Operation Purple Martin
Operation Purple Martin | |
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Part of Quảng Trị Province, South Vietnam 16°51′N 106°50′E / 16.85°N 106.84°E | |
Result | US claims operational success |
BG Robert B. Carney Jr.
COL William F Goggin
Operation Purple Martin was a
Background
Since early February 1969, U.S. reconnaissance detected that 3
Operation
The operation began on 1 March 1969 with the 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines sweeping north of Firebase Russell, the 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines moving north of Firebase Neville and the 1st Battalion, 4th Marines clearing the area north of Elliot Combat Base.[1]: 52 On 2 March 1969 as the 1/4 Marines moved to reopen Landing Zone Mack they were hit by PAVN mortar fire but seized the summit of Mack by mid-morning, however the Marines were then hit by mortar fire causing numerous casualties and forcing them from the summit. With bad weather limiting air support the Marines dug in and were subjected to small arms and mortar fire. On the afternoon of 5 March following an artillery barrage the Marines assaulted the summit of Mack clearing numerous PAVN bunkers.[1]: 53
On 9 March Company G 2/4 Marines moved to reopen Landing Zone Catapult 4 km north of Firebase Neville overlooking the
On 13 March the Marines moved along the ridgeline from Landing Zone Mack to retake
On 20 March 1969 the Marines moved to reoccupy
On 25 March with the chain of landing zones and firebases in their possession, the 3/5 Marines began reconnaissance into the DMZ. The Marines deployed small 14 man patrols which if engaged could call on rapid reinforcement from "Sparrowhawk" teams, however the patrols encountered only limited PAVN activity.[1]: 56
On 10 April Company E 2/5 Marines assaulted a PAVN bunker and cave complex in the Cam Lộ valley capturing several prisoners and stocks of weapons and ammunition. By 25 April the Marines began to move south from the DMZ.[1]: 57–8
Aftermath
Operation Purple Martin concluded on 8 May, the PAVN 246th Regiment had been pushed back with alleged losses of over 347 killed, while Marine losses were approximately 100 killed.[1]: 58
References
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Marine Corps.
- ^ .
- ^ "WO Vaughn David Connell". The Virtual Wall. Retrieved 21 November 2014.
- Aresenault, John, and Gourneau, Thomas. LZ Sitting Duck: the Fight for FSB Argonne. Liberty Hill Press, 2021. ISBN 9781662813139