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History of 1st Battalion 5th Marines An Hoa

The 1st Battalion, 5th Marines (1/5) has a distinguished history of service with the United States Marine Corps, notably during the Vietnam War. From 1966 to 1971, 1/5 operated extensively out of the An Hoa Combat Base in Quang Nam Province, conducting search and destroy missions, patrols, and major operations such as Operation Union and Operation Swift. The battalion played a crucial role in securing the An Hoa region, engaging in frequent and intense combat with North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong forces. Their actions at An Hoa earned the unit a reputation for valor and effectiveness under challenging conditions.

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ABOUT 1st Battalion 5th Marines An Hoa

  • An Hoa Combat Base: The 1st Battalion, 5th Marines (1/5) was stationed at An Hoa Combat Base, a crucial US Marine Corps installation in Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam, from 1966 to 1971. The base served as a launching point for major operations and as a defensive stronghold against Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army (NVA) incursions.
  • Operation Union and Union II: In 1967, 1/5 played a pivotal role in Operation Union and Union II, some of the bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War, aimed at destroying the NVA 21st Regiment in the Que Son Valley. The battalion faced fierce resistance and suffered heavy casualties but was credited with significantly weakening enemy forces.
  • Medal of Honor Recipients: During battles connected to An Hoa, several Marines from 1/5 received the Medal of Honor, including Sergeant Alfredo Gonzalez (posthumously) for heroism during the Hue City battle, and Private First Class Robert C. Burke during Operation Allen Brook.
  • The "Walking Dead": The 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, who were often stationed nearby An Hoa, were famously called "The Walking Dead" due to high casualties. 1/5 Marines who operated out of An Hoa often worked closely with them, sharing in the intense combat and high-risk patrols in the area.
  • Operation Meade River: In late 1968, 1/5 participated in Operation Meade River, a massive "cordon and search" sweep near An Hoa. This operation resulted in significant enemy casualties and was one of the largest "envelopments" conducted by the Marines in Vietnam.
  • Bridge Security: The Marines of 1/5 were tasked with defending the strategic An Hoa Bridge over the Thu Bon River, a critical supply route that was frequently targeted by enemy sappers and subjected to intense firefights and ambushes.
  • Booby Traps and Mines: The An Hoa area was notorious for deadly booby traps and land mines. 1/5 Marines suffered many casualties from these hidden dangers, which became an everyday hazard during their patrols and operations.
  • The French Connection: The An Hoa region had a history of military action, having been the site of earlier French outposts during the First Indochina War. The Marines sometimes encountered old French bunkers and fortifications while patrolling the area.
  • Combined Action Platoons (CAPs): 1/5 supported Combined Action Platoons, which paired Marines with local South Vietnamese Popular Force militia to help provide security to villages near An Hoa, blending counterinsurgency with conventional operations.
  • Legacy and Reunion: Veterans of 1/5 who served at An Hoa have maintained a strong sense of camaraderie and often hold reunions to commemorate their service, remember fallen comrades, and educate others about their experiences in one of the Vietnam War’s most dangerous areas.

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