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Encyclopedia > Operation Starlite
Operation Starlite
Part of Vietnam War
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 northern I Corps area of South Vietnam. 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. Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000... August 17 is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... August 24 is the 236th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar (237th in leap years), with 129 days remaining. ... 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ... Chu Lai (15. ... {| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=300 style=margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%; |+Quốc gia Việt Nam (1949–1955) Việt Nam Cộng Hòa (1955–1975) Cộng Hòa Mi... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links FNL_Flag. ... A Viet Cong soldier, heavily guarded, awaits interrogation following capture in the attacks on Saigon during the festive Tet holiday period of 1968. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links No higher resolution available. ... Image File history File links FNL_Flag. ... Combatants Republic of Vietnam United States Republic of Korea Thailand Australia New Zealand The Philippines National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam Democratic Republic of Vietnam People’s Republic of China Democratic Peoples Republic of Korea Strength US 1,000,000 South Korea 300,000 Australia 48,000... {| border=1 align=right cellpadding=4 cellspacing=0 width=300 style=margin: 0 0 1em 1em; background: #f9f9f9; border: 1px #aaaaaa solid; border-collapse: collapse; font-size: 95%; |+Quốc gia Việt Nam (1949–1955) Việt Nam Cộng Hòa (1955–1975) Cộng Hòa Mi... Lewis William Walt (16 February 1913–26 March 1989), also known as Lew Walt, was a United States Marine Corps officer who served in World War II, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War. ... A Viet Cong soldier, heavily guarded, awaits interrogation following capture in the attacks on Saigon during the festive Tet holiday period of 1968. ... Chu Lai (15. ...


The operation was conducted as a combined arms assault involving ground, air and naval units. Marines were deployed by helicopter insertion into the designated landing zone while an amphibious landing was used to deploy other Marines. Combined arms is an approach to warfare which seeks to integrate different arms of a military to achieve mutually complementary effects. ... A US Army UH-1 Huey seen offloading troops during the Vietnam War Air Assault (or air mobile, in the U.S. Air Cavalry) is the movement of forces by helicopter or aircraft to engage and destroy enemy forces or to seize and hold key terrain. ... A Landing Zone or LZ is a military term for any area where aircraft land. ...

Contents

Forces involved

American

The Operation was launched on August 17, 1965, involving 5,500 Marines of the 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade. The brigade was comprised of 2nd Battalion 4th Marines (2/4), 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines (3/3), 1st Battalion 7th Marines (3/7) and 3rd Battalion 7th Marines (3/7 - from the Special Landing Force and originally a reserve component) in an assault on the Viet Cong base near Van Tuong. The United States Navy's USS Galveston (CLG-3) and USS Cabildo (LSD-16) were available for naval gunfire support and 3rd Battalion 12th Marines was the artillery unit in direct support. August 17 is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ... 2nd Battalion 4th Marines (2/4) is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. ... 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines (3/3) is an infantry battalion in the United States Marine Corps based out of Marine Corps Base Hawaii consisting of approximately 1000 Marines and Sailors. ... The 1st Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment (1/7) is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. ... The 3rd Battalion 7th Marine Regiment (3/7) is an infantry battalion of the United States Marine Corps. ... The United States Navy, also known as the USN or the U.S. Navy, is a branch of the United States armed forces responsible for conducting naval operations. ... The USS Galveston (CL-93/CLG-3) was as Cleveland class light cruiser of the United States Navy that was later converted to a Galveston class guided missile cruiser. ... USS Cabildo (LSD-16) was a Casa Grande-class dock landing ship of the United States Navy. ... Naval gunfire support (NGFS) comprises the use of naval artillery to provide fire support support for amphibious assault troops. ... 3rd Battalion 12th Marines (3/12) is an artillery battalion comprised of three firing batteries and a Headquarters Battery. ... Artillery with Gabion fortification Cannons on display at Fort Point Continental Artillery crew from the American Revolution Firing of an 18-pound gun, Louis-Philippe Crepin, (1772 – 1851) A forge-welded Iron Cannon in Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu. ...


Vietnamese

Viet Cong forces were comprised of the 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.


The battle

Mike Co., 3/3 was designated the blocking force and deployed on August 17, 1965 using LVTs to the operational area. When it landed on the beach, it marched 4 miles to establish their blocking positions. 3/3 made an amphibious landing and were tasked with driving the Viet Cong towards the 2nd battalion 4th Marines who were to be lifted by helicopter into three landing zones west of Van Tuong. Secrecy was paramount and no ARVN commander or units were informed of the impending operation. August 17 is the 229th day of the year (230th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. ... 1965 (MCMLXV) was a common year starting on Friday (the link is to a full 1965 calendar). ... LVTs heading for shore in the battle of Saipan, 15 June 1944. ... The Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) was a military component of the armed forces of the Republic of Vietnam (commonly known as South Vietnam). ...


The Marines met light resistance moving into the attack. Echo Company, 2/4 spotted Viet Cong in the open and called in artillery fire from 3rd Battalion 12th Marines. The artillery barrage was reported to have killed 90 enemy personnel. Hotel Company,2/4 assaulted the 60th VC Battalion who put up a vicious fight. One prisoner was taken and 40 weapons were captured. India Company,3/3 attacked An Cuong after receiving heavy fire from the hamlet and losing their company commander in the engagement. 3rd Battalion 12th Marines (3/12) is an artillery battalion comprised of three firing batteries and a Headquarters Battery. ...


India Company was ordered to join Kilo and Hotel companies and clean up any opposition, but was caught in a crossfire from Nam Yen Dan Hill 30. Hotel Company established a defensive perimeter and were told to await reinforcements. The expected 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. M67 recoilless rifle. ... LVTs heading for shore in the battle of Saipan, 15 June 1944. ... US soldier loading a M224 60-mm mortar. ... Close air support (often abbreviated CAS) is the use of military aircraft in a ground attack role against targets in close proximity to friendly troops, in support of ground combat operations. ...


The developing engagement necessitated the deployment of Lima Company,3/7 from the USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) to join India company to assist the ambushed supply column. Come nightfall, the Marines hunkered down into defensive positions. The balance of 3/7's Marines came ashore during the night and the battalion got ready for a morning assault on the Vietnamese positions. When they finally attacked they found the VC unit had fled during the night, though pockets of resistance continued from other Viet Cong soldiers holed up in bunkers and caves. Resistance ceased at nightfall. USS Iwo Jima (LPH-2) was the lead ship of her class—the first ship to be designed and built from the keel up as an amphibious assault ship. ...


Results

The various Marine units reported killing 614 Viet Cong and took 9 prisoners. Nine prisoners were taken along with forty two suspected guerillas. 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]. Corporal Robert E. O'Malley and Lance Corporal Joe C. Paul received the Medal of Honor for their actions during the operation. Sergeant Robert Emmett O’Malley (born 3 June 1943) is a United States Marine who was the first Marine Corps recipient of the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War — the United States highest military decoration — for conspicuous gallantry in combat as a corporal in Vietnam on 18 August 1965. ... Lance Corporal Joe Calvin Paul (1946-1965) was a 19 year old U.S. Marine who lost his life after diverting an attack long enough to allow the evacuation of wounded Marines during Operation Starlight near Chu Lai, Vietnam, on 18 August 1965. ... The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States. ...


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 M14 Rifle was too bulky for troops cramped into small personnel carriers. The battle was a big psychological boost for US forces as they engaged a Main Force Viet Cong unit and came out victorious. [5] The M14 rifle (more formally the United States Rifle, Caliber 7. ...


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]

See also

United States Marine Corps Portal

Image File history File links USMC_logo. ...

References

Notes

  1. ^ http://www.marzone.com/7thMarines/Hst0101.htm/
  2. ^ http://www.historycentral.com/vietnam/Starlite.html
  3. ^ http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,Leatherneck_050815_Starlite,00.html
  4. ^ http://www.mca-marines.org/leatherneck/OperationStarliteAug05.htm
  5. ^ http://www.vwam.com/client/contentclient.php?intIdContent=10
  6. ^ http://www.military.com/NewContent/0,13190,Leatherneck_050815_Starlite,00.html

Books

  • Summers, Harry G. Historical Atlas of the Vietnam War. New York: Houghton Mifflin Company.

Further reading

  • Otto Lehrack "FIRST BATTLE: Operation Starlite and the Beginning of the Blood Debt in Vietnam”

  Results from FactBites:
 
Operation Starlite (2826 words)
It was to be a classic hammer and anvil operation with the amphibious force, 3/3, landing across Green Beach as the hammer, while the helicopter-borne force, 2/4, landing at LZs Red, White and Blue to the west of Van Tuong would be the anvil.
The name for the operation was to be “Satellite,” but a generator failed when the clerks began typing up the order, and one of them, working by candlelight, misread the name and typed in “Starlite” instead.
His “The First Battle: Operation Starlite and the Beginning of the Blood Debt in Vietnam,” published in 2004, is a graphic, well-researched rendering of the actions leading up to the battle as well as a detailed account of the battle.
Operation Starlite - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia (919 words)
“Operation Starlite” was the first offensive military action conducted by a purely U.S. military unit during the Vietnam War.
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.
The Operation was conducted as an all arms assault involving ground, air and naval units.
  More results at FactBites »


 

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