Operation Piranha

Map of Operation Piranha

Date	7 - 10 September 1965
Location	Batangan Peninsula, Quảng Ngãi Province, South Vietnam 15°13′08″N 108°54′47″E / 15.219°N 108.913°E / 15.219; 108.913
Result	U.S. & South Vietnamese victory

Belligerents

United States

South Vietnam

Viet Cong

Strength

United States:
1st Battalion 7th Marines 3rd Battalion 7th Marines

South Vietnam

2nd Battalion, 4th Regiment

3rd Vietnamese Marine Battalion

1st Regiment

Casualties and losses

United States 2 killed

South Vietnam 5 killed

178 killed

United States:
1st Battalion 7th Marines 3rd Battalion 7th Marines

South Vietnam

2nd Battalion, 4th Regiment

Operation Piranha was a US Marine Corps operation that took place on the Batangan Peninsula southeast of Chu Lai, lasting from 7 to 10 September 1965.

Following the conclusion of Operation Starlite, on 24 August 1965, Marine intelligence concluded that the 1st VC Regiment had withdrawn into the Batangan Peninsula. Reconnaissance photos of the Peninsula showed a V of older field fortifications pointing inland with the open end to the sea and a new second V further inland under construction.

The plan of operations was for a Battalion Landing Team (BLT) of the 1st Battalion, 7th Marines to land across White Beach north of the Peninsula and push south, while 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, would be helilifted in by MAG-16 to set up blocking positions 4 km inland. 3rd Battalion, 3rd Marines would remain available as a floating reserve. The Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 2nd Battalion, 4th Regiment and the 3rd Vietnamese Marine Battalion would be helilifted into the south of 3/7 Marines to clear and search the An Ky Peninsula.

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