1965Operation StarlightAugust 17–24, 1965
I CorpsUSMC assault on the Viet Cong base near Van Tuong.
USMC 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade- 2nd Battalion 4th Marine Regiment (2/4)
- 3rd Battalion 4th Marine Regiment (3/4)
- 3rd Battalion 3rd Marine Regiment (3/3)
- 3rd Battalion 7th Marine Regiment (3/7)
- 3rd Battalion 12th Marine Artillery Regiment
US Navy - USS Galveston (CLG-3)
- USS Orleck (DD-886)
- USS Prichett (DD-561)
- USS Cabildo (LSD-16)
- USS Vernon County (LST-1161)embarked elements of the 3d Battalion, 3d Marines (Battalion Landing Team) (BLT) 3
Total Marine infantry combat strength about 5,500 Marines.Viet Cong Forces/National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam (NLF) 1st VC Regiment- 60th Main Force VC Infantry Battalion
- 80th Main Force VC Infantry Battalion
- 1 Company 45th VC Weapons Battalion
- 1 Company 52nd VC Weapons Battalion
Total Viet Cong strength was around 2,000 men.Results of the operation:Marine Losses: The US Marines admitted to have a total of 45 dead and 120 wounded. Other sources cite U.S. losses as 54, comprising 52 Marines, a Navy Corpsman and a US Army Major who flew gunship support.
Corporal Robert E. O'Malley (3/3) and Lance Corporal Joe C. Paul (2/4) received the Medal of Honor for their actions during the operation.
VC Losses: 614 bodies were recovered on the battlefield as well as 9 Prisoners taken.
Firepower employed by the USMC was impressive. They did not intend on losing their first combat operation in South Vietnam. Marine artillery at Chu Lai fired more than 3,000 rounds. The mortar battery in support of the assault forces fired more than 2,400 rounds. USMC fighter bombers flew more than 290 sorties. US Navy ships fired another 1,562 rounds in support of the Marines on shore.
End result was the USMC inflicted heavy casualties on the 1st VC Regiment. Despite that the VC were not driven from the area and the Regiment was not destroyed. It was however badly mauled and was combat ineffective for some time.
UNDER CONSTRUCTION - More to be added.Good Hunting.
MR