Operation Texas Star
Encyclopedia
Operation Texas Star was a military operation of the Vietnam War
in the A Shau Valley
and the mountains east of the valley. It aimed at regaining the initiative in the area. The operation culminated in the Battle of Fire Support Base Ripcord. Operation Texas Star during the Vietnam War took place from April 1, 1970 to September 5, 1970. Both the 101st Airborne Division and the ARVN 1st Infantry Division were involved in the operation. The operation took place mainly in the Western Quang Tri and Thua Thien Provinces of Vietnam. During the period from 1 April to 5 September 1970, the 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry was responsible for approximately one-third of the enemy killed by the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). The cavalrymen killed a total of 589 enemy soldiers. They captured 5 NVA prisoners. They captured 58 weapons and destroyed 20 weapons. The Squadron lost 36 killed and 117 wounded during the six-month period. The cavalry Squadron conducted the majority of its missions beyond the range of supporting artillery against a well-disciplined and highly motivated North Vietnamese soldier. Aviators and crewmembers in the troops daily braved anti-aircraft fire to strike heavy blows to the enemy. Squadron ground forces rappelled into tree-covered, enemy-held landing zones, striking hard and fast, then departing the area before enemy elements could regroup and counter-attack. Personal courage, determination, and devotion to duty were virtues possessed by every man in the Squadron. These qualities repeatedly exemplified that the cavalry was not only the eyes of the Division, but also the teeth. On 6 August when the Hac Bao Company and elements of D Troop were inserted west of Fire Support Base Ranger near the Da Krong River. The cache contained 600 pounds of C4 explosive, 500 NVA uniforms, 300 RPG rounds, 200 82-mm mortar rounds, 50 boxes of medical supplies, 36 cases of AK-47 rounds, 25 pounds of documents, and 15 rucksacks. On 16 August, the Hac Bao Company was inserted northeast of Fire Support Base Ranger and discovered the second cache consisting of 550 pounds of rice, 100 122-mm rockets, 60 NVA uniforms, 14 boxes of medical supplies and 7 cases of medical instruments.
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...
in the A Shau Valley
A Shau Valley
The A Shau Valley is a valley in Vietnam's, Thừa Thiên province, west of the city of Huế along the border with Laos. The valley was one of the key entry points into South Vietnam for men and matériel brought along the Ho Chi Minh Trail by the communist forces and was the scene of heavy fighting...
and the mountains east of the valley. It aimed at regaining the initiative in the area. The operation culminated in the Battle of Fire Support Base Ripcord. Operation Texas Star during the Vietnam War took place from April 1, 1970 to September 5, 1970. Both the 101st Airborne Division and the ARVN 1st Infantry Division were involved in the operation. The operation took place mainly in the Western Quang Tri and Thua Thien Provinces of Vietnam. During the period from 1 April to 5 September 1970, the 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry was responsible for approximately one-third of the enemy killed by the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile). The cavalrymen killed a total of 589 enemy soldiers. They captured 5 NVA prisoners. They captured 58 weapons and destroyed 20 weapons. The Squadron lost 36 killed and 117 wounded during the six-month period. The cavalry Squadron conducted the majority of its missions beyond the range of supporting artillery against a well-disciplined and highly motivated North Vietnamese soldier. Aviators and crewmembers in the troops daily braved anti-aircraft fire to strike heavy blows to the enemy. Squadron ground forces rappelled into tree-covered, enemy-held landing zones, striking hard and fast, then departing the area before enemy elements could regroup and counter-attack. Personal courage, determination, and devotion to duty were virtues possessed by every man in the Squadron. These qualities repeatedly exemplified that the cavalry was not only the eyes of the Division, but also the teeth. On 6 August when the Hac Bao Company and elements of D Troop were inserted west of Fire Support Base Ranger near the Da Krong River. The cache contained 600 pounds of C4 explosive, 500 NVA uniforms, 300 RPG rounds, 200 82-mm mortar rounds, 50 boxes of medical supplies, 36 cases of AK-47 rounds, 25 pounds of documents, and 15 rucksacks. On 16 August, the Hac Bao Company was inserted northeast of Fire Support Base Ranger and discovered the second cache consisting of 550 pounds of rice, 100 122-mm rockets, 60 NVA uniforms, 14 boxes of medical supplies and 7 cases of medical instruments.