This is an excellent, detailed example of the extremely poor management of the V'Nam War by Lyndon Johnson.
The then issue, M-14 rifle, was a heavy kicking brute, compared to the M-16. To see some of the diminutive Asian soldiers struggle to shoulder the 14 would be comedy, if it weren't so tragic. The M-14 was a large caliber rifle (308 NATO), and would give a six-foot American a sore shoulder from the recoil. The Asian's just hated to fire an M-14. The M-16, on the other hand, was lighter and had a much milder recoil and was eminently more suited to the size of the Asian shooter. That it took a direct Presdential decree to get these rifles to these ARVN troops is a travesty.
This isn't the only example of mis-management, but it is a thread that runs through the whole Vietnam War.
For your list?
Right up my alley. If you want on or off the Western Civilization Military History, let me know.