50 years ago today, 18 SEP, in sunny Vietnam-land - Where were you?

2015-09-19T09:09:12-04:00

In Operation Gibraltar 224 soldiers of the First Brigade of the 101st Airborne landed by helicopter near An Khê in the Central Highlands in an area in which 2 Viet Cong battalions were located.

The Viet Cong attacked and killed 13 Americans.

Air strikes forced the Viet Cong to retreat with losses estimated by the U.S. at between 226 to 257.

General Westmoreland called the operation "a great victory."

Others, including Col. David H. Hackworth, considered the battle "not...a great victory."

Response by SSG Leo Bell made Sep 19 at 2015 9:38 AM

2015-09-19T09:38:48-04:00

Thank you for the history. I like reading and knowing everything on the Vietnam war.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Sep 19 at 2015 9:51 AM

2015-09-19T09:51:51-04:00

Thanks for the input. Curious though why attach a 173rd Airborne Brigade patch when your talking about the 101st?

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 19 at 2015 10:25 AM

2015-09-19T10:25:25-04:00

Thank you for the history

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Sep 19 at 2015 10:29 AM

2015-09-19T10:29:11-04:00

To the question of if this was 'a great victory', I have a few thoughts. IF you have company size element come in contact with two battalion sized elements and the company...even if its appears to be reinforced.. only takes 13 KIA and appears to have inflicted some serious casualties upon the enemy, then I would agree this a pretty substantial victory, or at least it is for 211 American soldiers? This is even before you factor in that the Americans were able to drive the enemy back? Last, I think in 65 the military estimates of enemy losses was not has inaccurate as it would be later in the conflict...but this is my opinion and not based on first hand evidence on my part.

Response by MSG Brad Sand made Sep 19 at 2015 10:31 AM

2015-09-19T10:31:07-04:00

In the back yard playing in the mud. Little did I know, playing in the mud would be training for a future career.

Response by SSG(P) D. Wright Downs made Sep 19 at 2015 12:15 PM

2015-09-19T12:15:06-04:00

I was not in Vietnam. My HS classmates spent their senior trip there. Being a female my guidance counselor talked me out of it---I enlisted 10 years later. However, to those who read and may not know, I point out that casualties of Pfc/E-3 and below were not included in the body counts of the American Forces. I do not know when this policy went into effect. I do know it was under the tenure of General Westmoreland. I am sure there are people with more information on this policy.