What you are about to read, is the culmination of over
three months of research, along with my memories of time
spent in Khe Sanh, presenting it in-depth chronologically by dates

1st Battalion - 26th Marine Regiment
Khe Sanh Combat Base
Republic of South Vietnam

Decorations I received while serving on the


The Silver Star was presented to me at HQ Marine Corp
Navy Annex, HQ Navy, Arlington, Virginia
by the then Commandant, General Leonard Chapman
during a ceremony held in his office while I was stationed at
A Company, Henderson Hall, HQ Marine Corp

I was also awarded the "Presidential Unit Citation" which
was awarded the 26th Marines who served in Khe Sanh

The Bronze Star w/Combat V was presented to me while
recovering at the U.S. Naval Hospital in Yokouska, Japan

Purple Hearts For Comdat Wounds









The "First Special Forces - A Detachment" arrives in
Khe Sanh Village and establish a security perimeter


Vietnamese Engineers build the first airstrip on the
Plateau, a little on the crude side, but useful.
U.S. helicopters and O-1B (Piper Cubs) arrive on station


An O-1B "Bird Dog" is shot down while on a
recon photo intelligence mission around Khe Sanh
"Captain Richard Whitesides"
pilot, becomes the first American killed at Khe Sanh

The observer, Captain Floyd Thompson was taken prisoner
by the NVA and brought to Hanoi where he became the
longest held POW of the Vietnam Conflict


Intelligence reports NVA build-up North of Khe Sanh Village
and around the area of the Plateau.
The build up causes concern about security in I Corp, so
Special Forces are air lifted onto the Plateau to re-enforce
the defense of the encampment.
From time to time, sparatic fire fights are started by the NVA
to test the perimeter security ....... US and Allied forces dig in.
The Khe sanh Plateau officially becomes known as: Over the next year, things remain pretty quiet in the area.
Routine patrols encounter very little activity of the NVA in the area.
Khe Sanh Village and the Plateau remain at ease for the most part


Intelligence from long range recon patrols reveal that large numbers
of well armed NVA troops, some Division size, are crossing the DMZ
and heading into the South.
Khe Sanh becomes a stratigic base because of it's location, and it is
determined that it must be held if attacked.
Re-enforcements are airlifted in to supplement the Plateau's defense,
while perimeter trenches are expanded, and bunkers re-enforced.

It is also determined that the airstrip on the Plateau must be re-built,
expanded, and re-enforced to handle C-130 cargo planes, more
helicopters to be kept on station, and a couple jet fighters.
The face lift had to occure to insure a direct re-supply link to Khe Sanh.


Marine Engineers from FMF, and Navy Sea Bee Construction Battalion 10
arrive in Khe Sanh and start re-building, re-enforcing, and expanding the airstrip.

Even though Intelligence continues to report that more and more well armed
NVA troops continue to come across the DMZ, direct contact with any
sizeable force is extreamy minimal, leaving the next 8 months or so pretty quiet


Concerns for the defense of Khe Sanh becomes more and more evident as
Intelligence reports the NVA are moving towards the Khe Sanh area in large,
well armed numbers.
Security is tightened, and additional patrols are sent out in all directions,
some long range, some short range, to gather information on NVA movements.
It is determined that the NVA is grouping for an assault on the Plateau,
Khe Sanh Village, and the outposts


Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines encountered, and engaged,
a large well armed NVA force, estimated to be Battalion strength headed
for Khe Sanh

Heavy fighting continues through the afternoon, and even though the Marines
are out numbered, they made it almost a one-sided fight.
Intelligence determined that 1/9 had caught the NVA by surprise,
causing an un-organized, pre-mature counter attack against 1/9
just North of Hill 861 by the NVA.

The area around Khe Sanh becomes infested with NVA

0600

Over the next 3 days, the 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines and
3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines, along with support personnel are
airlifted into Khe Sanh to re-enforce the perimeter for the
NVA drive toward the Plateau


After extreamly intense prep fire from artillery and air support,
2/3 assaults the slopes of Hill 861 under intense ground fire from well
armed and entrenched NVA, but manage to seize the first objective,
Hill 861

With the hill secured, 2/3 is airlifted back to the encampment for
re-supply, and then is airlifted to the area around Hill 881N


To coincide with 2/3's attack on Hill 861, 3/3 assualts Hill 881S,
but the intense prep fire on this hill has little to no effect on
the entrenched NVA who are well dug in, well armed, and a
much larger force than that on Hill 861.
After 4 days of alternating prep fire from artillery and air,
napalm drops, bombing runs, and numerous assaults on the hill,
3/3 finally seizes control of the second objective, Hill 881S


Having minimal to no rest, 2/3 encounters, and engages, on the
morning of the the 3rd, a heavily armed NVA Company size force
and dug in.
Over the next couple of days, 2/3 turns back multiple, extreamly
strong counter attacks by the NVA a little South of Hill 881N.
Re-grouping, 2/3 on the 5th, assaulted and seized control of the
third objective, Hill 881N


Intelligence reports a major decline in NVA activity around the
Khe Sanh area, with only minimal contact.
Intelligence believes the NVA retreated North to re-supply and
re-group, but also believes that they intend on returning,
this time in larger, more well armed numbers

Khe Sanh remains on full alert

0800
all objectives achieved



155 Marines Killed in Action
940 NVA confirmed Killed in Action
(un-official estimates place NVA KIA at 1200 - 1500)

0800


Operation Crockett was an extensive mop-up to drive the remaining
NVA from the Khe Sanh area

0800
all objectives achieved

Constant contact and engagements with the NVA over the 60 day period


52 Marines Killed in Action
204 NVA confirmed Killed in Action
(un-official estimates place NVA KIA at 350)

0800


Intelligence reports that Divisions of NVA are crossing the DMZ and are
heading South.
A more expanded intensive sweep of the Khe Sanh area in all directions
is ordered to look for NVA stored ammunition and food supplies.
Large size patrols are sent out on search and destroy missions

0800
all objectives achieved

Minimal contact made in the area around Khe Sanh over the 90 day period


10 Marines Killed in Action
113 NVA confirmed Killed in Action
(un-official estimates place NVA KIA at 225)

0800
(this was a schedualed 2 part operation)

This operation was designed to expand, and continue sweeping the area
around Khe Sanh Village and the Plateau to include search and destroy tactics



From air recon and Special Forces long range patrols, Intelligence
is informed of massive movements of NVA troops crossing the DMZ
and heading South.

It is learned that the elite 304th NVA Division is spear heading the
drive that could involve as many as 12 full strength, fully armed and
fully supplied NVA Divisions.

All I-Corp bases and outposts are put on full alert, especially those
in the Northern most part, mainly, Khe Sanh.
Air recon is now operating around the clock, and heavy use of
B-52's now come into play, dropping 500 and 1000 lb. bombs
along the DMZ day and night on the advancing forces.
Intelligence receives information from long range patrols that
for the first time, mechanized units are crossing the DMZ, and
heading into the South.

Concern about the defense of Khe Sanh grows as more and more
vital information about NVA activity around Khe Sanh is gathered
by air and long range patrols.

General Westmoreland sends the orders to stock pile large amounts
of ammunition of all types, medical supplies, and food, in and around
the Khe Sanh area immediately as a priority.

Recon patrols discover major trails, ( "highways" ) that appear to be
heavily used from the North into the South, causing Intelligence
to believe that large NVA units are being moved into, and around
the Plateau area, probably Company size at a time, possibly only
platoon size.

A closer look at some of the trails ( "highways" ) shows only foot
traffic, but heavily travelled.
More frequent patrols are sent out in all directions on search and
destroy missions.
In mid December, patrols from Bravo Company, 3rd Recon Battalion,
discover, and with the support of major air strikes, destroy several
NVA 122mm rocket sites just West of Hill 881 in the Khe Sanh area.
The Plateau and the village are put on full alert, because Intelligence
now firmly believes that attacks on Khe Sanh village and the Plateau,
become more of a probability than a possibility.

Security is tightened, and the night time perimiter watches are doubled.
For the first time, night scopes are used more extensively, adding to the
range of night vision.
Trenches, bunkers, and ammo storage areas are heavily reinforced.
Night probes by the NVA, testing the defense of the perimeter occure
almost every night.

Some Marines are wounded by NVA "switch tactics" ........
NVA probers would turn the claymore mines around toward the trenches,
back off and start a fire fight with the encampment, causing the Marines
to detonate the claymore mines on themselves.
That became a short lived tactic as the Marines devised a plan to halt
the "switch tactics".
The claymore mines, just after darkness, would be re-set, this time with a
live grenade, pin pulled, placed under the claymore mine.
That proved effective, but also was short lived, because the NVA,
after a dozen or so were set off on them, killing and wounding some of
the probers, the NVA figured out our tactic.

During the last two weeks of December, the weather turned out to be
nasty, limiting any type of close air support if it were needed.
Daytime patrols, and night ambush patrols are beefed up in size
and frequency.
Contact with the NVA becomes more and more frequent
both day and night.

The weather becomes becomes a major hinderence to us, and a plus
to the NVA moving into the area from the North, because they know close
air support for us would be minimal against them.
Close air support becomes almost un-available because of the weather,
but high altitude B52 bombing still proves to be extreamly effective, as
does the night air strikes from "Puff".

Intelligence now believes , very strongly, that there are too many NVA units
crossing the DMZ into the South, to be used in "hit and run" operations like
the NVA so often used, leaving only one logical conclusion .........
something big was going to happen somewhere.
What was happening around the KHE Sanh area had I-Corp HQ, somewhat
confused, because there was definate confirmation of very large and well armed
numbers of NVA coming across the DMZ into the South, with little to no
NVA movement headed North.
Intense air and ground recon from the DMZ, to the area surrounding Khe Sanh
provide next to nothing on the whereabouts of the NVA that were crossing the
DMZ into the South.

Needing some sort of intelligence on the NVA movements, a detachment of ROK
(Korean Marines) who specialize in jungle warfare, are sent into Khe Sanh.
Their mission was to capture as many NVA regulars as possible for interrogation.
The ROK proved very effevtive, operating only at night, they would always
come back with NVA prisoners, some of them NVA Officers.
But the NVA regulars were hardened, and would reveal very little to the
interrogation teams.
Strategy had to be changed from capturing hardened regulars and Officers
if possible, to capturing the young NVA regulars.
Intelligence believes the young NVA regulars would provide more information
under pressure from interrogation teams.
This tactic proves more productive, and Intelligence was able to get a hint
as to why all the massive NVA troop movement across the DMZ into the South ....

"THE NORTH PLANNED TO ATTACK THE SOUTH"

Military analyst over the years have felt that Intelligence took these early
warnings a little lightly, probably believing that a major assualt on the South,
by the North, was impossible.

It has also been speculated, that in actuality, it was probably some young NVA
regular, who under intense interrogation, scared to death, spilled out information
on what was to come, only to be almost shrugged off by Intelligence who felt
it was nothing more than propaganda talk.

Military Analyst over the years, have strongly felt that if those warning signs were
taken seriously 100% by Intelligence, alot of questions about the NVA movements
would have been answered then, and a warning could have been sent out to all
military installations to step up their air and ground recon in their respective areas.



The reason air and ground recon could'nt find the NVA units, was because they were
slipping through, probably in small groups to stageing areas all over the South in
preperation for the Nationwide "Tet Offensive" which was kicked off Jan. 30, 1968
Bad weather was perfect cover for the NVA to slip through almost un-noticed.

Once all the participating NVA units to be used in the "Tet Offensive" had
infiltrated into the deep South, it is believed that the last NVA Divisions to cross the
DMZ into the South, were in reality, the attack force whose objective was to
over-run Khe Sanh village and the Plateau, creating a major highway into the South
from the North.



"It makes you wonder how intelligent were the minds in Intelligence"



0500

Heavy mortar, 122mm rocket, and artillery fire pound Khe Sanh, along with intense, heavy
small arms fire from the tree lines, and NVA human wave attacks which are turned back.
Mortar, 122mm rockets, artillery fire, and heavy small arms fire continue almost non stop
during the day.

One of the first NVA rounds to hit Khe Sanh, made a direct hit on the main ammunition
dump at the East end of the base, starting fires, which in turn, caused the detonation of
tons of ammunition, C-4 plastic explosives, CS (tear gas) ammunition, and grenades.



Unknown to the NVA, they had taken out a major portion of our ammunition supply
in the very beginning of their attack on the base.




The sick bay area known as "Charlie Med" becomes overcrowded with KIA's and
wounded, but doctors continue to treat the wounded around the clock
in less than appropriate conditions.

The artillery, mortar and rocket attacks come frequently, and the defenders of Khe Sanh
learned to always know the location of the nearest trench or bunker.
Within a week, Khe Sanh looks like a giant ant farm from the air,because trenches,
up to 6 feet deep, were dug connecting most all bunkers on the perimeter, becoming
known as the "trenchway" highway.

Patrols that went outside the perimeter, a very minimal number of them, were limited
to a range of only a few hundred yards, or straight line of site, whichever was less.

For some of Khe Sanh's defenders, the seige had taken it's toll, some having to be
evacuated when their eye's locked into what they called
"the thousand yard stare"

Moral had dropped on the Plateau, because for the most part, you stayed in your
bunkers or trenches, not being able to move around freely like you did prior to
the start of the seige, never knowing when or where the next in-coming round would
hit, or who would be the next to be picked off by a sniper.

It was that constant fear within that dragged some good men down, but the defenders
knew that they had to deal with that fear in order to survive.

For the next 77 days and nights, NVA Divisions repeatedly attack Khe Sanh Village,
the Plateau, and surrounding outposts with artillery, 122mm rocket fire, mortars, and
human wave attacks, and with something we had not seen in the South ......
Soviet made PT-76 tanks

0500
The Communist launch a Nationwide drive known as the "Tet Offensive"

Catching all of South Vietnam by surprise, the NVA had managed to co-ordinate
a well executed offensive, hitting everywhere in the South at once, sending
Allied Commanders into a confused frenzy.

Reports of attacks were coming in from all over the South, from the Mekong Delta
way down South, to the major assualt on Khe Sanh, one of the Northern most
bases, and everywhere in between.


Back in Khe Sanh, the defenders had learned that the initial assualt on the
Plateau, was spearheaded by one of North Vietnam's most elite Divisions, the 304th.

In turning back the major assualt, the defenders of Khe Sanh had nearly destroyed
the 7th Battalion, 66th Regiment of the 304th NVA Division.

Blocking the 304th's retreat around Khe Sanh village, the South Vietnams
37th ARVN Ranger Battalion virtually destroyed the NVA 7th Battalion when the NVA
realized that they were trapped, and made an un-organized desperate counter attack
to break out, which failed.



A major assualt by the NVA, estimated to be a full strength, well armed NVA Battalion
over-runs a Special Forces Camp located outside the Village of Lang Vei.

Immediate close air support is sent to halt the NVA's advancement into the village
area where the Special Forces had settled in to defend the village.

Elements of the 1st Air Calvary are sent to support, and help, in the defense of Lang Vei
village, and proves to be effective.

Intense close air support is a major factor, as the NVA retreat into the hills.

Massive air recon around Lang Vei reports that there are approx. 2 NVA Divisions
just North of the village, and Intelligence believes that the Battalion size assualt
was just a probe of defenses, a prelude to a major Division size attack on Lang Vei.

I-Corp HQ determines that Lang Vei could not be defended and held if a major
Division size assualt by the NVA occured.

Immediate evacuation is ordered to include the villagers.
Under heavy close air and artillery support, the evacuation by helicopter and trucks
begins, everyone being sent to Khe Sanh.
Lang Vei was totally evacuated within 24 hours, having moved almost 3,000 people
and supplies to Khe Sanh.

9 February 1968

General Westmoreland establishes a forward echelon of MACV Headquarters
at Camp Hocmuth in Phu Bai.
General Creighton Abrams acts as an agent for ComUSMCV in an
advisory, co-ordinator role.



All hell breaks loose on the Plateau at Khe Sanh ......

Already under heavy attacks over the past month, death and destruction fall upon the
defenders of Khe Sanh.
IN JUST UNDER 24 HOURS
Over 1300 in-coming rounds of mortar, 122mm rocket, and artillery pound the Plateau,
followed by repeated large scale human wave attacks by the NVA.

Close to being over-run, the defenders let loose with everything they have,
and along with massive close air support non-stop, the Plateau is held.

10 March 1968

MACV Forward becomes known as the "Provisional Corps - Vietnam"
General Cushman, CG, III MEF assumes the operational control of PVC
Lt. General William Rosson, US Army, becomes Commander of PVC

0800

Task Force Kilo, made up of the 2nd Battalion, 1st ARVN Regiment pushes North
from Kong Ha on a search and destroy sweep through the Gio Lenh Coastal Plain
between the Cua Viet River and the DMZ.
Task Force Kilo confirms 150 NVA KIA's the first day

0700 Pegasus had to work in order to defend and hold onto Khe Sanh

An in-depth look at "Operation Pegasus" from the planning stage to it's termination



Shortly after Khe Sanh was attacked, General Tolson was directed by HQ I-Corp
to prepare a contingency plan involving a massive joint Allied drive in the Khe Sanh
Plateau area to give some much needed relief to the defenders of Khe Sanh, who have
been under a constant barrarge of attacks

At III MEF Headquarters, the staff begins planning the operation, code name:



Pegasus was chosen as the code name for the operation, referring to the mythological
flying horse "Pegasus", because elements of the 1st Air Calvary Division would be a
vital part of the relief effort, and would be needed to insure a successful operation.



Because of the un-expected major country wide, well planned and executed
"NVA Tet Offensive"
support priority shifted almost daily.

The Old Imperial Capital known as Hue City, was under heavy attack, but the defenders
were holding their ground for the most part.

Extensive air and ground recon delivered the bad news .....
as many as 4 NVA Divisions were poised around, or heading in the direction of Hue City,
for what Intelligence believes is a build up to attack and over-run Hue City.

Being vital as a strategic area, the decision is made that Hue City must be defended
and held ....... now comes:



The defenders of Khe Sanh receive the bad news ......
PEGASUS MUST BE PUT ON HOLD

The 1st Air Calvery Division, the heart of "Operation Pegasus", had now been commited
to the defense of Hue City, operating almost non-stop around the clock

Khe Sanh was taking a beating, but defenders were holding onto the Plateau,
because massive around the clock air support, up to, and including, B52 strikes,
holding the NVA pretty much at bay less than 1/4 mile from the perimeter.

At night, massive drops of illumunation kept the area lit up, enabling air recon to keep
a watch over the Plateau area, watching for any major advance on the perimeter.

BACK AT HUE CITY

After 34 days of intense fighting, the Allied forces once again gained full control of the City.

The 1st Air Calvery Division proved very effective, operating almost non-stop around
the clock thru February into the first week of March.

PRIORITY SHIFTS BACK TO OPERATION PEGASUS
Once again, bad news for the defenders of Khe Sanh ....


At III MEF Headquarters, it is determined that the supply stock piles which were built up
during December 1967 under direct orders to do so from General Westmoreland, were
now in-sufficient to support an operation the size and complexity of Operation Pegasus,
due to much of those supplies being used up in the defense of Hue City, and the
continued heavy fighting going on at Khe Sanh.
It seems that as fast as supplies are coming in from DaNang, they are used up.

Just when hope to get Operation Pegasus operational was on the horizon,
another major set back ......



Due to poor weather setting in, and weather experts reporting the situation would be
around for awhile, Pegusus once again had to be put on hold due to very minimal air
support that could cover this massive operation.

Logistically, the much needed large scale helicopter assaults and support from the
1st Air Calvary Division, could not be carried out due to very poor weather, leaving
them just about totally grounded.

High altitude bombing by the B52's almost around the clock, is still very effective
in holding the NVA at bay, even though for awhile, it is basically the only major
air support for Khe Sanh.
Day and night, 500 and 1000lb. bombs are dropped around the perimeter.



General Cushman, Commanding General of III MEF, directs General Tolson to
re-instate all plans for "Operation Pegasus".



General Cushman, General Abrams, and General Tolson
meet to finalize plans to set Pegusus into motion .....
"D-Day" is tentively set for 0700 on 1 April 1968

CRUCIAL TO THE SUCCESS OF PEGASUS
the following had to be achieved ....



Khe Sanh, still under heavy attacks needed desperately to be re-supplied on
a large scale with ammunition, medical supplies, food, and re-inforcements to
give it's defenders a little relief.



Locate and engage any NVA elements in and around "Pegasus's" area of operation



A CRUCIAL AND LOGISTICAL MUST FOR PEGASUS
Route 9 from Ca Lu to Khe Sanh must be re-opened and secured, so construction
materials, supplies, fuel and ammunition could be moved on a large scale and
stockpiled for "Operation Pegasus" before Phase 4 could take place.



A temporay airstrip had to be created which could accomodate C-7 Caribu transport
aircraft, along with C-130 and C-123 cargo planes.
When Phase 3 was completed, a joint effort by the following built the airstrip which
became known as "LZ Stud"

11th Engineer Battalion USMC - FMF
8th Engineer Battalion USA - 1st Air Calvary
Mobile Construction Battalion 5 USN - SeaBees's

The Engineers worked pretty much around the clock, and had the defensive
perimeter completed, and the airstrip almost 90% complete within 3 weeks,
allowing "Operation Pegasus" to commence on time



Extensive air and long range patrol reconnaissance commences in the area that
Pegasus will take place.

Elements of the 1st Squadron, 9th Air Calvary proved to be very effective in the
location and destruction of NVA elements in the area with anti-aircraft positions,
a major plus for Pegasus.

Large concentrations of NVA forces were located in the zone, but with the support
of B52's and over 600 tactical air strikes and artillery fire,
the influx of NVA into the Khe Sanh area could not create a stageing area



In a carefully calculated bold move to divert attention away from the construction,
and massive build up of troops and supplies taking place at Ca Lu and LZ Stud
almost around the clock, elements of the 3rd Marine Division and ARVN forces
initiated a carefully orchestrated diversionary attack in the Eastern Sector of
Quang Tri Province

Not only did it divert the NVA's attention to that area, it seemed to confuse them
as to why we'd attack something that had no strategic value.

Because the NVA diverted their attention to the diversionary attack, actual
Pegusus strike force troops slipped into Ca Lu and LZ Stud almost totally un-noticed

0700
(finally)

Elements of the 2nd Battalion 1st Marines, and 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines
spearhead "Operation Pegasus"

4 April 1968
0600

Under the command of Lt. Col. Cahill, 3 Companies of the 1st Battalion 9th Marines
leave the Plateau and head out for Hill 471 which is loacted 2500 meters
South of the airstrip. After heavy prep fire, close air support, and napalm drops, 1/9 assualts
the hill, and after heavy fighting, secures it at 1730 that afternoon.
Approx. 35 NVA KIA's are found on the crest of the hill.
During the night, the NVA pour in almost 200 mortar and artillery rounds
but fail to dis-lodge the Marines from the crest

0515

In what has been termed a major highlight of "Pegasus", elements of the
1st Battalion 9th Marines, turns back a major fierce assualt on hill 471 by
the NVA trying to dis-lodge the Marines from the crest of the hill.

Intelligence later learns that once again, North Vietnam had re-assembled
and sent into the South, one of it's elite Battalions to assualt Hill 471.

It was a little surprise to find out it was the 7th BN, 66th Regiment, 304th Div.
who had returned to Hanoi after their near total destruction on January 30th
while assualting the Khe Sanh Plateau, and then trying to break out of KHE Sanh
village where the 37th ARVN Rnanger Battalion all but totally destroyed the
NVA unit who had tried a desperate, un-organized break out counter attack

It is believed by Military Analyst, that the near total destruction of the elite
7th Battalion 66th Regiment 304th NVA Division on January 30th, caused
humiliation in Hanoi, and lowered moral in other units, knowing one of the
elite units had been all but destroyed

The unit had alot of pride and an excellent combat record, which it is
believed why Hanoi decided to re-build the unit from other units,
heavily arm them, give them some rest, and send them back into
the South for revenge



Even though the NVA gave it's all against the Marines on Hill 471,
bottom line was that the Marines had the upper hand the whole time,
being termed a "major one-sided victory" for the Marines.
As was on January 30th, the NVA unit was totally destroyed, and
was never heard from again

Intelligence later learns that in Hanoi, the
7th Battalion 66th Regiment 304th NVA Division
became known as the
"Hard Luck Battalion"
and the loss of it was a major blow to Hanoi



RELIEF AT LAST FOR KHE SANH
1350

Elements of the 3rd ARVN Airborn Task Force set down on the nearly
destroyed airstrip on the Plateau, and almost immediately link up with
the 37th ARVN Ranger Battalion

1/9 is relieved on Hill 471, and they begin a sweep toward Hill 689,
approx. 4500 meters to the Northwest.
On the other side of the Plateau, the 5th Battalion 7th Air Calvary
conducts a major landing 500 meters North of the Blue Sector wire.
2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 26th Marines sweep North and to the
Northwest of their respective outposts.
2/6 surprises, and engages, a Company size NVA force in a short
fire fight that leaves 48 confirmed NVA KIA's.

Finally, Marine elements are able to conduct wide spread patrol
operations over the next 9 days outside the perimeter

Patrols frequently come across the horrifying sites of war ......

As one Marine Officer put it:
"the stench of death and destruction is everywhere"

American and ARVN patrols report in:

* hundreds of shallow NVA graves are found *
* hundreds of NVA KIA's lay scattered where they fell *
* over 550 individual weapons are found *
* over 200 crew-served weapons are found *
* anti-aircraft weapons are found *
* over 20 vehicles, ranging from P-76 tanks to motor scooters are found *
* tons of ammunition, food and communication equipment are found *
* alot of personal gear is found *


**** CONCLUSIONS ****

Intelligence firmly believes that Operation Pegasus had caught the NVA
totally by surprise, leaving them so badly beaten, that they could'nt properly
bury their dead, having to leave alot of their wounded behind.
It is also believed that what was left of the 304th and 325th NVA Divisions,
were in no shape to take their supplies and equipment in their retreat.


"Victory Was Ours"

but viewing the bodies of hundreds of NVA killed in action,
the devestation and destruction they suffered,
and most of all
the badly wounded NVA left behind crying out,
caused a feeling of sickness deep within,
and left us in a very quiet somber mood,
knowing that like us,
they also had family's back home

The reality of war had settled in,
and it was not a time to celebrate our victory

8 April 1968
0800

The 3rd Brigade airlifts it's CP to the Plateau,
and becomes the new command center

0800
all objectives achieved

Route 9, a logistical vital supply route was secured and re-opened,
and the NVA units were forced to retreat from the area, heading
back North toward the DMZ to re-supply




1,304 NVA comfirmed killed
(un-official estimates place NVA KIA's at 3500 - 5000)
21 NVA regulars captured, and provide interrogation teams with
vital detailed information on NVA activity in the area of Khe Sanh & I-Corp



51 US Marines Killed in Action
42 US Army Killed in Action
33 ARVN troops Killed in Action
approx. 370 were wounded in "Operation Pegasus"

45 B52 Arc Light Strikes conducted
1,625 tactical air strikes were flown as follows:

650 by Marine pilots
463 by Air Force pilots
436 by Carrier-Based Task Force 77 US Navy pilots
58 by US Army pilots
18 by South Vietnamese Air Force pilots

KHE SANH PLATEAU

Due to almost around the clock heavy intense NVA ground fire from
31 March thru 8 April, Air Force C-130 and C-123 cargo planes
delivered over 840 tons of supplies, ammunition, and food to the
Khe Sanh Plateau by means of difficult para drops and low altitude
extraction skid drops only feet above the ground

One C-130 took a direct 122mm rocket hit while attempting an
extraction drop only about 6 feet above the ground, causing it to
crash at the end of the airstrip

The airstrip on the Plateau was very difficult for pilots, especially the
cargo planes, because of limited space on the Plateau, the length of
the airstrip left virtually no room for mis-calculation or error in landing or
take off of any aircraft

0800

Heavily armed large size patrols are sent out to seek and engage NVA units
still in and around the Khe Sanh area.
Minimal contact is made with the NVA

0800

The 26th Marines are transferred to Quang Tri

Intelligence reports most all NVA units of any size have retreated back across
the DMZ to re-supply




Khe Sanh was held after 77 days and nights of receiving the best that the
NVA Divisions could throw at them.
Khe Sanh village and the out-posts were also held






730 Americans Killed in Action
2,642 Americans Wounded in Action
7 Americans Missing in Action
229 South Vietnamese ARVN Killed in Action
436 South Vietnamese ARVN Wounded in Action



No actual confirmed NVA kills were recorded, but with Intelligence information
gathered concerning a combination of the massive air strikes and high altitude
bombings, information from captured NVA, air and ground recon, and intercepted
NVA communications, un-official estimates place NVA kills at between 10 and 15,000
and some experts feel that estimate is conservative



Expert Military Analysts with information gathered over the years, now say that
during the 77 day "Seige of Khe Sanh", there was more tonage of bombs
dropped in support of defending Khe Sanh, then there was in all of WW II by
American and Allied aircraft



At a White House Ceremony, President Johnson presents the Commandant of
the Marine Corp with a "Presidential Unit Citation" to the 26th Marine Regiment,
for defending, and holding onto, the strategically located
"KHE SANH COMBAT BASE"



Intelligence learns from long range air and ground recon patrols, that full-strength,
well armed Divisions of NVA are once again steadily crossing the DMZ in large
numbers, this time with full mechanized units complete with Soviet PT-76 tanks.

Concern about Khe Sanh becomes a major priority once again ......

A two fold decision is made concerning Khe Sanh Plateau & Khe Sanh Village
It is determined that Khe Sanh could not withstand another major assualt,
because Intelligence and Analysts feel the NVA are coming back to
seize Khe Sanh, this time in much larger numbers, better armed, and more
determination than ever to over-run the Plateau

The order comes into Khe Sanh to dis-mantle the base, destroy what can't be
taken, and abandon the encampment .....



The Khe Sanh Combat Base had been a very effective and vital base in the
Northern portion of South Vietnam, "The Pride of I-Corp" some say ....

Nearly 100% of all objectives, including operations out of Khe Sanh
were achieved ......


is now just a memory
Al Varelas USMC

Khe Sanh Combat Base

remembering my friends

"1st Battalion 26th Marine Regiment"

you made the ultimate sacrifice

34
Killed in Action

22
Killed in Action

70
Killed in Action

15
Killed in Action

6
Killed in Action