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Attack on Quang Tri City During the Vietnam WarBy James I. Marino | Vietnam | 15 comments | Print This Post | Email This Post The swift intervention of the 1st Cavalry Division had prevented Hanoi from achieving one of its major objectives for the Tet Offensive — the capture of a provincial capital and a transportation hub that would have allowed the Communists to commit their mobile reserves deeper into the countryside. In the process, their overall offensive timetable in I Corps was completely disrupted. Subscribe Today
The reasons for the allied victory included the tenacious defense of Quang Tri City by the ARVN forces, the accurate evaluation of the tactical situation by Rattan and Brewer and the airmobile capabilities of the 1st Cavalry Division. The South Vietnamese performed above expectations. As Maj. Gen. Phillip Davidson, Westmoreland’s J-2, evaluated the South Vietnamese afterward: ‘The ARVN troops did not surrender or defect, and the South Vietnamese people refused to join the enemy even in towns where the Communist held temporary sway.’ The ARVN performance had been absolutely crucial. In this, the unexpected and tenacious resistance of the poorly regarded, outnumbered ARVN 1st Regiment was the center of gravity that formed the base for commitment of U.S. airmobile forces. Rattan’s quick but correct assessment of the situation was also a key factor. The air cavalry’s vastly superior mobility had introduced a new factor to warfare. Although it was deployed in the north by Westmoreland only weeks before the outbreak of Tet, the outcome might have been different if the 1st Cavalry Division had been a conventional infantry or mechanized unit. As at Bastogne, where American armored columns provided the relief to a besieged town, so too did the helicopters of the 1st Cavalry Division provide the relief at Quang Tri during Tet.
This article was written by James Marino and originally published in the February 2007 issue of Vietnam Magazine. For more great articles be sure to subscribe to Vietnam Magazine today. Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6Help HistoryNet by bookmarking to
            Tags: 20th - 21st Century, Historical Conflicts, Vietnam War
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15 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