Key Facts
- Date
- 21 March 1967
- VC bodies found
- 647
- American killed
- 36
- American wounded
- 190
- Weapons recovered
- 65 crew-served, 94 individual
- Fatality ratio
- More than 20:1 in American favour
Strategic Narrative Overview
Before dawn on 21 March, Viet Cong forces launched a mortar barrage at 06:30, followed by a large infantry assault. The attackers initially breached portions of the American perimeter, forcing defenders to contract inward. American reinforcement units broke through the encircling VC envelope, and combined artillery and firepower gradually shifted the battle. The Viet Cong continued aggressive follow-up charges, some fighters carrying wounded forward, but could not overcome the restored American defensive strength.
01 / The Origins
The Battle of Suoi Tre took place within Operation Junction City, a large-scale American search and destroy mission in Tay Ninh Province, South Vietnam, in 1967. On 19 March, U.S. helicopters airlifted two infantry battalions into a clearing near Suoi Tre to establish a fire support base intended to support ongoing operations against Viet Cong forces in the region, with seven helicopters damaged during the airlift.
03 / The Outcome
The Viet Cong ultimately withdrew under heavy casualties, leaving 647 dead counted on the field. Seven prisoners were taken and 159 weapons were recovered by American forces. U.S. losses stood at 36 killed and 190 wounded. The outcome represented a clear tactical American victory and demonstrated the effectiveness of fire support bases as a platform for search and destroy operations in III Corps.
Belligerents & Mobilization Analysis
Side A
1 belligerent
Side B
1 belligerent
Kinetic Engagement Axis
Scroll horizontally to view full axis. Events plotted relatively.