2/9 Marines, supported by a platoon of five M-48s, three M50 Ontos and three LVTEs moved north along Provincial Route 606 to make a spoiling attack into the DMZ, the unit made no contact with the PAVN and set up a night defensive position near the Bến Hải River The following morning as the unit was returning along the same route a command detonated mine exploded wounding 5 Marines.
Further down the convoy, a second mine was detonated.
The PAVN then opened fire with small arms and mortar fire and attacked the armored vehicles with RPG-2 rockets.
The PAVN attempted to hug the US column negating the use of air support and the column broke up into several separate firefights.
The convoy then retreated; only through the use of napalm support was the Marine convoy saved from a complete rout.
The isolated Marine companies set up night defensive positions and were eventually relieved by 3/4 Marines on the morning of 30 July.
Marine casualties for the operation were 23 dead and 251 wounded, while 32 PAVN dead were counted by the Marines and a further 175 believed killed.
2/9 Marines, supported by a platoon of five M-48s, three M50 Ontos and three LVTEs moved north along Provincial Route 606 to make a spoiling attack into the DMZ, the unit made no contact with the PAVN and set up a night defensive position near the Bến Hải River The following morning as the unit was returning along the same route a command detonated mine exploded wounding 5 Marines. Further down the convoy, a second mine was detonated. The PAVN then opened fire with small arms and mortar fire and attacked the armored vehicles with RPG-2 rockets. The PAVN attempted to hug the US column negating the use of air support and the column broke up into several separate firefights. The convoy then retreated; only through the use of napalm support was the Marine convoy saved from a complete rout. The isolated Marine companies set up night defensive positions and were eventually relieved by 3/4 Marines on the morning of 30 July. Marine casualties for the operation were 23 dead and 251 wounded, while 32 PAVN dead were counted by the Marines and a further 175 believed killed.
Operation Kingfisher