By Jan 1, 1966, over 180,000 United States troops were having their mail forwarded to South Vietnam, over 1800 soldiers would never read their mail again, and the folks sending them mail from back in the States began the new year with a new top song, Simon and Garfunkel's "Sound of Silence".
Operation Crimp (Jan 7, 1966)
- A joint Australian - United States operation.
- The objective of the operation was to discover and destroy the Vietcong's 4th Military Region Headquarters.
- The operation failed to obtain its initial objective, but during the sweep of the area, a large tunnel complex was discovered and a new objective of clearing the tunnels began.
- 8000 USA and Aussie troops conduct the operation. It was the largest operation so far of the war.
While the first "tunnel rats" scurried through jungle tunnels a world away, America was trying to work it out by listening to the Beatles latest number on single, "We Can Work It Out".
Operation Masher/White Wing (January 28 - March 6, 1966)
- The 42 day search and destroy mission was initially named Operation Masher, but goverment wankers determined that the name was too offensive and would hinder their nation building plans, so they changed it to White Wing.
- The objective was to deploy the troop of the 1st Cav. (Airborne) to the Ninh Binh Province to search for and destroy all enemy supplies and troops.
- During the operation, US soldiers report enemy body counts as high as 1800, and the 3rd NVA Division was destroyed. This was incorrect, and the 3rd NVA reformed and later in the war was back in the fight.
- It is alledged that the USA used hallucinogenic drugs agains't 500 Vietcong during the operation. Who knows the truth?
When the operation started on Jan. 28, the kids in the real world were still working it out with the Beatles. The same song that was number one at the start of Operation Masher. By the time the operation ended on March 6th, their parents were standing tall, saying things like: "No glory, like Old Glory" and singing along To SSgt Barry Sadler greatest hit ever, "The Ballad of the Green Berets".
Operation Hastings (July 15, 1966 - Aug 3, 1966)
- In May and June 1966, 10,000 North Vietnam regulars of the 324B Division infiltrate South Vietnam in a two prong assault. The thrust of the attack is directed in the mountain jungles located between the DMZ and Dong Ha, in the Quang Tri province.
- To counter this threat, seven Marine infantry battalions, along with artillery and air, and five ARVN battalions were ordered to the area. It was the largest Marine operation, to date, ever undertaken.
- The operation began July 15th with a massive airlift of troops to "Helicopter Alley", an area just south of the DMZ. This force, along with another force located at the "Rock Pile", west of "Helicopter Alley", were to be used as blocking forces to stop the NVA advance.
- Marines inserted into "Helicopter Alley" came under fire and chaos erupted, as helicopter collided with each other. Caught behind enemy lines, the Marines fight a multiple day battle. The bloodiest battle of the operation.
- On July 25th,to establish communication between "Rock Pile" and "Helicopter Alley", marines are order to take Hill 362. While securing the hill, India company was attacked by a large force of NVA.
- By Aug 3rd, The NVA had been driven back across the DMV. The NVA, with almost 900 dead, where still a militarily effect force.
- The United States sustains 126 casualties with an additional 448 men wounded.
While USA Marines fight and die on mountains with jungle growth so thick they can't see 10 feet in front of their faces, their girlfriends and wives are doing the "Hanky Panky". The number one song by Tommy James and the Shondells.
Operation Attleboro (Sept. 14, 1966 - November 24, 1966)
- The operation that started with elements of the 25th Division and 196th Light Infantry now consisted of a force of over 16,000 USA troops. With the arrival of the 1st Division and the 173rd Airborne Brigade, it was the largest operation to date.
- Two significant battles occurred during the operations around Tay Ninh.
- Major Guy S. Meloy's 400 man strong 196th Light Infantry, during a Search and Destroy mission was ambushed by approximately 1500 Vietcong and North Vietnam regulars. The troops survived 6 "human wave" charges and were able to hold until reinforcements arrived. Over 200 Reds were killed in the 30 hour of intermittent fighting.
- Lieut. Colonel Whitted, commander of 1st Batt./1st Div./28th Inf., has his command post attacked.The command post is kept from being overran by artillary and airstrikes. There was an additional 400 NVA killed.
- US infantrymen find a large cache of arms and food. It is one of the largest finds so far.
- It is claimed that over 1000 bad guys were killed in the campaign.
As Operation Attleboro winds down, somewhere in Vietnam The United State's 6000th young man dies, and America cherishes his memory with the mellow renderings of The Association. Who's song, "Cherish", had just reached number one on the Billboard countdown.
