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A Vietnamese military maxim states:
He who
controls the Central Highlands controls South Vietnam
In late October '65, a large North Vietnamese force
attacked the Plei Me Special Forces Camp. Troops of the 1st Brigade
were sent into the battle. After the enemy was repulsed, the 3rd
Brigade replaced the 1st Brigade in early November. After three
days of patrolling without any contact, Hal Moore's 1st Battalion,
7th Cavalry was ordered to air assault into the Ia Drang Valley
on Nov 14. his mission:
Find and kill the enemy
At 10:48 AM, Moore was the first man out of the lead chopper
to hit the landing zone, firing his M16 rifle. Little did Moore
and his men suspect that FATE had sent them into the first major
battle of the Vietnam War between the American Army and the People's
Army of Vietnam - Regulars - and into history.
Terrain at Xray
Command Group Photo - 1-7 CAV
Next: X-Ray Day 1
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