BATTLE OF CHU LAI

On August 18, 1965, the U.S. Marine Corps launched the first major military operation of the Vietnam War named "Operation Starlight."  The objective was to surprise the 1st Viet Cong Regiment which had gathered for an attack on the Chu Lai Marine Air Base, fifty miles south of Danang.  The 1st V.C. Regiment had established their base of operations on the Van Tuong Peninsula 8 miles southeast of the Chu Lai Marine Air Base, Skyhawks and Phantoms of VMA-342 and VMFA-513. The Marine Corps command decision was made to preempt the planned attack on the Air Base by attacking the enemy forces on their own ground.  Operation Starlight included the 7th Marine Regiment, with ground operations to include the 3rd Bn., 3rd Marines; 2nd Bn., 4th Marines; K Btry., 4th Bn., 12th Marines; 3rd BN., 7th Marines, including M-48 tanks.  Air operations would include Marine Corps fighter aircraft from MAG-11 flying out of Danang, MAG-12 flying from the Chu Lai Marine Air Base. The Marine units on the ground would be further supported by U.S. Naval gunfire from offshore ships, and UH-34D helicopters from HMM Squadrons 261 and 361.  Operation Starlight would include land and sea approaches, and take the Marines through several villages, including Au Cuong and Nam Yen. By the end of the battle, 45 Marines had been killed, with over 200 wounded. Enemy forces sustained major casualties with well over 600 confirmed killed. Two Medals of Honor were awarded, the first of the Vietnam War.  

          The document collection presented on this site includes all available documents and records of the Battle Of Chu Lai, as written at the time, by the Marines who were there, both Officers and Enlisted. The Monthly Report of August, 1965, for only the 3rd Bn., 3rd Marines, is 320 pages in length.  We have selected some of the pages from the after action portion of this report to illustrate the quality and rich content of this archive.

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