Vietnam History

18th Infantry Regiment

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“Vanguards”

 

Vietnam

The Regiment fought in the Vietnam War from 1965 to 1970.

Arriving in July of 1965, the division began combat operations within two weeks. By the end of 1965 the division had participated in three major operations: Hump, Bushmaster I and Bushmaster II, under the command of MG Jonathan O. Seaman.

In 1966 the division took part in Operations Marauder, Crimp II, and Rolling Stone in the early part of the year. In March, MG William E. DePuy took command. In June and July the division took part in the battles of Ap Tau O, Srok Dong and Minh Thanh Road. In November they participated in Operation Attleboro.

1967 saw the 1st I.D. in Operations Cedar Falls, Junction City, Manhattan, and Shenandoah II. MG John H. Hay assumed command in February. On October 17, 1967, the 1st ID. suffered heavy casualties at the Battle of Ong Thanh with 58 KIA.

1968 would see the division involved in the Tet Offensive, securing the massive Tan Son Nhut Air Base. In March, MG Keith L. Ware took command. That same month the division took part in Operation Quyet Thang (Resolve to Win), April would see the division participate in the largest operation in the Vietnam conflict, Operation Toan Thang (Certain Victory). On 13 September, the division Commander, MG Ware, was killed in action when his command helicopter was shot down by hostile fire. MG Orwin C. Talbott moved up from his position of Assistant Division Commander to assume command of the division.

In the first half of 1969, The Big Red One conducted reconnaissance-in-force and ambush operations, including a multi-divisional operation, Atlas Wedge, and participated in the Battles of An Loc. The last part of the year saw the division take part in “Dong Tien” (Progress Together) operations. These operations were intended to assist South Vietnamese forces to take a more active role in combat. In August MG A. E Milloy took command of the 1st I.D. while the division took part in battles along National Highway 13, known as “Thunder Road” to the end of the year.

In January 1970 it was announced that the division would return to Fort Riley. 11 members of the division were awarded the Medal of Honor.

Casualties

  1. 6,146 Killed in Action
  2. 16,019 Wounded in Action
  3. 20 Prisoner of War

Defense

Counteroffensive

Counteroffensive Phase II

Counteroffensive Phase III

Tet Counteroffensive

Counteroffensive Phase IV

Counteroffensive Phase V

Counteroffensive Phase VI
     Tet 69 Counteroffensive

Summer-Fall 1969

Winter_Spring 197