Viet Cong attack on Pleiku airbase

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Viet Cong attack on Pleiku airbase
Part of the Vietnam War
Date February 6, 1965
Location 14°0′17.7″N 108°1′1.7″E / 14.004917, 108.017139 (Pleiku Airbase)Coordinates: 14°0′17.7″N 108°1′1.7″E / 14.004917, 108.017139 (Pleiku Airbase)
Pleiku, South Vietnam

UTM Grid AR 804-470[1]

Result Viet Cong tactical victory,
United States launched Operation Flaming Dart in retaliation.
Belligerents
Viet Cong United States
South Vietnam
Strength
200+ 400
Casualties and losses
unknown U.S casualties: 9 killed, 128 wounded and 20 aircraft destroyed or damaged.

The Viet Cong attack on Pleiku airbase (aka Camp Holloway Airfield) occurred on the night of February 6, 1965. The attack left eight Americans dead and 128 wounded,[1] and it prompted the United States to launch Operation Flaming Dart against North Vietnam in retaliation. The Pleiku attack and an attack on positions the same day at Qui Nhon were used by the Johnson Administration as justification for committing combat troops to South Vietnam, ostensibly to provide security for U.S. installations.[1]

[edit] Notes

  1. ^ a b c Kelley, Michael P. (2002). Where We Were In Vietnam. Hellgate Press, p. 5-412. ISBN 1-55571-625-3. 

[edit] Contemporary news reporting