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Pvt. Larry Sundstrom

Pvt. Larry Sundstrom with a shy little girl he encountered outside the wire, on a sweep south of Saigon. He was with the 199th Light Infantry. He still wonders what happened to her….,

October 17, 2023

The 199th Light Infantry Brigade was a unit of the United States Army that served during the Vietnam War. It was officially activated on November 1, 1966, and was one of the first major U.S. Army units deployed to Vietnam that was specifically designated as a light infantry brigade.

The brigade was initially stationed in Long Binh, which is near the capital city of Saigon (now Ho Chi Minh City). Its primary mission was to conduct search and destroy operations against Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army forces in the III Corps Tactical Zone, an area that included provinces surrounding Saigon.

The 199th Light Infantry Brigade participated in various combat operations throughout its deployment in Vietnam. Some of the notable campaigns and operations it took part in include:

  1. Operation Wheeler/Wallowa (1967): This was one of the first major operations conducted by the 199th Brigade. It aimed to secure the area around Long Binh and prevent enemy forces from launching attacks on the U.S. logistical and support facilities in the region.

  2. Tet Offensive (1968): The brigade played a significant role in the defense of Saigon during the Tet Offensive, a series of coordinated surprise attacks by the Viet Cong and North Vietnamese forces across South Vietnam. The 199th helped repel the attackers and played a crucial role in the counteroffensive.

  3. Operation Jeb Stuart (1968-1969): This operation aimed to disrupt and interdict enemy supply lines and base areas in the border regions of Cambodia.

  4. Operation Toan Thang I and II (1968): These operations were large-scale search and destroy missions conducted in the III Corps Tactical Zone.

  5. Operation Wayne Grey (1969): This operation focused on clearing and securing the areas around Ap Cho and Ap Bau Bang.

  6. Operation Somerset Plain (1969): This operation targeted enemy base areas in the Filhol Plantation and surrounding areas.

The 199th Light Infantry Brigade was awarded the Valorous Unit Award and the Meritorious Unit Commendation for its service in Vietnam. It also earned numerous individual awards and decorations for its soldiers.

The brigade returned to the United States in 1970 and was eventually inactivated in 1972. The unit's service in Vietnam was characterized by its involvement in a wide range of combat operations, and it played a significant role in the larger U.S. military effort during the war.