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A village defense experiment in the small
village of Buon Enao in the highlands of Central Vietnam was the
predecessor of the Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG). The
initial concept was developed by a U.S. aid worker and members
of the Central Intelligence Agency. This experiment, started in
late 1961, required the approval of the U.S. 'country team' and
the leaders of the South Vietnamese government. The experiment
was a combined effort of the Central Intelligence Agency and
U.S. Army Special Forces. They were assisted by a South
Vietnamese Special Forces team composed of Montenards. The CIA
conducted the initial negotiations and coordination and a
Special Forces team from the
1st Special
Forces Group on Okinawa conducted the initial weapons and
tactical training of the villages.
The villagers were part of the Rhade tribe - a group of
'highanders' that inhabited this area. These 'mountain people'
were ethnically different from the Vietnamese who inhabited the
coast and lowland areas of Vietnam and were somewhat autonomous
from the Vietnamese government. The villagers were recognized as
a critical asset in the counterinsurgency effort against the
Viet Cong and North Vietnamese government.
Village Defense Program (VDP). The experiment was initially
called the Village Defense Program but it soon was referred to
as the Civilian Irregular Defense Group.
Papers and Reports about Buon Enao
Harris, Dr. J.P., The Buon Enao Experiment and American
Counterinsurgency, Central Library, Royal Military Academy
Sandhurst, 2013. Sandhurst Occasional Papers No 13.
www.army.mod.uk/documents/general/rmas_occ_paper_13.pdf
References about Buon Enao
Civilian Irregular Defense Groups. macvsog.cc
www.macvsog.cc/cidg.htm
"Beginnings of the Civilian Irregular Defense Group Program",
Chapter II.
www.history.army.mil/books/vietnam/90-23/90-232.htm
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