Vietnam

[Zovs]

Good morning Vietnam!

Today's top song from 1967 is:

You know that it would be untrue
You know that I would be a liar
If I was to say to you
Girl, we couldn't get much higher

Come on, baby, light my fire
Come on, baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire

The time to hesitate is through
No time to wallow in the mire
Try now we can only lose
And our love become a funeral pyre

Come on, baby, light my fire
Come on, baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire, yeah

The time to hesitate is through
No time to wallow in the mire
Try now we can only lose
And our love become a funeral pyre

Come on, baby, light my fire
Come on, baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire, yeah

You know that it would be untrue
You know that I would be a liar
If I was to say to you
Girl, we couldn't get much higher

Come on, baby, light my fire
Come on, baby, light my fire
Try to set the night on fire
Try to set the night on fire
Try to set the night on fire
Try to set the night on fire

[berto]

On This Day

26 July, 1968

Trương Đình Dzu was a South Vietnamese lawyer and politician who unsuccessfully ran as a candidate for the presidency in the 1967 elections against Nguyễn Văn Thiệu and his running mate Nguyễn Cao Kỳ, who were the leaders of the incumbent military junta. Dzu finished second in the election and won 17% of the vote on a platform of negotiating with the National Liberation Front for South Vietnam. Politicians advocating coexistence with the communists were not allowed to register; Dzu remained silent on his policies until his candidacy was registered.

Trương Đình Dzu was sentenced to five years imprisonment by a Special Military Court for proposing the formation of a coalition government to end the war. Due to international criticism, he was released after five months.

Vietnam20230726.jpg (67.88 KiB) Viewed 1245 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.

10 May-31 Jul.
Operation PAUL REVERE I begins. The 3d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division operating from LZ OASIS will launch a campaign along the Cambodian border to prevent a sortie from then 1st PAVN Division and a possible attack of the CIDG Camps at Plei Djereng, Duc Co and Plei Me. Keeping one of its battalion in reserve at OASIS, the brigade will push its other two maneuver units to the southwest in the direction of the Ia Drang Valley. The 2d and 3d Brigades of the 1st Cavalry Division will reinforce if needed.

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

30 Jun.-31 Jul.
Operation: BENNING III Location: Route 19, Binh Dinh Province. Type: road security. Controlling headquarters: 2d Bde, 1st Cav Div.

2-30 Jul.
Operation: HENRY CLAY Location: Chu Dle Ya Base Area, Phu Yen, Phu Bon and Darlac Provinces. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Cav Div. Task organization: 1st Bde: 1-8 Cav, 2-8 Cav, 2-19 Art; 3d Bde: 1-7 Cav, 2-7 Cav, C/1-9 Cav, 1-21 Art; 1st Bde, 101st Abn Div: 2-327 Inf. Execution: the operation was a sweep throughout the Chu Dle Ya Base Area on the Darlac/Phu Bon boundary and west all the way to the Cambodian border but made no significant contact with the retreating enemy from Operation NATHAN HALE. Results: 35 enemy killed, 7 detained, 1 US KIA, 20 US WIA.

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.

16-30 Jul.
Operation DECKHOUSE II begins. The SLF with 3/5 Marines as BLT will conduct an amphibious assault on the coast between Cua Viet and the southern boundary of the DMZ. Once ashore, the BLT will join TF DELTA in Operation HASTINGS.

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.

24-29 Jul.
Operation: HOBART
Location: Xa Long Tan, Phuoc Tuy Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1ATF. Task organization: 6RAR, 5RAR (one Co), 161 Bty RNZA, 1 APC Sqn (2 Trp). Intelligence: D445 PLAF Bn. Execution: operation took place 5 km east to east-southeast of Nui Dat near Xa Long Tan. Results: 7 enemy killed, 2 AUS KIA, 17 AUS WIA.

New Operations today in 1966:

26-29 Jul.
Operation: FRANKLIN/LIEN KET 50
Location: Binh Son District, Quang Ngai Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 7th Marines, 2nd ARVN Div. Task organization: 1/7 Marines, 2/7 Marines; 2nd ARVN Div (elts). Intelligence: enemy situation and forces, when available. Execution: brief description, when available. Results: friendly and enemy casualties, when available.

Other

26 Jul. The enemy twice attacks 25th US Inf Div base camp at Cu Chi in Hau Nghia Province with total of 175 rounds of 82mm mortar and 75mm RR fire (23 US WIA).

[jbmoore68]

Good Morning, Vietnam !!!

[berto]

On This Day

27 July, 1965

U.S. aircraft struck a surface-to-air missile installation for the first time, attacking an SA-2 site at Suối Hai, Hà Tây Province, North Vietnam. Operation Spring High took off with 46 F-105 fighter-bombers and 58 other supporting aircraft to bomb the sites, losing six planes in the process and destroying only one of the two targets, designated as "Site 6". Afterward, "bomb damage assessment photos disclosed that there was a dummy missile in Site 6, placed there as a trap, and that Site 7 was empty."

Vietnam20230727.jpg (341.73 KiB) Viewed 1204 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.

10 May-31 Jul.
Operation PAUL REVERE I begins. The 3d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division operating from LZ OASIS will launch a campaign along the Cambodian border to prevent a sortie from then 1st PAVN Division and a possible attack of the CIDG Camps at Plei Djereng, Duc Co and Plei Me. Keeping one of its battalion in reserve at OASIS, the brigade will push its other two maneuver units to the southwest in the direction of the Ia Drang Valley. The 2d and 3d Brigades of the 1st Cavalry Division will reinforce if needed.

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

30 Jun.-31 Jul.
Operation: BENNING III Location: Route 19, Binh Dinh Province. Type: road security. Controlling headquarters: 2d Bde, 1st Cav Div.

2-30 Jul.
Operation: HENRY CLAY Location: Chu Dle Ya Base Area, Phu Yen, Phu Bon and Darlac Provinces. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Cav Div. Task organization: 1st Bde: 1-8 Cav, 2-8 Cav, 2-19 Art; 3d Bde: 1-7 Cav, 2-7 Cav, C/1-9 Cav, 1-21 Art; 1st Bde, 101st Abn Div: 2-327 Inf. Execution: the operation was a sweep throughout the Chu Dle Ya Base Area on the Darlac/Phu Bon boundary and west all the way to the Cambodian border but made no significant contact with the retreating enemy from Operation NATHAN HALE. Results: 35 enemy killed, 7 detained, 1 US KIA, 20 US WIA.

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.

16-30 Jul.
Operation DECKHOUSE II begins. The SLF with 3/5 Marines as BLT will conduct an amphibious assault on the coast between Cua Viet and the southern boundary of the DMZ. Once ashore, the BLT will join TF DELTA in Operation HASTINGS.

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.

24-29 Jul.
Operation: HOBART
Location: Xa Long Tan, Phuoc Tuy Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1ATF. Task organization: 6RAR, 5RAR (one Co), 161 Bty RNZA, 1 APC Sqn (2 Trp). Intelligence: D445 PLAF Bn. Execution: operation took place 5 km east to east-southeast of Nui Dat near Xa Long Tan. Results: 7 enemy killed, 2 AUS KIA, 17 AUS WIA.

26-29 Jul.
Operation: FRANKLIN/LIEN KET 50
Location: Binh Son District, Quang Ngai Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 7th Marines, 2nd ARVN Div. Task organization: 1/7 Marines, 2/7 Marines; 2nd ARVN Div (elts). Intelligence: enemy situation and forces, when available. Execution: brief description, when available. Results: friendly and enemy casualties, when available.

New Operations today in 1966:

27 Jul.
Operation: LOI HOA 63
Location: Tuy Hoa, Phu Yen Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 22nd ARVN Div.

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.

Other

27 Jul.
US pilots fly record 542 combat sorties in RVN.

[jbmoore68]

Good Morning, Vietnam !!!

[berto]

On This Day

28 July, 1959

People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) forces attacked Royal Lao Army forces along the North Vietnam-Laos border. The attacks lasted through 31 July.

Vietnam20230728.jpg (147.02 KiB) Viewed 1179 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.

10 May-31 Jul.
Operation PAUL REVERE I begins. The 3d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division operating from LZ OASIS will launch a campaign along the Cambodian border to prevent a sortie from then 1st PAVN Division and a possible attack of the CIDG Camps at Plei Djereng, Duc Co and Plei Me. Keeping one of its battalion in reserve at OASIS, the brigade will push its other two maneuver units to the southwest in the direction of the Ia Drang Valley. The 2d and 3d Brigades of the 1st Cavalry Division will reinforce if needed.

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

30 Jun.-31 Jul.
Operation: BENNING III Location: Route 19, Binh Dinh Province. Type: road security. Controlling headquarters: 2d Bde, 1st Cav Div.

2-30 Jul.
Operation: HENRY CLAY Location: Chu Dle Ya Base Area, Phu Yen, Phu Bon and Darlac Provinces. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Cav Div. Task organization: 1st Bde: 1-8 Cav, 2-8 Cav, 2-19 Art; 3d Bde: 1-7 Cav, 2-7 Cav, C/1-9 Cav, 1-21 Art; 1st Bde, 101st Abn Div: 2-327 Inf. Execution: the operation was a sweep throughout the Chu Dle Ya Base Area on the Darlac/Phu Bon boundary and west all the way to the Cambodian border but made no significant contact with the retreating enemy from Operation NATHAN HALE. Results: 35 enemy killed, 7 detained, 1 US KIA, 20 US WIA.

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.

16-30 Jul.
Operation DECKHOUSE II begins. The SLF with 3/5 Marines as BLT will conduct an amphibious assault on the coast between Cua Viet and the southern boundary of the DMZ. Once ashore, the BLT will join TF DELTA in Operation HASTINGS.

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.

24-29 Jul.
Operation: HOBART
Location: Xa Long Tan, Phuoc Tuy Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1ATF. Task organization: 6RAR, 5RAR (one Co), 161 Bty RNZA, 1 APC Sqn (2 Trp). Intelligence: D445 PLAF Bn. Execution: operation took place 5 km east to east-southeast of Nui Dat near Xa Long Tan. Results: 7 enemy killed, 2 AUS KIA, 17 AUS WIA.

26-29 Jul.
Operation: FRANKLIN/LIEN KET 50
Location: Binh Son District, Quang Ngai Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 7th Marines, 2nd ARVN Div. Task organization: 1/7 Marines, 2/7 Marines; 2nd ARVN Div (elts). Intelligence: enemy situation and forces, when available. Execution: brief description, when available. Results: friendly and enemy casualties, when available.

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.

New Operations today in 1966:

None

Other

28 Jul.
US pilots fly record 375 combat sorties in NVN.

[jbmoore68]

Good Morning, Vietnam !!!

[berto]

On This Day

29 July, 1967

A fire broke out on board the aircraft carrier USS Forrestal after an electrical anomaly caused a Zuni rocket on an F-4B Phantom to fire, striking an external fuel tank of an A-4 Skyhawk. The flammable jet fuel spilled across the flight deck, ignited, and triggered a chain reaction of explosions that killed 134 sailors and injured 161. At the time, Forrestal was engaged in combat operations in the Gulf of Tonkin. The ship survived, but with damage exceeding US$72 million, not including the damage to aircraft. Future United States Senator John McCain and future four-star admiral and U.S. Pacific Fleet Commander Ronald J. Zlatoper were among the survivors. Another on-board officer, Lieutenant Tom Treanore, later returned to the ship as its commander and retired an admiral.

The incident was the second of three serious fires to strike American carriers in the 1960s. A 1966 fire aboard USS Oriskany killed 44 and injured 138. A 1969 fire aboard USS Enterprise killed 28 and injured 314.

The disaster prompted the Navy to revise its firefighting practices. It also modified its weapon handling procedures and installed a deck wash down system on all carriers. The newly established Farrier Firefighting School in Norfolk, Virginia was named after Chief Gerald W. Farrier, the commander of Damage Control Team 8, who was among the first to die in the fire and explosions.

Vietnam20230729.jpg (468.72 KiB) Viewed 1138 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.

10 May-31 Jul.
Operation PAUL REVERE I begins. The 3d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division operating from LZ OASIS will launch a campaign along the Cambodian border to prevent a sortie from then 1st PAVN Division and a possible attack of the CIDG Camps at Plei Djereng, Duc Co and Plei Me. Keeping one of its battalion in reserve at OASIS, the brigade will push its other two maneuver units to the southwest in the direction of the Ia Drang Valley. The 2d and 3d Brigades of the 1st Cavalry Division will reinforce if needed.

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

30 Jun.-31 Jul.
Operation: BENNING III Location: Route 19, Binh Dinh Province. Type: road security. Controlling headquarters: 2d Bde, 1st Cav Div.

2-30 Jul.
Operation: HENRY CLAY Location: Chu Dle Ya Base Area, Phu Yen, Phu Bon and Darlac Provinces. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Cav Div. Task organization: 1st Bde: 1-8 Cav, 2-8 Cav, 2-19 Art; 3d Bde: 1-7 Cav, 2-7 Cav, C/1-9 Cav, 1-21 Art; 1st Bde, 101st Abn Div: 2-327 Inf. Execution: the operation was a sweep throughout the Chu Dle Ya Base Area on the Darlac/Phu Bon boundary and west all the way to the Cambodian border but made no significant contact with the retreating enemy from Operation NATHAN HALE. Results: 35 enemy killed, 7 detained, 1 US KIA, 20 US WIA.

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.

16-30 Jul.
Operation DECKHOUSE II begins. The SLF with 3/5 Marines as BLT will conduct an amphibious assault on the coast between Cua Viet and the southern boundary of the DMZ. Once ashore, the BLT will join TF DELTA in Operation HASTINGS.

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.

24-29 Jul.
Operation: HOBART
Location: Xa Long Tan, Phuoc Tuy Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1ATF. Task organization: 6RAR, 5RAR (one Co), 161 Bty RNZA, 1 APC Sqn (2 Trp). Intelligence: D445 PLAF Bn. Execution: operation took place 5 km east to east-southeast of Nui Dat near Xa Long Tan. Results: 7 enemy killed, 2 AUS KIA, 17 AUS WIA.

26-29 Jul.
Operation: FRANKLIN/LIEN KET 50
Location: Binh Son District, Quang Ngai Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 7th Marines, 2nd ARVN Div. Task organization: 1/7 Marines, 2/7 Marines; 2nd ARVN Div (elts). Intelligence: enemy situation and forces, when available. Execution: brief description, when available. Results: friendly and enemy casualties, when available.

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.

New Operations today in 1966:


29 Jul. Operation: BACH DANG 46
Location: Dak To, Kontum Province. Type: search and destroy.
Controlling headquarters: 24th Special Tactical Zone.

Other

29 Jul. First British medical team arrives in RVN.

[jbmoore68]

Good Morning, Vietnam !!!

[berto]

On This Day

30 July, 1966

The U.S. began its first bombing of the DMZ with 15 B-52s hitting a PAVN base 1 mile (1.6 km) north of the Bến Hải River.

Vietnam20230730.jpg (100.62 KiB) Viewed 1105 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.

10 May-31 Jul.
Operation PAUL REVERE I begins. The 3d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division operating from LZ OASIS will launch a campaign along the Cambodian border to prevent a sortie from then 1st PAVN Division and a possible attack of the CIDG Camps at Plei Djereng, Duc Co and Plei Me. Keeping one of its battalion in reserve at OASIS, the brigade will push its other two maneuver units to the southwest in the direction of the Ia Drang Valley. The 2d and 3d Brigades of the 1st Cavalry Division will reinforce if needed.

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

30 Jun.-31 Jul.
Operation: BENNING III Location: Route 19, Binh Dinh Province. Type: road security. Controlling headquarters: 2d Bde, 1st Cav Div.

2-30 Jul.
Operation: HENRY CLAY Location: Chu Dle Ya Base Area, Phu Yen, Phu Bon and Darlac Provinces. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 1st Cav Div. Task organization: 1st Bde: 1-8 Cav, 2-8 Cav, 2-19 Art; 3d Bde: 1-7 Cav, 2-7 Cav, C/1-9 Cav, 1-21 Art; 1st Bde, 101st Abn Div: 2-327 Inf. Execution: the operation was a sweep throughout the Chu Dle Ya Base Area on the Darlac/Phu Bon boundary and west all the way to the Cambodian border but made no significant contact with the retreating enemy from Operation NATHAN HALE. Results: 35 enemy killed, 7 detained, 1 US KIA, 20 US WIA.

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.

16-30 Jul.
Operation DECKHOUSE II begins. The SLF with 3/5 Marines as BLT will conduct an amphibious assault on the coast between Cua Viet and the southern boundary of the DMZ. Once ashore, the BLT will join TF DELTA in Operation HASTINGS.

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.

New Operations today in 1966:

None

Other

30 Jul.
B-52's bomb enemy facilities in DMZ for first time.

[jbmoore68]

Good Morning, Vietnam !!!

[berto]

On This Day

31 July, 1967

In a continuation of the "Revisionist Anti-Party Affair" from January 1964, a series of arrests of "anti-Party" traitors was made in Hanoi. Hoàng Minh Chính and others were accused of plotting against the party and supplying information to an unnamed foreign power, presumably the Soviet Union. A second wave of arrests took place on 18 October and a third wave in December 1967. The arrests effectively removed allies of Võ Nguyên Giáp [photo, second from left] and opponents to Lê Duẩn's [photo, far left] leadership.

Vietnam20230731.jpg (156.44 KiB) Viewed 1076 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.

10 May-31 Jul.
Operation PAUL REVERE I begins. The 3d Brigade, 25th Infantry Division operating from LZ OASIS will launch a campaign along the Cambodian border to prevent a sortie from then 1st PAVN Division and a possible attack of the CIDG Camps at Plei Djereng, Duc Co and Plei Me. Keeping one of its battalion in reserve at OASIS, the brigade will push its other two maneuver units to the southwest in the direction of the Ia Drang Valley. The 2d and 3d Brigades of the 1st Cavalry Division will reinforce if needed.

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

30 Jun.-31 Jul.
Operation: BENNING III Location: Route 19, Binh Dinh Province. Type: road security. Controlling headquarters: 2d Bde, 1st Cav Div.

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.

New Operations today in 1966:

31 Jul.
Operation: NINH THUAN 14
Location: Phan Rang, Ninh Thuan Province. Type: search and destroy. Controlling headquarters: 23rd ARVN Div.

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

Other

31 Jul.
Former I Corps Commander Nguyen Chanh Thi flies to the US.

[jbmoore68]

Good Morning, Vietnam !!!

[berto]

On This Day

1 August, 1965

Luo Ruiqing, aka Lo Jui-ch'ing, was a politician and general of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. As the first Minister of Public Security from 1949 to 1959, he established the security and police apparatus of the People's Republic of China after the Communist victory in the civil war, and then served as the Chief of the Joint Staff from 1959 to 1965, achieving military victory in the Sino-Indian War.

General Luo declared on Radio Peking that the Chinese were ready to fight the United States again, as they had in the Korean War. Comparing Johnson to Adolf Hitler, Benito Mussolini and Hideki Tojo, General Lo said of the Americans that "If they lose all sense of reality in their lust for gain and persist in underestimating the strength and determination of the Chinese people, impose a war on us, and compel us to accept the challenge, the Chinese people and the Chinese People's Liberation Army, long well prepared and standing in battle array, not only will stay with you without fail to the end, but invite you to come in large numbers, the more the better."

Despite being a close associate and supporter of Mao Zedong for decades, Luo was targeted, purged, and severely beaten during the Cultural Revolution, which he opposed from the beginning.

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