The Battle Of Ia Drang Nco Academy - 1463 Words

Title of the Document Goes Here SFC Byron Allred, SFC Niup, SFC Paige, SFC Terrance Retch SLC #13D 001-16 Fort Sill NCO Academy The Battle of Ia Drang was the first major battle between regulars of the United States Army and regulars of the People s Army of Vietnam of North Vietnam during the Vietnam Conflict. The two-part battle took place between November 14 and November 18, 1965, at two landing zones West of Plei Me in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam, precisely at the footstep of Chu Pong massif, 25 kilometers west of Plei Me as part of the U.S. airmobile offensive codenamed Operation Silver Bayonet I (November 9–18, 1965). The battle derives its name from the Drang River which runs through the valley west of Plei Me, where the engagement took place (Ia means river in the local Montagnard language). Representing the American forces were elements of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division: the 1/7 AC Battalion, 2/7 AC Battalion and the 2/5 AC Battalion of the 2nd Air Cavalry Brigade of the United States Army, facing elements of the B3 Front of the PAVN (including the 304th Division) and Viet C ong). The battle involved close air support by U.S. Army helicopter gunships and U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy tactical jet aircraft, and a bombing attack by USAF B-52s. The initial North Vietnamese assault against the landing 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry at LZ X-Ray was repulsed after two days and nights of heavy fighting on November 14–16, with the