operation report information
for VMO-2
HMM-363
For date 660904
VMO-2 was a US Marine Corps unit
HMM-363 was a US Marine Corps unit
Primary service involved, US Marine Corps
Operation SWIFT
South Vietnam
Description: The NVA started the first major action for operation SWIFT when they attacked a USMC infantry Co at 0430. When UH-1Es arrived to help them, the Marines marked their positions with strobes and the NVA adjusted the fires accordingly. The NVA infiltrated inside the perimeter and the Co CO was killed while driving them out. Very close air strikes ended this phase of the battle. When a second infantry Co joined the first, another NVA force attacked. VMO-2 aircraft dropped tear gas and the NVA broke contact and lost 26 KIAs as they withdrew. Both sides reorganized and as HMM-363 lifted in a third Co, two of their UH-34s were shot up and one shot down with one VMO-2 UH-1E. The "Deadlock" gunship crew took their weapons off the aircraft, changed their call sign to "Deadlock on the deck" and continued calling in air strikes and supporting the infantry. Two more infantry Cos were inserted 4Ks ENE from the battle at noon. By mid-afternoon they had linked up. More tear gas and a heavy NVA mortar attack plus a score of air strikes took place that afternoon. USMC SGT Lawrence D. Peters and USN Chaplain LT Vincent R. Capadonno both posthumously received the Medal of Honor in the evening's fighting. Covered by artillery, HMM-363 was able to successfully conduct a resupply and evacuation. The NVA withdrew that night and the next day's sweep reported 130 NVA dead and 37 weapons captured. The Marines lost 54 KIA and 104 WIA.
Comments: MAJ Ross, David L.; VMO-2; ;
LTC Lewis, Robert; CO HMM-363; ;
The source for this information was USMC H P 113
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