1965 first major offensive action conducted by a U.S. military unit during the Vietnam War
Operation Starlite was the first purely U.S. offensive military operation of the Vietnam War, establishing combined arms tactics used throughout the conflict.
Key Facts
- Operation dates
- 18–24 August 1965
- U.S. commander
- Lt. Gen. Lewis W. Walt, III MAF
- Intelligence source
- Maj. Gen. Nguyen Chanh Thi, ARVN I Corps
- Enemy unit targeted
- Viet Cong 1st Regiment
- Objective
- Protect Chu Lai Air Base and communications tower
- Assault method
- Combined helicopter insertion and amphibious landing
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
Intelligence provided by ARVN I Corps commander Major General Nguyen Chanh Thi revealed the Viet Cong 1st Regiment was planning to threaten the strategically vital Chu Lai Air Base. III MAF commander Lieutenant General Lewis W. Walt devised a pre-emptive strike to neutralize this threat and protect the base's critical communications infrastructure.
From 18 to 24 August 1965, U.S. Marines conducted a combined arms assault against the Viet Cong 1st Regiment near Van Tuong, deploying troops by helicopter insertion and amphibious landing. The VC fought from prepared positions, withdrew under pressure, and ambushed a lost supply column, but could not withstand the sustained weight of Marine firepower and combined ground, air, and naval forces.
The Viet Cong 1st Regiment was unable to resist U.S. firepower and was repulsed, securing Chu Lai Air Base and its communications tower. Operation Starlite established a precedent for large-scale offensive U.S. unilateral military operations in Vietnam and demonstrated combined arms tactics that would be employed throughout the war.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Lt. Gen. Lewis W. Walt, Maj. Gen. Nguyen Chanh Thi (intelligence support).
Side B
1 belligerent