A Vietnamese communist ambush that decimated two U.S. rifle companies, illustrating the shift in VC strategy toward maximizing American casualties.
Key Facts
- Date
- 17 October 1967
- Location
- Ong Thanh Stream, Bình Dương Province, South Vietnam
- U.S. Unit
- 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division
- VC Unit
- 271st Regiment, VC 9th Division
- Operation
- Operation Shenandoah II
- Prior Operation Billings U.S. losses
- 57 killed vs. 347 VC killed
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Following heavy VC losses in early 1967 from U.S. search-and-destroy missions, PAVN General Trần Văn Trà advocated a strategy of inflicting maximum casualties on American units to erode U.S. will to continue the war. The VC 271st Regiment moved into the Long Nguyen Secret Zone to rest and refit, while U.S. forces launched Operation Shenandoah II to clear Highway 13 in the region.
On 17 October 1967, two rifle companies of the U.S. 2nd Battalion, 28th Infantry Regiment returned to a VC bunker complex near Ong Thanh Stream that had been discovered the previous day. The VC 271st Regiment, anticipating the American assault, had repositioned and launched a devastating ambush against the U.S. forces in Chơn Thành District.
The ambush resulted in severe American casualties and demonstrated the effectiveness of the VC tactic of drawing U.S. forces into prepared killing grounds. The battle contributed to growing doubts in the United States about the sustainability of the war effort, consistent with the VC strategic goal of making the conflict appear too costly for continued American involvement.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
John H. Hay.
Side B
1 belligerent
Trần Văn Trà.