Operation Prairie

Operation Prairie Part of the Vietnam War American Marines from 3rd Battalion 4th Marines during Operation Prairie. Date August 3 – October 27, 1966 Location Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone Result Indecisive Belligerents United States Republic of Vietnam North Vietnam Commanders and leaders Lew Walt Col. Alexander D. Cereghino Lt Col. Arnold E. Bench Vo Nguyen Giap Units involved 2/4, 1/4, 3/4,2/5, 2/7, 2/9 and 3/12 Marine Battalions 14,228 helicopter sorties and 5,190 bomber sorties supported 324B NVA Division Casualties and losses 226 Marines killed 1,159 Marines wounded[1] At least 5 helicopters shot down[2][3] U.S. reported 1,329 killed and 27 POW[1]

Operation Prairie (August 3 – October 27, 1966) was a U.S. military operation in northern South Vietnam to eliminate North Vietnamese Army (NVA) forces south of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). During August, the 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 4th Marine Regiment and other units engaged in heavy fighting with the NVA 324B Division. Prairie was a string of battles that were fought in the foothills south of the DMZ. The commander of E Company 2nd Battalion 4th Marines, Capt. Howard V. Lee, was awarded the Medal of Honor for his outstanding bravery during this operation.^[4]

According to estimates by the American command, NVA/NLF forces lost 1,339 killed and 27 captured. 248 weapons were captured by U.S. forces.^[1]

See also

• Operation Hastings

References

1. "Operation Prairie" (PDF). U.S operation report. Retrieved 26 November 2014.
2. Fails, William R. (1978). Marines & Helicopters, 1962–1973. Washington D.C.: History and Museums Division, Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps. p. 111.
3. Coan, James P. (2004). Con Thien: The Hill of Angels. Tuscaloosa, Alabama: University of Alabama Press. p. 49.
4. Shulimson, Jack (1982). U.S. Marines in Vietnam: An Expanding War 1966. History and Museums Division, Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps. p. 363. ISBN 978-1494285159.

• Pearson, Willard (1975). "The War in the Northern Provinces". Department of the Army. Retrieved 2009-01-09.
• "Operation Prairie". Retrieved 2009-01-09.