB 70
SEAL Team 2 Det ALFA 7th Platoon01 JUL 6915 AUG 69
SEAL Team 2 Det ALFA 9th Platoon24 JUN 6915 DEC 69
SEAL Team 2 Det ALFA 10th Platoon15 AUG 6915 FEB 70
SEAL Team 1 Det GOLF ECHO Platoon01 SEP 6905 OCT 69
Tactical Operation Center Watchstanders on Naval Advisory Group Staff