operation report information
for 173 ABN
2/503 ABN
1/503 ABN
For date 660316
173 ABN was a US Army unit
2/503 ABN was a US Army unit
1/503 ABN was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Operation SILVER CITY
Incident reference: 66031600.BAT This information is available on CD-ROM.
Long Khanh Province, III Corps, South Vietnam
Location, War Zone D
Description: The 2/503d Abn, 173d Abn Bde was attacked from four directions by the VC 501st Bn. The Americans held their perimeter while inflicting heavy losses on the enemy. The VC chained some of their machine gunners to their weapons to ensure effective fire against the paratroopers. The 1/503d Abn reinforced the 2/503d and between them the VC Bn was decimated. The mop-up patrols counted 302 VC KIAs against 7 American KIAs. The battle started when the 2/503d pulled in its LPs from the previous night. At the same time a resupply helicopter began descending into the perimeter. As the Huey neared the ground a hail of AW fire poured into it and it crashed. Within seconds the VC force hit the infantry but they were ready.
The source for this information was Tunner 1st Inf Div P:30; Sky Soldier by Turner P:17; DAK TO by Murphy P:33
Additional information is available on CD-ROM.
Please send additions or corrections to: Gary Roush Email address: webmaster@vhpa.org
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Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023