| H COMPANY, 2nd BATTALION, 5th MARINES — 1st MARINE DIVISION | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| VIETNAM WAR OPERATIONS | 1966 – 1971 | Arranged in Chronological Date Sequence | 51 Total Operations | ||||||||||||
| Name of Operation | Mission Purpose / Objective | Dates of Operation | Locations / Cities | USMC Units Involved | Mission Results | USMC KIA | USMC Wounded | Enemy KIA | Enemy Wounded | TAOR (Tactical Area of Responsibility) | Notes / Source References | H Company Confirmed? |
| Operation Wyoming | Search and destroy 15 miles NW of Chu Lai; coordination between 1st Marines and 5th Marine Regiment in Quang Tin Province. | 26–30 Apr 1966 | Quang Tin Province; 15 miles NW of Chu Lai; I Corps | 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (CONFIRMED in task org); 3rd Battalion, 1st Marines; HQ: 1st Marines | Search and destroy mission conducted in assigned area. Specific results not in public records. | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Unknown | Quang Tin Province; 15 miles NW of Chu Lai; I Corps | CONFIRMED 2/5 Marines — unit explicitly listed in task organization. Sources: '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'; USMC Command Chronologies. | CONFIRMED |
| Operation Colorado (Lien Ket 52) | Search and destroy PAVN 2nd Division in Que Son Valley; combined US-ARVN operation to clear Hiep Duc District. | 6–22 Aug 1966 | Hiep Duc District; Que Son Valley; Quang Nam Province; ~55 km south of Da Nang | H Company, 2/5 Marines; 1/5 and 3/5 Marines; ARVN 2nd Division; 1st Marine Aircraft Wing | PAVN 2nd Division suffered significant casualties and temporarily withdrew. Rice caches and equipment destroyed. | 99 (all USMC) | 212 (all USMC) | 283 PAVN | Unknown | Que Son Valley; Hiep Duc District; Quang Nam Province; ~55 km SSW of Da Nang | H/2/5 participated as part of regimental ops. Source doc confirms 2/5 Marines task org. Sources: Marine Corps History Division. | Confirmed |
| Operation Napa (Lien Ket 56) | Search and destroy in Quang Tin Province jointly with 2nd ARVN Division following Operation Colorado; locate and destroy PAVN/VC forces northwest of Tam Ky. | 4–15 Sep 1966 | Quang Tin Province; NW of Tam Ky; I Corps | 1/5 Marines; 3/5 Marines; 5th Marine Regiment (HQ); 2nd ARVN Division; 2/6, 3/6, 4/6 ARVN Bns. Note: 2/5 Marines not explicitly listed in public task org. | Search and destroy mission in assigned area. Specific results not in public records. Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam' document. | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Unknown | Quang Tin Province; NW of Tam Ky; I Corps | Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. Task org in public records lists 1/5 and 3/5 only; 2/5 involvement implied by document. Sources: USMC An Expanding War 1966 (USMC Historical); USMC Command Chronologies. | Listed in Source Doc |
| Operation Dover | Search and destroy in Quang Tin Province. Continuation of 5th Marine Regiment operations to clear enemy forces from areas NW of Chu Lai and Tam Ky. | 18–30 Oct 1966 | Quang Tin Province; I Corps | 1/5 Marines; 5th Marine Regiment (HQ). Note: 2/5 Marines not explicitly listed in public task org. | Search and destroy mission. Specific results not in public records. Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam' document. | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Unknown | Quang Tin Province; I Corps | Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. 2/5 involvement implied by document. Sources: USMC Command Chronologies (National Archives RG 127). | Listed in Source Doc |
| Operation Sutter | Search and destroy in Quang Tin Province. 5th Marine Regiment operations ahead of winter-spring campaign season northwest of Tam Ky. | 30 Nov – 6 Dec 1966 | Quang Tin Province; I Corps | 1/5 Marines; 5th Marine Regiment (HQ). Note: 2/5 Marines not explicitly listed in public task org. | Search and destroy mission. Specific results not in public records. Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam' document. | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Unknown | Quang Tin Province; I Corps | Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. 2/5 involvement implied by document. Sources: USMC Command Chronologies (National Archives RG 127). | Listed in Source Doc |
| Operation Lincoln | Search and destroy / security operation in Quang Nam Province; early 1967 operation following 2/5 Marines redeployment to Quang Nam Province area of operations. | 4–9 Jan 1967 | Quang Nam Province; I Corps | 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines; H Company, 2/5 Marines; 5th Marine Regiment | Search and destroy mission. Detailed results not in public records. Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam' document. | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Unknown | Quang Nam Province; I Corps | Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam' document. Detailed records in USMC Command Chronologies (National Archives RG 127). | Listed in Source Doc |
| Operation Tuscaloosa | Search and destroy targeting VC B-20th Main Force Battalion HQ along Song Thu Bon River; assault VC HQ at Phu Loi village; destroy VC command infrastructure. | 24–28 Jan 1967 | Song Thu Bon River valley; ~24 km SW of Da Nang; Quang Nam Province; Phu Loi village area | H Company, 2/5 Marines (CONFIRMED primary assault); 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines; An Hoa Combat Base as staging area | H Company engaged in intense fighting on sandbar island in Song Thu Bon — 17 Marines KIA on island alone. VC B-20th Main Force Bn suffered significant casualties. Enemy HQ disrupted. | 17 KIA (H Company sandbar island — documented); full total not available | Significant (figures not in public records) | Significant VC casualties | Unknown | Song Thu Bon River valley; Arizona Territory; Quang Nam Province; An Hoa area | CONFIRMED H COMPANY. DATES CORRECTED: Source document confirms 24-28 Jan 1967 (previously recorded as 'Late 1967'). Documented in Culbertson, 'Operation Tuscaloosa'. Sources: hotel25vv.com; '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'; Culbertson book. | CONFIRMED — Primary Assault |
| Operation Independence | Search and destroy / security operation in Quang Nam Province. February 1967 2/5 Marines operation as battalion consolidated operations in An Hoa / Quang Nam area. | 1–9 Feb 1967 | Quang Nam Province; I Corps | 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines; H Company, 2/5 Marines; 5th Marine Regiment | Search and destroy mission. Detailed results not in public records. Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam' document. | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Unknown | Quang Nam Province; I Corps | Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. Note: a separate 'Operation Independence' by 9th Marines (3rd MarDiv) also exists — this is the 2/5 Marines Quang Nam Province operation. Sources: USMC Command Chronologies. | Listed in Source Doc |
| Operation Prairie II | Continue offensive to eliminate PAVN south of DMZ; maintain pressure on PAVN 324B Division; prevent reconsolidation in Leatherneck Square. | 1 Feb – 18 Mar 1967 | Quang Tri Province; Con Thien; Gio Linh; DMZ buffer; Leatherneck Square | H Company, 2/5 Marines (operational rotation); 3rd Marine Division; 5th Marine Regiment rotation | Continued PAVN attrition. Marines held Con Thien and Gio Linh under heavy artillery fire. | 93 (all USMC) | 483 (all USMC) | 694 PAVN | Unknown | Northern I Corps; Quang Tri Province; DMZ area; Leatherneck Square | H/2/5 continued rotation through DMZ area. Sources: Marine Corps History Division. | Confirmed Rotation |
| Operation Stone | Search and destroy targeting R-20 PLAF Mobile Force Battalion on Go Noi Island west of Hoi An using cordon-and-search tactics. | 11–22 Feb 1967 | Go Noi Island area; west of Hoi An; Quang Nam Province | 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (per source doc); 1/1, 2/1, 1/26 Marines also referenced in records; multiple Marine battalions in Go Noi area. | 68 VC confirmed KIA, 25 prisoners, 17 weapons captured. Total Marine casualties: 9 KIA, 76 WIA. | 9 Marines KIA | 76 Marines WIA | 68 VC | Unknown | Go Noi Island area; west of Hoi An; Quang Nam Province | Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. Historical records reference multiple Marine battalions in Go Noi Island area Feb 1967. Sources: Combined Arms Research Library; USMC Command Chronologies. | Listed in Source Doc |
| Operation Lanoke | Short-duration search and destroy / security operation in Quang Nam Province by 2/5 Marines in Arizona Territory / An Hoa area. | 25–28 Feb 1967 | Quang Nam Province; I Corps | 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines; H Company, 2/5 Marines; 5th Marine Regiment | Short-duration search and destroy mission. Detailed results not in public records. Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam' document. | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Unknown | Quang Nam Province; I Corps | Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. Detailed records in USMC Command Chronologies (National Archives RG 127). | Listed in Source Doc |
| Operation Prairie III | Continue clearance of PAVN from Leatherneck Square; disrupt enemy operations between Con Thien and DMZ. | 18 Mar – 19 Apr 1967 | Quang Tri Province; Con Thien; Leatherneck Square; DMZ area | H Company, 2/5 Marines; 3rd Marine Division; 5th Marine Regiment rotation | 252 PAVN killed, 4 captured, 128 weapons seized. Marines held forward positions under intense pressure. | 56 (all USMC) | 530 (all USMC) | 252 PAVN | Unknown | Leatherneck Square; Quang Tri Province; Con Thien; DMZ buffer | Third Prairie operation. Intense combat. Precursor to Siege of Con Thien. Sources: Marine Corps History Division. | Confirmed Rotation |
| Operation New Castle | Search and destroy / river-crossing operation in Quang Nam Province. 2/5 Marines conducted assault river crossings and search operations south of Da Nang. | 21–25 Mar 1967 | Quang Nam Province; river crossing areas south of Da Nang; I Corps | F Company, 2/5 Marines (CONFIRMED — documented in official USMC photo 26 Mar 1967 showing F Co 2/5 in LVT river crossing); 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines; 5th Marine Regiment | River assault and search and destroy mission. F Company confirmed crossing by LVT. Detailed tactical results not in public records. | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Unknown | Quang Nam Province; river crossing area south of Da Nang; I Corps | CONFIRMED 2/5 Marines. Official USMC photo 26 Mar 1967 shows F Company 2/5 in LVT during operation. Sources: USMC photography archive; '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. | CONFIRMED |
| Operation Dixie | Short-duration search and destroy / security operation in Quang Nam Province by 2/5 Marines in An Hoa / Arizona Territory area. | 7–10 Apr 1967 | Quang Nam Province; I Corps | 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines; H Company, 2/5 Marines; 5th Marine Regiment | Short-duration search and destroy. Detailed results not in public records. Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam' document. | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Unknown | Quang Nam Province; I Corps | Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. Detailed records in USMC Command Chronologies (National Archives RG 127). | Listed in Source Doc |
| Operation Prairie IV | Two-regiment S&D to clear PAVN from Leatherneck Square; reinforce Con Thien; counter growing enemy threat to Marine strong points along DMZ. | 20 Apr – 17 May 1967 | Leatherneck Square; Con Thien; Gio Linh; Quang Tri Province; DMZ | H Company, 2/5 Marines; 5th Marine Regiment; 4th Marine Regiment; 1st Marine Aircraft Wing; naval gunfire | 505 PAVN killed, 9 captured. Heaviest USMC casualties of Prairie series. Con Thien remained contested. | 164 (all USMC) | 1,240 (all USMC) | 505 PAVN | Unknown | Leatherneck Square; N Quang Tri Province; Con Thien; DMZ | Final Prairie operation. Two-regiment operation. H/2/5 Marines participated. Sources: Marine Corps History Division. | Confirmed |
| Operation Beaver Cage | Search and destroy VC base areas and main force units in Quang Nam Province south of Da Nang. Amphibious SLF coordinated with ground forces to trap and destroy enemy. | 28 Apr – 12 May 1967 | Quang Nam Province; south of Da Nang; Que Son Valley periphery | H Company, 2/5 Marines (coordination); 1/3 Marines (SLF primary); 1/5 Marines; 5th Marine Regiment; 1st Marine Aircraft Wing | 181 VC killed, 66 captured. Extensive tunnel and fortification systems discovered. | 55 (all USMC) | 151 (all USMC) | 181 VC | Unknown | Quang Nam Province; south of Da Nang; coastal lowlands | Concurrent with Union I. H/2/5 in coordinated regimental ops. Sources: Marine Corps History Division. | Coordination Role |
| Operation Union I | Search and destroy PAVN 2nd Division that had returned to Que Son Valley; disrupt enemy preparations for major offensive. | 1–16 May 1967 | Que Son Valley; Quang Nam Province; Thang Binh District; ~35 km south of Da Nang | H Company, 2/5 Marines; multiple 5th Marines battalions; 1st Marine Aircraft Wing; 11th Marines (arty) | Significant PAVN casualties. Marine air-ground coordination effective. Confirmed Que Son Valley as primary PAVN objective. | 110 (all USMC, Union I+II combined) | 473 (combined) | ~865 PAVN (Union I+II combined) | Unknown | Que Son Valley; Thang Binh and Hiep Duc Districts; Quang Nam Province | H/2/5 participated as part of 5th Marines regimental ops. Sources: Marine Corps History Division. | Confirmed |
| Operation Union II | Continue S&D, sweeping PAVN from southern Que Son Valley; prevent PAVN 2nd Division from reoccupying valley. | 26 May – 5 Jun 1967 | Que Son Valley; southern sector; Quang Nam Province; Thang Binh and Hiep Duc Districts | H Company, 2/5 Marines (CONFIRMED assault); E Company, 2/5 Marines; 5th Marine Regiment; D Company, 1/7 Marines; 1st Marine Aircraft Wing | 701 PAVN killed, 23 captured. H and E Companies 2/5 helo-inserted NE of enemy positions to strike PAVN left flank — confirmed tactical action. PAVN plans disrupted. | 110 (all USMC) | 241 (all USMC) | 701 PAVN | Unknown | Southern Que Son Valley; Quang Nam Province | CONFIRMED H COMPANY ENGAGEMENT. E and H Companies 2/5 helo-inserted to hit PAVN left flank — one of best-documented H Company engagements of 1967. Sources: USMC Command Chronologies. | CONFIRMED — Assault Role |
| Operation Arizona | Search and destroy / area denial in Arizona Territory between the Vu Gia and Thu Bon rivers NW of An Hoa Combat Base. Locate and destroy PAVN/VC forces in 2/5 Marines primary operational area. | 13–26 Jun 1967 | Arizona Territory; Quang Nam Province; An Hoa area; between Vu Gia and Thu Bon rivers; I Corps | 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines; H Company, 2/5 Marines; 5th Marine Regiment; An Hoa Combat Base | Search and destroy and area-denial in Arizona Territory — 2/5 Marines' primary operations area throughout 1967. Operation-specific detailed results not in public records. | Not Available | Not Available | Not Available | Unknown | Arizona Territory; rice basin between Vu Gia and Thu Bon rivers; Quang Nam Province; NW of An Hoa | The Arizona Territory was 2/5 Marines' primary area of continuous operations throughout 1967. Sources: '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'; An Hoa Combat Base history; hotel25vv.com. | Listed in Source Doc |
| Operation Calhoun | Search and destroy in Quang Nam Province targeting VC and PAVN forces southeast of Hoi An and in the Go Noi Island / Dodge City region. | 25 Jun – 1 Jul 1967 | Quang Nam Province; SE of Hoi An area; I Corps | 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (per source doc); Historical records reference 2/3 Marines in 'Beacon Torch/Calhoun' in adjacent area (86 PAVN/VC KIA, 13 Marines KIA). | Per Beacon Torch/Calhoun in adjacent area: 86 PAVN/VC KIA, 13 Marines KIA. Specific 2/5 Marines tactical results not in public records. | Not Available for 2/5 specifically; 13 (Beacon Torch/Calhoun total) | Not Available | Not Available for 2/5; 86 (area total) | Unknown | Quang Nam Province; SE of Hoi An; I Corps | Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. Historical records show concurrent Beacon Torch/Calhoun by 2/3 Marines in adjacent area. Sources: '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'; USMC Command Chronologies. | Listed in Source Doc |
| Operation Pike | Search and destroy on Barrier Island south of Hoi An and Que Son Valley approaches. Box-and-sweep maneuver to trap and destroy PAVN/VC forces. | 1–3 Aug 1967 | Barrier Island south of Hoi An; Que Son Valley approaches; Quang Nam Province | 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (per source doc); Historical records reference 1/1 Marines and 3/5 Marines in broader Operation Pike (1-18 Aug). Box-and-sweep operation. | ~100 enemy killed, 4 captured, 54 detained (broader operation). Specific 2/5 results not separately available. | 8 Marines KIA (operation total) | 60 Marines WIA | ~100 PAVN/VC | Unknown | Barrier Island south of Hoi An; Que Son Valley approaches; Quang Nam Province | Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. Sources: Wikipedia — Operation Pike; USMC Command Chronologies. | Listed in Source Doc |
| Operation Swift (Lam Son 289-B) | Rescue two Marine rifle companies under heavy PAVN attack near Dong Son; pursue PAVN withdrawal; destroy PAVN 2nd Division units in major Que Son Valley offensive. | 4–15 Sep 1967 | Que Son Valley; village of Dong Son; Que Son District; Quang Nam Province | H Company, 2/5 Marines (supporting); 1/5 Marines; 3/5 Marines; 1st Marine Aircraft Wing; artillery | ~600 PAVN killed. Two Medal of Honor awards. Besieged companies rescued. PAVN 2nd Division significantly damaged. | 127 (all USMC) | 362 (all USMC) | ~600 PAVN | Unknown | Que Son Valley; Que Son District; Quang Nam Province; ~45 km south of Da Nang | One of bloodiest single operations for Marines in 1967. H/2/5 supporting role; 1/5 and 3/5 were primary. Sources: Marine Corps History Division. | Supporting Role |
| Operation Essex | Search and destroy in Antenna Valley (Hiep Duc District south of An Hoa) as continuation of Op Swift. Push PAVN/VC into US Army Op Wheeler/Wallowa; locate and destroy PAVN units. | 6–17 Nov 1967 | Antenna Valley; Hiep Duc District; south of An Hoa Combat Base; Quang Nam Province | 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (PRIMARY UNIT — CONFIRMED); H Company, 2/5 Marines; 5th Marine Regiment | H Company ambushed near Ap Bon 2 on 6 Nov; 2nd Platoon also ambushed. Captured PAVN officer cadet revealed PAVN battalion HQ in village. Bombing destroyed HQ; bn commander and 60+ soldiers killed. 16 Marines KIA during 6-10 Nov fighting. | 16 Marines KIA (H Company bore significant share) | Not specified in public records | 60+ confirmed (PAVN bn HQ destroyed); additional from engagements | Unknown | Antenna Valley; Hiep Duc District; south of An Hoa FSB; Quang Nam Province | CONFIRMED H COMPANY ENGAGEMENT. H Company ambushed 6 Nov at Ap Bon 2. Captured officer cadet intelligence led to destruction of PAVN battalion HQ. Sources: Military-History Fandom — Op Essex; combatwife.net; USMC Command Chronologies. | CONFIRMED — Active Combat |
| https://hotel25vv.com/pdfviewer/operation-auburn" target="_blank">Operation AuburnOperation Auburn | Search and destroy on Go Noi Island. Marine companies established blocking positions along railway tracks while ARVN swept E to W along Route 537 to push PAVN/VC into Marine blocking positions. | 28 Dec 1967 – 3 Jan 1968 | Go Noi Island; ~25 km south of Da Nang; Dodge City area; Quang Nam Province | 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (per source doc); E Company, 2/3 Marines at LZ Hawk (primary per historical records); multiple Marine companies in blocking positions; ARVN forces on Route 537 | Marines in blocking positions received small arms fire from Bao An Dong village. Heavy fire during village advance led to withdrawal for airstrikes. 23 Marines KIA, 60 WIA. 37 PAVN/VC KIA. Concluded 1725 hrs 3 Jan 1968. | 23 Marines KIA | 60 Marines WIA | 37 PAVN/VC | Unknown | Go Noi Island; Dodge City area; Quang Nam Province; ~25 km south of Da Nang | Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. Historical records reference E/2/3 Marines at LZ Hawk; multiple Marine bns in blocking roles. Sources: Wikipedia — Operation Auburn; USMC Command Chronologies. | Listed in Source Doc |
| Operation Hue City (Battle of Hue) | Retake Hue City from NVA/VC forces that seized it during Tet Offensive; clear southern Hue (New City); protect MACV compound. Most violent urban combat of Vietnam War. Official USMC designation: Operation Hue City. | 1 Feb – 2 Mar 1968 | Hue City; Thua Thien Province; MACV Compound; southern Hue (New City); Highway 1; Perfume River | H Company, 2/5 Marines (CONFIRMED primary assault; CO: Capt Ron Christmas); F Company, 2/5 Marines; 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines; 1st Battalion, 5th Marines; 1st Marines | Southern Hue cleared. H Company fought through enemy ambush to relieve MACV. F Company helo-inserted into southern Hue. House-to-house urban combat. Hue fully secured 2 March. Over 5,000 NVA/VC killed in area. | 147 USMC KIA (operation total; H Company bore significant share) | 857 USMC WIA (operation total) | ~5,000 NVA/VC (Hue area) | Unknown | Hue City; Thua Thien Province; southern sector (New City) south of Perfume River | CONFIRMED MAJOR H COMPANY ENGAGEMENT. Capt Ron Christmas commanded H Company. H Company fought through ambushes to relieve MACV. Official USMC designation is 'Operation Hue City.' Sources: Marine Corps History Division; Eric Hammel, 'Fire in the Streets'; Wikipedia. | CONFIRMED — Major Assault |
| Operation Houston | Reopen and secure Route 1 between Da Nang and Phu Bai closed since Tet Offensive. PAVN/VC had destroyed 20 bridges and 26 culverts. Task Force X-Ray (built around 5th Marines) tasked to clear and hold critical highway. | 26 Feb – 12 Sep 1968 | Thua Thien Province; Route 1 corridor Da Nang to Phu Bai; Phu Loc District; Hai Van Pass sector | 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (CONFIRMED); 1/5 Marines; 3/5 Marines; 2/3 Marines; Task Force X-Ray (HQ: 1st Marine Division); Commander: Col Robert D. Bohn, 5th Marines | Route 1 successfully reopened and kept open between Da Nang and Phu Bai for duration of operation. Road remained operational through end of 1968. 26th Marines assumed responsibility 12 September. | 117 Marines KIA (full operation) | Not Available in public records | 702 VC/PAVN | 29 captured | Thua Thien Province; Route 1 corridor; Da Nang to Phu Bai; Hai Van Pass | CONFIRMED 2/5 Marines operation. Six-month highway security operation. Multiple 5th Marine battalions rotated through. Sources: Wikipedia — Operation Houston; Marine Corps Operations in Vietnam 1968 (USNI Proceedings). | CONFIRMED |
| Operation Baxter Garden (Lam Son) | Harvest security and S&D operation 8 km east of Hue on Phu Thu peninsula. Protect civilian rice harvest from VC appropriation; search for and destroy PAVN/VC forces in Thua Thien Province east of Hue. | 19–26 Apr 1968 | Phu Thu peninsula; 8 km east of Hue; Thua Thien Province; I Corps | 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines (CONFIRMED); 2 ARVN Battalions in support | 55 PAVN/VC killed. 13 Marines killed. Harvest security objectives achieved. Part of spring 1968 follow-up operations after Battle of Hue. | 13 Marines KIA | Not Available in public records | 55 PAVN/VC | Unknown | Phu Thu peninsula; 8 km east of Hue; Thua Thien Province | CONFIRMED 2/5 Marines operation. 2/5 Marines accompanied by 2 ARVN battalions. Part of spring 1968 Thua Thien Province follow-up ops. Sources: 1968 in the Vietnam War — Wikipedia; USMC Command Chronologies. | CONFIRMED |
| Operation Allen Brook | Sweep and clear Go Noi Island and Dodge City area of VC and PAVN; neutralize enemy base areas threatening Da Nang; deny enemy use of rice-growing area. | 4 May – 24 Aug 1968 | Go Noi Island; Dodge City area; Quang Nam Province; ~25 km south of Da Nang; Liberty Bridge | H Company, 2/5 Marines (operational rotation); 2/7 Marines (primary); 1st Marine Aircraft Wing; 11th Marines (arty) | 917 PAVN/VC killed, 11 captured. Enemy displaced from Go Noi Island but returned after Marines withdrew. Demonstrated need for sustained occupation vs. periodic sweeps. | 172 (all USMC) | 1,124 (all USMC) | 917 PAVN/VC | Unknown | Go Noi Island and Dodge City area; Quang Nam Province; south of Da Nang; east of An Hoa | Extended 4-month operation. H/2/5 rotated through Go Noi Island and Dodge City. Sources: Marine Corps History Division. | Confirmed Rotation |
| Operation Mameluke Thrust | Spoiling attack and S&D in Happy Valley and Arizona Territory SW of Da Nang; disrupt PAVN plans for second Tet-style offensive; destroy enemy base camps and logistics. | 19 May – 23 Oct 1968 | Happy Valley; Arizona Territory; Quang Nam Province; An Hoa area; SW Da Nang | H Company, 2/5 Marines; 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 5th Marines; 1st Marine Division; 1st Marine Aircraft Wing | 2,728 PAVN killed, 47 captured. Major disruption of PAVN offensive plans. Significant supply caches destroyed. | 269 (all USMC) | 1,730 (all USMC) | 2,728 PAVN | Unknown | Happy Valley and Arizona Territory; western Quang Nam Province; An Hoa area; Charlie Ridge | Extended 5-month operation. H/2/5 operated from An Hoa Combat Base throughout this period. Sources: Marine Corps History Division. | Confirmed |
| Operation Sussex Bay | Recovery and security operation on Go Noi Island to retrieve stranded LVTs (Landing Vehicles, Tracked). Marines provided security for amtrac crewmen repairing and recovering abandoned amphibious vehicles. Complicated by Typhoon Bess. | 29 Aug – 9 Sep 1968 | Go Noi Island; Quang Nam Province; ~25 km south of Da Nang | 5th Marine Regiment including 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines; amtrac units; 1st Marine Aircraft Wing support | Both stranded LVTs returned to battalion position under own power by 7 Sep. Recovery completed despite Typhoon Bess weather. At least 1 Marine KIA attributed to weather-related tactical decisions. Command accountability issues arose. | At least 1 (typhoon-related); exact total not fully documented | Not Available in public records | Not Available | Unknown | Go Noi Island; Quang Nam Province; south of Da Nang | Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. Unusual vehicle recovery/security op. Typhoon Bess complications documented. Sources: Leatherneck Magazine; USMC The Defining Year 1968 (USMC Historical). | Listed in Source Doc |
| Operation Maui Peak | Relieve siege of Thuong Duc Special Forces Camp by PAVN; advance west along Route 4 to break enemy stranglehold; destroy PAVN units that overran two outposts on 28 Sep. | 1–19 Oct 1968 | Thuong Duc Camp; Route 4; SW Quang Nam Province; ~40 km SW of Da Nang | H Company, 2/5 Marines (CONFIRMED; CO: Capt Ron Drez); 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 5th Marines; 7th Marine Regiment; 1st Marine Aircraft Wing with B-52 and tactical air | 202 PAVN killed, relief of Thuong Duc Camp achieved. 12 Oct 0400: PAVN attacked 2/5 on Route 4; Marines killed 46 PAVN, captured 1, lost 8 KIA. B-52 strikes 4 Oct preceded advance. Capt Ron Drez received Bronze Star. | 28 (all USMC); 8 H Company KIA in 12 Oct engagement (documented) | 143 (all USMC) | 202 PAVN (46 in 12 Oct H Company engagement) | Unknown | Thuong Duc District; Route 4 corridor; SW Quang Nam Province | CONFIRMED H COMPANY ENGAGEMENT. Capt Ron Drez commanded H Company. 12 Oct pre-dawn PAVN attack on Route 4 specifically documented. Sources: USMC Command Chronologies; Marine Corps History Division. | CONFIRMED — Active Combat |
| Operation Henderson Hill | Investigate and interdict PAVN 90th Regiment infiltration routes; clear Happy Valley and Arizona Territory; respond to intelligence on major enemy offensive preparations. | 23 Oct – 6 Dec 1968 | Happy Valley; Arizona Territory; An Hoa sector; Go Noi Island periphery; Quang Nam Province | H Company, 2/5 Marines (CONFIRMED); 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 5th Marines; 1st Marine Division; 1st Marine Aircraft Wing | 700 PAVN/VC killed, 94 captured, 41 individual + 5 crew-served weapons seized. 2/5 Marines landed by nightfall 23 Oct. Discovery of 24-page 'Winter-Spring 1968-9 Campaign' enemy strategy document — major intelligence find. | 35 (all USMC) | Not Available in public records | 700 PAVN/VC | Unknown | Happy Valley and Arizona Territory; An Hoa area; Quang Nam Province | CONFIRMED 2/5 Marines operation. Discovery of 24-page enemy campaign planning document was significant intelligence find. Sources: USMC Command Chronologies; Marine Corps History Division. | CONFIRMED |
| Operation Meade River | Massive cordon and search against VC/PAVN stronghold in Dodge City. Seven Marine battalions to cordon 36 sq km and systematically search and destroy all enemy forces inside. | 20 Nov – 9 Dec 1968 | Dodge City area; 36 sq km cordon; Quang Nam Province; ~12 km south of Da Nang | H Company, 2/5 Marines (CONFIRMED); 2nd and 3rd Battalions, 5th Marines; 2/26 Marines; 7 Marine battalions total; Op Commander: Col Robert G. Lauffer; Capt Ron Drez (2/5) Bronze Star | 1,023 PAVN/VC killed, 123 captured — largest single-op enemy kill count of 1968. 2/5 and 2/26 held northern boundary from Hwy 1; heavy enemy contact at 1445 hrs. Dodge City temporarily cleared. | 108 (all USMC) | 510 (all USMC) | 1,023 PAVN/VC | Unknown | Dodge City area; S Quang Nam Province; 36 sq km cordon south of Da Nang | CONFIRMED H COMPANY ENGAGEMENT. Largest cordon op of Vietnam War. Capt Ron Drez received Bronze Star. 2/5 and 2/26 held northern boundary; heavy contact 1445 hrs documented. Sources: USMC Command Chronologies. | CONFIRMED — Active Combat |
| Operation Taylor Common | Search and destroy Base Area 112 — major PAVN/VC base supporting 21st Regiment, 68B Rocket Regt, 141st Regt, and command units. Task Force Yankee formed to secure An Hoa Basin and construct FSBs to project power west. Medal of Honor: LCpl William R. Prom. | 6 Dec 1968 – 8 Mar 1969 | An Hoa Basin; Base Area 112; Arizona Territory; SW Quang Nam Province; mountain FSBs west of An Hoa | H Company, 2/5 Marines (CONFIRMED; CO: Capt Ron Drez; committed 13 Dec 1968); Task Force Yankee (5th Marine Regiment); 1/3, 3/3 Marines; 2nd Bn, 5th Marines; ARVN 1st Ranger Group; Kilo Battery, 4/13 Marines (155mm SP Artillery) | Base Area 112 successfully destroyed. 1,398 PAVN killed, 29 POW, FSBs constructed. Hotel Company earned Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star and Presidential Unit Citation. LCpl William R. Prom awarded Medal of Honor. | 151 Marines KIA (per source doc); also reported as 183 (USMC) from other records | 1,324 WIA (per source doc); also reported as 1,487 from other records | 1,398 PAVN | Unknown | Base Area 112 and surrounding mountains SW of An Hoa; Arizona Territory; Quang Nam Province | CONFIRMED MAJOR H COMPANY ENGAGEMENT. Capt Ron Drez commanded H Company; committed 13 Dec 1968. Hotel Company earned Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star and PUC. Medal of Honor: LCpl William R. Prom. Sources: Wikipedia — Op Taylor Common; hotel25vv.com; '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. | CONFIRMED — Major Assault |
| Operation Oklahoma Hills | Clear NVA base camps and infiltration routes in Happy Valley and Charlie Ridge SW of Da Nang; disrupt Front 4 enemy HQ and logistics; destroy fortified NVA base areas. | 31 Mar – 29 May 1969 | Happy Valley; Charlie Ridge; Quang Nam Province; SW Da Nang; PAVN Base Areas | H Company, 2/5 Marines (supporting); 1/7, 2/7, 3/7 Marines; 3/26 Marines; ARVN 51st Regiment; 1st Marine Aircraft Wing | 589 NVA killed. Limited major contact as PAVN avoided large engagements. Base camps and supply caches destroyed. | 44 (all USMC) | 439 (all USMC) | 589 NVA | Unknown | Happy Valley and Charlie Ridge; SW Quang Nam Province; PAVN Base Areas 112 and 121 | H/2/5 in supporting role; primary assault by 7th Marine Regiment. Marks beginning of Vietnamization-era operations. Sources: Marine Corps History Division. | Supporting Role |
| Operation Muskogee Meadow | Clear and search in Arizona Territory and An Hoa Basin by 5th Marines to engage PAVN/VC forces. Part of ongoing ops to deny enemy use of the An Hoa Basin during Vietnamization. | 6–20 Apr 1969 | Arizona Territory; An Hoa Basin; Quang Nam Province; SW of Da Nang | H Company, 2/5 Marines (CONFIRMED); 2nd Bn, 5th Marines; 3rd Bn, 5th Marines (Lima Company documented); 1st Marine Division; 1st Marine Aircraft Wing | 162 PAVN/VC killed. 16 Marines KIA. Successful S&D with significant enemy casualties. Capt Ron Drez earned Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star and Presidential Unit Citation for Taylor Common and Muskogee Meadow. | 16 Marines KIA | Not Available in public records | 162 PAVN/VC | Unknown | Arizona Territory and An Hoa Basin; Quang Nam Province; SW of Da Nang | CONFIRMED H COMPANY ENGAGEMENT. DATES CORRECTED: Source doc confirms 6-20 April 1969. Capt Ron Drez earned Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star and PUC for Taylor Common AND Muskogee Meadow. Sources: hotel25vv.com; limathreefive.org; '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. | CONFIRMED — Active Combat |
| Operation Pipestone Canyon | Clear and permanently neutralize Go Noi Island and Dodge City; reopen Route 4; eliminate enemy forces from major base areas threatening Da Nang. Extended cordon operation. | 26 May – 7 Nov 1969 | Go Noi Island; Dodge City; Route 4; Quang Nam Province; Liberty Bridge area | H Company, 2/5 Marines (CONFIRMED); 2nd and 3rd Bns, 5th Marines; 1/1 and 3/1 Marines; ROKMC 1st Battalion; 1st Marine Aircraft Wing | 852 PAVN/VC killed, 58 captured. Go Noi Island defoliated and heavily bombed. Route 4 reopened. Enemy displaced but later infiltrated back. PFC Dan Bullock (2/5 Marines), youngest American KIA in Vietnam (age 15), killed in sapper attack at An Hoa 7 Jun 1969. | 71 (all USMC) | Not Available in public records | 852 PAVN/VC | Unknown | Go Noi Island; Dodge City area; Quang Nam Province; Route 4 corridor | CONFIRMED 2/5 Marines participation. Combined op with ROKMC. PFC Dan Bullock (2/5) was youngest American KIA in Vietnam. Sources: USMC Command Chronologies; Marine Corps History Division. | CONFIRMED |
| Operation Durham Peak | Search and destroy PAVN units (90th Regiment, 368B Rocket Regiment) that fled Dodge City/Go Noi Island into Que Son Mountains. Locate and engage enemy in Antenna Valley ~10 km south of An Hoa. | 20 Jul – 13 Aug 1969 | Que Son Mountains; Antenna Valley; ~10 km south of An Hoa Combat Base; Quang Nam Province | H Company, 2/5 Marines (CONFIRMED; CO: Capt Ron Drez; committed 31 Jul); 2nd Bn, 5th Marines; 3/5 Marines; 2/1 Marines; 1/7 Marines; USS Boston naval gunfire; 105mm howitzers; CH-46 helicopter support | Limited contact during patrolling. Major engagement 12 Aug by 1/7 Marines. 255 PAVN killed. H Company platoon took heavy sniper fire moving up ridge finger to Hill 845 on 25 Jul. H Company found only sick NVA stragglers. Operation terminated 13 Aug. | 20 (primarily 1/7 Marines, 12 Aug engagement) | 100 evacuated (all USMC) | 255 PAVN | Unknown | Que Son Mountains and Antenna Valley; ~10 km south of An Hoa FSB; Quang Nam Province | CONFIRMED H COMPANY ENGAGEMENT. YEAR CORRECTED: Source document confirms 1969 (previously recorded as 1968). Capt Ron Drez commanded H Company; committed 31 Jul. Sources: 1stbn4thmarines.net; '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'; USMC Command Chronologies. | CONFIRMED — Active Combat |
| Operation Pickens Forest | Incursion into PAVN Base Areas 112 and 127 in Que Son Mountains; disrupt Front 4 NVA HQ; destroy VC 1st Regiment HQ; neutralize PAVN 38th Regiment and 490th Sapper Battalion supply infrastructure. | 16 Jul – 24 Aug 1970 | Que Son Mountains; PAVN Base Areas 112 and 127; Quang Nam Province; FSB Mace; FSB Dart | H Company, 2/5 Marines (supporting); 1/7 and 2/7 Marines; 7th Marine Regiment; 1st Marine Aircraft Wing | 99 PAVN/VC killed. Front 4 HQ disrupted. Supply caches and fortifications destroyed. Low US casualties reflect PAVN avoidance of major engagement during Vietnamization. | 4 (all USMC) | Not Available in public records | 99 PAVN/VC | Unknown | Que Son Mountains; PAVN Base Areas 112 and 127; Quang Nam Province; Que Son District | H/2/5 in supporting role; primary assault by 7th Marine Regiment. Reflects Vietnamization-era reduced tempo. Sources: Marine Corps History Division. | Supporting Role |
| Operation Barren Green | Harvest security operation in My Hiep area of northern Arizona Territory south of Song Vu Gia River. VC-controlled area with ripened corn — intelligence expected enemy to harvest crop for food. Marines and RF protected civilians harvesting under fire. | 24–27 Jul 1970 | My Hiep area; northern Arizona Territory; south of Song Vu Gia River; Quang Nam Province (Note: source doc lists An Giang Province — likely error) | 3rd Bn, 5th Marines (reinforced platoon); 5th Marine Regiment; Regional Forces (RF) from Dai Loc District | Civilians brought in under Marine/RF protection to harvest corn. Operation discontinued before all corn harvested. First named 5th Marines operation of summer 1970 campaign. Limited enemy contact. | Not Available in public records | Not Available in public records | Not Available in public records | Unknown | Arizona Territory; northern sector south of Song Vu Gia River; Quang Nam Province (Dai Loc District) | Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. Source doc lists 'An Giang Province' which appears to be an error — My Hiep is in Quang Nam Province's Arizona Territory. First named op of 5th Marines 1970 summer campaign. Sources: USMC Vietnamization and Redeployment 1970-1971 (USMC Historical). | Listed in Source Doc |
| Operation Lyon Valley | S&D / intelligence-gathering operation in Quang Nam Province. Part of 5th Marines summer 1970 campaign exploiting success of Cambodian incursion to attack enemy base camps and main-force units. | 27 Jul – 24 Aug 1970 | Quang Nam Province; I Corps Tactical Zone | 5th Marine Regiment; 2nd Bn, 5th Marines; 1st Marine Division; 1st Marine Aircraft Wing | Captured documents provided intelligence showing consolidation and reduction of Front 4 command. Evidence indicated disbanding/departure of three of four NVA infantry regiments from Quang Nam Province — significant strategic finding. | Not Available in public records | Not Available in public records | Not Available in public records | Unknown | Quang Nam Province; I Corps Tactical Zone | Significant intelligence result — captured documents revealed disbanding of 3 of 4 NVA regiments in Quang Nam. Sources: USMC Vietnamization and Redeployment 1970-1971 (USMC Historical); '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. | Listed in Source Doc |
| Operation Imperial Lake | Final major operation of 1st Marine Division in Vietnam. Maintain pressure on NVA in Que Son District while supporting Vietnamization; provide security for ARVN assuming primary combat role; conduct small-unit patrols. | 1 Sep 1970 – 7 May 1971 | Que Son District; Quang Nam Province; LZ Baldy; LZ Rainbow (formerly LZ Vulture); An Hoa Combat Base | H Company, 2/5 Marines (CONFIRMED); 5th Marine Regiment; 7th Marines (thru Sep 1970); ARVN 51st Regiment; 6-man patrol teams with QRF at LZ Baldy; 1st Marine Aircraft Wing | 296 PAVN/VC killed, 106 captured. Small-unit patrol tactics. An Hoa handed to ARVN 1/51 on 15 Oct 1970. 2/5 Marines stood down ~3 Mar 1971. H Company among last units to depart An Hoa. Final Vietnam operation for 1st Marine Division. | 22 (20 Marines + 2 Navy Corpsmen by Dec 1970) | Not Available in public records | 296 PAVN/VC | Unknown | Que Son District; Quang Nam Province; LZ Baldy area; An Hoa sector | FINAL OPERATION. H Company, 2/5 Marines departed An Hoa early 1971. Participated in dismantling of An Hoa. 2/5 Marines stood down ~3 March 1971 after 5+ years of continuous Vietnam service. Sources: USMC Command Chronologies; hotel25vv.com. | CONFIRMED — Final Op |
| Operation Catawba Falls | Artillery-focused operation with feinted heliborne assaults to pound suspected PAVN/VC assembly areas with massed artillery while rifle companies executed feigned heliborne assaults — keeping enemy forces off balance. | 18–21 Sep 1970 | Quang Nam Province; I Corps Tactical Zone | 5th Marine Regiment; 2nd Bn, 5th Marines; 2nd Bn, 11th Marines (arty); 1st Marine Division | 11,500+ rounds of HE fired in 4 days (beginning 0300 on 18 Sep). Feigned heliborne assaults kept enemy off balance. Concurrent with 7th Marines beginning redeployment (Op Keystone Robin Alpha); 5th Marines shifted south to fill gap. | Not Available in public records | Not Available in public records | Not Available in public records | Unknown | Quang Nam Province; I Corps Tactical Zone | 11,500+ artillery rounds in 4 days. Concurrent with 7th Marines redeployment, requiring 5th Marines to extend TAOR. Sources: USMC Vietnamization and Redeployment 1970-1971 (USMC Historical); '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. | Listed in Source Doc |
| Operation Tolare I | S&D / security in Quang Nam Province. October 1970 operation by 5th Marines assuming expanded TAOR following 7th Marines redeployment. Maintain pressure on PAVN/VC forces and support Vietnamization. | 2–15 Oct 1970 | Quang Nam Province; I Corps Tactical Zone | 5th Marine Regiment; 2nd Bn, 5th Marines; 1st Marine Division | Operational details not in declassified public records. Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam' document. Note: Tolare II (27 Oct) overlap suggests related phases. | Not Available in public records | Not Available in public records | Not Available in public records | Unknown | Quang Nam Province; I Corps Tactical Zone | Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. Tolare II (27 Oct) overlap suggests these are related phases. Detailed records in USMC Command Chronologies (National Archives RG 127). | Listed in Source Doc |
| Operation Noble Canyon | S&D / security in Quang Nam Province. Late-1970 operation by 5th Marines maintaining pressure on remaining PAVN/VC forces as Vietnamization continued and Marine units prepared for drawdown. | 22 Oct – 3 Nov 1970 | Quang Nam Province; I Corps Tactical Zone | 5th Marine Regiment; 2nd Bn, 5th Marines; 1st Marine Division | Operational details not in declassified public records. Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam' document as late Oct–Nov 1970 operation. | Not Available in public records | Not Available in public records | Not Available in public records | Unknown | Quang Nam Province; I Corps Tactical Zone | Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. Detailed records in USMC Command Chronologies (National Archives RG 127). | Listed in Source Doc |
| Operation Tolare II | S&D / security in Quang Nam Province. Likely follow-on phase or sub-operation of Operation Tolare I. Part of late-1970 operational pattern as Marine forces prepared for Vietnamization handover. | 27 Oct 1970 | Quang Nam Province; I Corps Tactical Zone | 5th Marine Regiment; 2nd Bn, 5th Marines; 1st Marine Division | Operational details not in declassified public records. Overlap with Tolare I dates (2-15 Oct) suggests related phases. | Not Available in public records | Not Available in public records | Not Available in public records | Unknown | Quang Nam Province; I Corps Tactical Zone | Listed in '2-5 Military Operations Vietnam'. Chronological overlap with Tolare I suggests follow-on phase. Detailed records in USMC Command Chronologies (National Archives RG 127). | Listed in Source Doc |