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Attack on Quang Tri City During the Vietnam WarBy James I. Marino | Vietnam | 16 comments | Print This Post | Email This Post Right behind the 12th Cavalry, the 1-5 landed two companies southeast of Quang Tri, near the village of Thong Thuong Xa, right on top of the K-6 Battalion. As one of the troopers remembered the action: ‘We air assaulted southeast of Quang Tri. We were in the rear of an NVA battalion. The entire company was airmobiled onto one side of Highway 1. We went forward and ran into elements of the 812th NVA Regiment. Along with supporting helicopter gunships, we quickly destroyed this fighting unit.’ Subscribe Today
The surprised NVA used machine guns, mortars and recoilless rifles against the Americans. The 1st Brigade’s scout helicopters directed aerial rocket artillery fire and called in additional fire from divisional artillery. As the American firepower pounded the enemy forces, it created pandemonium in the K-6 Battalion’s rear. Struck from above by gunships and artillery, and wedged between the ARVN and the Americans, the K-6 Battalion was shattered as an effective fighting unit. By landing directly on top of the NVA units attacking the city, the cavalry units cut off the support those units were providing to, and receiving from, the Communist infantry inside the city. Relief was on the way. The ARVN defenders knew it as they redoubled their efforts to hold on. B Company, 1-5, but attached to 1-12, arrived in a relatively calm LZ northeast of Tri Buu. The ARVN airborne troops ‘were in pretty good contact, but holding their own,’ remembered Captain Michael Nawrosky, the company commander. ‘Our company’s position remained quiet for the most part. On two occasions enemy soldiers retreating from Quang Tri and Tri Buu skirted our perimeter. In both cases, we engaged with mortar, M-79s, and machine guns, but had negative assessment that night.’ Allied units blocked the 814th Battalion from striking the LZs from the north or from reaching the city. According to 1st Brigade’s war diary, ‘It was obvious that the NVA were completely unfamiliar with air cavalry techniques of warfare.’ The fighting continued into the afternoon. It was a close-quarter, nasty engagement. The Communist units began to buckle, and the commander of the 812th Regiment made a crucial decision. Instead of committing the K-5 and K-8 Battalions, he decided to withdraw. Around 1900 hours the NVA along the east wall of the city broke contact, leaving behind 29 dead. North Vietnamese soldiers who had reached the city during the morning now tried to get away among the crowds of civilian refugees. Nawrosky recalled his company discovering two who had ‘donned civilian clothing over their uniforms, thrown away their rifles, and tried to slip through our lines.’ They were caught and taken prisoner. The shattered, demoralized NVA soldiers now tried to withdraw south to reach the protection of the K-5 Battalion. The airmobile assault had crushed the Communist attack and relieved the ARVN defenders. By nightfall the enemy attempted to escape north and south of the town in small elements. The cavalry troopers pressed the attack throughout the night, and into the morning. By noon of February 1, the ARVN 1st Regiment finished clearing all the NVA stragglers from Quang Tri, while the 1st Brigade pursued the remnants of 812th Regiment into the hills. The brigade expanded in ever-increasing concentric circles around the city. Rattan was now able to commit the 5-502 Infantry. When he did, A Company hit the jackpot: It found an NVA contingent holed up in a cathedral south of the city. A firefight ensued, and Rattan committed D Company, 1-12, to gain numerical superiority. The engagement resulted in 76 Communists killed. Meanwhile, the ARVN airborne troops, with support from U.S. fixed-wing aircraft, retook Tri Buu on February 1. Rattan continued the pursuit during the first 10 days of February. When the operation concluded, the ARVN 9th Airborne Battalion and the American units were shifted to the fighting at Hue. Communist losses at Quang Tri amounted to 86 captured and 914 dead, of which 553 were killed by ARVN forces. General Earl Wheeler, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, later commented that ‘it was touch and go’ — but Quang Tri was saved. Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6Help HistoryNet by bookmarking to
            Tags: 20th - 21st Century, Historical Conflicts, Vietnam War
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16 Comments to “Attack on Quang Tri City During the Vietnam War”
Thanks for a well written article. My friend Mike Nawrosky was proud of what he did. Unfortunately,he was wounded April 6,1968 in Vietnam and died of his wounds July 1968 at Walter Reed. Such a short life, like so many others who never made it back. These articles keeps history alive and the memory of these men and women.
By caroleta29@yahoo.com on Jun 21, 2008 at 8:21 pm
My brother was killed in Quan Tri In Nov Of 1967………..Life goes on but the time stands still.
By matthew on Jan 22, 2009 at 12:37 am
A small correction. It was the 1st/502nd of the 101st Airborne, not the 5th/502nd. There never was a 5th Bn.
July 2001 I traveled up Hwy 1 from Hue to Dong Ha and I believe I found the remains of the Cathedral that the 1st 502 found all the NVA in. Although well shot up, the upper floor still stands and you can see it was constructed like a bank vault. 18″ to 24″ of concrete and 1″ diameter steal re bar very close together. A direct hit in the floor above made a hole part way through, exposing the strength of the construction.
Keith Askin C Co 1/502nd 1968
PS Our 3rd Platoon landed on the American Embassy as they were still back South when Tet 68 started.
By Keith Askin on Apr 7, 2009 at 2:52 am
My brother was killed April 8, 1968 at Khe Sanh. Private 1st Class Randall Carl Phelps. He was a combat engineer with the 3rd Marine Div.
By J. LAMBERT on May 9, 2009 at 9:48 pm
I was stationed In Quang Tri 12/69-70 and always thought the river was called Quang Tri River.
My unit, 14th Combat Engineers, had the tower and several bunkers to man: and man!
Great Article.
By Jim Franklin on May 12, 2009 at 11:26 pm
I am a student at James W. Robinson Secondary High School in Fairfax, Va. I am doing research on a Vietnam veteran for my high school’s final exam in english, the research will be sehnt off to the University of Texas for their compilitation of Veteran’s history.
“My” soldier is Francis “Duke” Cortor Jr. and he was killed while recovering the remains of 3 soldiers in the 5th Infantry Division who were killed by enemy mortar fire just southwest of “Hill 158″
By David Thomas on May 22, 2009 at 7:33 am
Keeping history alive is served well in this forum. Honoring veterans is a historical element of all countries since before the Roman Empire. During the Vietnam War the battle for Khe Sahn will always be one of the most infamous of battles. America stands grateful to these soldiers that have laid down their lives for the sake of freedom. America- you are loved by all those who have given up their lives for country, by all the families who still miss their loved ones.
By carolejoan on May 25, 2009 at 5:32 am
i was at quang tri between 1968-1969. 588th sig co. I CONTROLED the communication center there. when to do ha aand say a complete day room blowed up. I NOW remeber that day to this day.ptsd..
By charles w coates on May 31, 2009 at 4:57 am
The article is incorrect is stating that the 1st ARVN Reg’t was poorly regarded. It was, along with the 2nd and 3rd Regiments, 1st ARVN Division, were among the very best ARVN regiments during the war. The 1st Division was probably the best regular Division in the Vietnamese Army, being equalled only by such units as the ARVN Airborne Division, Marines, and Rangers.
By David Sciacchitano on Jun 20, 2009 at 4:50 pm
My cousin, Kenneth Russell Joyner was killed at quang tri probably in late March 1968. His body came home on April 4th 1968 the same day MLK was killed.
By Gregg Walker on Jul 16, 2009 at 9:38 pm
This is all very interesting. I was in the Ghost Battalion put together from volunteers from existing sea bees serving in Viet Nam at the time. We were with Marines who stood watches and we began the construction of the runway at Quang Tri. We lived in sand bags with poncho covers to keep the rain out, which never stopped. there was nothing when we arrived. No wire just marines and the river which was too dangerous to go into.we took baths in our helmets. I was greasing equipment trying to keep everything from breakdowns, so you can imagine what we looked like. One day a helicopter landed and out jumped an officer with beer and the promise of meddles for all, even the seabees, like that happened.
Two weeks after we got back we sat on the runway of Mag 16 for a week trying to get a flight to Khesanh. We couldn’t catch a flight north for the number of bodies and wounded being brought out of Quang Tri.God bless. Thanks for listening
By Bill Morgan on Aug 2, 2009 at 9:15 pm
My cousin SSGT E6 Richard Lee Sarvis 5Th Infantry Division Mechanized was killed on February 22,1971 in Quang Tri. I don’t know what battle if there was one that he died in.If anybody has any information on what happened I would like to know. I saw on TV that he was shot by a sniper. I would just like to know the truth about what went on for my own personal reasons.Thanks.
By Jeffrey Mayo on Aug 8, 2009 at 10:35 pm
I was in Vietnam, 3rd Marine Div., 3rd Recon Bn. from Aug. 1968-Feb. 1969 as a Squad Leader. I was also in a Combined Action Group also known as a Combined Action Platoon from March, 1969 to Aug. 1969 stationed in a hamlet called Nhu Le in Quang Tri Providence. I volunteered to live in that village supporting my fellow Marines who were attacked almost every night before I got there. That is why the call for volunteers. Two Marine squads and a platoon ARVNs to protect the village that was 50% VC. Sporadic firefights.
Not enough is written or understood about the CAG’s effect on the war. Not one village was taken over by the VC where a CAG unit was stationed. The villagers, both farmers and VC (we could not tell the difference) benefited from Medical attention.
It is a shame that it was not more widely used. We made a difference. I only hope that these lessons are applied to Iraq and Afghanistan.
By Bernie Laguna on Sep 11, 2009 at 4:01 am
David Thomas (May 22, 2009) “Duke” Cortor was my brother. I would be extremely interested in your research for your “final Exam”. Feel free to contact me at pcortor@bellsouth.net, I certainly hope that you earned an excellent grade.
By Phil Cortor on Sep 18, 2009 at 3:24 pm
My brother, Alfred J. Villanueva was killed in Quang Tri Vietnam. H e was in Marines 3rd battalion, I believe. “Freddie died in February 29th 1969, I would appreciate any information. Thanks, Edward Villanueva in Forth Worth, Texas.
By Edward Villanueva on Oct 30, 2009 at 7:43 pm
My name is Fernando Quiles I was in the 1/12 1st Cavalry Division Company A , July 68-69. Would like to contact anyone who was there
during that time.
By Fernando Quiles on Nov 17, 2009 at 3:40 pm