September 4, 1967*
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Operation Swift*
Que Son Valley*
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While on Patrol near the Ly Ly River, company D, 1/5 was ambushed and was in serious trouble. K and M 3/5 were released to 1/5 as a relief force. The two companies and the 1/5 command group were helicopted into an LZ a few klicks from the ambush site and moved out. M company initially took the rear but when numerous signs of the enemy were spotted, Mike was ordered up to the right, between the Ly Ly River and the highway. Turn on Map Text to view your deployment area.*
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Notes: Deploy in the designated area North of the road.*
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Epilogue*
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While crossing a wide open rice paddy, Mike company was ambushed by a large NVA force. 1st and 2nd platoon were surrounded at times and fought for their lives. The company CP was set up on a small knoll. Enemy mortar fire pounded the company positions. After a few hours of fighting Mike retreated two hundred yards and called in protective artillery strikes during the night. Despite the artillery small groups of NVA sometimes penetrated the perimeter and had to be hunted down in the dark.*
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Operation SWift lasted until September 15 as the 5th Marines pursued the NVA. They saw some of their toughest fighting of the war. By the end the campaign, both the 1st VC and 2nd NVA regiments were badly chewed up and needed extensive rebuilding.*
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