Battle of Xa Cam My
Encyclopedia
The Battle of Xa Cam My was a battle of the Vietnam War
fought over two days from April 11 to April 12 1966.
Originally planned as a U.S.
search and destroy
mission intended to lure out the "crack" Viet Cong D800 Battalion, Charlie Company soon found itself fighting for survival in the rubber plantations of Xa Cam My, approximately 42 miles (68 km) east of Saigon. During this battle 134 men of Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division were ambushed by the Viet Cong.
, New Zealand artillery and the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
.
Major General William E. DePuy
, as commander of the 1st Infantry Division, planned to lure out the Viet Cong unit by using Charlie Company as a bait. Once the Viet Cong attacked the isolated company, DePuy planned to rush in other rifle companies to destroy the enemy.
The operation began on April 10 1966, with soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division moving into positions between Saigon and Vung Tau
in search of the elusive Viet Cong D800 Battalion. Unlike in previous operations, Charlie Company numbered only 134 because of casualties, leave and other reasons. In addition to the lack of numbers, the company was also cut off from Alpha and Bravo Companies.
By that time it had become clear that the Viet Cong had taken the bait, however DePuy's gamble on other rifle companies arriving in time were thwarted by the thick jungle.
To minimize casualties and break the ambush, Charlie Company formed a circular perimeter with interlocking fire. The situation deteriorated as Charlie Company found itself increasingly isolated with only a distant hope of reinforcement. This was made worse, when misdirected artillery fired upon Charlie Company instead of the aggressive VC forces.
The fighting continued well into the night with the desperate Charlie Company throwing all it had at the aggressive Viet Cong, using tear gas grenades. However, their efforts were not enough to stop the Viet Cong from breaking through their lines. Through the night small units from the Viet Cong D800 Battalion breached the American perimeter, retrieving their own casualties and slitting the throats of wounded U.S soldiers along the way.
After five hours of brutal fighting, what was left of Charlie Company formed a tight perimeter, protected by a barrage of artillery fire which came down at a rate of five or six rounds per minute. By 07:00 on April 12, the Viet Cong had disengaged from the battle before other U.S units could arrive. Charlie Company was nearly wiped out with a casualty rate of 80%.
were awarded in conncection with this action. Sgt James W. Robinson, Jr.
and A1C William H. Pitsenbarger
. The latter was awarded in December 2000. SPEC-4 Johann Lang was awarded the Silver Star & Purple Heart for his heroic actions in the battle.
The website for the men who served in this battle from the 1st Div:
"Men of the 1st Division, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry, Rangers, Charlie Company Vietnam"
http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/Mudsoldiers/index.html
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
fought over two days from April 11 to April 12 1966.
Originally planned as a U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
search and destroy
Search and destroy
Search and Destroy, Seek and Destroy, or even simply S&D, refers to a military strategy that became a notorious component of the Vietnam War. The idea was to insert ground forces into hostile territory, search out the enemy, destroy them, and withdraw immediately afterward...
mission intended to lure out the "crack" Viet Cong D800 Battalion, Charlie Company soon found itself fighting for survival in the rubber plantations of Xa Cam My, approximately 42 miles (68 km) east of Saigon. During this battle 134 men of Charlie Company, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division were ambushed by the Viet Cong.
Background
Operation Abilene was aimed at the local Viet Cong D800 Battalion, it involved units of the U.S. 1st Infantry DivisionU.S. 1st Infantry Division
The 1st Infantry Division of the United States Army is the oldest division in the United States Army. It has seen continuous service since its organization in 1917...
, New Zealand artillery and the 1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment
1st Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment is a regular light infantry battalion of the Australian Army. 1 RAR was first formed as the 65th Australian Infantry Battalion in 1945 and since then has been deployed on active service during the Korean War, the Malayan Emergency and the Vietnam War...
.
Major General William E. DePuy
William E. DePuy
William Eugene DePuy was a U.S. Army general and the first commander of the United States Army Training and Doctrine Command. He is widely regarded as one of the principal architects of the restructuring of U.S. Army doctrine after the American withdrawal from Vietnam.-Early life and career:DePuy...
, as commander of the 1st Infantry Division, planned to lure out the Viet Cong unit by using Charlie Company as a bait. Once the Viet Cong attacked the isolated company, DePuy planned to rush in other rifle companies to destroy the enemy.
The operation began on April 10 1966, with soldiers of the 1st Infantry Division moving into positions between Saigon and Vung Tau
Vung Tàu
Vũng Tàu is a city in southern Vietnam. Its population in 2005 was 240,000. The city area is including 13 urban wards and one village. It is the capital of Ba Ria-Vung Tau province, and is the crude oil extraction center of Vietnam. It is also known as one of the most beautiful cities of tourism...
in search of the elusive Viet Cong D800 Battalion. Unlike in previous operations, Charlie Company numbered only 134 because of casualties, leave and other reasons. In addition to the lack of numbers, the company was also cut off from Alpha and Bravo Companies.
Battle
On the following day as Charlie Company moved through the Courtenay Rubber Plantation, they encountered sporadic enemy fire, with Viet Cong snipers attempting to knock the Americans off one by one. The sporadic fire allowed the Viet Cong to maneuver around the outnumbered Americans. By 14:00 VC officers were spotted around the positions of Charlie Company, directing the encirclement of U.S positions.By that time it had become clear that the Viet Cong had taken the bait, however DePuy's gamble on other rifle companies arriving in time were thwarted by the thick jungle.
To minimize casualties and break the ambush, Charlie Company formed a circular perimeter with interlocking fire. The situation deteriorated as Charlie Company found itself increasingly isolated with only a distant hope of reinforcement. This was made worse, when misdirected artillery fired upon Charlie Company instead of the aggressive VC forces.
The fighting continued well into the night with the desperate Charlie Company throwing all it had at the aggressive Viet Cong, using tear gas grenades. However, their efforts were not enough to stop the Viet Cong from breaking through their lines. Through the night small units from the Viet Cong D800 Battalion breached the American perimeter, retrieving their own casualties and slitting the throats of wounded U.S soldiers along the way.
After five hours of brutal fighting, what was left of Charlie Company formed a tight perimeter, protected by a barrage of artillery fire which came down at a rate of five or six rounds per minute. By 07:00 on April 12, the Viet Cong had disengaged from the battle before other U.S units could arrive. Charlie Company was nearly wiped out with a casualty rate of 80%.
Aftermath
Two posthumous Medals of HonorMedal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
were awarded in conncection with this action. Sgt James W. Robinson, Jr.
James W. Robinson, Jr.
James William "Jim" Robinson, Jr. was an American soldier and a posthumous recipient of the Medal of Honor. Robinson earned the award while serving with the U.S. Army in Vietnam...
and A1C William H. Pitsenbarger
William H. Pitsenbarger
William Hart Pitsenbarger was a United States Air Force Pararescueman who gave his life aiding and defending a unit of soldiers pinned down by an enemy assault in Vietnam. He was initially posthumously awarded the Air Force Cross, which was later upgraded to the Medal of Honor...
. The latter was awarded in December 2000. SPEC-4 Johann Lang was awarded the Silver Star & Purple Heart for his heroic actions in the battle.
The website for the men who served in this battle from the 1st Div:
"Men of the 1st Division, 2nd Battalion, 16th Infantry, Rangers, Charlie Company Vietnam"
http://www.angelfire.com/mo2/Mudsoldiers/index.html