Key Facts
- Date
- 31 March – 1 April 1967
- VC killed (US sources)
- 609
- US killed
- 17
- US wounded
- 102
- VC captured
- 5
- Weapons recovered
- Over 50
Strategic Narrative Overview
Poor weather delayed one battalion's landing by a day. On 31 March, afternoon reconnaissance triggered a VC attack that killed an American platoon commander. Hours later, a battalion-sized VC force attacked an American company, pushing it back until artillery support enabled withdrawal. The VC attempted to exploit the situation but were repelled by superior American firepower before dusk.
01 / The Origins
Operation Junction City was a large-scale US search and destroy mission in Tay Ninh Province, South Vietnam, near the Cambodian border, aimed at dismantling Viet Cong infrastructure and base areas. Two American infantry battalions were ordered to conduct an airborne assault to secure roads and fire support bases and to locate and destroy VC forces operating in the region during early 1967.
03 / The Outcome
Before dawn on 1 April, the VC launched coordinated mortar and infantry assaults on an American landing zone and fire support base, briefly overrunning several bunkers and seizing about 0.4 hectares. US air strikes and cluster bombs inflicted heavy casualties and forced the attackers to withdraw by early morning. US forces retained control of their positions with 17 killed and 102 wounded.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.