In July 1965, Pfc. Craig Roberts crossed the Da Nang River with the 9th Marines - into the heart of a jungle alive with savage Viet Cong. Eight months later his unit would be called 'the Walking Dead'.vietnam war, 1961-1975 - personal narratives, craig roberts, da nang river, 9th marines, operation starlight

On March 8, 1965, men of the 9th Marines spashed ashore at Red Beach 2, norrhwest of Da Nang. vietnam war - 1961-1975, 9th marines, red beach, da nang

On March 8, 1965, men of the 9th Marines spashed ashore at Red Beach 2, norrhwest of Da Nang. vietnam war - 1961-1975, vietnam, 9th marines, da nang, red beach

There were no presidential speeches proclaiming crusaders "to make the world safe for democracy" or days which "shall live in infamy".vietnam war, 1961-1975, da nang, 9th marines, 173rd airborne brigade

In May 1968, in the western jungle of Vietnam near Laos, led by Australian Captain J White, 11th Mobile Strike Force Company (MSF) occupied an old French fort on a hill named Ngok Tavak tasked with improving allied intelligence-gathering capabilities in the area. However, with enemy activity increasing, on May 4th, 44 US Marines, 35 CIDG (Civilian Irregular Defence Group) and two 105mm Howitzer field guns arrived as reinforcement from the Special Forces base at Kham Duc. By May 9th, Captain White’s company numbered about 200 men. Although in a good defensive position, coming towards them was the Iron Brigade of the 2nd Division of the North Vietnamese Army (NVA). At 03:00 on May 10th, the attack on Ngok Tavak began. The NVA, led by Major Dang Ngoc Mai, poured through the entrance at the eastern wall quickly occupying most of the fort. By midday the next day, Captain White had lost 40 Nung soldiers and 11 Marines with over 70 others badly wounded. Realising he could not withstand another attack, Captain White decided to abandon Ngok Tavak. Once the wounded were evacuated, Captain White ordered strike aircraft to blast a ‘corridor’ through the surrounding enemy cordon using napalm. By early afternoon, what remained of the defenders escaped through the ‘corridor’ and helicopters eventually flew them to Kham Duc. Colour image of edge of Ngok Tavak fort with soldiers sitting on & walking around sand-bagged foxholes. Jungle & mountains in background.battle of ngok tavak, john white

In May 1968, in the western jungle of Vietnam near Laos, led by Australian Captain J White, 11th Mobile Strike Force Company (MSF) occupied an old French fort on a hill named Ngok Tavak tasked with improving allied intelligence-gathering capabilities in the area. However, with enemy activity increasing, on May 4th, 44 US Marines, 35 CIDG (Civilian Irregular Defence Group) and two 105mm Howitzer field guns arrived as reinforcement from the Special Forces base at Kham Duc. By May 9th, Captain White’s company numbered about 200 men. Although in a good defensive position, coming towards them was the Iron Brigade of the 2nd Division of the North Vietnamese Army (NVA). At 03:00 on May 10th, the attack on Ngok Tavak began. The NVA, led by Major Dang Ngoc Mai, poured through the entrance at the eastern wall quickly occupying most of the fort. By midday the next day, Captain White had lost 40 Nung soldiers and 11 Marines with over 70 others badly wounded. Realising he could not withstand another attack, Captain White decided to abandon Ngok Tavak. Once the wounded were evacuated, Captain White ordered strike aircraft to blast a ‘corridor’ through the surrounding enemy cordon using napalm. By early afternoon, what remained of the defenders escaped through the ‘corridor’ and helicopters eventually flew them to Kham Duc. Colour image of U.S. soldiers disembarking from a helicopter in a clearing in the jungle. Foreground is rear of two soldiers watching. Background is mountains.united states - marine corps, battle of ngok tavak, john white, ngok tavak

The battle for Ap Bia Mountain, (Hill 937) Vietnam, 1969, became famous both for the dramatic and fierce battles involved and for the ensuing controversy in the media and on the floor of the United States Senate.ap bia (mountain) vietnam, united states senate, nva, a shau valley, hue, ho chi minh trail, 3d brigade, 101st airborne, 3d arvn regiment, 9th marine regiment, operation apache snow

The battle for Ap Bia Mountain, (Hill 937) Vietnam, 1969, became famous both for the dramatic and fierce battles involved and for the ensuing controversy in the media and on the floor of the United States Senate.ap bia (mountain) vietnam, united states senate, nva, hue, tet offensive, ho chi minh trail, 3d brigade, 101st airborne, 9th marine regiment, 3d arvn regiment, operation apache snow, a shau valley