Operation Starlite: The first purely US military offensive action in the Vietnam War

On August 18, 1965, the United States Marine Corps launched Operation Starlite, the first major offensive action conducted by U.S. ground forces during the Vietnam War. Also known as The Battle of Van Tuong, this operation marked a pivotal moment in the conflict, demonstrating American military strategy, firepower, and the challenges faced in fighting the Viet Cong.

By mid-1965, intelligence reports from the Marine-led III Marine Amphibious Force (III MAF) indicated that the 1st Viet Cong Regiment, a well-trained and heavily armed enemy force of approximately 1,500–2,000 men, was assembling near the Van Tuong village, about 15 miles south of the U.S. base at Chu Lai. U.S. commanders feared that this regiment could launch a large-scale attack on the Chu Lai base.

General Lewis W. Walt, commander of III MAF, decided to preemptively strike the enemy before they could go on the offensive. The plan, developed with Major General Oscar Peatross, called for a multi-pronged amphibious and helicopter-borne assault to encircle and destroy the Viet Cong.

At dawn on August 18, the Marines launched a combined arms operation utilizing coordinated amphibious landings, helicopter assaults, and ground forces, supported by naval gunfire and airstrikes.

• The 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines (2/4) landed from HMS Iwo Jima on the beaches east of Van Tuong.
• The 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines (3/3) were deployed by helicopter inland, while the 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines (3/7) established blocking positions to cut off enemy retreat.
• The 1st Battalion, 7th Marines (1/7) stood as a reserve force ready to reinforce where needed.

As soon as the Marines landed, they encountered fierce resistance from well-fortified Viet Cong positions. The enemy had built an extensive network of bunkers, trenches, and hidden fighting positions, allowing them to engage in guerrilla tactics while minimizing U.S. firepower advantages.

Marines came under heavy fire from machine guns, mortars, and recoilless rifles. The Viet Cong fought tenaciously, ambushing U.S. forces and making use of the difficult terrain. The battle quickly turned into close-quarters combat, with Marines forced to clear enemy bunkers in brutal, hand-to-hand fighting.

Naval gunfire from the destroyers USS Galveston and USS Orleck, along with air support from Marine aircraft, helped suppress enemy strongholds. The combined firepower eventually overwhelmed the Viet Cong, who attempted to retreat under heavy U.S. pursuit.

After six days of intense combat, Operation Starlite ended on August 24, 1965. The U.S. forces claimed victory, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy.

Casualties

• Viet Cong losses: Estimated 600–700 killed, with many others wounded or captured.
• U.S. Marine losses: 45 killed, 203 wounded.

Despite the tactical success of the operation, it revealed the tenacity and resilience of the Viet Cong. The enemy had anticipated the attack to some degree and had dispersed before they could be completely encircled.

Operation Starlite was a crucial learning experience for U.S. forces in Vietnam. It demonstrated the effectiveness of helicopter-borne assaults, combined arms operations, and the importance of intelligence-driven preemptive strikes. However, it also underscored the challenges of fighting a determined, well-entrenched enemy using guerrilla tactics.

Though a U.S. victory, the battle did not break the Viet Cong. Instead, it marked the beginning of an increasingly brutal and complex war, where superior firepower and tactical victories did not always lead to strategic success.

For the Marines, Operation Starlite became a defining moment in their involvement in Vietnam, showcasing their ability to adapt and fight in the harsh realities of jungle warfare.