Vietnam

[Zovs]

Good morning Vietnam!

Today's number one song in 1964 was...

It's been a hard day's night
And I've been workin' like a dog
It's been a hard day's night
I should be sleepin' like a log
But when I get home to you
I find the things that you do
Will make me feel alright

You know I work all day
To get you money to buy you things
And it's worth it just to hear you say
You're gonna give me everything
So why on Earth should I moan?
'Cause when I get you alone
You know I feel okay

When I'm home
Everything seems to be right
When I'm home
Feeling you holding me tight, tight, yeah

It's been a hard day's night
And I've been workin' like a dog
It's been a hard day's night
I should be sleepin' like a log
But when I get home to you
I find the things that you do
Will make me feel alright, ow

So why on Earth should I moan?
'Cause when I get you alone
You know I feel okay

When I'm home
Everything seems to be right
When I'm home
Feeling you holding me tight, tight, yeah

Oh, it's been a hard day's night
And I've been workin' like a dog
It's been a hard day's night
I should be sleepin' like a log
But when I get home to you
I find the things that you do
Will make me feel alright
You know I feel alright
You know I feel alright

[Jason Petho]

Ongoing operations today in 1966:

26 Mar.-23 Sep.
Operation SU BOK, battalion-size operation by elements of the ROK Marine Brigade and Capital Division in Binh Dinh Province.

25 May 66-8 Feb.67
Operation LAM SON II, 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division pacification campaign in Binh Duong and Bien Hoa Provinces.

3 Jul.-1 Aug
Operation: KAHANA I&II Location: Xuan Loc, Gia Ray, Vo Dat, Vo Xu, La Nga Valley, Long Khanh and Binh Tuy Provinces. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Bde, 25th Inf Div; 10th ARVN Div. Task organization: 4-9 Inf, 4-23 Inf, C/1-5 Inf (M), 7-11 Art; 52nd ARVN Regiment. Execution: The operation was mounted to locate the VC forces responsible for the 30 Jun ambush against the 4/52 ARVN Bn. The 1st Bde moved its CP to Xuan Loc to control the operation. On 5 Jul, 4-9 Inf was committed to Gia Ray and on 15 Jul the 4-23 Inf was employed in the Vo Dat-Vo Xu area. The operation also served to reopen the traffic between the La Nga Valley and Saigon. Results: 4 enemy killed, 1 detained.

4 Jul.-27 Oct.
Operation: MACON
Location: An Hoa, My Loc, My Loc, Cu Ban, Song Thu Bon, Song Ky Lam, LZ DIXIE, LZ SAVANNAH, Quang Nam Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 9th Marines. Task organization: 1/3 Marines, 3/3 Marines, 3/9 Marines; 51st ARVN Regiment (elts). Intelligence: R20 Doc Lap Bn. Execution: the operation was mounted to intercept the R20 Bn moving from the Operation LIBERTY AO into the An Hoa Basin. Several minor contacts were made but the enemy battalion couldn't be fixed and destroyed. On 14 July, MACON was scaled down to a battalion-size operation with 3/9 protecting the An Hoa industrial complex against local guerillas. Results: 380 enemy killed, 5 detained, 24 US KIA, 72 US WIA.

7 Jul.-3 Aug.
Operation: HASTINGS/LAM SON 289
Location: Dong Ha, Cam Lo, Song Ngan ('Helicopter Valley'), the Rockpile, Hill 100, Hill 200, Hill 208, Hill 382, LZ CROW, LZ DOVE, Quang Tri Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: Task Force DELTA18; 1st ARVN Div. Task organization: 1/1 Marines (from 20 Jul), 2/1 Marines, 1/3 Marines, 2/4 Marines, 3/4 Marines, 3/5 Marines (from Operation DECKOUSE II), 3/12 Marines; 1st ARVN Div (elts). Intelligence: 90th and 812th PAVN Regiments, 324B PAVN Division. Execution: On 22 Jun, the 4th Marines at Phu Bai sent Task Unit Charlie (E/2/1 Marines, H/3/12 Marines, one platoon each from the 1st Force Recon Co and 3d Recon Bn) to Dong Ha to conduct reconnaissance patrols south of the DMZ. Soon, evidence was found that at least two regiments from the 342B PAVN Division had crossed the Ben Hai and entered Quang Tri Province. 2/1 Marines moved to Dong Ha at the end of June and on 7 Jul, the reconnaissance effort was named Operation HASTINGS. On 12 Jul, Task Force DELTA was reactivated to control the operation as the Allied determined that the 324B had established its CP on Hill 208 in the Song Ngan Valley just below the DMZ. Additional battalions were air-transported to Dong Ha and Cam Lo and on 15 Jul, 2/4 and 3/4 Marines air-assaulted into the Valley on LZ 18 Reactivated on 12 Jul. DOVE and LZ CROW respectively, meeting strong resistance. 4 CH-46s were destroyed, giving the valley its nickname. On 18 Jul, 3/4 Marines was attacked by an estimated 2 Bns on LZ CROW, killing 138 and losing 14 KIA and 49 WIA. On 24 Jul, I/3/5 Marines was ambushed near Hill 382 by the 6th Bn, 812th Regiment. 21 enemy were killed but the Marines lost 18 KIA and 82 WIA. The 1st ARVN Div operated east of the Marines and west of Route 1 in companion Operation LAM SON 289. Results: 882 enemy killed, 17 detained, 126 US KIA, 446 US WIA, 21 ARVN KIA, 40 ARVN WIA

9 Jul.-22 Aug.
The 3rd Battalion of the ROK Cavalry Regiment (CAPITAL Division) will move to LZ 27V (119,102) along the cambodian border and conduct search-and-destroy Operation BUN KAE 66-9 in Pleiku Province in conjunction with Operations PAUL REVERE I&II.

13 Jul.-3 Sep.
Operation: EL PASO III
Location: An Loc (Hon Quan), Loc Ninh, Quan Loi, Route 13, Binh Long Province. Type: search and destroy, security, roadrunner. Controlling headquarters: 1st Inf Div. Task organization: 3d Bde (13-15 Jul): 1-16 Inf (14-15 Jul), 2-28 Inf (13-15 Jul), 2-33 Art (-) (13-15 Jul); 2d Bde (13 Jul-3 Sep): 2-16 Inf (14 Jul-1 Aug), 1-18 Inf (13 Jul-3 Sep), 2-18 Inf (5-9 Aug), 1-28 Inf (13 Jul-3 Sep), 1-4 Cav (-)(13 Jul-3 Sep), 1-7 Art (-) (13 Jul-3 Sep); 9th ARVN Regiment (elts). Intelligence: 9th PLAF Division: 271st, 272nd, 273rd PLAF Regiments. Execution: The 2d Brigade replaced the 1st Brigade at Quan Loi to continue EL PASO. The 3d Brigade remained at Loc Ninh until 15 Jul before returning to Lai Khe. The 2d Brigade conducted search and destroy and roadrunner operations for the remainder of the period around Loc Ninh and An Loc but failed to engage the 9th PLAF Division.

17 Jul.-1 Aug.
Operation HAYES, 3d Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division reconnaissance and screening west of Dak To and Dak Pek in Kontum Province.

17 Jul.-3 Aug.
Operation AURORA II, 173d Airborne Brigade search and destroy 80km NE of Bien Hoa, Binh Tuy, Lam Dong and Long Khanh Provinces.

21 Jul.-5 Sep.
Operation: JOHN PAUL JONES
Location: Tuy Hoa, Vung Ro Bay, Song Cau, Dong Tre, Tuy An. Phu Yen Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Brigade, 101st Abn Div. Task organization: 1-327 Inf, 2-327 Inf, 2-502 Inf, 2-8 Cav (16 Aug-5 Sep), 1-22 Inf (28 Aug-5 Sep), 2-320 Art, 5-27 Art (-), B/1-30 Art, A/2-17 Cav, A/326th Eng Bn; 2d ROK Marine Brigade (21 Jul-18 Aug); 1/47 ARVN Bn. Intelligence: 18B and 95th PAVN Regiments, 95th PAVN Art Bn, 85th PLAF Bn. Execution: The brigade began deployment from Dak To by C-130 aircraft on 15 Jul and closed into Tuy Hoa in 21 Jul, reuniting with 2-327 Inf. Phase I of JOHN PAUL JONES kicked off on 21 Jul with 1-327 Inf and 2-502 Inf conducting search and destroy operations around the Vung Ro Bay to secure engineer work parties in the area. On 30 Jul, Phase II began with 2-502 Inf air-assaulting west of Song Cau to exploit a B-52 strike but found nothing. From 3-8 Aug the brigade conducted training and refitting at Tuy Hoa South while 2-327 Inf secured the Vung Ro area in coordination with the 2d ROK Marine Bde. From 8-15 Aug, 1-327 Inf and 2-502 Inf again exploited a B-52 strike, this time west of Dong Tre, failing to make contact but leaving stay-behind forces. Phase III began on 16 Aug with 2-8 Cav coming under opcon of the brigade and deploying to Dong Tre. On 17-18 Aug, 1-327 and 2-502 relieved the ROK Marines in place as they redeployed north to Chu Lai. On 18 Aug, 2-327 Inf moved to Dong Tre and the mission around Vung Ro was assumed by TF BRAVO (C/2-502 Inf, A/2-17 Cav). 2-327 Inf then moved overland toward Tuy An to protect the rice harvest there. On 22 Aug, 2-8 Cav conducted an air assault west of Dong Tre to exploit intelligence info from the stay-behind forces but failed to make contact. On 24 Aug, C/1-327 Inf was deployed to Ninh Hoa in Khanh Hoa Province to provide security for the deployment of the 9th ROK Inf Div. On 28 Aug, 2-8 Cav, 2-327 Inf and 1/47 ARVN Bn swept the area between Tuy Hoa and Tuy An but found little. On 28 Aug, 1-22 Inf passed under opcon to the brigade and relieved TF BRAVO from its security mission around Vung Ro Bay. Results: 209 enemy killed, 40 detained, 23 US KIA, 132 US WIA.

23 Jul.-6 Aug.
Operation: KOKOHEAD
Location: Trung Lap, Tan Thanh Dong, Liocara Plantation, Ho Bo Woods, Hau Nghia and Binh Duong Provinces. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 2d Bde, 25th Inf Div. Task organization: 1-5 Inf (M), 1-27 Inf, 2-27 Inf, 1-8 Art (-), 3-13 Art (-); 3/49 ARVN Bn. Execution: the operation was conducted west and north of Cu Chi. Results: 42 enemy killed, 25 detained, 8 US KIA, 97 US WIA.

27 Jul.-1 Aug.
Operation: SPRINGFIELD I&II
Location: Lai Khe, Ap Bau Bang, Route 13, Binh Duong Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 3d Bde, 1st Inf Div. Task organization: 1-16 Inf, 1-26 Inf, 2-33 Art (-). Intelligence: 3rd Bn, 165A PLAF Regiment, Phu Loi PLAF Bn. Execution: the brigade secured the road from Lai Khe to Ap Bau Bang and exploited B-52 strikes on suspected enemy base camps but found nothing. Results: 10 enemy killed.

31 Jul.-2 Sep.
Operation: BENNING IV Location: Binh Dinh Province. Type: road security. Controlling headquarters: 1st Bde, 1st Cav Div.

New Operations today in 1966:

1-25 Aug.
Operation: PAUL REVERE II
Location: Plei Me, Ia Drang Valley, Chu Pong Massif, Hill 534, LZ OASIS, LZ ORANGE, LZ PINK, LZ JULIET, LZ RAY, LZ CAT, Pleiku Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Cav Div. Task organization: 2d Bde (7-25 Aug): 1-5 Cav, 2-5 Cav, 2-12 Cav, 1-77 Art, B/8th Eng Bn; 3d Bde (2-25 Aug): 1-7 Cav, 2-7 Cav, 1-12 Cav, 1-21 Art, C/8th Eng Bn; Div Arty: C/6-16 Art, 2-17 Art, 3-18 Art, 2-19 Art, E/82 Art, A&D/6-14 Art; 3d Bde, 25th Inf Div (TF WALKER): 1-14 Inf, 1-35 Inf, 2-35 Inf, 1-69 Arm, C/3-4 Cav, 2-9 Art, A/3-6 Art, D/65th Eng Bn. Intelligence: 32nd, 33rd, 66th and 88th PAVN Regiments. Execution: PAUL REVERE II was a continuation of PAUL REVERE I in the same general area. On 1 Aug, 2-7 Cav just released from reserve I FFORCEV is attacked on LZ ORANGE by a battalion-size enemy force. 28 enemy are killed and 5 US KIA. On 2 Aug, the 3d Bde, 1st Cav Div joined the operation and the airmobile division assumed control after reports indicated that the enemy had begun a major offensive west of Pleiku. Operating from LZ OASIS, the battalions searched southwest and west in coordination with the 3rd Bn, ROK Cavalry Regiment on Operation BUN KAE 66-9. That same day, A/2-7 Cav and B/1-12 Cav clashed with an enemy company on LZ PINK, killing 12 but losing 18 KIA and 6 WIA. On 7 Aug, the operation expanded to division-size with the arrival of the 2d Bde, 1st Cav Div. On 8 Aug, A/1-7 Cav clashed into the 4th Bn, 32nd PAVN Regiment near LZ JULIET, killing 98 but losing 25 KIA and 36 WIA. On 9 Aug, The 5th Bn, 88th PAVN Regiment attacked the Koreans on LZ 27V (see Operation BUN KAE 66-9). On 14 Aug, the 2d Bde searching south of the Chu Pong found the enemy again on Hill 534 when 1-5 Cav and 2-5 Cav bumped into the whole 32nd PAVN Regiment. Reinforced with 2-12 Cav, the Americans cleared the hill on 15 Aug, counting 128 enemy bodies while losing 23 KIA and 28 WIA. The operation began to wind down on 22 Aug with the return of the Koreans and 1st Cav Div to Binh Dinh Province Results: 861 enemy killed, 36 detained, 90 US KIA, 389 US WIA, 3 US MIA.

1-31 Aug. Operation: OAHU
Location: Tay Ninh West, Go Dau Ha, Route 1, Route 22, Tay Ninh Province. Type: search and destroy, security. Controlling headquarters: 1st Bde, 25th Inf Div. Task organization: 1-5 Inf (M) (15-31 Aug), 4-9 Inf (1-14 Aug), 2-14 Inf, 4-23 Inf, 7-11 Art, B/3-4 Cav. Intelligence: C40 PLAF Co. Execution: The operation was launched in support of Operation BLUE JAY, the deployment of the 196th LIB to Tay Ninh West. After relocating to Tay Ninh West via air and motor convoy, the brigade began search and destroy operations between Tay Ninh City and Go Dau Ha. Results: 21 enemy killed, 8 detained, 7 US KIA, 41 US WIA.

Other

1 Aug.
A new CIDG camp opens at Dak Seang for Det A-245.

1 Aug.
US military strength in RVN reaches 285,000.

1 Aug.
The enemy ambushes an ARVN convoy in Phuoc Tuy Province (1 enemy killed, 32 ARVN KIA, 14 ARVN WIA, 5 ARVN MIA).

1 Aug.
The enemy launches simultaneous attacks on ARVN position and RF convoy near Long Thanh District Town in Bien Hoa
Province (9 ARVN KIA, 14 ARVN WIA, 5 ARVN MIA).

[jbmoore68]

Good Morning, Vietnam !!!

[berto]

On This Day

2 August, 1964

The first Gulf of Tonkin incident occurred in territorial waters off the coast of North Vietnam. The destroyer USS Maddox, performing a DESOTO patrol, was engaged by three Vietnam People's Navy P 4-class torpedo boats of the 135th Torpedo Squadron. In the ensuing sea battle, the Maddox expended over 280 3" and 5" shells, and four U.S. Navy F-8 Crusader jets strafed the North Vietnamese. There was damage to one US aircraft, one 14.5mm hit on the destroyer, 3 damaged torpedo boats, 4 North Vietnamese sailors killed and 6 wounded, with no US casualties.  Although the U.S. claimed that the Maddox was engaged in peaceful surveillance, on nearby islands the Republic of Vietnam Navy were conducting Operation 34A guerrilla raids using Nasty-class patrol boats.

Vietnam20230802.jpg (304.86 KiB) Viewed 1406 times

[Jason Petho]

Ongoing operations today in 1966:

26 Mar.-23 Sep.
Operation SU BOK, battalion-size operation by elements of the ROK Marine Brigade and Capital Division in Binh Dinh Province.

25 May 66-8 Feb.67
Operation LAM SON II, 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division pacification campaign in Binh Duong and Bien Hoa Provinces.

4 Jul.-27 Oct.
Operation: MACON
Location: An Hoa, My Loc, My Loc, Cu Ban, Song Thu Bon, Song Ky Lam, LZ DIXIE, LZ SAVANNAH, Quang Nam Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 9th Marines. Task organization: 1/3 Marines, 3/3 Marines, 3/9 Marines; 51st ARVN Regiment (elts). Intelligence: R20 Doc Lap Bn. Execution: the operation was mounted to intercept the R20 Bn moving from the Operation LIBERTY AO into the An Hoa Basin. Several minor contacts were made but the enemy battalion couldn't be fixed and destroyed. On 14 July, MACON was scaled down to a battalion-size operation with 3/9 protecting the An Hoa industrial complex against local guerillas. Results: 380 enemy killed, 5 detained, 24 US KIA, 72 US WIA.

7 Jul.-3 Aug.
Operation: HASTINGS/LAM SON 289
Location: Dong Ha, Cam Lo, Song Ngan ('Helicopter Valley'), the Rockpile, Hill 100, Hill 200, Hill 208, Hill 382, LZ CROW, LZ DOVE, Quang Tri Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: Task Force DELTA18; 1st ARVN Div. Task organization: 1/1 Marines (from 20 Jul), 2/1 Marines, 1/3 Marines, 2/4 Marines, 3/4 Marines, 3/5 Marines (from Operation DECKOUSE II), 3/12 Marines; 1st ARVN Div (elts). Intelligence: 90th and 812th PAVN Regiments, 324B PAVN Division. Execution: On 22 Jun, the 4th Marines at Phu Bai sent Task Unit Charlie (E/2/1 Marines, H/3/12 Marines, one platoon each from the 1st Force Recon Co and 3d Recon Bn) to Dong Ha to conduct reconnaissance patrols south of the DMZ. Soon, evidence was found that at least two regiments from the 342B PAVN Division had crossed the Ben Hai and entered Quang Tri Province. 2/1 Marines moved to Dong Ha at the end of June and on 7 Jul, the reconnaissance effort was named Operation HASTINGS. On 12 Jul, Task Force DELTA was reactivated to control the operation as the Allied determined that the 324B had established its CP on Hill 208 in the Song Ngan Valley just below the DMZ. Additional battalions were air-transported to Dong Ha and Cam Lo and on 15 Jul, 2/4 and 3/4 Marines air-assaulted into the Valley on LZ 18 Reactivated on 12 Jul. DOVE and LZ CROW respectively, meeting strong resistance. 4 CH-46s were destroyed, giving the valley its nickname. On 18 Jul, 3/4 Marines was attacked by an estimated 2 Bns on LZ CROW, killing 138 and losing 14 KIA and 49 WIA. On 24 Jul, I/3/5 Marines was ambushed near Hill 382 by the 6th Bn, 812th Regiment. 21 enemy were killed but the Marines lost 18 KIA and 82 WIA. The 1st ARVN Div operated east of the Marines and west of Route 1 in companion Operation LAM SON 289. Results: 882 enemy killed, 17 detained, 126 US KIA, 446 US WIA, 21 ARVN KIA, 40 ARVN WIA

9 Jul.-22 Aug.
The 3rd Battalion of the ROK Cavalry Regiment (CAPITAL Division) will move to LZ 27V (119,102) along the cambodian border and conduct search-and-destroy Operation BUN KAE 66-9 in Pleiku Province in conjunction with Operations PAUL REVERE I&II.

13 Jul.-3 Sep.
Operation: EL PASO III
Location: An Loc (Hon Quan), Loc Ninh, Quan Loi, Route 13, Binh Long Province. Type: search and destroy, security, roadrunner. Controlling headquarters: 1st Inf Div. Task organization: 3d Bde (13-15 Jul): 1-16 Inf (14-15 Jul), 2-28 Inf (13-15 Jul), 2-33 Art (-) (13-15 Jul); 2d Bde (13 Jul-3 Sep): 2-16 Inf (14 Jul-1 Aug), 1-18 Inf (13 Jul-3 Sep), 2-18 Inf (5-9 Aug), 1-28 Inf (13 Jul-3 Sep), 1-4 Cav (-)(13 Jul-3 Sep), 1-7 Art (-) (13 Jul-3 Sep); 9th ARVN Regiment (elts). Intelligence: 9th PLAF Division: 271st, 272nd, 273rd PLAF Regiments. Execution: The 2d Brigade replaced the 1st Brigade at Quan Loi to continue EL PASO. The 3d Brigade remained at Loc Ninh until 15 Jul before returning to Lai Khe. The 2d Brigade conducted search and destroy and roadrunner operations for the remainder of the period around Loc Ninh and An Loc but failed to engage the 9th PLAF Division.

17 Jul.-3 Aug.
Operation AURORA II, 173d Airborne Brigade search and destroy 80km NE of Bien Hoa, Binh Tuy, Lam Dong and Long Khanh Provinces.

21 Jul.-5 Sep.
Operation: JOHN PAUL JONES
Location: Tuy Hoa, Vung Ro Bay, Song Cau, Dong Tre, Tuy An. Phu Yen Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Brigade, 101st Abn Div. Task organization: 1-327 Inf, 2-327 Inf, 2-502 Inf, 2-8 Cav (16 Aug-5 Sep), 1-22 Inf (28 Aug-5 Sep), 2-320 Art, 5-27 Art (-), B/1-30 Art, A/2-17 Cav, A/326th Eng Bn; 2d ROK Marine Brigade (21 Jul-18 Aug); 1/47 ARVN Bn. Intelligence: 18B and 95th PAVN Regiments, 95th PAVN Art Bn, 85th PLAF Bn. Execution: The brigade began deployment from Dak To by C-130 aircraft on 15 Jul and closed into Tuy Hoa in 21 Jul, reuniting with 2-327 Inf. Phase I of JOHN PAUL JONES kicked off on 21 Jul with 1-327 Inf and 2-502 Inf conducting search and destroy operations around the Vung Ro Bay to secure engineer work parties in the area. On 30 Jul, Phase II began with 2-502 Inf air-assaulting west of Song Cau to exploit a B-52 strike but found nothing. From 3-8 Aug the brigade conducted training and refitting at Tuy Hoa South while 2-327 Inf secured the Vung Ro area in coordination with the 2d ROK Marine Bde. From 8-15 Aug, 1-327 Inf and 2-502 Inf again exploited a B-52 strike, this time west of Dong Tre, failing to make contact but leaving stay-behind forces. Phase III began on 16 Aug with 2-8 Cav coming under opcon of the brigade and deploying to Dong Tre. On 17-18 Aug, 1-327 and 2-502 relieved the ROK Marines in place as they redeployed north to Chu Lai. On 18 Aug, 2-327 Inf moved to Dong Tre and the mission around Vung Ro was assumed by TF BRAVO (C/2-502 Inf, A/2-17 Cav). 2-327 Inf then moved overland toward Tuy An to protect the rice harvest there. On 22 Aug, 2-8 Cav conducted an air assault west of Dong Tre to exploit intelligence info from the stay-behind forces but failed to make contact. On 24 Aug, C/1-327 Inf was deployed to Ninh Hoa in Khanh Hoa Province to provide security for the deployment of the 9th ROK Inf Div. On 28 Aug, 2-8 Cav, 2-327 Inf and 1/47 ARVN Bn swept the area between Tuy Hoa and Tuy An but found little. On 28 Aug, 1-22 Inf passed under opcon to the brigade and relieved TF BRAVO from its security mission around Vung Ro Bay. Results: 209 enemy killed, 40 detained, 23 US KIA, 132 US WIA.

23 Jul.-6 Aug.
Operation: KOKOHEAD
Location: Trung Lap, Tan Thanh Dong, Liocara Plantation, Ho Bo Woods, Hau Nghia and Binh Duong Provinces. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 2d Bde, 25th Inf Div. Task organization: 1-5 Inf (M), 1-27 Inf, 2-27 Inf, 1-8 Art (-), 3-13 Art (-); 3/49 ARVN Bn. Execution: the operation was conducted west and north of Cu Chi. Results: 42 enemy killed, 25 detained, 8 US KIA, 97 US WIA.

31 Jul.-2 Sep.
Operation: BENNING IV Location: Binh Dinh Province. Type: road security. Controlling headquarters: 1st Bde, 1st Cav Div.

1-25 Aug.
Operation: PAUL REVERE II
Location: Plei Me, Ia Drang Valley, Chu Pong Massif, Hill 534, LZ OASIS, LZ ORANGE, LZ PINK, LZ JULIET, LZ RAY, LZ CAT, Pleiku Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Cav Div. Task organization: 2d Bde (7-25 Aug): 1-5 Cav, 2-5 Cav, 2-12 Cav, 1-77 Art, B/8th Eng Bn; 3d Bde (2-25 Aug): 1-7 Cav, 2-7 Cav, 1-12 Cav, 1-21 Art, C/8th Eng Bn; Div Arty: C/6-16 Art, 2-17 Art, 3-18 Art, 2-19 Art, E/82 Art, A&D/6-14 Art; 3d Bde, 25th Inf Div (TF WALKER): 1-14 Inf, 1-35 Inf, 2-35 Inf, 1-69 Arm, C/3-4 Cav, 2-9 Art, A/3-6 Art, D/65th Eng Bn. Intelligence: 32nd, 33rd, 66th and 88th PAVN Regiments. Execution: PAUL REVERE II was a continuation of PAUL REVERE I in the same general area. On 1 Aug, 2-7 Cav just released from reserve I FFORCEV is attacked on LZ ORANGE by a battalion-size enemy force. 28 enemy are killed and 5 US KIA. On 2 Aug, the 3d Bde, 1st Cav Div joined the operation and the airmobile division assumed control after reports indicated that the enemy had begun a major offensive west of Pleiku. Operating from LZ OASIS, the battalions searched southwest and west in coordination with the 3rd Bn, ROK Cavalry Regiment on Operation BUN KAE 66-9. That same day, A/2-7 Cav and B/1-12 Cav clashed with an enemy company on LZ PINK, killing 12 but losing 18 KIA and 6 WIA. On 7 Aug, the operation expanded to division-size with the arrival of the 2d Bde, 1st Cav Div. On 8 Aug, A/1-7 Cav clashed into the 4th Bn, 32nd PAVN Regiment near LZ JULIET, killing 98 but losing 25 KIA and 36 WIA. On 9 Aug, The 5th Bn, 88th PAVN Regiment attacked the Koreans on LZ 27V (see Operation BUN KAE 66-9). On 14 Aug, the 2d Bde searching south of the Chu Pong found the enemy again on Hill 534 when 1-5 Cav and 2-5 Cav bumped into the whole 32nd PAVN Regiment. Reinforced with 2-12 Cav, the Americans cleared the hill on 15 Aug, counting 128 enemy bodies while losing 23 KIA and 28 WIA. The operation began to wind down on 22 Aug with the return of the Koreans and 1st Cav Div to Binh Dinh Province Results: 861 enemy killed, 36 detained, 90 US KIA, 389 US WIA, 3 US MIA.

1-31 Aug. Operation: OAHU
Location: Tay Ninh West, Go Dau Ha, Route 1, Route 22, Tay Ninh Province. Type: search and destroy, security. Controlling headquarters: 1st Bde, 25th Inf Div. Task organization: 1-5 Inf (M) (15-31 Aug), 4-9 Inf (1-14 Aug), 2-14 Inf, 4-23 Inf, 7-11 Art, B/3-4 Cav. Intelligence: C40 PLAF Co. Execution: The operation was launched in support of Operation BLUE JAY, the deployment of the 196th LIB to Tay Ninh West. After relocating to Tay Ninh West via air and motor convoy, the brigade began search and destroy operations between Tay Ninh City and Go Dau Ha. Results: 21 enemy killed, 8 detained, 7 US KIA, 41 US WIA.

New Operations today in 1966:

2-5 Aug.
Operation: CHEYENNE
Location: Route 13, Binh Duong and Binh Long Provinces. Type: reconnaissance-in-force, road security. Controlling headquarters: 1st Inf Div. Task organization: 1st Bde: 1-28 Inf; 2d Bde: 2-16 Inf, 1-18 Inf, 2-18 Inf; 3d Bde: 1-2 Inf, 1-26 Inf; 5th ARVN Div (elts). Execution: the operation secured Route 13 from Lai Khe to An Loc during EL PASO III.

2-8 Aug.
Operation: BUCKS
Location: Quang Nam Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Marines. Task organization: 3/1 Marines. Execution: operation took place 15 km south of Da Nang.

Other

2 Aug.
Premier Ky reaffirms that he will leave politics after formation of constitutionally elected government.

2 Aug.
Exiled Nguyen Chanh Thi says in Lynchburg, Virginia, that he will be a candidate for RVN Premier when elections are held.

[jbmoore68]

Good Morning, Vietnam !!!

[berto]

On This Day

3 August, 1965

After coming under VC sniper fire, U.S. Marines burned down the South Vietnamese village of Cam Ne "using flame throwers, cigarette lighters and bulldozers" to set fire to 150 houses made up of straw, thatch, and bamboo and bulldozing homes made of sturdier materials. Major General Lewis W. Walt, the commander of the 3rd Marine Division, said in a statement that "the civilians had been urged in advance by helicopter loudspeakers to go to open fields where they would be safe" before their homes were burned down. The Marines were accompanied by CBS reporter Morley Safer and a cameraman, and while the newspaper reports of the deliberate destruction of homes had little impact, American TV viewers were shocked when they saw film of the attack on the CBS Evening News. President Johnson was infuriated by the CBS decision to show the war in an unfavorable light.

Vietnam20230803.jpg (106.56 KiB) Viewed 1383 times

[Jason Petho]

Ongoing operations today in 1966:

26 Mar.-23 Sep.
Operation SU BOK, battalion-size operation by elements of the ROK Marine Brigade and Capital Division in Binh Dinh Province.

25 May 66-8 Feb.67
Operation LAM SON II, 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division pacification campaign in Binh Duong and Bien Hoa Provinces.

4 Jul.-27 Oct.
Operation: MACON
Location: An Hoa, My Loc, My Loc, Cu Ban, Song Thu Bon, Song Ky Lam, LZ DIXIE, LZ SAVANNAH, Quang Nam Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 9th Marines. Task organization: 1/3 Marines, 3/3 Marines, 3/9 Marines; 51st ARVN Regiment (elts). Intelligence: R20 Doc Lap Bn. Execution: the operation was mounted to intercept the R20 Bn moving from the Operation LIBERTY AO into the An Hoa Basin. Several minor contacts were made but the enemy battalion couldn't be fixed and destroyed. On 14 July, MACON was scaled down to a battalion-size operation with 3/9 protecting the An Hoa industrial complex against local guerillas. Results: 380 enemy killed, 5 detained, 24 US KIA, 72 US WIA.

7 Jul.-3 Aug.
Operation: HASTINGS/LAM SON 289
Location: Dong Ha, Cam Lo, Song Ngan ('Helicopter Valley'), the Rockpile, Hill 100, Hill 200, Hill 208, Hill 382, LZ CROW, LZ DOVE, Quang Tri Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: Task Force DELTA18; 1st ARVN Div. Task organization: 1/1 Marines (from 20 Jul), 2/1 Marines, 1/3 Marines, 2/4 Marines, 3/4 Marines, 3/5 Marines (from Operation DECKOUSE II), 3/12 Marines; 1st ARVN Div (elts). Intelligence: 90th and 812th PAVN Regiments, 324B PAVN Division. Execution: On 22 Jun, the 4th Marines at Phu Bai sent Task Unit Charlie (E/2/1 Marines, H/3/12 Marines, one platoon each from the 1st Force Recon Co and 3d Recon Bn) to Dong Ha to conduct reconnaissance patrols south of the DMZ. Soon, evidence was found that at least two regiments from the 342B PAVN Division had crossed the Ben Hai and entered Quang Tri Province. 2/1 Marines moved to Dong Ha at the end of June and on 7 Jul, the reconnaissance effort was named Operation HASTINGS. On 12 Jul, Task Force DELTA was reactivated to control the operation as the Allied determined that the 324B had established its CP on Hill 208 in the Song Ngan Valley just below the DMZ. Additional battalions were air-transported to Dong Ha and Cam Lo and on 15 Jul, 2/4 and 3/4 Marines air-assaulted into the Valley on LZ 18 Reactivated on 12 Jul. DOVE and LZ CROW respectively, meeting strong resistance. 4 CH-46s were destroyed, giving the valley its nickname. On 18 Jul, 3/4 Marines was attacked by an estimated 2 Bns on LZ CROW, killing 138 and losing 14 KIA and 49 WIA. On 24 Jul, I/3/5 Marines was ambushed near Hill 382 by the 6th Bn, 812th Regiment. 21 enemy were killed but the Marines lost 18 KIA and 82 WIA. The 1st ARVN Div operated east of the Marines and west of Route 1 in companion Operation LAM SON 289. Results: 882 enemy killed, 17 detained, 126 US KIA, 446 US WIA, 21 ARVN KIA, 40 ARVN WIA

9 Jul.-22 Aug.
The 3rd Battalion of the ROK Cavalry Regiment (CAPITAL Division) will move to LZ 27V (119,102) along the cambodian border and conduct search-and-destroy Operation BUN KAE 66-9 in Pleiku Province in conjunction with Operations PAUL REVERE I&II.

13 Jul.-3 Sep.
Operation: EL PASO III
Location: An Loc (Hon Quan), Loc Ninh, Quan Loi, Route 13, Binh Long Province. Type: search and destroy, security, roadrunner. Controlling headquarters: 1st Inf Div. Task organization: 3d Bde (13-15 Jul): 1-16 Inf (14-15 Jul), 2-28 Inf (13-15 Jul), 2-33 Art (-) (13-15 Jul); 2d Bde (13 Jul-3 Sep): 2-16 Inf (14 Jul-1 Aug), 1-18 Inf (13 Jul-3 Sep), 2-18 Inf (5-9 Aug), 1-28 Inf (13 Jul-3 Sep), 1-4 Cav (-)(13 Jul-3 Sep), 1-7 Art (-) (13 Jul-3 Sep); 9th ARVN Regiment (elts). Intelligence: 9th PLAF Division: 271st, 272nd, 273rd PLAF Regiments. Execution: The 2d Brigade replaced the 1st Brigade at Quan Loi to continue EL PASO. The 3d Brigade remained at Loc Ninh until 15 Jul before returning to Lai Khe. The 2d Brigade conducted search and destroy and roadrunner operations for the remainder of the period around Loc Ninh and An Loc but failed to engage the 9th PLAF Division.

17 Jul.-3 Aug.
Operation AURORA II, 173d Airborne Brigade search and destroy 80km NE of Bien Hoa, Binh Tuy, Lam Dong and Long Khanh Provinces.

21 Jul.-5 Sep.
Operation: JOHN PAUL JONES
Location: Tuy Hoa, Vung Ro Bay, Song Cau, Dong Tre, Tuy An. Phu Yen Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Brigade, 101st Abn Div. Task organization: 1-327 Inf, 2-327 Inf, 2-502 Inf, 2-8 Cav (16 Aug-5 Sep), 1-22 Inf (28 Aug-5 Sep), 2-320 Art, 5-27 Art (-), B/1-30 Art, A/2-17 Cav, A/326th Eng Bn; 2d ROK Marine Brigade (21 Jul-18 Aug); 1/47 ARVN Bn. Intelligence: 18B and 95th PAVN Regiments, 95th PAVN Art Bn, 85th PLAF Bn. Execution: The brigade began deployment from Dak To by C-130 aircraft on 15 Jul and closed into Tuy Hoa in 21 Jul, reuniting with 2-327 Inf. Phase I of JOHN PAUL JONES kicked off on 21 Jul with 1-327 Inf and 2-502 Inf conducting search and destroy operations around the Vung Ro Bay to secure engineer work parties in the area. On 30 Jul, Phase II began with 2-502 Inf air-assaulting west of Song Cau to exploit a B-52 strike but found nothing. From 3-8 Aug the brigade conducted training and refitting at Tuy Hoa South while 2-327 Inf secured the Vung Ro area in coordination with the 2d ROK Marine Bde. From 8-15 Aug, 1-327 Inf and 2-502 Inf again exploited a B-52 strike, this time west of Dong Tre, failing to make contact but leaving stay-behind forces. Phase III began on 16 Aug with 2-8 Cav coming under opcon of the brigade and deploying to Dong Tre. On 17-18 Aug, 1-327 and 2-502 relieved the ROK Marines in place as they redeployed north to Chu Lai. On 18 Aug, 2-327 Inf moved to Dong Tre and the mission around Vung Ro was assumed by TF BRAVO (C/2-502 Inf, A/2-17 Cav). 2-327 Inf then moved overland toward Tuy An to protect the rice harvest there. On 22 Aug, 2-8 Cav conducted an air assault west of Dong Tre to exploit intelligence info from the stay-behind forces but failed to make contact. On 24 Aug, C/1-327 Inf was deployed to Ninh Hoa in Khanh Hoa Province to provide security for the deployment of the 9th ROK Inf Div. On 28 Aug, 2-8 Cav, 2-327 Inf and 1/47 ARVN Bn swept the area between Tuy Hoa and Tuy An but found little. On 28 Aug, 1-22 Inf passed under opcon to the brigade and relieved TF BRAVO from its security mission around Vung Ro Bay. Results: 209 enemy killed, 40 detained, 23 US KIA, 132 US WIA.

23 Jul.-6 Aug.
Operation: KOKOHEAD
Location: Trung Lap, Tan Thanh Dong, Liocara Plantation, Ho Bo Woods, Hau Nghia and Binh Duong Provinces. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 2d Bde, 25th Inf Div. Task organization: 1-5 Inf (M), 1-27 Inf, 2-27 Inf, 1-8 Art (-), 3-13 Art (-); 3/49 ARVN Bn. Execution: the operation was conducted west and north of Cu Chi. Results: 42 enemy killed, 25 detained, 8 US KIA, 97 US WIA.

31 Jul.-2 Sep.
Operation: BENNING IV Location: Binh Dinh Province. Type: road security. Controlling headquarters: 1st Bde, 1st Cav Div.

1-25 Aug.
Operation: PAUL REVERE II
Location: Plei Me, Ia Drang Valley, Chu Pong Massif, Hill 534, LZ OASIS, LZ ORANGE, LZ PINK, LZ JULIET, LZ RAY, LZ CAT, Pleiku Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Cav Div. Task organization: 2d Bde (7-25 Aug): 1-5 Cav, 2-5 Cav, 2-12 Cav, 1-77 Art, B/8th Eng Bn; 3d Bde (2-25 Aug): 1-7 Cav, 2-7 Cav, 1-12 Cav, 1-21 Art, C/8th Eng Bn; Div Arty: C/6-16 Art, 2-17 Art, 3-18 Art, 2-19 Art, E/82 Art, A&D/6-14 Art; 3d Bde, 25th Inf Div (TF WALKER): 1-14 Inf, 1-35 Inf, 2-35 Inf, 1-69 Arm, C/3-4 Cav, 2-9 Art, A/3-6 Art, D/65th Eng Bn. Intelligence: 32nd, 33rd, 66th and 88th PAVN Regiments. Execution: PAUL REVERE II was a continuation of PAUL REVERE I in the same general area. On 1 Aug, 2-7 Cav just released from reserve I FFORCEV is attacked on LZ ORANGE by a battalion-size enemy force. 28 enemy are killed and 5 US KIA. On 2 Aug, the 3d Bde, 1st Cav Div joined the operation and the airmobile division assumed control after reports indicated that the enemy had begun a major offensive west of Pleiku. Operating from LZ OASIS, the battalions searched southwest and west in coordination with the 3rd Bn, ROK Cavalry Regiment on Operation BUN KAE 66-9. That same day, A/2-7 Cav and B/1-12 Cav clashed with an enemy company on LZ PINK, killing 12 but losing 18 KIA and 6 WIA. On 7 Aug, the operation expanded to division-size with the arrival of the 2d Bde, 1st Cav Div. On 8 Aug, A/1-7 Cav clashed into the 4th Bn, 32nd PAVN Regiment near LZ JULIET, killing 98 but losing 25 KIA and 36 WIA. On 9 Aug, The 5th Bn, 88th PAVN Regiment attacked the Koreans on LZ 27V (see Operation BUN KAE 66-9). On 14 Aug, the 2d Bde searching south of the Chu Pong found the enemy again on Hill 534 when 1-5 Cav and 2-5 Cav bumped into the whole 32nd PAVN Regiment. Reinforced with 2-12 Cav, the Americans cleared the hill on 15 Aug, counting 128 enemy bodies while losing 23 KIA and 28 WIA. The operation began to wind down on 22 Aug with the return of the Koreans and 1st Cav Div to Binh Dinh Province Results: 861 enemy killed, 36 detained, 90 US KIA, 389 US WIA, 3 US MIA.

1-31 Aug. Operation: OAHU
Location: Tay Ninh West, Go Dau Ha, Route 1, Route 22, Tay Ninh Province. Type: search and destroy, security. Controlling headquarters: 1st Bde, 25th Inf Div. Task organization: 1-5 Inf (M) (15-31 Aug), 4-9 Inf (1-14 Aug), 2-14 Inf, 4-23 Inf, 7-11 Art, B/3-4 Cav. Intelligence: C40 PLAF Co. Execution: The operation was launched in support of Operation BLUE JAY, the deployment of the 196th LIB to Tay Ninh West. After relocating to Tay Ninh West via air and motor convoy, the brigade began search and destroy operations between Tay Ninh City and Go Dau Ha. Results: 21 enemy killed, 8 detained, 7 US KIA, 41 US WIA.

2-5 Aug.
Operation: CHEYENNE
Location: Route 13, Binh Duong and Binh Long Provinces. Type: reconnaissance-in-force, road security. Controlling headquarters: 1st Inf Div. Task organization: 1st Bde: 1-28 Inf; 2d Bde: 2-16 Inf, 1-18 Inf, 2-18 Inf; 3d Bde: 1-2 Inf, 1-26 Inf; 5th ARVN Div (elts). Execution: the operation secured Route 13 from Lai Khe to An Loc during EL PASO III.

2-8 Aug.
Operation: BUCKS
Location: Quang Nam Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Marines. Task organization: 3/1 Marines. Execution: operation took place 15 km south of Da Nang.

New Operations today in 1966:

3 Aug.66-31 Jan.67
Operation: PRAIRIE
Location: Dong Ha, Cam Lo, Khe Sanh, Camp Carroll, Route 9, the Rockpile, the Razorback, Nui Cay Tre (Mutter's Ridge), Hill 252, Hill 400, Hill 484, Quang Tri Province. Type: reconnaissance, search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 3d Mar Div; Task Force DELTA (from 1 Oct) Task organization: 2/4 Marines (3 Aug-30 Sep), 1st Force Recon Co (from 3 Aug), G/3/12 Marines (3-13 Aug), 1/4 Marines (from 13 Aug), 3/12 Marines (from 13 Aug), C/3d Tank Bn (from 13 Aug), 2/7 Marines (27 Aug-28 Sep), 3/4 Marines (from 17 Sep), 1/26 Marines (18-25 Sep), 2/9 Marines (from 28 Sep), 1/3 Marines (from 29 Sep), 3/7 Marines (from 30 Sep), 2/5 Marines (from 1 Oct). Intelligence: 324B PAVN Division. Execution: Operation PRAIRIE started as a small reconnaissance effort to determine if the 324B Division was still in the DMZ area after HASTINGS. A task force at Dong Ha built around 2/4 Marines and the 1st Force Recon Co inserted 5-man 'Stingray' teams to the north and west. Contact was almost immediate, on 8-9 Aug Cos E&F 2/4 Marines reinforced one such team and fought an NVA company 4,000 meters north of the Rockpile, killing 38. On 13 Aug, the forces at Dong Ha were reinforced with 1/4 and 3/12 Marines and a tank company. On 17 Aug, 2/4 Marines conducted a reconnaissance-in-force operation along Route 9 between Cam Lo and the Rockpile and clashed with the NVA on Hill 252, killing 20. Between 19-25 Aug, 2/4 clashed constantly with the 803rd PAVN Regiment on the slopes of the Razorback, a steep ridge line north of the Rockpile, killing 170. On 26 Aug, elements from the 812th PAVN Regiment attacked Cam Lo defended by A/1/4 Marines but were easily repulsed. After that, contact in the PRAIRIE AO subsided. On 27 Aug, 2/7 Marines arrived from Chu Lai and swept Route 9 to the Rockpile but found nothing. On 7- 13 Sep, 2/4 Marines conducted a RIF toward Con Thien just south of the DMZ, but had little contact. Action picked up again on 8 Sep when 1/4 Marines relieved 2/7 at the Rockpile and conducted a deep reconnaissance of Nui Cay Tre to the north, clashing with NVA elements and killing 170. On 18 Sep, 1/26 Marines was attached from Operation DECKHOUSE IV before leaving the DMZ area on 25 Sep. On 28 Sep, 2/9 Marines arrived at Dong Ha and relieved 2/7 which rejoined its parent regiment at Chu Lai. From 22 Sep-5 Oct, 3/4 Marines, who had arrived from Phu Bai on 17 Sep, fought the longest action of PRAIRIE against the 812th Regiment for the control on Nui Cay Tre (renamed Mutter's Ridge) and Hills 400 and 484, killing more than 100 and losing 20. Upon General Westmoreland's insistence, the 3d Mar Div extended the PRAIRIE AO to cover Khe Sanh to the west, airlifting 1/3 Marines from Da Nang to the small airfield there. The battalion stayed at Khe Sanh until termination of PRAIRIE, patrolling around the base, but killed only 15 of the enemy. On 30 Sep, 3/7 arrived from Chu Lai and relieved 2/4 which returned at Phu Bai. The next day, TF DELTA was reactivated at Dong Ha and assumed responsibility for the operation. Still on 1 Oct, 2/5 Marines arrived from Chu Lai, raising the number of infantry battalions in the AO to six, and occupied Con Thien. Despite these reinforcements, the NVA avoided any major confrontation in the PRAIRIE AO for the remainder of the year and the operation ended on 31 Jan 1967. Results: 1,397 enemy killed, 27 detained, 239 US KIA, 1,214 WIA.

[jbmoore68]

Good Morning, Vietnam !!!

[berto]

On This Day

4 August, 1964

U.S. destroyers USS Maddox and USS Turner Joy reported that they were under fire, in a second Tonkin Gulf incident. Evidence suggests, however, that no actual attack took place.  President Johnson informed Congressional leaders that he was ordering retaliatory air strikes on North Vietnam from U.S. aircraft carriers stationed off shore of Vietnam. Among the Congressional leaders, only Senator Mike Mansfield disagreed with the retaliation.

Vietnam20230804.jpg (191.41 KiB) Viewed 1364 times

[Jason Petho]

Ongoing operations today in 1966:

26 Mar.-23 Sep.
Operation SU BOK, battalion-size operation by elements of the ROK Marine Brigade and Capital Division in Binh Dinh Province.

25 May 66-8 Feb.67
Operation LAM SON II, 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division pacification campaign in Binh Duong and Bien Hoa Provinces.

4 Jul.-27 Oct.
Operation: MACON
Location: An Hoa, My Loc, My Loc, Cu Ban, Song Thu Bon, Song Ky Lam, LZ DIXIE, LZ SAVANNAH, Quang Nam Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 9th Marines. Task organization: 1/3 Marines, 3/3 Marines, 3/9 Marines; 51st ARVN Regiment (elts). Intelligence: R20 Doc Lap Bn. Execution: the operation was mounted to intercept the R20 Bn moving from the Operation LIBERTY AO into the An Hoa Basin. Several minor contacts were made but the enemy battalion couldn't be fixed and destroyed. On 14 July, MACON was scaled down to a battalion-size operation with 3/9 protecting the An Hoa industrial complex against local guerillas. Results: 380 enemy killed, 5 detained, 24 US KIA, 72 US WIA.

9 Jul.-22 Aug.
The 3rd Battalion of the ROK Cavalry Regiment (CAPITAL Division) will move to LZ 27V (119,102) along the cambodian border and conduct search-and-destroy Operation BUN KAE 66-9 in Pleiku Province in conjunction with Operations PAUL REVERE I&II.

13 Jul.-3 Sep.
Operation: EL PASO III
Location: An Loc (Hon Quan), Loc Ninh, Quan Loi, Route 13, Binh Long Province. Type: search and destroy, security, roadrunner. Controlling headquarters: 1st Inf Div. Task organization: 3d Bde (13-15 Jul): 1-16 Inf (14-15 Jul), 2-28 Inf (13-15 Jul), 2-33 Art (-) (13-15 Jul); 2d Bde (13 Jul-3 Sep): 2-16 Inf (14 Jul-1 Aug), 1-18 Inf (13 Jul-3 Sep), 2-18 Inf (5-9 Aug), 1-28 Inf (13 Jul-3 Sep), 1-4 Cav (-)(13 Jul-3 Sep), 1-7 Art (-) (13 Jul-3 Sep); 9th ARVN Regiment (elts). Intelligence: 9th PLAF Division: 271st, 272nd, 273rd PLAF Regiments. Execution: The 2d Brigade replaced the 1st Brigade at Quan Loi to continue EL PASO. The 3d Brigade remained at Loc Ninh until 15 Jul before returning to Lai Khe. The 2d Brigade conducted search and destroy and roadrunner operations for the remainder of the period around Loc Ninh and An Loc but failed to engage the 9th PLAF Division.

21 Jul.-5 Sep.
Operation: JOHN PAUL JONES
Location: Tuy Hoa, Vung Ro Bay, Song Cau, Dong Tre, Tuy An. Phu Yen Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Brigade, 101st Abn Div. Task organization: 1-327 Inf, 2-327 Inf, 2-502 Inf, 2-8 Cav (16 Aug-5 Sep), 1-22 Inf (28 Aug-5 Sep), 2-320 Art, 5-27 Art (-), B/1-30 Art, A/2-17 Cav, A/326th Eng Bn; 2d ROK Marine Brigade (21 Jul-18 Aug); 1/47 ARVN Bn. Intelligence: 18B and 95th PAVN Regiments, 95th PAVN Art Bn, 85th PLAF Bn. Execution: The brigade began deployment from Dak To by C-130 aircraft on 15 Jul and closed into Tuy Hoa in 21 Jul, reuniting with 2-327 Inf. Phase I of JOHN PAUL JONES kicked off on 21 Jul with 1-327 Inf and 2-502 Inf conducting search and destroy operations around the Vung Ro Bay to secure engineer work parties in the area. On 30 Jul, Phase II began with 2-502 Inf air-assaulting west of Song Cau to exploit a B-52 strike but found nothing. From 3-8 Aug the brigade conducted training and refitting at Tuy Hoa South while 2-327 Inf secured the Vung Ro area in coordination with the 2d ROK Marine Bde. From 8-15 Aug, 1-327 Inf and 2-502 Inf again exploited a B-52 strike, this time west of Dong Tre, failing to make contact but leaving stay-behind forces. Phase III began on 16 Aug with 2-8 Cav coming under opcon of the brigade and deploying to Dong Tre. On 17-18 Aug, 1-327 and 2-502 relieved the ROK Marines in place as they redeployed north to Chu Lai. On 18 Aug, 2-327 Inf moved to Dong Tre and the mission around Vung Ro was assumed by TF BRAVO (C/2-502 Inf, A/2-17 Cav). 2-327 Inf then moved overland toward Tuy An to protect the rice harvest there. On 22 Aug, 2-8 Cav conducted an air assault west of Dong Tre to exploit intelligence info from the stay-behind forces but failed to make contact. On 24 Aug, C/1-327 Inf was deployed to Ninh Hoa in Khanh Hoa Province to provide security for the deployment of the 9th ROK Inf Div. On 28 Aug, 2-8 Cav, 2-327 Inf and 1/47 ARVN Bn swept the area between Tuy Hoa and Tuy An but found little. On 28 Aug, 1-22 Inf passed under opcon to the brigade and relieved TF BRAVO from its security mission around Vung Ro Bay. Results: 209 enemy killed, 40 detained, 23 US KIA, 132 US WIA.

23 Jul.-6 Aug.
Operation: KOKOHEAD
Location: Trung Lap, Tan Thanh Dong, Liocara Plantation, Ho Bo Woods, Hau Nghia and Binh Duong Provinces. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 2d Bde, 25th Inf Div. Task organization: 1-5 Inf (M), 1-27 Inf, 2-27 Inf, 1-8 Art (-), 3-13 Art (-); 3/49 ARVN Bn. Execution: the operation was conducted west and north of Cu Chi. Results: 42 enemy killed, 25 detained, 8 US KIA, 97 US WIA.

31 Jul.-2 Sep.
Operation: BENNING IV Location: Binh Dinh Province. Type: road security. Controlling headquarters: 1st Bde, 1st Cav Div.

1-25 Aug.
Operation: PAUL REVERE II
Location: Plei Me, Ia Drang Valley, Chu Pong Massif, Hill 534, LZ OASIS, LZ ORANGE, LZ PINK, LZ JULIET, LZ RAY, LZ CAT, Pleiku Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Cav Div. Task organization: 2d Bde (7-25 Aug): 1-5 Cav, 2-5 Cav, 2-12 Cav, 1-77 Art, B/8th Eng Bn; 3d Bde (2-25 Aug): 1-7 Cav, 2-7 Cav, 1-12 Cav, 1-21 Art, C/8th Eng Bn; Div Arty: C/6-16 Art, 2-17 Art, 3-18 Art, 2-19 Art, E/82 Art, A&D/6-14 Art; 3d Bde, 25th Inf Div (TF WALKER): 1-14 Inf, 1-35 Inf, 2-35 Inf, 1-69 Arm, C/3-4 Cav, 2-9 Art, A/3-6 Art, D/65th Eng Bn. Intelligence: 32nd, 33rd, 66th and 88th PAVN Regiments. Execution: PAUL REVERE II was a continuation of PAUL REVERE I in the same general area. On 1 Aug, 2-7 Cav just released from reserve I FFORCEV is attacked on LZ ORANGE by a battalion-size enemy force. 28 enemy are killed and 5 US KIA. On 2 Aug, the 3d Bde, 1st Cav Div joined the operation and the airmobile division assumed control after reports indicated that the enemy had begun a major offensive west of Pleiku. Operating from LZ OASIS, the battalions searched southwest and west in coordination with the 3rd Bn, ROK Cavalry Regiment on Operation BUN KAE 66-9. That same day, A/2-7 Cav and B/1-12 Cav clashed with an enemy company on LZ PINK, killing 12 but losing 18 KIA and 6 WIA. On 7 Aug, the operation expanded to division-size with the arrival of the 2d Bde, 1st Cav Div. On 8 Aug, A/1-7 Cav clashed into the 4th Bn, 32nd PAVN Regiment near LZ JULIET, killing 98 but losing 25 KIA and 36 WIA. On 9 Aug, The 5th Bn, 88th PAVN Regiment attacked the Koreans on LZ 27V (see Operation BUN KAE 66-9). On 14 Aug, the 2d Bde searching south of the Chu Pong found the enemy again on Hill 534 when 1-5 Cav and 2-5 Cav bumped into the whole 32nd PAVN Regiment. Reinforced with 2-12 Cav, the Americans cleared the hill on 15 Aug, counting 128 enemy bodies while losing 23 KIA and 28 WIA. The operation began to wind down on 22 Aug with the return of the Koreans and 1st Cav Div to Binh Dinh Province Results: 861 enemy killed, 36 detained, 90 US KIA, 389 US WIA, 3 US MIA.

1-31 Aug.
Operation: OAHU
Location: Tay Ninh West, Go Dau Ha, Route 1, Route 22, Tay Ninh Province. Type: search and destroy, security. Controlling headquarters: 1st Bde, 25th Inf Div. Task organization: 1-5 Inf (M) (15-31 Aug), 4-9 Inf (1-14 Aug), 2-14 Inf, 4-23 Inf, 7-11 Art, B/3-4 Cav. Intelligence: C40 PLAF Co. Execution: The operation was launched in support of Operation BLUE JAY, the deployment of the 196th LIB to Tay Ninh West. After relocating to Tay Ninh West via air and motor convoy, the brigade began search and destroy operations between Tay Ninh City and Go Dau Ha. Results: 21 enemy killed, 8 detained, 7 US KIA, 41 US WIA.

2-5 Aug.
Operation: CHEYENNE
Location: Route 13, Binh Duong and Binh Long Provinces. Type: reconnaissance-in-force, road security. Controlling headquarters: 1st Inf Div. Task organization: 1st Bde: 1-28 Inf; 2d Bde: 2-16 Inf, 1-18 Inf, 2-18 Inf; 3d Bde: 1-2 Inf, 1-26 Inf; 5th ARVN Div (elts). Execution: the operation secured Route 13 from Lai Khe to An Loc during EL PASO III.

2-8 Aug.
Operation: BUCKS
Location: Quang Nam Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Marines. Task organization: 3/1 Marines. Execution: operation took place 15 km south of Da Nang.

3 Aug.66-31 Jan.67
Operation: PRAIRIE
Location: Dong Ha, Cam Lo, Khe Sanh, Camp Carroll, Route 9, the Rockpile, the Razorback, Nui Cay Tre (Mutter's Ridge), Hill 252, Hill 400, Hill 484, Quang Tri Province. Type: reconnaissance, search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 3d Mar Div; Task Force DELTA (from 1 Oct) Task organization: 2/4 Marines (3 Aug-30 Sep), 1st Force Recon Co (from 3 Aug), G/3/12 Marines (3-13 Aug), 1/4 Marines (from 13 Aug), 3/12 Marines (from 13 Aug), C/3d Tank Bn (from 13 Aug), 2/7 Marines (27 Aug-28 Sep), 3/4 Marines (from 17 Sep), 1/26 Marines (18-25 Sep), 2/9 Marines (from 28 Sep), 1/3 Marines (from 29 Sep), 3/7 Marines (from 30 Sep), 2/5 Marines (from 1 Oct). Intelligence: 324B PAVN Division. Execution: Operation PRAIRIE started as a small reconnaissance effort to determine if the 324B Division was still in the DMZ area after HASTINGS. A task force at Dong Ha built around 2/4 Marines and the 1st Force Recon Co inserted 5-man 'Stingray' teams to the north and west. Contact was almost immediate, on 8-9 Aug Cos E&F 2/4 Marines reinforced one such team and fought an NVA company 4,000 meters north of the Rockpile, killing 38. On 13 Aug, the forces at Dong Ha were reinforced with 1/4 and 3/12 Marines and a tank company. On 17 Aug, 2/4 Marines conducted a reconnaissance-in-force operation along Route 9 between Cam Lo and the Rockpile and clashed with the NVA on Hill 252, killing 20. Between 19-25 Aug, 2/4 clashed constantly with the 803rd PAVN Regiment on the slopes of the Razorback, a steep ridge line north of the Rockpile, killing 170. On 26 Aug, elements from the 812th PAVN Regiment attacked Cam Lo defended by A/1/4 Marines but were easily repulsed. After that, contact in the PRAIRIE AO subsided. On 27 Aug, 2/7 Marines arrived from Chu Lai and swept Route 9 to the Rockpile but found nothing. On 7- 13 Sep, 2/4 Marines conducted a RIF toward Con Thien just south of the DMZ, but had little contact. Action picked up again on 8 Sep when 1/4 Marines relieved 2/7 at the Rockpile and conducted a deep reconnaissance of Nui Cay Tre to the north, clashing with NVA elements and killing 170. On 18 Sep, 1/26 Marines was attached from Operation DECKHOUSE IV before leaving the DMZ area on 25 Sep. On 28 Sep, 2/9 Marines arrived at Dong Ha and relieved 2/7 which rejoined its parent regiment at Chu Lai. From 22 Sep-5 Oct, 3/4 Marines, who had arrived from Phu Bai on 17 Sep, fought the longest action of PRAIRIE against the 812th Regiment for the control on Nui Cay Tre (renamed Mutter's Ridge) and Hills 400 and 484, killing more than 100 and losing 20. Upon General Westmoreland's insistence, the 3d Mar Div extended the PRAIRIE AO to cover Khe Sanh to the west, airlifting 1/3 Marines from Da Nang to the small airfield there. The battalion stayed at Khe Sanh until termination of PRAIRIE, patrolling around the base, but killed only 15 of the enemy. On 30 Sep, 3/7 arrived from Chu Lai and relieved 2/4 which returned at Phu Bai. The next day, TF DELTA was reactivated at Dong Ha and assumed responsibility for the operation. Still on 1 Oct, 2/5 Marines arrived from Chu Lai, raising the number of infantry battalions in the AO to six, and occupied Con Thien. Despite these reinforcements, the NVA avoided any major confrontation in the PRAIRIE AO for the remainder of the year and the operation ended on 31 Jan 1967. Results: 1,397 enemy killed, 27 detained, 239 US KIA, 1,214 WIA.


New Operations today in 1966:

None.

[jbmoore68]

Good Morning, Vietnam !!!

[berto]

On This Day

5 August, 1964

In retaliation for the Tonkin Gulf Incident, Operation Pierce Arrow consisted of 64 aircraft strike sorties from the aircraft carriers USS Ticonderoga and USS Constellation against the torpedo boat bases of Hon Gai, Loc Chao, Quảng Khê and Phuc Loi and the oil storage depot at Vinh. The U.S. lost two aircraft to anti-aircraft fire. Lieutenant Richard Sather was killed in his A-1 Skyraider, while Lieutenant (junior grade) Everett Alvarez's A-4 Skyhawk was shot down. Alvarez [pictured below] became the first U.S. Navy Prisoner of War, and was not released until 12 February 1973.

Vietnam20230805.jpg (164.94 KiB) Viewed 1331 times

[Jason Petho]

Ongoing operations today in 1966:

26 Mar.-23 Sep.
Operation SU BOK, battalion-size operation by elements of the ROK Marine Brigade and Capital Division in Binh Dinh Province.

25 May 66-8 Feb.67
Operation LAM SON II, 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division pacification campaign in Binh Duong and Bien Hoa Provinces.

4 Jul.-27 Oct.
Operation: MACON
Location: An Hoa, My Loc, My Loc, Cu Ban, Song Thu Bon, Song Ky Lam, LZ DIXIE, LZ SAVANNAH, Quang Nam Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 9th Marines. Task organization: 1/3 Marines, 3/3 Marines, 3/9 Marines; 51st ARVN Regiment (elts). Intelligence: R20 Doc Lap Bn. Execution: the operation was mounted to intercept the R20 Bn moving from the Operation LIBERTY AO into the An Hoa Basin. Several minor contacts were made but the enemy battalion couldn't be fixed and destroyed. On 14 July, MACON was scaled down to a battalion-size operation with 3/9 protecting the An Hoa industrial complex against local guerillas. Results: 380 enemy killed, 5 detained, 24 US KIA, 72 US WIA.

9 Jul.-22 Aug.
The 3rd Battalion of the ROK Cavalry Regiment (CAPITAL Division) will move to LZ 27V (119,102) along the cambodian border and conduct search-and-destroy Operation BUN KAE 66-9 in Pleiku Province in conjunction with Operations PAUL REVERE I&II.

13 Jul.-3 Sep.
Operation: EL PASO III
Location: An Loc (Hon Quan), Loc Ninh, Quan Loi, Route 13, Binh Long Province. Type: search and destroy, security, roadrunner. Controlling headquarters: 1st Inf Div. Task organization: 3d Bde (13-15 Jul): 1-16 Inf (14-15 Jul), 2-28 Inf (13-15 Jul), 2-33 Art (-) (13-15 Jul); 2d Bde (13 Jul-3 Sep): 2-16 Inf (14 Jul-1 Aug), 1-18 Inf (13 Jul-3 Sep), 2-18 Inf (5-9 Aug), 1-28 Inf (13 Jul-3 Sep), 1-4 Cav (-)(13 Jul-3 Sep), 1-7 Art (-) (13 Jul-3 Sep); 9th ARVN Regiment (elts). Intelligence: 9th PLAF Division: 271st, 272nd, 273rd PLAF Regiments. Execution: The 2d Brigade replaced the 1st Brigade at Quan Loi to continue EL PASO. The 3d Brigade remained at Loc Ninh until 15 Jul before returning to Lai Khe. The 2d Brigade conducted search and destroy and roadrunner operations for the remainder of the period around Loc Ninh and An Loc but failed to engage the 9th PLAF Division.

21 Jul.-5 Sep.
Operation: JOHN PAUL JONES
Location: Tuy Hoa, Vung Ro Bay, Song Cau, Dong Tre, Tuy An. Phu Yen Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Brigade, 101st Abn Div. Task organization: 1-327 Inf, 2-327 Inf, 2-502 Inf, 2-8 Cav (16 Aug-5 Sep), 1-22 Inf (28 Aug-5 Sep), 2-320 Art, 5-27 Art (-), B/1-30 Art, A/2-17 Cav, A/326th Eng Bn; 2d ROK Marine Brigade (21 Jul-18 Aug); 1/47 ARVN Bn. Intelligence: 18B and 95th PAVN Regiments, 95th PAVN Art Bn, 85th PLAF Bn. Execution: The brigade began deployment from Dak To by C-130 aircraft on 15 Jul and closed into Tuy Hoa in 21 Jul, reuniting with 2-327 Inf. Phase I of JOHN PAUL JONES kicked off on 21 Jul with 1-327 Inf and 2-502 Inf conducting search and destroy operations around the Vung Ro Bay to secure engineer work parties in the area. On 30 Jul, Phase II began with 2-502 Inf air-assaulting west of Song Cau to exploit a B-52 strike but found nothing. From 3-8 Aug the brigade conducted training and refitting at Tuy Hoa South while 2-327 Inf secured the Vung Ro area in coordination with the 2d ROK Marine Bde. From 8-15 Aug, 1-327 Inf and 2-502 Inf again exploited a B-52 strike, this time west of Dong Tre, failing to make contact but leaving stay-behind forces. Phase III began on 16 Aug with 2-8 Cav coming under opcon of the brigade and deploying to Dong Tre. On 17-18 Aug, 1-327 and 2-502 relieved the ROK Marines in place as they redeployed north to Chu Lai. On 18 Aug, 2-327 Inf moved to Dong Tre and the mission around Vung Ro was assumed by TF BRAVO (C/2-502 Inf, A/2-17 Cav). 2-327 Inf then moved overland toward Tuy An to protect the rice harvest there. On 22 Aug, 2-8 Cav conducted an air assault west of Dong Tre to exploit intelligence info from the stay-behind forces but failed to make contact. On 24 Aug, C/1-327 Inf was deployed to Ninh Hoa in Khanh Hoa Province to provide security for the deployment of the 9th ROK Inf Div. On 28 Aug, 2-8 Cav, 2-327 Inf and 1/47 ARVN Bn swept the area between Tuy Hoa and Tuy An but found little. On 28 Aug, 1-22 Inf passed under opcon to the brigade and relieved TF BRAVO from its security mission around Vung Ro Bay. Results: 209 enemy killed, 40 detained, 23 US KIA, 132 US WIA.

23 Jul.-6 Aug.
Operation: KOKOHEAD
Location: Trung Lap, Tan Thanh Dong, Liocara Plantation, Ho Bo Woods, Hau Nghia and Binh Duong Provinces. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 2d Bde, 25th Inf Div. Task organization: 1-5 Inf (M), 1-27 Inf, 2-27 Inf, 1-8 Art (-), 3-13 Art (-); 3/49 ARVN Bn. Execution: the operation was conducted west and north of Cu Chi. Results: 42 enemy killed, 25 detained, 8 US KIA, 97 US WIA.

31 Jul.-2 Sep.
Operation: BENNING IV Location: Binh Dinh Province. Type: road security. Controlling headquarters: 1st Bde, 1st Cav Div.

1-25 Aug.
Operation: PAUL REVERE II
Location: Plei Me, Ia Drang Valley, Chu Pong Massif, Hill 534, LZ OASIS, LZ ORANGE, LZ PINK, LZ JULIET, LZ RAY, LZ CAT, Pleiku Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Cav Div. Task organization: 2d Bde (7-25 Aug): 1-5 Cav, 2-5 Cav, 2-12 Cav, 1-77 Art, B/8th Eng Bn; 3d Bde (2-25 Aug): 1-7 Cav, 2-7 Cav, 1-12 Cav, 1-21 Art, C/8th Eng Bn; Div Arty: C/6-16 Art, 2-17 Art, 3-18 Art, 2-19 Art, E/82 Art, A&D/6-14 Art; 3d Bde, 25th Inf Div (TF WALKER): 1-14 Inf, 1-35 Inf, 2-35 Inf, 1-69 Arm, C/3-4 Cav, 2-9 Art, A/3-6 Art, D/65th Eng Bn. Intelligence: 32nd, 33rd, 66th and 88th PAVN Regiments. Execution: PAUL REVERE II was a continuation of PAUL REVERE I in the same general area. On 1 Aug, 2-7 Cav just released from reserve I FFORCEV is attacked on LZ ORANGE by a battalion-size enemy force. 28 enemy are killed and 5 US KIA. On 2 Aug, the 3d Bde, 1st Cav Div joined the operation and the airmobile division assumed control after reports indicated that the enemy had begun a major offensive west of Pleiku. Operating from LZ OASIS, the battalions searched southwest and west in coordination with the 3rd Bn, ROK Cavalry Regiment on Operation BUN KAE 66-9. That same day, A/2-7 Cav and B/1-12 Cav clashed with an enemy company on LZ PINK, killing 12 but losing 18 KIA and 6 WIA. On 7 Aug, the operation expanded to division-size with the arrival of the 2d Bde, 1st Cav Div. On 8 Aug, A/1-7 Cav clashed into the 4th Bn, 32nd PAVN Regiment near LZ JULIET, killing 98 but losing 25 KIA and 36 WIA. On 9 Aug, The 5th Bn, 88th PAVN Regiment attacked the Koreans on LZ 27V (see Operation BUN KAE 66-9). On 14 Aug, the 2d Bde searching south of the Chu Pong found the enemy again on Hill 534 when 1-5 Cav and 2-5 Cav bumped into the whole 32nd PAVN Regiment. Reinforced with 2-12 Cav, the Americans cleared the hill on 15 Aug, counting 128 enemy bodies while losing 23 KIA and 28 WIA. The operation began to wind down on 22 Aug with the return of the Koreans and 1st Cav Div to Binh Dinh Province Results: 861 enemy killed, 36 detained, 90 US KIA, 389 US WIA, 3 US MIA.

1-31 Aug.
Operation: OAHU
Location: Tay Ninh West, Go Dau Ha, Route 1, Route 22, Tay Ninh Province. Type: search and destroy, security. Controlling headquarters: 1st Bde, 25th Inf Div. Task organization: 1-5 Inf (M) (15-31 Aug), 4-9 Inf (1-14 Aug), 2-14 Inf, 4-23 Inf, 7-11 Art, B/3-4 Cav. Intelligence: C40 PLAF Co. Execution: The operation was launched in support of Operation BLUE JAY, the deployment of the 196th LIB to Tay Ninh West. After relocating to Tay Ninh West via air and motor convoy, the brigade began search and destroy operations between Tay Ninh City and Go Dau Ha. Results: 21 enemy killed, 8 detained, 7 US KIA, 41 US WIA.

2-5 Aug.
Operation: CHEYENNE
Location: Route 13, Binh Duong and Binh Long Provinces. Type: reconnaissance-in-force, road security. Controlling headquarters: 1st Inf Div. Task organization: 1st Bde: 1-28 Inf; 2d Bde: 2-16 Inf, 1-18 Inf, 2-18 Inf; 3d Bde: 1-2 Inf, 1-26 Inf; 5th ARVN Div (elts). Execution: the operation secured Route 13 from Lai Khe to An Loc during EL PASO III.

2-8 Aug.
Operation: BUCKS
Location: Quang Nam Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Marines. Task organization: 3/1 Marines. Execution: operation took place 15 km south of Da Nang.

3 Aug.66-31 Jan.67
Operation: PRAIRIE
Location: Dong Ha, Cam Lo, Khe Sanh, Camp Carroll, Route 9, the Rockpile, the Razorback, Nui Cay Tre (Mutter's Ridge), Hill 252, Hill 400, Hill 484, Quang Tri Province. Type: reconnaissance, search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 3d Mar Div; Task Force DELTA (from 1 Oct) Task organization: 2/4 Marines (3 Aug-30 Sep), 1st Force Recon Co (from 3 Aug), G/3/12 Marines (3-13 Aug), 1/4 Marines (from 13 Aug), 3/12 Marines (from 13 Aug), C/3d Tank Bn (from 13 Aug), 2/7 Marines (27 Aug-28 Sep), 3/4 Marines (from 17 Sep), 1/26 Marines (18-25 Sep), 2/9 Marines (from 28 Sep), 1/3 Marines (from 29 Sep), 3/7 Marines (from 30 Sep), 2/5 Marines (from 1 Oct). Intelligence: 324B PAVN Division. Execution: Operation PRAIRIE started as a small reconnaissance effort to determine if the 324B Division was still in the DMZ area after HASTINGS. A task force at Dong Ha built around 2/4 Marines and the 1st Force Recon Co inserted 5-man 'Stingray' teams to the north and west. Contact was almost immediate, on 8-9 Aug Cos E&F 2/4 Marines reinforced one such team and fought an NVA company 4,000 meters north of the Rockpile, killing 38. On 13 Aug, the forces at Dong Ha were reinforced with 1/4 and 3/12 Marines and a tank company. On 17 Aug, 2/4 Marines conducted a reconnaissance-in-force operation along Route 9 between Cam Lo and the Rockpile and clashed with the NVA on Hill 252, killing 20. Between 19-25 Aug, 2/4 clashed constantly with the 803rd PAVN Regiment on the slopes of the Razorback, a steep ridge line north of the Rockpile, killing 170. On 26 Aug, elements from the 812th PAVN Regiment attacked Cam Lo defended by A/1/4 Marines but were easily repulsed. After that, contact in the PRAIRIE AO subsided. On 27 Aug, 2/7 Marines arrived from Chu Lai and swept Route 9 to the Rockpile but found nothing. On 7- 13 Sep, 2/4 Marines conducted a RIF toward Con Thien just south of the DMZ, but had little contact. Action picked up again on 8 Sep when 1/4 Marines relieved 2/7 at the Rockpile and conducted a deep reconnaissance of Nui Cay Tre to the north, clashing with NVA elements and killing 170. On 18 Sep, 1/26 Marines was attached from Operation DECKHOUSE IV before leaving the DMZ area on 25 Sep. On 28 Sep, 2/9 Marines arrived at Dong Ha and relieved 2/7 which rejoined its parent regiment at Chu Lai. From 22 Sep-5 Oct, 3/4 Marines, who had arrived from Phu Bai on 17 Sep, fought the longest action of PRAIRIE against the 812th Regiment for the control on Nui Cay Tre (renamed Mutter's Ridge) and Hills 400 and 484, killing more than 100 and losing 20. Upon General Westmoreland's insistence, the 3d Mar Div extended the PRAIRIE AO to cover Khe Sanh to the west, airlifting 1/3 Marines from Da Nang to the small airfield there. The battalion stayed at Khe Sanh until termination of PRAIRIE, patrolling around the base, but killed only 15 of the enemy. On 30 Sep, 3/7 arrived from Chu Lai and relieved 2/4 which returned at Phu Bai. The next day, TF DELTA was reactivated at Dong Ha and assumed responsibility for the operation. Still on 1 Oct, 2/5 Marines arrived from Chu Lai, raising the number of infantry battalions in the AO to six, and occupied Con Thien. Despite these reinforcements, the NVA avoided any major confrontation in the PRAIRIE AO for the remainder of the year and the operation ended on 31 Jan 1967. Results: 1,397 enemy killed, 27 detained, 239 US KIA, 1,214 WIA.

New Operations today in 1966:

5-15 Aug.
Operation: EVANSVILLE
Location: Phuoc Vinh, Binh Duong Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 3d Bde, 1st Inf Div. Task organization: 1-2 Inf, 1-26 Inf.

5-18 Aug.
Operation: HOLSWORTHY
Location: Xa Binh Ba, Phuoc Tuy Province. Type: cordon and search. Controlling headquarters: 1ATF. Task organization: 5RAR, 6RAR (two Cos), 1 APC Sqn (-), 105 Fld Bty. Intelligence: D445 PLAF Bn. Execution: the operation took place 5km north of Nui Dat. Results: 17 enemy detained, 1 AUS KIA.

Other

5 Aug.
Crop-destruction operations authorized in Laos to deter local food to infiltrating enemy forces.

[jbmoore68]

Good Morning, Vietnam !!!

[berto]

On This Day

6 August, 1966

Lasting from 6 August through 22 August, Operation Colorado/Lien Ket 52 was a search and destroy operation by the U.S. 1st Marine Division, Vietnamese Marines and ARVN 2nd Infantry Division in Hiệp Đức District. The operation resulted in 350 PAVN killed and 20+ captured, and 14 U.S. and 26 South Vietnamese killed.

Vietnam20230806.jpg (143.16 KiB) Viewed 1304 times

[Jason Petho]

Ongoing operations today in 1966:

26 Mar.-23 Sep.
Operation SU BOK, battalion-size operation by elements of the ROK Marine Brigade and Capital Division in Binh Dinh Province.

25 May 66-8 Feb.67
Operation LAM SON II, 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division pacification campaign in Binh Duong and Bien Hoa Provinces.

4 Jul.-27 Oct.
Operation: MACON
Location: An Hoa, My Loc, My Loc, Cu Ban, Song Thu Bon, Song Ky Lam, LZ DIXIE, LZ SAVANNAH, Quang Nam Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 9th Marines. Task organization: 1/3 Marines, 3/3 Marines, 3/9 Marines; 51st ARVN Regiment (elts). Intelligence: R20 Doc Lap Bn. Execution: the operation was mounted to intercept the R20 Bn moving from the Operation LIBERTY AO into the An Hoa Basin. Several minor contacts were made but the enemy battalion couldn't be fixed and destroyed. On 14 July, MACON was scaled down to a battalion-size operation with 3/9 protecting the An Hoa industrial complex against local guerillas. Results: 380 enemy killed, 5 detained, 24 US KIA, 72 US WIA.

9 Jul.-22 Aug.
The 3rd Battalion of the ROK Cavalry Regiment (CAPITAL Division) will move to LZ 27V (119,102) along the cambodian border and conduct search-and-destroy Operation BUN KAE 66-9 in Pleiku Province in conjunction with Operations PAUL REVERE I&II.

13 Jul.-3 Sep.
Operation: EL PASO III
Location: An Loc (Hon Quan), Loc Ninh, Quan Loi, Route 13, Binh Long Province. Type: search and destroy, security, roadrunner. Controlling headquarters: 1st Inf Div. Task organization: 3d Bde (13-15 Jul): 1-16 Inf (14-15 Jul), 2-28 Inf (13-15 Jul), 2-33 Art (-) (13-15 Jul); 2d Bde (13 Jul-3 Sep): 2-16 Inf (14 Jul-1 Aug), 1-18 Inf (13 Jul-3 Sep), 2-18 Inf (5-9 Aug), 1-28 Inf (13 Jul-3 Sep), 1-4 Cav (-)(13 Jul-3 Sep), 1-7 Art (-) (13 Jul-3 Sep); 9th ARVN Regiment (elts). Intelligence: 9th PLAF Division: 271st, 272nd, 273rd PLAF Regiments. Execution: The 2d Brigade replaced the 1st Brigade at Quan Loi to continue EL PASO. The 3d Brigade remained at Loc Ninh until 15 Jul before returning to Lai Khe. The 2d Brigade conducted search and destroy and roadrunner operations for the remainder of the period around Loc Ninh and An Loc but failed to engage the 9th PLAF Division.

21 Jul.-5 Sep.
Operation: JOHN PAUL JONES
Location: Tuy Hoa, Vung Ro Bay, Song Cau, Dong Tre, Tuy An. Phu Yen Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Brigade, 101st Abn Div. Task organization: 1-327 Inf, 2-327 Inf, 2-502 Inf, 2-8 Cav (16 Aug-5 Sep), 1-22 Inf (28 Aug-5 Sep), 2-320 Art, 5-27 Art (-), B/1-30 Art, A/2-17 Cav, A/326th Eng Bn; 2d ROK Marine Brigade (21 Jul-18 Aug); 1/47 ARVN Bn. Intelligence: 18B and 95th PAVN Regiments, 95th PAVN Art Bn, 85th PLAF Bn. Execution: The brigade began deployment from Dak To by C-130 aircraft on 15 Jul and closed into Tuy Hoa in 21 Jul, reuniting with 2-327 Inf. Phase I of JOHN PAUL JONES kicked off on 21 Jul with 1-327 Inf and 2-502 Inf conducting search and destroy operations around the Vung Ro Bay to secure engineer work parties in the area. On 30 Jul, Phase II began with 2-502 Inf air-assaulting west of Song Cau to exploit a B-52 strike but found nothing. From 3-8 Aug the brigade conducted training and refitting at Tuy Hoa South while 2-327 Inf secured the Vung Ro area in coordination with the 2d ROK Marine Bde. From 8-15 Aug, 1-327 Inf and 2-502 Inf again exploited a B-52 strike, this time west of Dong Tre, failing to make contact but leaving stay-behind forces. Phase III began on 16 Aug with 2-8 Cav coming under opcon of the brigade and deploying to Dong Tre. On 17-18 Aug, 1-327 and 2-502 relieved the ROK Marines in place as they redeployed north to Chu Lai. On 18 Aug, 2-327 Inf moved to Dong Tre and the mission around Vung Ro was assumed by TF BRAVO (C/2-502 Inf, A/2-17 Cav). 2-327 Inf then moved overland toward Tuy An to protect the rice harvest there. On 22 Aug, 2-8 Cav conducted an air assault west of Dong Tre to exploit intelligence info from the stay-behind forces but failed to make contact. On 24 Aug, C/1-327 Inf was deployed to Ninh Hoa in Khanh Hoa Province to provide security for the deployment of the 9th ROK Inf Div. On 28 Aug, 2-8 Cav, 2-327 Inf and 1/47 ARVN Bn swept the area between Tuy Hoa and Tuy An but found little. On 28 Aug, 1-22 Inf passed under opcon to the brigade and relieved TF BRAVO from its security mission around Vung Ro Bay. Results: 209 enemy killed, 40 detained, 23 US KIA, 132 US WIA.

23 Jul.-6 Aug.
Operation: KOKOHEAD
Location: Trung Lap, Tan Thanh Dong, Liocara Plantation, Ho Bo Woods, Hau Nghia and Binh Duong Provinces. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 2d Bde, 25th Inf Div. Task organization: 1-5 Inf (M), 1-27 Inf, 2-27 Inf, 1-8 Art (-), 3-13 Art (-); 3/49 ARVN Bn. Execution: the operation was conducted west and north of Cu Chi. Results: 42 enemy killed, 25 detained, 8 US KIA, 97 US WIA.

31 Jul.-2 Sep.
Operation: BENNING IV Location: Binh Dinh Province. Type: road security. Controlling headquarters: 1st Bde, 1st Cav Div.

1-25 Aug.
Operation: PAUL REVERE II
Location: Plei Me, Ia Drang Valley, Chu Pong Massif, Hill 534, LZ OASIS, LZ ORANGE, LZ PINK, LZ JULIET, LZ RAY, LZ CAT, Pleiku Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Cav Div. Task organization: 2d Bde (7-25 Aug): 1-5 Cav, 2-5 Cav, 2-12 Cav, 1-77 Art, B/8th Eng Bn; 3d Bde (2-25 Aug): 1-7 Cav, 2-7 Cav, 1-12 Cav, 1-21 Art, C/8th Eng Bn; Div Arty: C/6-16 Art, 2-17 Art, 3-18 Art, 2-19 Art, E/82 Art, A&D/6-14 Art; 3d Bde, 25th Inf Div (TF WALKER): 1-14 Inf, 1-35 Inf, 2-35 Inf, 1-69 Arm, C/3-4 Cav, 2-9 Art, A/3-6 Art, D/65th Eng Bn. Intelligence: 32nd, 33rd, 66th and 88th PAVN Regiments. Execution: PAUL REVERE II was a continuation of PAUL REVERE I in the same general area. On 1 Aug, 2-7 Cav just released from reserve I FFORCEV is attacked on LZ ORANGE by a battalion-size enemy force. 28 enemy are killed and 5 US KIA. On 2 Aug, the 3d Bde, 1st Cav Div joined the operation and the airmobile division assumed control after reports indicated that the enemy had begun a major offensive west of Pleiku. Operating from LZ OASIS, the battalions searched southwest and west in coordination with the 3rd Bn, ROK Cavalry Regiment on Operation BUN KAE 66-9. That same day, A/2-7 Cav and B/1-12 Cav clashed with an enemy company on LZ PINK, killing 12 but losing 18 KIA and 6 WIA. On 7 Aug, the operation expanded to division-size with the arrival of the 2d Bde, 1st Cav Div. On 8 Aug, A/1-7 Cav clashed into the 4th Bn, 32nd PAVN Regiment near LZ JULIET, killing 98 but losing 25 KIA and 36 WIA. On 9 Aug, The 5th Bn, 88th PAVN Regiment attacked the Koreans on LZ 27V (see Operation BUN KAE 66-9). On 14 Aug, the 2d Bde searching south of the Chu Pong found the enemy again on Hill 534 when 1-5 Cav and 2-5 Cav bumped into the whole 32nd PAVN Regiment. Reinforced with 2-12 Cav, the Americans cleared the hill on 15 Aug, counting 128 enemy bodies while losing 23 KIA and 28 WIA. The operation began to wind down on 22 Aug with the return of the Koreans and 1st Cav Div to Binh Dinh Province Results: 861 enemy killed, 36 detained, 90 US KIA, 389 US WIA, 3 US MIA.

1-31 Aug.
Operation: OAHU
Location: Tay Ninh West, Go Dau Ha, Route 1, Route 22, Tay Ninh Province. Type: search and destroy, security. Controlling headquarters: 1st Bde, 25th Inf Div. Task organization: 1-5 Inf (M) (15-31 Aug), 4-9 Inf (1-14 Aug), 2-14 Inf, 4-23 Inf, 7-11 Art, B/3-4 Cav. Intelligence: C40 PLAF Co. Execution: The operation was launched in support of Operation BLUE JAY, the deployment of the 196th LIB to Tay Ninh West. After relocating to Tay Ninh West via air and motor convoy, the brigade began search and destroy operations between Tay Ninh City and Go Dau Ha. Results: 21 enemy killed, 8 detained, 7 US KIA, 41 US WIA.

2-8 Aug.
Operation: BUCKS
Location: Quang Nam Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Marines. Task organization: 3/1 Marines. Execution: operation took place 15 km south of Da Nang.

3 Aug.66-31 Jan.67
Operation: PRAIRIE
Location: Dong Ha, Cam Lo, Khe Sanh, Camp Carroll, Route 9, the Rockpile, the Razorback, Nui Cay Tre (Mutter's Ridge), Hill 252, Hill 400, Hill 484, Quang Tri Province. Type: reconnaissance, search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 3d Mar Div; Task Force DELTA (from 1 Oct) Task organization: 2/4 Marines (3 Aug-30 Sep), 1st Force Recon Co (from 3 Aug), G/3/12 Marines (3-13 Aug), 1/4 Marines (from 13 Aug), 3/12 Marines (from 13 Aug), C/3d Tank Bn (from 13 Aug), 2/7 Marines (27 Aug-28 Sep), 3/4 Marines (from 17 Sep), 1/26 Marines (18-25 Sep), 2/9 Marines (from 28 Sep), 1/3 Marines (from 29 Sep), 3/7 Marines (from 30 Sep), 2/5 Marines (from 1 Oct). Intelligence: 324B PAVN Division. Execution: Operation PRAIRIE started as a small reconnaissance effort to determine if the 324B Division was still in the DMZ area after HASTINGS. A task force at Dong Ha built around 2/4 Marines and the 1st Force Recon Co inserted 5-man 'Stingray' teams to the north and west. Contact was almost immediate, on 8-9 Aug Cos E&F 2/4 Marines reinforced one such team and fought an NVA company 4,000 meters north of the Rockpile, killing 38. On 13 Aug, the forces at Dong Ha were reinforced with 1/4 and 3/12 Marines and a tank company. On 17 Aug, 2/4 Marines conducted a reconnaissance-in-force operation along Route 9 between Cam Lo and the Rockpile and clashed with the NVA on Hill 252, killing 20. Between 19-25 Aug, 2/4 clashed constantly with the 803rd PAVN Regiment on the slopes of the Razorback, a steep ridge line north of the Rockpile, killing 170. On 26 Aug, elements from the 812th PAVN Regiment attacked Cam Lo defended by A/1/4 Marines but were easily repulsed. After that, contact in the PRAIRIE AO subsided. On 27 Aug, 2/7 Marines arrived from Chu Lai and swept Route 9 to the Rockpile but found nothing. On 7- 13 Sep, 2/4 Marines conducted a RIF toward Con Thien just south of the DMZ, but had little contact. Action picked up again on 8 Sep when 1/4 Marines relieved 2/7 at the Rockpile and conducted a deep reconnaissance of Nui Cay Tre to the north, clashing with NVA elements and killing 170. On 18 Sep, 1/26 Marines was attached from Operation DECKHOUSE IV before leaving the DMZ area on 25 Sep. On 28 Sep, 2/9 Marines arrived at Dong Ha and relieved 2/7 which rejoined its parent regiment at Chu Lai. From 22 Sep-5 Oct, 3/4 Marines, who had arrived from Phu Bai on 17 Sep, fought the longest action of PRAIRIE against the 812th Regiment for the control on Nui Cay Tre (renamed Mutter's Ridge) and Hills 400 and 484, killing more than 100 and losing 20. Upon General Westmoreland's insistence, the 3d Mar Div extended the PRAIRIE AO to cover Khe Sanh to the west, airlifting 1/3 Marines from Da Nang to the small airfield there. The battalion stayed at Khe Sanh until termination of PRAIRIE, patrolling around the base, but killed only 15 of the enemy. On 30 Sep, 3/7 arrived from Chu Lai and relieved 2/4 which returned at Phu Bai. The next day, TF DELTA was reactivated at Dong Ha and assumed responsibility for the operation. Still on 1 Oct, 2/5 Marines arrived from Chu Lai, raising the number of infantry battalions in the AO to six, and occupied Con Thien. Despite these reinforcements, the NVA avoided any major confrontation in the PRAIRIE AO for the remainder of the year and the operation ended on 31 Jan 1967. Results: 1,397 enemy killed, 27 detained, 239 US KIA, 1,214 WIA.

5-15 Aug.
Operation: EVANSVILLE
Location: Phuoc Vinh, Binh Duong Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 3d Bde, 1st Inf Div. Task organization: 1-2 Inf, 1-26 Inf.

5-18 Aug.
Operation: HOLSWORTHY
Location: Xa Binh Ba, Phuoc Tuy Province. Type: cordon and search. Controlling headquarters: 1ATF. Task organization: 5RAR, 6RAR (two Cos), 1 APC Sqn (-), 105 Fld Bty. Intelligence: D445 PLAF Bn. Execution: the operation took place 5km north of Nui Dat. Results: 17 enemy detained, 1 AUS KIA.

New Operations today in 1966:

6-22 Aug.
Operation: COLORADO/LIEN KET 52
Location: Tam Ky, Thang Binh, Que Son, Thach Thuong, Ky Phu, Cam Khe, Vinh Huy, Nui Loc Son, Hiep Duc Valley, Song Ly Ly Valley, 'Pineapple Forest', Quang Tin Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 5th Marines; 2nd ARVN Div. Task organization: ; 1/5 Marines, 2/5 Marines, 3/5 Marines, 2/11 Marines; 2/6 and 4/6 ARVN Bns, 4th ARVN Arm Cav Sqn (2nd and 3rd Troops), VNMC Task Force BRAVO (1st, 3rd and 4th Bns). Intelligence: 2nd PAVN Division: 1st PLAF Regiment, 3rd and 21st PAVN Regiments. Execution: The operation was launched after new intelligence indicated that the 2nd PAVN Division had reentered the Que Son, Valley. On 6 Aug, the 2nd ARVN Div task force pushed from Thang Binh toward Que Son while the VNMC battalions were helicoptered to the west to provide blocking positions, encountering heavy resistance on their LZs from the 1st Bn, 3rd PAVN Regiment, killing 71 and capturing 20. The next day, the VNMC cleared the village of Thach Thuong, killing 37 more enemies. 2/5 Marines was helicoptered on Hiep Duc on D-Day but had negative contact and returned to Tam Ky on 10 Aug. 1/5 Marines operated east of Que Son near Ky Phu and on 10 Aug engaged two Bns from the 3rd PAVN Regiment at Cam Khe, killing 100 and losing 14 KIA and 65 WIA. The enemy battalions retreated north and engaged the South Vietnamese Marines in bitter fighting near Vinh Huy three days later, leaving 140 dead on the battlefield. VNMC losses were heavy with 26 KIA and 54 WIA. This was the last engagement of COLORADO, in the last week of operation, 1/5 Marines searched the 'Pineapple Forest' west of Tam Ky, but encountered only fleeting resistance from local guerrillas. Results: 674 enemy killed, 37 VNMC KIA, 107 VNMC WIA, US and ARVN casualties not reported.

Other

6 Aug.
7th Fleet aircraft carriers move from DIXIE STATION to YANKEE STATION.

[jbmoore68]

Good Morning, Vietnam !!!

[berto]

On This Day

7 August, 1966

Seven U.S. warplanes were shot down in a single day over North Vietnam, the highest U.S. air loss since the war had begun, breaking the previous record of six aircraft downed on 13 August 1965. Within the space of a month, 25 F-105s, the equivalent of an entire USAF squadron, had been shot down, mostly by anti-aircraft guns.

Vietnam20230807.jpg (143.37 KiB) Viewed 1280 times

[Jason Petho]

Ongoing operations today in 1966:

26 Mar.-23 Sep.
Operation SU BOK, battalion-size operation by elements of the ROK Marine Brigade and Capital Division in Binh Dinh Province.

25 May 66-8 Feb.67
Operation LAM SON II, 2d Brigade, 1st Infantry Division pacification campaign in Binh Duong and Bien Hoa Provinces.

4 Jul.-27 Oct.
Operation: MACON
Location: An Hoa, My Loc, My Loc, Cu Ban, Song Thu Bon, Song Ky Lam, LZ DIXIE, LZ SAVANNAH, Quang Nam Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 9th Marines. Task organization: 1/3 Marines, 3/3 Marines, 3/9 Marines; 51st ARVN Regiment (elts). Intelligence: R20 Doc Lap Bn. Execution: the operation was mounted to intercept the R20 Bn moving from the Operation LIBERTY AO into the An Hoa Basin. Several minor contacts were made but the enemy battalion couldn't be fixed and destroyed. On 14 July, MACON was scaled down to a battalion-size operation with 3/9 protecting the An Hoa industrial complex against local guerillas. Results: 380 enemy killed, 5 detained, 24 US KIA, 72 US WIA.

9 Jul.-22 Aug.
The 3rd Battalion of the ROK Cavalry Regiment (CAPITAL Division) will move to LZ 27V (119,102) along the cambodian border and conduct search-and-destroy Operation BUN KAE 66-9 in Pleiku Province in conjunction with Operations PAUL REVERE I&II.

13 Jul.-3 Sep.
Operation: EL PASO III
Location: An Loc (Hon Quan), Loc Ninh, Quan Loi, Route 13, Binh Long Province. Type: search and destroy, security, roadrunner. Controlling headquarters: 1st Inf Div. Task organization: 3d Bde (13-15 Jul): 1-16 Inf (14-15 Jul), 2-28 Inf (13-15 Jul), 2-33 Art (-) (13-15 Jul); 2d Bde (13 Jul-3 Sep): 2-16 Inf (14 Jul-1 Aug), 1-18 Inf (13 Jul-3 Sep), 2-18 Inf (5-9 Aug), 1-28 Inf (13 Jul-3 Sep), 1-4 Cav (-)(13 Jul-3 Sep), 1-7 Art (-) (13 Jul-3 Sep); 9th ARVN Regiment (elts). Intelligence: 9th PLAF Division: 271st, 272nd, 273rd PLAF Regiments. Execution: The 2d Brigade replaced the 1st Brigade at Quan Loi to continue EL PASO. The 3d Brigade remained at Loc Ninh until 15 Jul before returning to Lai Khe. The 2d Brigade conducted search and destroy and roadrunner operations for the remainder of the period around Loc Ninh and An Loc but failed to engage the 9th PLAF Division.

21 Jul.-5 Sep.
Operation: JOHN PAUL JONES
Location: Tuy Hoa, Vung Ro Bay, Song Cau, Dong Tre, Tuy An. Phu Yen Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Brigade, 101st Abn Div. Task organization: 1-327 Inf, 2-327 Inf, 2-502 Inf, 2-8 Cav (16 Aug-5 Sep), 1-22 Inf (28 Aug-5 Sep), 2-320 Art, 5-27 Art (-), B/1-30 Art, A/2-17 Cav, A/326th Eng Bn; 2d ROK Marine Brigade (21 Jul-18 Aug); 1/47 ARVN Bn. Intelligence: 18B and 95th PAVN Regiments, 95th PAVN Art Bn, 85th PLAF Bn. Execution: The brigade began deployment from Dak To by C-130 aircraft on 15 Jul and closed into Tuy Hoa in 21 Jul, reuniting with 2-327 Inf. Phase I of JOHN PAUL JONES kicked off on 21 Jul with 1-327 Inf and 2-502 Inf conducting search and destroy operations around the Vung Ro Bay to secure engineer work parties in the area. On 30 Jul, Phase II began with 2-502 Inf air-assaulting west of Song Cau to exploit a B-52 strike but found nothing. From 3-8 Aug the brigade conducted training and refitting at Tuy Hoa South while 2-327 Inf secured the Vung Ro area in coordination with the 2d ROK Marine Bde. From 8-15 Aug, 1-327 Inf and 2-502 Inf again exploited a B-52 strike, this time west of Dong Tre, failing to make contact but leaving stay-behind forces. Phase III began on 16 Aug with 2-8 Cav coming under opcon of the brigade and deploying to Dong Tre. On 17-18 Aug, 1-327 and 2-502 relieved the ROK Marines in place as they redeployed north to Chu Lai. On 18 Aug, 2-327 Inf moved to Dong Tre and the mission around Vung Ro was assumed by TF BRAVO (C/2-502 Inf, A/2-17 Cav). 2-327 Inf then moved overland toward Tuy An to protect the rice harvest there. On 22 Aug, 2-8 Cav conducted an air assault west of Dong Tre to exploit intelligence info from the stay-behind forces but failed to make contact. On 24 Aug, C/1-327 Inf was deployed to Ninh Hoa in Khanh Hoa Province to provide security for the deployment of the 9th ROK Inf Div. On 28 Aug, 2-8 Cav, 2-327 Inf and 1/47 ARVN Bn swept the area between Tuy Hoa and Tuy An but found little. On 28 Aug, 1-22 Inf passed under opcon to the brigade and relieved TF BRAVO from its security mission around Vung Ro Bay. Results: 209 enemy killed, 40 detained, 23 US KIA, 132 US WIA.

31 Jul.-2 Sep.
Operation: BENNING IV Location: Binh Dinh Province. Type: road security. Controlling headquarters: 1st Bde, 1st Cav Div.

1-25 Aug.
Operation: PAUL REVERE II
Location: Plei Me, Ia Drang Valley, Chu Pong Massif, Hill 534, LZ OASIS, LZ ORANGE, LZ PINK, LZ JULIET, LZ RAY, LZ CAT, Pleiku Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Cav Div. Task organization: 2d Bde (7-25 Aug): 1-5 Cav, 2-5 Cav, 2-12 Cav, 1-77 Art, B/8th Eng Bn; 3d Bde (2-25 Aug): 1-7 Cav, 2-7 Cav, 1-12 Cav, 1-21 Art, C/8th Eng Bn; Div Arty: C/6-16 Art, 2-17 Art, 3-18 Art, 2-19 Art, E/82 Art, A&D/6-14 Art; 3d Bde, 25th Inf Div (TF WALKER): 1-14 Inf, 1-35 Inf, 2-35 Inf, 1-69 Arm, C/3-4 Cav, 2-9 Art, A/3-6 Art, D/65th Eng Bn. Intelligence: 32nd, 33rd, 66th and 88th PAVN Regiments. Execution: PAUL REVERE II was a continuation of PAUL REVERE I in the same general area. On 1 Aug, 2-7 Cav just released from reserve I FFORCEV is attacked on LZ ORANGE by a battalion-size enemy force. 28 enemy are killed and 5 US KIA. On 2 Aug, the 3d Bde, 1st Cav Div joined the operation and the airmobile division assumed control after reports indicated that the enemy had begun a major offensive west of Pleiku. Operating from LZ OASIS, the battalions searched southwest and west in coordination with the 3rd Bn, ROK Cavalry Regiment on Operation BUN KAE 66-9. That same day, A/2-7 Cav and B/1-12 Cav clashed with an enemy company on LZ PINK, killing 12 but losing 18 KIA and 6 WIA. On 7 Aug, the operation expanded to division-size with the arrival of the 2d Bde, 1st Cav Div. On 8 Aug, A/1-7 Cav clashed into the 4th Bn, 32nd PAVN Regiment near LZ JULIET, killing 98 but losing 25 KIA and 36 WIA. On 9 Aug, The 5th Bn, 88th PAVN Regiment attacked the Koreans on LZ 27V (see Operation BUN KAE 66-9). On 14 Aug, the 2d Bde searching south of the Chu Pong found the enemy again on Hill 534 when 1-5 Cav and 2-5 Cav bumped into the whole 32nd PAVN Regiment. Reinforced with 2-12 Cav, the Americans cleared the hill on 15 Aug, counting 128 enemy bodies while losing 23 KIA and 28 WIA. The operation began to wind down on 22 Aug with the return of the Koreans and 1st Cav Div to Binh Dinh Province Results: 861 enemy killed, 36 detained, 90 US KIA, 389 US WIA, 3 US MIA.

1-31 Aug.
Operation: OAHU
Location: Tay Ninh West, Go Dau Ha, Route 1, Route 22, Tay Ninh Province. Type: search and destroy, security. Controlling headquarters: 1st Bde, 25th Inf Div. Task organization: 1-5 Inf (M) (15-31 Aug), 4-9 Inf (1-14 Aug), 2-14 Inf, 4-23 Inf, 7-11 Art, B/3-4 Cav. Intelligence: C40 PLAF Co. Execution: The operation was launched in support of Operation BLUE JAY, the deployment of the 196th LIB to Tay Ninh West. After relocating to Tay Ninh West via air and motor convoy, the brigade began search and destroy operations between Tay Ninh City and Go Dau Ha. Results: 21 enemy killed, 8 detained, 7 US KIA, 41 US WIA.

2-8 Aug.
Operation: BUCKS
Location: Quang Nam Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Marines. Task organization: 3/1 Marines. Execution: operation took place 15 km south of Da Nang.

3 Aug.66-31 Jan.67
Operation: PRAIRIE
Location: Dong Ha, Cam Lo, Khe Sanh, Camp Carroll, Route 9, the Rockpile, the Razorback, Nui Cay Tre (Mutter's Ridge), Hill 252, Hill 400, Hill 484, Quang Tri Province. Type: reconnaissance, search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 3d Mar Div; Task Force DELTA (from 1 Oct) Task organization: 2/4 Marines (3 Aug-30 Sep), 1st Force Recon Co (from 3 Aug), G/3/12 Marines (3-13 Aug), 1/4 Marines (from 13 Aug), 3/12 Marines (from 13 Aug), C/3d Tank Bn (from 13 Aug), 2/7 Marines (27 Aug-28 Sep), 3/4 Marines (from 17 Sep), 1/26 Marines (18-25 Sep), 2/9 Marines (from 28 Sep), 1/3 Marines (from 29 Sep), 3/7 Marines (from 30 Sep), 2/5 Marines (from 1 Oct). Intelligence: 324B PAVN Division. Execution: Operation PRAIRIE started as a small reconnaissance effort to determine if the 324B Division was still in the DMZ area after HASTINGS. A task force at Dong Ha built around 2/4 Marines and the 1st Force Recon Co inserted 5-man 'Stingray' teams to the north and west. Contact was almost immediate, on 8-9 Aug Cos E&F 2/4 Marines reinforced one such team and fought an NVA company 4,000 meters north of the Rockpile, killing 38. On 13 Aug, the forces at Dong Ha were reinforced with 1/4 and 3/12 Marines and a tank company. On 17 Aug, 2/4 Marines conducted a reconnaissance-in-force operation along Route 9 between Cam Lo and the Rockpile and clashed with the NVA on Hill 252, killing 20. Between 19-25 Aug, 2/4 clashed constantly with the 803rd PAVN Regiment on the slopes of the Razorback, a steep ridge line north of the Rockpile, killing 170. On 26 Aug, elements from the 812th PAVN Regiment attacked Cam Lo defended by A/1/4 Marines but were easily repulsed. After that, contact in the PRAIRIE AO subsided. On 27 Aug, 2/7 Marines arrived from Chu Lai and swept Route 9 to the Rockpile but found nothing. On 7- 13 Sep, 2/4 Marines conducted a RIF toward Con Thien just south of the DMZ, but had little contact. Action picked up again on 8 Sep when 1/4 Marines relieved 2/7 at the Rockpile and conducted a deep reconnaissance of Nui Cay Tre to the north, clashing with NVA elements and killing 170. On 18 Sep, 1/26 Marines was attached from Operation DECKHOUSE IV before leaving the DMZ area on 25 Sep. On 28 Sep, 2/9 Marines arrived at Dong Ha and relieved 2/7 which rejoined its parent regiment at Chu Lai. From 22 Sep-5 Oct, 3/4 Marines, who had arrived from Phu Bai on 17 Sep, fought the longest action of PRAIRIE against the 812th Regiment for the control on Nui Cay Tre (renamed Mutter's Ridge) and Hills 400 and 484, killing more than 100 and losing 20. Upon General Westmoreland's insistence, the 3d Mar Div extended the PRAIRIE AO to cover Khe Sanh to the west, airlifting 1/3 Marines from Da Nang to the small airfield there. The battalion stayed at Khe Sanh until termination of PRAIRIE, patrolling around the base, but killed only 15 of the enemy. On 30 Sep, 3/7 arrived from Chu Lai and relieved 2/4 which returned at Phu Bai. The next day, TF DELTA was reactivated at Dong Ha and assumed responsibility for the operation. Still on 1 Oct, 2/5 Marines arrived from Chu Lai, raising the number of infantry battalions in the AO to six, and occupied Con Thien. Despite these reinforcements, the NVA avoided any major confrontation in the PRAIRIE AO for the remainder of the year and the operation ended on 31 Jan 1967. Results: 1,397 enemy killed, 27 detained, 239 US KIA, 1,214 WIA.

5-15 Aug.
Operation: EVANSVILLE
Location: Phuoc Vinh, Binh Duong Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 3d Bde, 1st Inf Div. Task organization: 1-2 Inf, 1-26 Inf.

5-18 Aug.
Operation: HOLSWORTHY
Location: Xa Binh Ba, Phuoc Tuy Province. Type: cordon and search. Controlling headquarters: 1ATF. Task organization: 5RAR, 6RAR (two Cos), 1 APC Sqn (-), 105 Fld Bty. Intelligence: D445 PLAF Bn. Execution: the operation took place 5km north of Nui Dat. Results: 17 enemy detained, 1 AUS KIA.

6-22 Aug.
Operation: COLORADO/LIEN KET 52
Location: Tam Ky, Thang Binh, Que Son, Thach Thuong, Ky Phu, Cam Khe, Vinh Huy, Nui Loc Son, Hiep Duc Valley, Song Ly Ly Valley, 'Pineapple Forest', Quang Tin Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 5th Marines; 2nd ARVN Div. Task organization: ; 1/5 Marines, 2/5 Marines, 3/5 Marines, 2/11 Marines; 2/6 and 4/6 ARVN Bns, 4th ARVN Arm Cav Sqn (2nd and 3rd Troops), VNMC Task Force BRAVO (1st, 3rd and 4th Bns). Intelligence: 2nd PAVN Division: 1st PLAF Regiment, 3rd and 21st PAVN Regiments. Execution: The operation was launched after new intelligence indicated that the 2nd PAVN Division had reentered the Que Son, Valley. On 6 Aug, the 2nd ARVN Div task force pushed from Thang Binh toward Que Son while the VNMC battalions were helicoptered to the west to provide blocking positions, encountering heavy resistance on their LZs from the 1st Bn, 3rd PAVN Regiment, killing 71 and capturing 20. The next day, the VNMC cleared the village of Thach Thuong, killing 37 more enemies. 2/5 Marines was helicoptered on Hiep Duc on D-Day but had negative contact and returned to Tam Ky on 10 Aug. 1/5 Marines operated east of Que Son near Ky Phu and on 10 Aug engaged two Bns from the 3rd PAVN Regiment at Cam Khe, killing 100 and losing 14 KIA and 65 WIA. The enemy battalions retreated north and engaged the South Vietnamese Marines in bitter fighting near Vinh Huy three days later, leaving 140 dead on the battlefield. VNMC losses were heavy with 26 KIA and 54 WIA. This was the last engagement of COLORADO, in the last week of operation, 1/5 Marines searched the 'Pineapple Forest' west of Tam Ky, but encountered only fleeting resistance from local guerrillas. Results: 674 enemy killed, 37 VNMC KIA, 107 VNMC WIA, US and ARVN casualties not reported.

New Operations today in 1966:

7 Aug.-1 Sep.
Operation: LAHAINA
Location: Bao Trai District, Hau Nghia Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 2d Bde, 25th Inf Div. Task organization: 2-27 Inf. Execution: 2-27 Inf conducted search and destroy operations and Eagle flights reaction mission from Bao Trai. Results: 29 enemy killed, 40 detained.

7 Aug.-1 Sep.
Operation: AIEA
Location: Boi Loi Woods, Hau Nghia Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 2d Bde, 25th Inf Div. Task organization: 1-27 Inf, 2/49 ARVN Bn. Execution: 1-27 conducted buddy operations with 2/49 ARVN Bn and the Trang Bang District RF Companies to block a major VC infiltration route in the Boi Loi Woods Results: 22 enemy killed, 18 detained.

Other

7 Aug.
Seven US aircraft downed over NVN (five USAF F-105s, 1 USAF F-101, 1 USN A-1H) - record loss to date for one day.