Vietnam War - Hit Song Timeline: 1966

Bigger and Bigger



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.

Vietnam War - Hit Song Timeline: 1965

The War Escalates!



On January 26, 1965, as approximately 23,000 military "advisors" trained South Vietnamese troops, the United States was swinging to the hip grooves of their newest British import. A blonde-haired dream girl, named Miss Petula Clark. Who just happened to have a number one hit titled "Downtown".


Operation Flaming Dart One and Two (Feb 7 and Feb 11, 1965)

• Flaming Dart One: To show the communist that the USA was serious about their involvement in South Vietnam, Johnson orders air strikes against North Vietnamese military installations in and around Dong Hoi.

• Flaming Dart Two: Johnson, once again orders air strikes in response to Vietcong retaliatory strikes against a hotel housing US troops. This time targeting Vietcong logistic and communication centers close to the DMZ.

While US Navy jets from aircraft carriers were flying 49 sorties during Flaming Dart One and 99 more sorties during Flaming Dart Two, Americans back home were listening to the Righteous Brothers first major hit, "You've Lost That Lovin' Feelin'". The song had moved to number one on Feb 6, and remained there until Feb 20.


Operation Rolling Thunder Begins (March 2, 1965 - Nov 1, 1968)

• Initially, Rolling Thunder was to be a highly restrictive, eight-week campaign to restrict the flow of troops and supplies into South Vietnam.

• By the time it was finished 3 years later, the operation had evolved to include; propping up the South Vietnamese government; attempting to force North Vietnam to stop supporting the Vietcong; and destroying North Vietnam's transportation system, industrial complexes, and air defenses compounds.

• Because of highly restrictive orders of engagement that were dictated by political forces in the White House, Operation Rolling Thunder was unsuccessful even though the United States Navy and Air Force, by the end of the war, flew over 3 million sorties and dropped four times more bombs than were dropped in World War 2.

As approximately 100 US fighters and bombers began to strafe and pepper the Ho Chi Minh trail in a futile attempt to stop the flow of troops and supplies from reaching South Vietnam, all the cool kids listened on their AM radios to Gary Lewis and the Playboys sing about unfaithful love and broken hearts, in the hit song, "This Diamond Ring". The song reached number one the week of Feb 20th, and remained there until March 6th.


The First US Troop Surge Approved (April 1, 1965)

• President Johnson approves the first of many increases of US military forces in the region. With the addition of two Marine Battalions and approximately 20,000 "logistical personal", the total approved troop level is now over 60,000 troops.

Not knowing that Johnson was beginning the process of signing many a young man's death warrant, America's youth were bopping to the Motown beats of The Supremes and their latest number one hit "Stop! In The Name Of Love".


The First US Combat Troops Arrive (May 3, 1965)

• On May 3, 1965 the lead elements of the 173rd Airborne Brigade arrived "in country", making them the first US combat units to serve in Vietnam.

• Gen. Williamson, the Brigade commander, in the tradition of military commanders throughout history, predicts a quick victory and to be home by Christmas.

As the US invasion was sweeping ashore in Southeast Asia, the shores of America where in the grips of the British invasion. Herman's Hermits fired another salvo across the bow of the US music scene with the 3-week chart topping hit song, "Mrs. Brown You've Got A Lovely Daughter".


The Surge Continues (July 28, 1965)

President Johnson announces he is:

• Doubling the troop levels in South Vietnam to 125,000 men.

• Raising the number of men drafted monthly from 17,000 to 35,000.

• Signing a law making it illegal to burn your draft card.

Perhaps one of the forty Berkley students that in May staged the first public draft card burning was kicked back with his best chick in the back seat of a new convertible; watching the stars, dreaming of tomorrow and listening to the radio play "Mr. Tambourine Man" The Byrds hit single as of July 26.

Operation Starlite (Aug 17, 1965 - Aug 24, 1965)

• Americas first purely offensive ground combat mission of the war.

• A pre-emptive strike by approximately 5500 United States Marines against a 1500 man strong Vietcong regiment.

• The operation was declared a success, and the bad guy body count increased by 600 men.

And a young girl listens to the new Sonny And Cher single "I've Got You Babe", as she reads the last letter she will ever get from her boyfriend, one of the 45 marines that die during Operation Starlite. It was the number one single from Aug 14th through Sept 4th.


Operation Hump (Nov 5, 1965 - Nov 8, 1965)

• A search and destroy operation that began on Nov 5th in the area around Bien Hoa.

• The operation was carried out by the 173rd Airborne

• On the morning of Nov 8th 400 soldiers of the 173rd were ambushed by 1200 Vietcong, resulting in an all day, close quarters battle.

• The Vietcong, eventually, withdraw from combat, but not before 48 more Americans lay dead.

As America believed in the Beatle's song "Yesterday", Operation Hump was giving the United States its first black Medal of Honor recipient of the war. Sgt Lawrence Joel was awarded both the Silver Star and the Medal of Honor for his heroism during the operation.

The Battle of Ia Drang (Nov 14, 1965 - Nov 18, 1965)

• The Vietcong had been working with impunity in the Central Highland region of South Vietnam

• The United States wanted to test their new Air Mobility tactics.

• In early November, the commander of the 3rd Brigade, Col. Brown orders a reconnaissance in force mission of the area.

• On Nov 14, 1965, American forces landed at LZ X-ray and are attacked by more than 4000 North Vietnamese soldiers.

• Encircled, the Americans hold the LZ X-ray until relief arrives on Nov 18th. 76 men are lost and many more are wounded.

• On Nov 17th 400 troops sent to occupy LZ Albany are overwhelmed by NVA forces that kill 155 soldiers and wound another 124.

• A book and a movie are written about the United States soldier's heroism.

A nation shocked by the disturbing images of protesters setting themselves on flames in front of the Pentagon on Nov 2nd and then again in front of the UN building on Nov 9th tell the world to, "Get Off of My Cloud".

And with that the year, 1965, ends.....

Stay tuned in .... 1966 is almost here!

The Vietnam War - Hit Song Timeline: 1964

Where to Begin?

Foreign military involvement in Vietnam had been occurring since the end of the Second World War, with first, France, then the United States becoming involved. After the French realized that you couldn't win a land war in Asia and left, the United States decided to "take up the cause".

The United States government was determined to stop the Red Menace from sweeping straight through Asia and into Kansas. So during the early 60's, the USA began propping up a corrupt South Vietnam government by send military advisors, and then a steady increase in air support, transport, and supplies for the South Vietnam troops.



Then on November 22, 1963, a president is assassinated, a new leader is sworn in without being democratically elected and the Nino Tempo and April Stevens song "Deep Purple" is the number one single in America.

And before you know it, it's 1964. As good of spot as any to start.

The Gulf of Tonkin Incident (Aug 2, 1964 - Aug 7, 1964)

• On Aug 2nd, the United States destroyer, USS Maddox, engages three North Vietnamese patrol boats, sinking one and damaging the other two.

• On Aug 4th, the USS Maddox and the destroyer USS C Turner Joy were reported to engage in further action. This was an erroneous report. The North Vietnamese were most likely just attempting to salvage the boats lost two days earlier. The press didn't care and reported it as a fierce firefight.

• On Aug 7th, the un-elected president of the United States, Lyndon Johnson, was granted by congress, the authority to use US forces to assist in the fight against the spread of communism in Southeast Asia.

• Johnson used the "Gulf of Tonkin Resolution" to justify the escalation of the war.

An 80% approving nation tunes in on Aug 2 to hear "A World Without Love" by Peter and Gordon. But by time the fires are out at the oil facilities bombed by Navy jets, a new single is on top of the charts. The Beach Boys song "I Get Around", fueled a Middle American teen's California dreams.





President Johnson Wins Re-election (Nov. 3, 1964)

• President Johnson wins a landslide victory by taking 61% of the popular vote.

• The landslide sweeps many conservatives out of congress and the President uses his "electoral mandate" to push forward the war.

• This will be the last election in which a democrat candidate for president wins a majority of the white vote.

On the way to their polling stations, white Americans were humming the catchy melody of the song "Where Did Our Love Go". The chart topping single from a black singing group named The Supremes.

Stay tuned in .... the next installment is on the way.