Operation Starlite

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Operation Starlite

Date	August 17 - August 24, 1965
Location	Van Tuong (12 miles south of Chu Lai), South Vietnam
Result	United States Tactical Victory

Combatants

United States

Viet Cong

Commanders

General Lewis W. Walt

Strength

5,500

1,500 VC 1st Regiment

Casualties

45 killed
203 wounded

>614 killed
9 captured

Operation Starlite was the first offensive military action conducted by a purely U.S. military unit during the Vietnam War. The operation was launched based on intelligence provided by Major General Nguyen Chanh Thi, the commander of the South Vietnamese forces in I Corps. Lieutenant General Lewis W. Walt, devised a plan to launch a pre-emptive strike against the Viet Cong regiment to nullify the threat on the Chu Lai base.

The Operation was launched on 17 August 1965, involving 5,500 marines of the 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade comprising 2/4 Marines, 3/3 Marines, 1/7 and Marines 3/7 Marines (from the Special Landing Force and originally a reserve component) in an assault on the Viet Cong base near Van Tuong. Viet cong forces comprised 1st VC Regiment made up of the 60th and 80th VC Battalions, the 52nd VC Company, and a Company of the 45th VC Weapons Battalion. The total Viet Cong strength was around 1,500 men. CLG-93 USS Galveston and LSD-16 USS Cabildo was available for naval gun support.

The Operation was conducted as an all arms assault involving ground, air and naval units. Troops from 2/4 Marines were deployed by insertion using helicopters into the designated LZ while an amphibious landing was used to deploy troops of 3/3 Marines (less Mike Company). Mike Company of 3/3 Marines embarked on LVTs made a landing on 17 August and marched 4 miles to set up their blocking positions.

1 The Battle
2 Results
3 Trivia
4 References
5 Further reading

[edit] The Battle

Mike company of 3/3 Marines was designated the blocking force and deployed on 17 August 1965 using LVTs to the operational area. When they landed on the beach, they marched 4 miles to establish their blocking positions. 3/3 Marines made an amphibious landing and was to drive the Viet Cong unit across the battle zone towards the 2/4 Marines who are to be lifted by helicopter into three LZs west of Van Tuong. Secrecy was paramount and no ARVN commander or units was informed of the impending operation.

The Marines met light resistance moving into the attack. E Company, 2/4 Marines spotted Viet Cong in the open and called in artillery fire from 3/12 Marines. The artillery barrage killed 90 Viet Congs. "Hotel" Company of 2/4 Marines assaulted the 60th VC Battalion who put up a vicious fight. One prisoner was taken and 40 weapons were captured. "India" Company 3/3rd Marines attacked An Cuong after receiving heavy fire from the hamlet. The Marines lost their CO, Captain Bruce D. Webb.

India Company was ordered to join Kilo and Hotel Companies and clean up any Viet Cong opposition, but was caught in a crossfire from Nam Yen dan Hill 30. "Hotel" Company established a defensive perimeter and told to await reinforcements. But the reinforcements were diverted to assist the supply column that was ambushed west of their position. Recoilless rifle fire from the VC positions tore into the 5 LVTs and 3 flame tanks, forcing the marines to mount a rescue. The Marines were hit by intense mortar and rifle fire, and suffered 5 dead and 17 wounded. They called in artillery and air support to suppress the mortar and automatic fire.

The developing engagement necessitated the deployment of Lima company 3/7 Marines on USS Iwo Jima to join India company to assist the ambushed supply column. Come nightfall, the Marines hunkered down into defensive positions. The balance of 3/7 Marines came ashore during the night and 3/7 Marines got ready for a morning assault on the VC positions. But when they moved into the VC position, they found out that the vc has fled during the night, though pockets of resistance continued from VCs holed up in bunkers and caves. Resistance ceased at nightfall.

2 Marines earned the Medal of Honor for their heroics that day. Cpl. Robert E. O'Malley, single-handedly killed 8 VC and his bravery earned him the Medal of Honor. LCpl. Joe C. Paul was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. His platoon sustained 5 casualties and was pinned down by mortar and automatic fire, unable to withdraw. When the casualties were subjected to WP grenades, LCpl. Joe C. Paul moved to a position between the casualties and the VC positions to provide suppressive fire, allowing the casualties to be evacuated. He was critically wounded but continued to pour suppressive fire until he collapsed and was evacuated.

[edit] Results

The various Marine units managed to notch a kill of 614 VC by body count. Nine prisoners were taken, along with 42 suspects. 109 assorted weapons were seized. But the 1st VC Regiment was not totally destroyed as hoped by the Marines.

The Marines lost a total of 45 dead and 203 wounded. [1] [2] . Other sources cite US loses as 54, comprising 52 Marines, a Navy Corpsman and a US Army Major who flew gunship support [3] [4]

Lessons learned from the battle include the knowledge that the daily allotment of 2 gallons of water per man was inadequate in the Vietnam heat and that the M-14 assault rifle was too bulky for troops cramped into small personnel carriers. The battle was a big psychological boost for US forces. US Forces engaged a Main Force Viet Cong unit and came out victorious. [5]

[edit] Trivia

The operation was originally called Satellite, but a power blackout led to a clerical error and a clerk working by candlelight typed "Starlite" instead. [6]