By: HISTORY.com Editors

1971

United States turns over responsibility for the DMZ

Published: November 16, 2009Last Updated: May 28, 2025

Four miles south of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), about 500 U.S. troops of the 1st Brigade, 5th Mechanized Division turn over Fire Base Charlie 2 to Saigon troops, completing the transfer of defense responsibilities for the border area.

On the previous day, nearby Fire Base Alpha 4 had been turned over to the South Vietnamese. This was part of President Richard Nixon’s Vietnamization policy, which had been announced at a June 1969 conference at Midway Island. Under this program, the United States initiated a comprehensive effort to increase the combat capabilities of the South Vietnamese armed forces. As the South Vietnamese became more capable, responsibility for the fighting was gradually transferred from U.S. forces. Concurrent with this effort, there was a gradual withdrawal of U.S. forces.

Vietnamization

Search and Destroy missions were a crucial part of the American war strategy in Vietnam.

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Citation Information

Article Title
United States turns over responsibility for the DMZ
Website Name
History
Date Accessed
April 09, 2026
Publisher
A&E Television Networks
Last Updated
May 28, 2025
Original Published Date
November 16, 2009