The Vietnam Story Flashcards
What was the first battle in the Vietnam War?
Ia Drang Valley
What is the Ia Drang Valley?
It is located in South Vietnam’s Central Highlands. It is a very rugged area.
Why was the village of Plieku strategically important to the defense of South Vietnam?
If the North Vietnamese overran Plieku, Route 19 to Qui Nhon on the coast would be wide open and could cause more trouble for South Vietnam.
Who was Lt. Col during the Ia Drang battle?
Moore
Who was Moore compared to?
General Custer
What was the American helicopter landing zone at the Ia Drang battle?
Landing Zone X-Ray (aka Ia Drang Valley)
What was our first mission at the Ia Drang battle?
Search and Destroy mission
What was our first attack?
Capturing prisoners
What did some of the captured prisoners reveal to us?
The prisoner warns us that Vietnamese are loaded and ready to kill Americans when they see them. We should know we are being targeted now.
On Day 1 of the battle, who made a costly mistake?
Lt. Herrick and his platoon
What did Herrick’s mistake make them?
the lost platoon
What was the mistake made by Herrick?
His platoon went up the finger of land, and he found some enemy troops.
When Herrick saw Vietnamese troops, what did each side initially do?
Then, the North Vietnamese fled and Herrick responded by putting his men in hot pursuit.
What happened to Herrick’s men when they were in hot pursuit?
As they charged in hot pursuit of the enemy, they ran into 150 North Vietnamese headed down the mountain and his platoon were surrounded.
After Herrick’s men ran into the NVA soldiers, what happened to them?
Many of Herrick’s men were wounded, killed, and the rest were completely driven out.
What did PAVN stand for?
People’s Army of Vietnam