The battle marked the first deployment of US 173rd Airborne Brigade into a major Vietnam War engagement, reflecting escalating American military involvement in 1965.
Key Facts
- Dates
- 9–13 June 1965
- Province
- Phước Long Province, South Vietnam
- VC units involved
- 271st and 272nd Regiments
- ARVN units involved
- 1st Bn 7/5 Infantry, 52nd Ranger Bn, 7th Airborne Bn
- US unit deployed
- 173rd Airborne Brigade (no combat engagement)
- Part of
- Viet Cong Summer Offensive of 1965
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Political instability in Saigon led North Vietnamese leaders to believe South Vietnam's government depended on its military strength. Seeking to exploit this vulnerability, the PAVN and Viet Cong launched the Summer Offensive of 1965, aiming to inflict heavy casualties on ARVN forces. Phước Long Province was chosen as a key target, culminating in the Đồng Xoài campaign.
On the evening of 9 June 1965, the VC 272nd Regiment attacked and seized the Civilian Irregular Defense Group and US Special Forces camp at Đồng Xoài. Subsequent ARVN counterattacks by the 1st Battalion 7/5 Infantry, the 52nd Ranger Battalion, and the 7th Airborne Battalion were met with ambushes by the VC 271st Regiment, resulting in significant South Vietnamese losses before the VC withdrew by 13 June.
General Westmoreland ordered elements of the US 173rd Airborne Brigade into the battle zone on 13 June, marking their first commitment to a major engagement in Vietnam. However, the Viet Cong had already withdrawn, and the US paratroopers returned to base without combat contact. The episode highlighted the limits of reactive ARVN counterattacks and accelerated the US decision to take a more direct combat role.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
2 belligerents
William Westmoreland.
Side B
2 belligerents