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War-Stories.comSearch and Destroy..!

This is the story of the USMC's Search and Destroy mission against several Viet Cong Hamlets located near the giant Đà Nẵng Air Base (world's busiest airport in 1965). Viet Cong often mortared Đà Nẵng Air Base with harassment fire. They were often successful at destroying aircraft and killing U.S. personnel. U.S. Marines would exact a price from the enemy: Viet Cong KIA, Prisoners of War, and denial of a safe haven by burning of their village. You will see these events, and others, in this story.

Viet Cong attacks on the base provoking a Marine response were:

Đà Nẵng Air Base, Feb. 1965: Mortared, Satchel-attack.


After Action Report: KIA, 0. Aircraft destroyed/damaged: Light.

Đà Nẵng Air Base, Jul. 1965: Hostile Forces: 15 Men Sapper Team; Mortars and 122mm Rockets attack.
After Action Report:
KIA, (1) USAF SSgt Terance Kay Jenson, 6252 Combat Air Police Squadron.
WIA, (2) USMC
Aircraft destroyed: (1) C-130.
Aircraft Damaged: (2) F-102 Delta Daggers.
Hostile Forces: VC Sapper Team, 15 Men.
Captured: (1) Viet Cong, Hostile Forces

Đà Nẵng Air Base, Jul. 1965: USMC Search and Destroy missions increase within 50 miles radius of Đà Nẵng Air Base.
After Action Report: KIA, (7) USMC, area of Đà Nẵng.

Đà Nẵng Air Base, Aug. 1965: USAF Ammunition and Bomb Dump probed.
After Action Report: US KIA, 0. Enemy KIA, 0. Penetration of Ammo Dump repulsed by USAF Sentry Dog Handlers,
Don Poss and Gary Eberbach, 6252d Combat Air Police Sqdrn., 366th SPS. [Story to be posted soon with link from here]

Đà Nẵng Air Base, Aug. 1965: USMC Rifle Company conduct Search and Destroy missions at nearby Viet Cong Hamlets suspected of attacks on Đà Nẵng Air Base of Feb. and Jul. 1965, and ambush of USMC patrol.
After Action Report:
USMC KIA, 0. Enemy KIA, 3. Enemy POWs, 24 (Đà Nẵng POW Camp).
Enemy weapons and ordnance captured.
Enemy tunnels destroyed: 3.
Enemy Hamlet destroyed: 1.
Relocation of civilian personnel: 1 Hamlet.


On August 3, 1965, President Lyndon B. Johnson addressed the U.S. public on television, calling, yet again, for North Vietnam to be reasonable and come to the bargaining table. Johnson promised massive aid if the North complied. At the moment the President was speaking, a Marine Rifle Company was leaving Đà Nẵng Air Base in a sudden sweep of the suspect Viet Cong hamlets. 

 
Although the photos and animated GIF files take time to load, they are worth your time to see and participate in!
(Click on sm.Photo to view Full Size!!!)
 
"Farmers" and "civilians" were escorted back into their village, which openly flies Viet Cong and North Vietnam flags.
 
 
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