[604], The New York Times reported that B-52 crews on Guam were shaken by their losses over North Vietnam in what was described as "the greatest air-defense system in history. The Nixon administration said the move was necessitated by the withdrawal of the 196th Infantry Brigade. [100], Two VPAF MiG-21s attacked two USAF F-4s over the North Vietnam-Laos border and one of the F-4's piloted by Lieutenant Colonel Joseph Kittinger shot down one MiG-21. Media in category "Da Nang Air Base" "Memoirs v Tapes: President Nixon and the December Bombings", Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support, Easter Offensive in southern Cambodia and the Mekong Delta, 40th Aerospace Rescue and Recovery Squadron, General Secretary of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union, Joint United States Public Affairs Office, Provisional Revolutionary Government of the Republic of South Vietnam, "Vietnam War U.S. Military Fatal Casualty Statistics", "North Vietnamese Army's 1972 Eastertide Offensive", http://www.historynet.com/losing-ground-to-the-khmer-rouge.htm, https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1969-76v08/d1#fn3, http://millercenter.org/president/nixon/speeches/speech-3879, "Richard Nixon and the Oobie-Doobie Girl", https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1969-76v08/d15, https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1969-76v08/d21, https://history.state.gov/historicaldocuments/frus1969-76v08/d22, http://www.historyplace.com/unitedstates/vietnam/index-1969.html, "United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam 1972-1973 Command History Volume 1", http://www.dtic.mil/doctrine/history/vn71_73.pdf, "United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam 1972-1973 Command History Annex B", "Dave Kennerly of United Press International", "U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Command History 1972, Volume 2 Annex K. Kontum", http://www.nixonlibrary.gov/exhibits/decbomb/chapter-ii.html, "U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, Command History 1972, Annex K. Kontum, 1973. [352], ARVN forces ejected the PAVN from hamlets southeast of Hu and fought off two attacks on Firebase Checkmate. [152]:2529, The USSKitty Hawk joined two U.S. Navy aircraft carriers already operating off the coast of Vietnam. [149], Newspapers in Saigon were instructed by the National Press Center that they should only publish the Government's official reports on the fighting in Qung Tr Province and threatened to take action against UPI for a "completely false" account of the surrender of Camp Carroll. [16], The Cambodian Khmer National Army (ANK) withdrew from the town of Ponhea Kraek (Krek) near the Fishhook abandoning the last remaining road link between Cambodia and South Vietnam. [29], RLA forces were flown into Long Tieng and were reported to have broken the siege of the base, recapturing Skyline Ridge 2 miles (3.2km) north of the base. A PAVN/VC sapper attack on Firebase 97 near An Kh killed six ARVN, while ten PAVN/VC were killed and two captured. [83], The Allied ceasefire concluded at 18:00 and U.S. aircraft immediately resumed bombing PAVN/VC base areas, particularly in the Central Highlands. [4]:409, A PAVN attack on ARVN Airborne positions 4 miles (6.4km) southwest of M Chnh was repulsed by the ARVN supported by B-52 strikes. During this period, direct U.S. involvement in the Vietnam conflict increased steadily as U.S. trained Vietnamese pilots moved Vietnamese helicopter units into and out of combat. Called the Nguyn Hu Offensive or Chin dch Xun h 1972 in Vietnamese and the Easter Offensive in English, three PAVN divisions (30,00040,000 men) with support from tanks and artillery crossed the DMZ or came from Laos to the west to attack the ARVN 3rd Division in the First Battle of Qung Tr. [522], MACV reported that in the preceding month more than 5,000 PAVN had moved from bases in Cambodia into hamlets near Saigon presumably in preparation for a ceasefire. [193]:147, Thiu kept Haig waiting for five hours before seeing him. [444], After four days of negotiations in Paris, Le Duc Tho gave Kissinger documents outlining the North Vietnamese proposal for a peace agreement in Vietnam. [365], PAVN artillery fired more than 474 shells into South Vietnamese positions around Qung Tr and 1,325 shells into positions around Hi Lng. [508], PAVN/VC conducted 102 attacks across South Vietnam. Marble Mountain Base - Nng 1969-70 - Photo by Ladies [147]:285, U.S. aircraft conducted another 320 airstrikes on North Vietnam, including further strikes on Kp, Quang Lang and Bai Thuong air bases. [346], In Qung Tr the South Vietnamese admitted that the Marines were stalled, but reported killing more than 100 PAVN in the preceding two days, while U.S. jets destroyed six PAVN tanks. [4]:389, U.S. aircraft flew more than 200 airstrikes against PAVN supply lines in Laos to disrupt preparations for a PAVN offensive and returned fire against PAVN SAM sites near the Ban Karai Pass. The raids destroyed five artillery pieces with one F-4 shot down and its crew missing. [504], The New York Times reported that the VC cadre numbering 40-60,000 remained intact in South Vietnam and would pose an ongoing threat to the South Vietnamese government control after any ceasefire. [277][279], John Paul Vann, the senior U.S. adviser in II Corps, died when his helicopter was shot down 10 miles (16km) north of Pleiku. While Quang Nam Province was officially in neutral hands by 1970, Da Nang Airbase was solidly under Viet Cong control, and the US assault would have to break through every defensive . [519], The JGS reported that PAVN artillery had fired more than 1,000 rounds against Marine positions near Qung Tr while 19 PAVN and seven Marines were killed in clashes. ARVN forces killed 19 PAVN for the loss of one killed 25 miles (40km) south of Danang. He's going to keep our troops there. [375], In fighting around Tam Quan and Hoai Nhon 23 PAVN and two ARVN were killed. [529], The U.S. flew over 150 airstrikes north of Qung Tr in support of South Vietnamese forces who had received over 1,200 rounds of artillery, mortar and rocket fire. In three days of fighting the RLA claimed to have killed more than 75 PAVN around Ban Nhik with a further 200 killed in airstrikes and reports of more than 200 wounded being taken to Paksong. [325], ARVN airborne forces reported finding more than 250 PAVN killed in 60 bunkers destroyed by B-52 strikes 8 miles (13km) south of Qung Tr, while Marines found six graves containing more than 48 PAVN dead in an area hit by B-52 strikes 2 miles (3.2km) northeast of Qung Tr. [540], The U.S. and Thailand announced that a substantial U.S. aviation presence would be maintained in Thailand for an unspecified period after any Vietnamese ceasefire. 366th Tactical Fighter Wing 1965-1972 Click for Citation and Award Detail In February 1965, while at Holloman AFB, New Mexico, the wing began converting to the new F-4C Phantom II. Enlarge This series primarily consists of command chronologies of U.S. Marine Corps units that served during the time of the Vietnam Conflict, and includes the records of those units that served in Vietnam as well as domestically and throughout the world. In addition the United States Atlantic Fleet aircraft carrier USSSaratoga was ordered to deploy to Vietnam. [4]:424, The U.S. reported that more North Vietnamese heavy antiaircraft guns had been moved south of the 20th Parallel since the U.S. had stopped bombing north of there and three U.S. Navy A-7s were shot down in the preceding 24 hour period. At the same time a flight of RVNAF A-1 Skyraiders arrived overhead and destroyed five tanks. [397], The PAVN attacked Firebase Ngotrang 5.5 miles (8.9km) northwest of Kontum with 19 PAVN and 12 ARVN reported killed. [101]:1223, Testifying before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Secretary of State Rogers defended the bombing of Hanoi and Haiphong stating that the Nixon Administration would take "whatever military action is necessary" to stop the North's "massive invasion" of the South. [234][4]:421, Kissinger in Saigon cabled Nixon in Washington, "While we have a moral case for bombing North Vietnam when it does not accept our proposals, it seems to be really stretching the point to bomb North Vietnam when it has accepted our proposals and South Vietnam has not. [481], PAVN/VC conducted 125 attacks across South Vietnam, while ARVN forces were ordered to contest all PAVN/VC attempts to control the countryside before any ceasefire. [490], PAVN forces again captured Qu Sn town in the continued seesaw fighting for the area. [20], The PAVN fired two SA-2 Surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) at a USAF F-4 Phantom near Tchepone, showing the continuous improvement of PAVN air defences in Laos. [353], U.S. jets, ARVN and FANK forces continued to fight against PAVN tank-infantry units near Kampong Trabek, while other armored units were seen near Prey Vieng and Svay Rieng. [309], The RMK-BRJ construction consortium formally ended its construction program in South Vietnam in a ceremony attended by Ambassador Bunker. [133]:2430, With the city of ng H near the DMZ threatened, Nixon authorized U.S. naval vessels offshore to strike at the PAVN with warplanes and naval gunfire. We worked out of DaNang and most of our crews came out of the "Gator Navy". [412], Fourteen newspapers and 15 other periodicals closed down in South Vietnam as a result of a Presidential decree that all publications pay a $47,000 bond, effectively muting all opposition to the Thiu government. [278], A South Vietnamese village outside of Trng Bng District was bombed with napalm in an errant air strike by the RVNAF. [4]:433, Operation Maharat II was an RLA offensive to seize the intersection of Routes 7 and 13 from the Pathet Lao. [401], In fighting in Qung Tr the Marines reported killing 161 PAVN for the loss of ten Marines. [402], USAF Captain Charles B. DeBellevue became the last and highest scoring U.S. ace of the war with his fifth and sixth MiG kills. [186], Hanoi reported that 47 civilians had been killed in Haiphong and 13 in Hanoi in the recent U.S. bombing raids. [63], ARVN generals in I Corps expressed doubts about a PAVN offensive in February, stating that they believed no major action would take place until March at the earliest due to the need for the PAVN to build up their logistics. [4]:408, A regiment of the ARVN 18th Division was landed by helicopters in An Lc as civilian refugees fled the wreckage of the town, however Route 13 still remained blocked by the PAVN who fired on the refugees. An ammunition explosion near the Th c Military Academy killed three ARVN.[491]. [528], PAVN and Pathet Lao forces were reported to have encircled Luang Prabang. The report concluded that the entire command of the 25th Infantry Division intentionally or unintentionally covered up the massacre. [169] North Vietnam again called for a resumption of the Paris Peace Talks and demanded that the U.S. stop bombing and other "acts of aggression. [425], A five ship U.S. Navy task force shelled coastal targets between Vinh and Thanh Ha. RF 2G5XP2T - Authentic photo of US servicemen partying in a hooch in Danang Airport during the Vietnam War [551], Nixon met with the Joint Chiefs of Staff who approved the outline of the peace plan. Many U.S. officials believed that the operation had been counterproductive given the losses incurred and Congressional and international opposition it has provoked. [483], PAVN/VC conducted 138 attacks across South Vietnam, including seizing 13 hamlets and cutting three highways near Saigon. [535], A PAVN assault on an ARVN base at Thanh Giao 18 miles (29km) southwest of Pleiku was repulsed for the loss of 40 PAVN killed. "[163]:266, Anti-war demonstrators protested the bombing of North Vietnam throughout the United States. "[11], At the Paris Peace Talks the North Vietnamese reiterated their position that U.S. POWs would only be released once the U.S. withdrew all its forces and the U.S. "give up aggression, stop the "Vietnamization" of the war, pull out from South Vietnam all the troops stop backing the Nguyn Vn Thiu bellicose puppet group. A U.S. fighter-bomber accidentally bombed an ARVN position 5 miles (8.0km) southeast of the city killing 10 ARVN and wounding 30. Airborne troops repulsed a PAVN armored attack destroying three tanks while B-52s and fighter-bombers attack PAVN positions in and around the city. [68]:33940. [487], Four PAVN rockets hit Hu killing two civilians and wounding two. [344], ARVN forces preceded by B-52 strikes recaptured Firebase Bastogne, meeting no resistance. [147]:5660, Lieutenant Colonel Iceal Hambleton was the sole survivor of an EB-66 shot down near ng H. [284], U.S. aircraft flew a record 340 airstrikes over North Vietnam, destroying or damaging ten bridges including four on the northwest rail line from Hanoi to China. [315], USAF F-4Es shot down three VPAF MiG-21s. The troops blamed their officers for abandoning them in the evacuation of Qung Tr. Da Nang Air Base - Wikipedia [66], The JGS reported that 59 PAVN/VC had been killed in five separate clashes, including 41 in the U Minh Forest for ARVN losses of 12 killed. North Vietnam was reported to have begun large-scale infiltration of troops and supplies into South Vietnam over the preceding ten days in preparation for a ceasefire in place. [339], The Nixon Administration released an intelligence report stating that damage to North Vietnamese dikes was minor and accidental. [356], PAVN/VC sappers attacked Cam Ranh Base killing four policeman for the loss of one sapper killed. Seventh Air Force spokesmen said that 15 PAVN tanks had been destroyed and 14 damaged between 3 and 8 March near Tchepone and Chavane, Laos. [86], A Gallup poll found that 52% of Americans approved of Nixon's handling of the war, while 39% disapproved. [453], Speaking at a youth rally in Saigon, Thiu said that "coalition with the Communists meant death" and that "We have to kill the Communists to the last man before we have peace. [1] [509], U.S. jets continued to strike targets in North Vietnam below the 20th parallel and in Qung Tr province to prevent PAVN reinforcements moving into the south. [4]:389, Two VPAF MiGs conducted an unsuccessful hit and run attack on USAF F-4s over northern Laos, firing three air-to-air missiles before fleeing back across the border. [205], The PAVN captured Firebase Dunglieu 60 miles (97km) east of Kontum. Attacks on DaNang Air Base. [391], Bunker said to Nixon that the South Vietnamese "fear they are not yet well enough organized to compete politically with such a tough, disciplined organization", i.e. [4]:408, MACV announced the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division had begun to stand down. It was reported that Nixon had advised that flagrant violations of the ceasefire would be met with airstrikes. 30 March 1972 - 28 January 1973. [4]:396, Operation Fa Ngum was an RLA operation to capture the villages of Ban Ngik and Laongam as bases for incursions onto the Ho Chi Minh Trail. [269], The contents of the Peers Report on the M Lai massacre are made public by Seymour Hersh. In the Mekong Delta the VC attacked two RF/PF outposts killing 16 RF/PF and their dependents. [334], In the first U.S. air attacks on Hanoi in a month, U.S. jets used laser-guided bombs to destroy warehouses 2 miles (3.2km) southeast of the city center. The U.S. would cease bombing and withdraw from South Vietnam within six months after those conditions were met. The Socio-Republicans won all 126 seats on what was claimed to be a 78% turnout. [282], Ambassador Bunker reported to Washington that South Vietnamese civilian casualties in the offensive were far higher than during the 1968 Tet Offensive, with more than 25,000 civilians killed and over 1.2 million new refugees. Five North Vietnamese employees of the mission were also killed. [543], In two attacks near the ARVN base at Thanh Giao, 74 PAVN and 9 ARVN were reported killed. [193]:150, MACV issued a detailed report of military targets hit in the Linebacker raids but made no comment on civilian losses. The Ronald Reagan's visit comes less than a week after the Japanese helicopter carrier JS Izumo made its own stop in Vietnam at Cam Ranh Bay, approximately 350 miles south of Da Nang, and just a .
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