BATTLE OF KHE SANH – VIETNAM WAR

21 January – 9 July 1968

SUMMARY

Around 40,000 U.S. Marines and their allies fought an estimated 20,000-30,000 North Vietnamese regulars in the longest and bloodiest battle of the Vietnam War.  The Battle of Khe Sanh was part of the Tet Offense and was the first time the North Vietnamese committed an armored unit to battle.

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BACKGROUND

The U.S. Marines 26^th Regiment, under the command of Colonel David E. Lownds, occupied the Khe Sanh Combat Base and several hills in the Khe Sanh Valley.  The North Vietnamese, under the command of Major General Trần Quý Hai, attacked the hill outposts and base with massive artillery and, eventually committed troops to try to push the Americans out of the area.  The Marines were reinforced with air support from the Air Force, Marine Aircraft Wing, Navy, Army helicopters, and Australian Air Forces and ground troops from the 1^st Calvary Division and other Marine units.

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LOCATION

Khe Sanh, Hướng Hoá District, Quảng Trị Province, Vietnam

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THE UNITED STATES MARINES

Led by

General William Westmoreland

Lieutenant General Joseph H. Moore

Major General Rathvon M. Tompkins

Colonel David E. Lownds, 26th Marine Regiment (awarded the Navy Cross)

Supported by

General William W. Momyer

7^th Air Force

Major General John J. Tolson

1^st Cavalry Division, U.S. Army

1^st Marine Aircraft Wing

2nd Battalion, 1st Marines

2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines

No. 2 Squadron, Royal Australian Air Force

3rd ARVN Airborne Task Force

Task Force 77 Carrier Battle Force, Seventh Fleet, US Navy

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NORTH VIETNAMESE PEOPLE’S ARMY OF VIETNAM

Led by

General Võ Nguyên Giáp

Major General Trần Quý Hai

Major General Lê Quang Đạo

Supported by

270^th Infantry Regiment

16^th, 45^th, 84^th, 204^th and 675^th Artillery Regiments

208^th, 214^th and 228^th Anti-Aircraft Regiments

4 Tank Companies

1 Engineer Regiment

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RESULT

Both the Americans and North Vietnamese claimed victory.

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CONSEQUENCE

Casualty numbers are difficult as both sides report different numbers.  It is estimated that the North Vietnamese suffered between 5,500-15,000 killed in action and unknown wounded.  The U.S. had different casualty reports so it is estimated that between 2,800-3,500 were killed in action, over 9,000 wounded, 7 missing in action, and 250 captured.  The U.S. eventually abandoned the base at Khe Sanh on July 5, 1968.  U.S. forces briefly reopened the combat base for 3 months in 1971.  Actual footage of the Battle of Khe Sanh can be seen at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8vDgBNFpQEs and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sL7N-aCtlLo

Pictures Source: pixabay.com

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