Comments on: The Withdrawal from Khe Sanh

By: Ho Chi Minh Highway « A Few Days Off

Ho Chi Minh Highway « A Few Days Off — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 06:15:21 +0000

[...] Chandler stayed just far enough in front of me, that if I stopped, he would be out of sight. This is a good tactic for moments like the one I was having. I would keep going until I caught up with him. Finally, an hour later with the sun setting, we made it to Khe Sanh. An American military base in the town was the site of a ferocious and unexpected months long assault by the Viet Cong in the late 1960’s that directly preceded the Tet offensive. The US troops were ultimately routed ultimately abandoned the base in a controversial move that the North Vietnamese viewed as a major victory. Several billboards and monuments in the area appeared to commemorate this. Read much more about the conflict at Khe Sanh here. [...]

By: Joe Abodeely

Joe Abodeely — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 15:30:04 +0000

It seems to be in vogue lately to blame Westmoreland for everything bad that people want to attribute to the Vietnam war. He did not prevent the Marines from doing their jobs. We somehow have acquired a mentality in our society that says don't criticize Marines or their actions. It is a fact that the Marines were under siege at Khe Sanh for 77 days. They could not get resupply from aircraft landing on the runway–LAPEs was how they were resupplied. They could not conduct effective patrols without incurring great casualties–sometime whole platoons were wiped out. The NVA even had gun emplacements at the end of the runway. The Marines could not implement the contingency plan to send two companies to aid Lang Vei Special Forces Camp about 5 clicks west of the base on Highway 9. The Marines could not travel on or otherwise control Highway 9 which was a major east-west route near the base. THE MARINES WERE UNDER SIEGE UNTIL THE 1ST AIR CAVALRY END THE SIEGE. My guess is that you were not even there at Khe Sanh when the Cavalry ended the siege. I have talked to at least three Marines who were there when we arrived and they said words to the effect–"I remember when you came, we were glad to see you, and thank you".

By: cobb

cobb — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 17:22:10 +0000

It is laughable to say the marines were saved by the Army. The marines were restricted by Westmorland's staff from doing further offensive operations during this time. In fact, in deference to the Marines, when has the Army really helped a Marine Corps operation..?

By: Joe Abodeely

Joe Abodeely — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 23:28:02 +0000

The Marines were under siege until the 1st Air Calvary Division’s Operation Pegasus relieved them on April 8, 1968. They did not fight or break their way out of the siege (as some Marines claim) as they could not go up and down highway 9 until the airmobile infantry (augmented with some Marines and ARVNs) cleared the road to the Khe Sanh Fire Base. They had to be resupplied by the Air Force with LAPE methods. The Air Force had bombed the AO around KSFB with fantastic bomb tonnage, and the NVA were still there keeping the Marines from sending two companies per the contingency plan to aid Lang Vei Special Forces camp when it was attacked by NVA tanks. Air Force bombing did not drive the NVA away as some USAF proponents claim. If the NVA left before the 1st Air Cavalry conducted Operation Pegasus (because they “heard about it”)–when was that? And if they did–so much the better. The art of war is not defeating your enemy in a hundred battles–it is putting him in a position whereby he must capitulate. (Sun Tzu). Even the famous History Channel with its recent Vietnam series comments that the air force drove the NVA away so the 1st Cavalry Division could relieve KSFB. When did the Air Force drive them away because we were still fighting them in Operation Pegasus? USAF bombing was important, but not decisive. The 1st Air Cavalry "boots on the ground" are what drove the NVA away, cleared Route 9, and relieved the Marines from the siege at Khe Sanh Fire Base. Give the 1st Air Cav the credit it deserves for breaking the siege of Khe Sanh and clearing Route 9.

By: H. Charlie Miller

H. Charlie Miller — Sat, 28 May 2011 02:56:07 +0000

I'm H. Charlie Miller, I left a message prior in that message I was thanking every single Vietnam Veteran who was there. I'm in the process of collecting as information as I can on Khe Sanh and Hue before I start writing scripts on these two significant battles that was very in the Vietnam War. I strongly believe that the battles at Khe Sanh and Hue each have a story that must be told. Many people my generations and following generations don't even know about the Vietnam War and what they claim to know is false, half-truth, or a lie. I have many videos on the Vietnam War. I will like the opportunity to meet you, thank you and interview you. I working number is 1-860-771-0476. Thank You all for your services !!!

By: H. Charlie Miller

H. Charlie Miller — Thu, 26 May 2011 16:51:18 +0000

I'm in the process of collecting as much information on the battles of Khe Sanh and Hue prior to writing screenplays for these events. I'm not a veteran, I'm a former teacher, I wasn't even born yet when the "Vietnam Experiment" which is really a war in my mind took place. I want to thank each and every veteran who reads this comment for your service from the bottom of my heart.

By: Ron Salinas

Ron Salinas — Fri, 06 May 2011 03:16:35 +0000

Hey brother my name is ron salinas i was Kilo CO 3/4 1968- 1969 not sure what dates you were there . i was there easter of 1968 . all in the D M Z . im also looking for a corps man by the name of DOC. LERCH a small guy he never put me in for my 2 hearts . can you help 626 6881212 . thank you . RON

By: James Carlson

James Carlson — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 04:48:18 +0000

good very good I was with C co.1st platoon would like to meet other marines that were thier

By: Cory Kerns

Cory Kerns — Fri, 17 Apr 2009 02:18:57 +0000

Hi Doc, my name is Cory Kerns. My dad was also with Kilo Co. during the tet. His name is Ed Kerns or they knew him as Fast Eddie. Do you know him. Thank you for everything you did over there. I have a tremendous amount of respect for you and can't thank you enough for being there. Thank you Cory Kerns

By: Doc Jim Thomas

Doc Jim Thomas — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:05:27 +0000

I am looking for a Marine I served with in Kilo company 3rd plt.hill 861 Khe Sanh,Viet Nam, from December 1967 through easter 1968.Later on while serving with Kilo Co.Dan Flaharty along with POP Migel Salinis saved my life on May 29th when they rescued me from a helo crash in Quam Nam province. Lt. Kenneth Black was the 3rd plt.commander. If anyone knows of this Marine or has any knowledge of this incident, please contact me at 405-473-5179. This past may 29th was the 40 year aniversary of that crash! I would love to hear from you!
Semper fi
Doc Jim Thomas