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Vietnam War: Operation Dewey Canyon

By Marc Bernstein | Vietnam  | 23 comments  | Print This Post  | Email This Post

As 1969 began, the military situation in the northern I Corps tactical zone of South Vietnam—the closest to the Demilitarized Zone—appeared relatively quiet. The previous year had been the bloodiest of the war, and the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong had both suffered losses that would be difficult to replace. Still, appearances were deceiving. Each year, the Communists had launched a spring offensive in I Corps, and the pronounced lack of combat activity at the very start of the year suggested to the U.S. command in Saigon that 1969 would be no different.

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Evidence of enemy intentions began to accumulate. Reconnaissance uncovered road work being done on Route 548 in the A Shau Valley and its extension, Route 922 in Laos. As January progressed, as many as 1,000 trucks a day were observed on these roads, moving supplies south and east toward vital objectives inside South Vietnam. Activity at North Vietnamese Army Base Area 611 in Laos suggested that major elements of the NVA’s 6th and 9th Regiments were moving east through the A Shau Valley. In response, American and South Vietnamese forces probed farther into the mountains of western Quang Tri Province and near the DMZ, seeking to upset the enemy’s plans.

The U.S. 3rd Marine Division was responsible for defending Quang Tri Province. An element of the division, Task Force Hotel, operated out of Vandegrift Combat Base in western Quang Tri. Major Gen. Raymond G. Davis, a veteran of World War II and Korea, and a Medal of Honor recipient for his actions at Chosin Reservoir in 1950, commanded the division. He had taken charge in May 1968, and immediately set out to improve the unit’s combat effectiveness. “We had something like two dozen battalions up there all tied down (with little exception) to these fixed positions, and the situation didn’t demand it,” he later stated. “The way to get it done was to get out of these fixed positions and get mobility, to go and destroy the enemy on our terms—not sit there and absorb the shot and shell and frequent penetrations that he was able to mount.”

The 9th Marines, commanded by Colonel Robert H. Barrow, was the division’s swing regiment, the one most easily redeployed to meet any contingency. Barrow noted that the enemy’s first requirement was to “move all the things of war; all of their logistics forward from the sanctuaries of North Vietnam, just across the DMZ, or from Laos….We must do everything we can to find that stuff, wherever it exists, and obviously destroy it. And if we miss any of it, we must attempt by vigorous patrolling, radio intercept, signal intelligence, recon team inserts, and whatever else, to find out when any troops were moving in.”

The Communist technique was to pre-position supplies, then move in quickly with troops at the appointed time to marry up with the supplies and launch an attack. Clearly, as the Marines observed the increase in pre-positioning of supplies in forward areas, the need to preempt a Communist attack was becoming paramount. As the Marines’ official history notes, “A victory, even against one or more limited objectives of minor or temporary tactical value, could have significant impact upon the civilian population, and a more far-reaching effect upon bargaining positions at the ongoing Paris Peace Talks. The enemy’s jungle logistics system therefore would have to be destroyed before it could be used.”

At the time, General Davis was more direct about the situation: “It makes me sick to sit on this hill and watch those 1,000 trucks go down those roads in Laos, hauling ammunition down south to kill Americans with.”

Air interdiction of the supply routes had yielded only limited success, and the growing volume of anti-aircraft fire along the routes further indicated that the NVA was protecting something important. On January 14, General Davis ordered Brig. Gen. Frank E. Garretson, commander of Task Force Hotel at Vandegrift, to plan for a regiment-size search and clear operation into the Song Da Krong Valley, just northwest of the A Shau Valley, and north of NVA Base Area 611 in Laos. This would become Operation Dewey Canyon, whose primary purpose was not only to kill the enemy and deny him supplies, but also to block his access to the densely populated areas of the coastal lowlands.

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  1. 23 Comments to “Vietnam War: Operation Dewey Canyon”

  2. My dad was in this operation.He doesnt talk much about it so this article taught me a lot about what really happened.

    By damon lyles on Jul 31, 2008 at 10:37 pm

  3. I was with D/1/9 when we went to help Alpa Company, and after when we encountered huge caches of materiel; that Ho Chi Min trail was something else; this article really brought back some memories; good friend Bill O’Shea was killed during an ambush

    By Randolfo V. Lopez on Aug 29, 2008 at 5:09 pm

  4. I LOST MY BROTHER FRED POTE ON 03/06/69 FROM 1/9 ALPHA CO. I STILL HAVE MANY PHOTOS OF CAPTURED WEAPONS I’M WILLING TO SHARE THEM,

    By HARRY A. POTE on Oct 19, 2008 at 12:34 pm

  5. I was there with Company I, 3/9. We were at Tiger Mountains
    supporting other elements of the 9th Marines operating in the
    area. It was one hell of an operation and I couldn’t more happier
    when it was over. Thank you Lord for protecting us and bless all
    those who were involved in this operation and throughout the
    years of the Viet Nam War. Thank you Marines. I’m retired now
    but our history is in my heart. I love you all and God bless you
    and your families.

    Puni Mikaele
    GySgt, USMC (Ret)

    By Puni Mikaele on Oct 26, 2008 at 5:40 am

  6. I was one of the FNGs with F2/9, we seen a communication line along the way. I got in one of the fox holes and couldn’t see out, I’m 5′9″ tall, we thought there may have been Red Chinese advisers near by. I was one of the ones that found Hospital 88. There was a small Ville near, the’re not far from FSB Erskine, Erskine was the support base F2/9 opened. 1st Platoon,1st Squad,1st Fire Team led by Pop Ore, Platoon Sagent, Harness, team leader ,radio man, myself and a couple others secured the hill so we could be resupplied but the fog set in and we were socked in for days but continued the mission. Note: Playtex 501 went down on it’s last resupply of the day, just infron of my position. Crew lived, but Marines on board were not straped in and lost their lies. Seper Fi Brothers, I love you. THE BAMBOOVIPER

    By Lanny Alan Roedel on Dec 21, 2008 at 5:54 pm

  7. On a lighter NOTE: Sections of line was cut from the communications lines found then was watch because someone was reparing them. At one of the locations, a little NVA cable repairman came calling. He walked into the center of the Marines possition with his rifle on his shoulder and undetected, when he stopped to check the line,he was in the middle of the CP and everyone was shocked,no shots were fired and he surrenderd his weapon. One of very few warm and fuzzy stories from the shadows of the Valley of Death.

    By Lanny Alan Roedel on Dec 21, 2008 at 8:33 pm

  8. Dewey Canyon. Yes, I was there, 1/9/3rd Mar Div. Entire op from start to finish. Damon, I can understand why your Father didn’t talk about it. It was a living hell. I was H&S Comm, attached to Delta company for most of the ooperation. Had my radio shot off my back, took a hit in the left thigh (Thank God it was an almost spent round) and nearly starved to death during the ‘foggy’ week or so when we couldn’t get supplys. Most of it I don’t remember clearly, and a Captain that I may have humped radio for said it in a way that makes sense; ” Most Marines that were in the Ashau Valley refer to their Nam experiences as ‘before Dewey Canyon, and after Dewey Canyon.’” Randolfo, I was with you there, Brother! Glad you made it home! Harry, God Bless your Brother, I remembered all of my comrads, named and unnamed this (and every) holiday at the meal. Harry, I would LOVE to see some of those pictures. I was sitting at the bottom of a 2000lb bomb crater with them all around me, and a film crew from the BBS took film and my name, but I have never seen the clip or seen any of the pics that were taken. Bamboo; I was on Erskin the second go around in Ashau when it blew up! That was something. The NVA could have wiped out half of 1/9 if they knew that we had left the mountain after the first explosion, and was standing lines for several days with a few M16’s and .45’s and maybe a dozen grenades. I actually stood lines in the Ashau Valley with nothing but a hand grenade! We had to wait for the EOD teams to clear the hill of un-exploded ordinance before we could go back up, and everyone had just scrambled off the top when the first 105mm gun pit blew! note: not long after that, almost half the BN came down with malaria (myself included) because no one had the anti-malaria pills to give out! Any of you may feel free to contact me, if this forum allows my email to be published, also I am active on the Together We Served Marine Corps site, God Bless you all, and God Bless our Men and Women serving so faithfully right now. Ed (USMC.GRUNT@Wildblue.net)

    By Ed Culp on Dec 26, 2008 at 9:06 pm

  9. My brother was killed in Dewey Cannon Operation Febuary 11th 1969 his name Corpral Fred L. Pettigrew lll We have been told several diffrent stories on how he was killed . Does or did any of you know him there? It was my brother’s second tour and he would have finished his tour there in about a week after he was killed. I Thank all of you there that were fighting for our country you are all American Hero’s as my Brother Ferd is also and who paid the ultimate Sacrifice he is missed greatley by his family and brothers in the United States Marines, and his Friends.

    By connie gable on Dec 27, 2008 at 10:02 pm

  10. Ed Culp, glad you made it home brother. One more story you might be able to help me with. In late Feb, Fox 2/9 made our last raid in laos, area 611. I had falsiparum malaria for at least a week, I had a fever of 106. We were moving fast headed for the Vietnam boarder and I past out 2 hills away from where we were to be dusted off. Dust off spot I think was 1000 meters into Laos. With the enemy everywhere as you well know, my company couldn’t afford to stop and let me rest and all were too tired to help me. Not sure how many marines we had left but not a lot. Pop Ore deside to leave me there. They took my food, water, ammo, and the rest of the munitions I had, left me with a half canteen of salt water cause the corpsman thought I had heat stoke. They left me my M16 with a mag in it and pulled me off the trail a little. As you know, with the high fever and malaia, your out of your head if your awake, or out like a light. I want to know what all happen from the time I was left, till 2 friendlies stumble on to me and took me to a hill and got me medivaced. My company passed over the same hill but did not tell them I was down in the jungle. There were only 2 on that hill but said a few more was on another hill, I think they may have been SOG. I have no idea how long I was in the jungle alone, or what incounters I might have had, or how far I traveled on my own, if any. I tryed to stay awake and watch the trail so my company could make it out but I know I feel asleep a lot and not sure of all my thoughts. I remember hearing the friendlies and thought they were the enemy to0, but the fight was out of me and couldn’t raise my weapon, I remember the one saying, Where in the Hell did you come from? Not sure I even answered. He ask me where I was hit, I remember him checking me and asking about the blood. To this day it all bothers me and I need to know. Do you have any idea who those to guys could have been. They saved my life and I don’t think I thanked them. If you know or have an idea, or see a post somewhere, where they mention finding a marine, please let me know. Love you brother and hope life is being good to you. Semper Fi from THE BAMBOOVIPER, Lanny

    By Lanny Alan Roedel on Jan 12, 2009 at 11:33 am

  11. my cousin, robert ysguerra died during operation dewey canyon on 2/22/69, 3 others died from a mortar attack, have since talked to his platoon leader blaine moyer, he has some good stories about that operation, my heart goes out to all those who served in that operation. david sisneroz

    By david sisneroz on Jan 15, 2009 at 2:06 pm

  12. A good friend’s son was killed on or about Feb 10th in Dewey Canyon. His name was Tom Dickey from Concord, MA, PFC, Lima 3/9. I heard he was on point when patrol was ambushed…let me know of any and all details you know.

    I served Dong Ha, H&HS 3rd Marines, 1967-8.

    Semper Fi

    By Rocco on Feb 12, 2009 at 2:54 pm

  13. I was a Corpsman with Fox 2/12 on Razor and erskine during operation Dewey Canyon. We were attacked on Razor and six Marines were killed. Does anyone happen to remember the date of that attack and the names of the ones who were ilkked. I have reesearched this and cannot find any mention in 9th Marine or 12th Marine reports.

    Jay(Doc) Swartz

    By Jay Swartz on Feb 12, 2009 at 5:02 pm

  14. I was with Kilo 3/9 (3rd Plt.) during Operation Dewey Canyon. This was a very interesting read, quite informative. When your a grunt on the ground, you never know the whole story and how these operations with their stratagies are put together, your just trying to stay alive and protect your buddies. We were well aware the the operation was succesfull, but also knew we were getting our asses kicked also. Charlie was a tough son of a #@%$*. I was wounded during the operation, taking an AK 47 round in the butt, as a number of guys were either being hit in the head or fanny, I gladly axcepted the latter. In fact the round still resides imbedded in my left thigh as a reminder of my experience in Dewey Canyon. I wish all the veterans of the operation all the best, and my prayers are with all of you. Semper Fi

    By Wayne Forrest on Feb 13, 2009 at 12:51 pm

  15. My name is Henry Davis, I was on Tiger Mountain after I volunteered to deliver the mail and stayed with my unit, I3/9. I served under Lt. Henry Gross, S/Sgt. Britt, Sgt. Miller, Cpl. Kudor Brown. I was choppered out, but we could not land because of the mortor fire. The pilot said he was going back. I asked them to get as close as he could to the ground and open the back of the AH-46. I then jumped out the back ( about 15-20 feet) with three mail bags. I wasn’t going back. I was told I was the first replacement in 52 days to join the unit. Semper Fi.

    By Henry (Newbie) Davis on Mar 4, 2009 at 3:31 pm

  16. I was with 9th Marine Hq Scout Sniper Unit assigned to protect Col Robert H. Barrow (later 27th Commandant of USMC) along with other snipers during operations Dewey Canyon and Apache Snow. The General has gone to be with his loved ones and fellow Marines. Semper Fi General.

    By Edward Gonzales on Mar 8, 2009 at 3:10 am

  17. Hi Henry, I was the 1/4 (Tactical Air Control Party) radio operator for India on Tiger Mountain. I don’t remember your grand entry but the L.Z. was being handled by 12TH . Marines and I was just monitoring the net. You must have come in on the day that Doc Sprouse and I had our bunker blown up on us by mortar. He had just came in with the mail and I was laughing about a funny letter when it hit us. Staff Sgt. Britt was the acting Co.Gunny on Montana Mauler when we went out to assist the Army 5TH Mech. Div. I had a ball hanging out with him and we stole a ton of necessary gear off of the Army L. Z. and passed it out to our guys as they entered the position to be lifted by Hueys to the next ridge. I think you were the first Marine to come out to us but we got 4 new Corpsmen on Feb 15.

    By Warner DeFord on Mar 20, 2009 at 2:48 pm

  18. Hi Warner, Good to hear from you. The reason I volunteered to take the mail out to Tiger Mountain was because I was tired of filling sand bags at Vandergrift Combat Base. We had just completed a Post Office bunker that took about 15,000 sandbags. And I wanted to join my unit. When I first got to Quang Tri, that’s where I confiscated most of my gear, was from the Army units. Must thank them for their consideration. S/Sgt. Britt was one of the best, he watched out for all of us. Though, if you have contact with him you might ask him if he remembers when I went up to the club on August 5, 1969 to celebrate my birthday just before I went on an ambush. I told him that this was a h_ _ _ of place to be when your 19 yrs. old. Have a great day. Semper Fi. March 31, 2009

    By Henry (Newbie) Davis on Mar 31, 2009 at 8:35 am

  19. Was any of you near the Laos/S Vietnam boarder when the Fantoms was bombing and gun ships were there before or on Feb 20, 1969? I would love to here from any one that remembers anything around that time, or any SF of any kind that was in that area. 1bambooviper@sbcglobal.net Or anyone that know of or found a Marine that was left alone in that area.

    By Lanny Roedel on May 5, 2009 at 10:25 am

  20. I participated in both operations Dewey Canyon & Cameron Falls. I was a corpsman attached to 3/9 Kilo & Mike Co. and the CP group. I arrived in country in early February 1969. This is a tough story to tell, but I replaced a corpsman that was killed the night before in a ambush. If anybody has this persons name, or any knowledge of where he was from, etc. I would appreciate this very much. There isn’t a day that that goes by that I don’t think about being dropped off by the copter and seeing his body thrown into that same helicopter.

    Today, I’m attending many VA PTSD sessions. If you or anybody you know that are suffering from PTSD get help ASAP.

    By Doc Wright on May 23, 2009 at 8:28 pm

  21. Was wondering if anyone remembers Philip Norman Chittester KIA 2/22/69 during operation Dewey Canyon. He was with the 3/9

    By Brian Millwe on May 24, 2009 at 10:50 pm

  22. Was wondering if anyone remembers Philip Norman Chittester KIA 2/22/69 during operation Dewey Canyon. He was with the 3/9…….Messed up my name. It is Brian Miller

    By Brian Miller on May 24, 2009 at 10:53 pm

  23. Brian, thanks for your comment. Do you have any further information about Norman Chittester? Was he a corpsman?

    Thanks,

    Doc Doug

    By Doc Wright on May 25, 2009 at 2:31 am

  24. My name is Sanderson Hill, Grunt Machine gunner with M 3/9. I was shot twice on March 3 1969. Wilson received the medal of honor that day. Is there anyone out there that remembers that day. Not all of the action report of that day is true. You can contact me at Sandlh@comcast.net

    By Sanderson Hill on Jul 1, 2009 at 7:11 pm

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