Major Battles - Operation Starlite
18-24 August, 1965
U.S. Marine Corps operation aimed at eliminating the 1st Viet Cong (VC) Regiment. Operation Starlite began near the Van Tuong Peninsula in Quang Tri Province. Marine planners designed a three-pronged attack. It called for elements of the 7th Marines at Chu Lai to move south and block any VC escape north while units of the 4th Marines were helicoptered to three landing zones, named Red, White, and Blue, west and southwest of the hamlets Nam Yen and and An Cuong. These Marines would then drive the BVC northeastward toward the sea. Finally, elements of the 3d Marines would land on the beach due east of these hamlets, with amphibian and armored support, and drive west and north. Despite stiff resistance from VC forces, Starlite succeeded in pushing the insurgents to the coast. Close air support, tanks, and naval gunfire were critical to the operartion's outcome. Operation Starlite came to a close on 24 August.
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