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Operation Sunset Beach
Part of Vietnam War
Date2 September-11 October 1966
Location
Hậu Nghĩa Province, South Vietnam
Result U.S. claims operational success
Belligerents
 United States Viet Cong
Commanders and leaders
MGen Frederick C. Weyand
Col. Thomas M. Tarpley
Units involved
2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division
Casualties and losses
29 killed US body count: 80 killed
135 estimated killed

Operation Sunset Beach was an operation conducted by the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division in Hậu Nghĩa Province, southeastern Tây Ninh Province and southwestern Bình Dương Province, lasting from 2 September to 11 October 1966.[1]

Prelude

Operation Sunset Beach was planned as a security operation intended to engage Viet Cong forces before the South Vietnamese national elections scheduled for 11 September 1966.[1]

Operation

The 2nd Brigade conducted a series of air and ground assaults across the operational area together with Army of the Republic of Vietnam forces, before withdrawing to base camps several days before the elections to avoid accusations of interference.[1]: 346 

On 20 September the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment (Mechanized) conducted a sweep of the Boi Loi Woods, meeting sporadic resistance and destroying bunkers and supplies.[1]: 346 

Aftermath

Operation Sunset Beach officially concluded on 11 October, with US reports claiming that Viet Cong losses were 80 killed (body count) and a further 135 estimated killed, U.S. losses were 29 killed.[1]: 346 

References

Public Domain This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.

  1. ^ a b c d e Carland, John (1999). Combat Operations: Stemming the Tide, May 1965 to October 1966. Government Printing Office. p. 345. ISBN 9780160873102.
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