The Battle of Tra Binh Dong

Here's an interesting article from the Marine Corps Gazette, by LtCol James F. Durand. It's called:

"The Battle of Tra Binh Dong and the Korean Origins of the U.S. Marine Corps Martial Arts Program":

Lasting impressions of Korean Marines’ martial arts skills led to the establishment of the MCMAP.

In establishing the Marine Corps Martial Arts Program (MCMAP), Gen James L. Jones frequently recounted his observations of Korean Marines during the Vietnam War. The fact that Republic of Korea (ROK) servicemen were skilled in the Korean martial art tae kwon do was widely known, evoking respect among allies and instilling fear in the enemy.

The former Commandant recalled that his own Marines envied this skill, believing the Korean Marines were the most feared adversary on the battlefield and that North Vietnamese soldiers and Viet Cong irregulars would bypass Korean units whenever possible.

Source