2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter, Mar-Apr 2017, Issue 72

March-April 2017, Issue 72 See all issues to date at 503rd Heritage Battalion website: Contact: [email protected] http://corregidor.org/VN2-503/newsletter/issue_index.htm ~ 2/503d Photo of the Month ~ 2/503 Sky Soldiers prepare to load choppers at Bien Hoa Airbase on 1 Jan 66, to commence Operation Marauder (Photo by LTC George Dexter, Bn Cmdr, 2/503d) “January 1 – 8, 1966. SOUTH VIETNAM, GROUND WAR: Phase II of General Westmoreland’s strategy of attrition begins as Brigadier General Williamson’s 173d Airborne Brigade, located in III Corps Tactical Zone, begins with a series of spoiling attacks and launches Operation Marauder, an air assault on the Viet Cong’s 506th Local Force Battalion operating in Hau Nghai Province, northwest of Saigon. General Westmoreland’s orders to Brigadier General Williamson are to ‘locate and destroy the enemy unit and establish a measure of control over the hostile area near the river.’ As part of Operation Marauder, US Army Lieutenant Colonel Dexter’s 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment, helicopters into Landing Zone Whiskey (*) near Bao Trai, and just 1km (0.6 miles) from the east bank of the Vam Co Dong River. Communist infantry open fire on the American helicopters as they touch down in the landing zone. The entire battalion lands safely and the American forces attack the enemy, who shortly thereafter pulls back from the battlefield towards the river with Lieutenant Colonel Dexter’s troops in hot pursuit.” [ The Vietnam War Day by Day , Leo Daugherty] See Colonel Dexter’s Report beginning Page 42. (*) Should read “Landing Zone Wine”. Ed 2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / Mar-Apr 2017 – Issue 72 Page 1 of 68