The US Marine Corps since 1945 by Lee Russell

Author:Lee Russell
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: The US Marine Corps since 1945
ISBN: 9781782000693
Publisher: Osprey Publishing

Beneath the wing of their A-6 attack aircraft, Marine pilots of VMA(AW)-242 accept a ceremonial glass of champagne at Danang after completing their unit’s 15,000th mission in March 1970. They wear Z-4 Anti-G Suits with leg restraints, MA-2 cutaway Torso Harness, Mk.2 Life Preservers and early SV-2 Survival Vests. (USMC A422552)

Marines of 2/9 case their Regimental Colors as they prepare to depart from Vietnam in August 1969. They wear camouflage utilities, Army M1956 webbing gear, Marine Jungle First Aid Pouches and M1961 Ammunition Pouches. Note that one man still wears the World War II/Korean War vintage camouflage helmet cover. (USMC 3M-5-1355-69)

Army units pressed into the A Shau valley in April and May. Meanwhile, 3rd MARDIV fought a six-day battle near Dong Ha against the 320th NVA Division; and in June, TF HOTEL (1st and 4th Marines) carried out operations against the 320th south of Khe Sanh. The Combat Base itself was abandoned in early July, a controversial decision made possible only by the arrival of the more mobile Army units in I Corps. The base itself was no longer needed to support operations in the Western DMZ.

As post-Tet reinforcements, Cushman had received the 27th Marines and one battalion of the 13th in late February. Three battalions came in by air from Pendleton, and 1/27, out of 1st MAB in Hawaii, was diverted while at sea on a landing exercise. Only two battalions and 5th MARDIV headquarters at Pendleton now remained in FMF-Pacific Reserve. The 27th, assigned a coastal sector, took part in Operation ‘Allen Brook’ in May.

After the violence of the early months, summer 1968 passed quietly while the NVA withdrew to lick their wounds. The Army’s 5th Mechanized Division arrived in August, allowing the 27th Marines to depart in September. The 1st Cavalry Division deployed south before the monsoon, and remaining units adjusted their boundaries accordingly. Gen. Westmoreland left in July to become Army Chief of Staff; Gen. Creighton Abrams took his place. In the second half of 1968 the Marines again turned their attention to pacification.

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