Operation Purple Martin

Part of Vietnam War

Date	1 March – 8 May 1969
Location	Quảng Trị Province, South Vietnam 16°51′N 106°50′E / 16.85°N 106.84°E / 16.85; 106.84
Result	U.S. victory

Belligerents

United States

Commanders and leaders

BG Garretson
BG Robert B. Carney
COL William F Goggin

Unknown

Strength

4th Marine Regiment

246th Regiment

Casualties and losses

~100 killed

347 killed

Operation Purple Martin was a US Marine Corps operation that took place in northwest Quảng Trị Province, lasting from 15 March – 2 May 1969.

Since early February 1969, U.S. reconnaissance detected that 3 People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) Regiments, the 27th, 138th and 246th were moving south from the Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The 4th Marine Regiment based at Vandegrift Combat Base was given the mission of forcing the 246th Regiment back into the DMZ, occupying key terrain along the southern boundary of the DMZ and then patrolling inside the southern half of the DMZ.

The operation began on 1 March 1969 with the 3rd Battalion 4th Marines sweeping north of Firebase Russell, the 2nd Battalion 4th Marines moving north of Firebase Neville and the 1st Battalion 4th Marines clearing the area north of Elliot Combat Base. On 2 March 1969 as the 1/4 Marines moved to reopen Landing Zone Mack they were hit by PAVN mortar fire but seized the summit of Mack by mid-morning, however the Marines were then hit by mortar fire causing numerous casualties and forcing them from the summit. With bad weather limiting air support the Marines dug in and were subjected to small arms and mortar fire. On the afternoon of 5 March following an artillery barrage the Marines assaulted the summit of Mack clearing numerous PAVN bunkers.

On 9 March Company G 2/4 Marines moved to reopen Landing Zone Catapult 4 km north of Firebase Neville overlooking the Cam Lộ valley. The PAVN defended the former Landing Zone and were only slowly dislodged from their positions, due to bad weather air support was unavailable to the Marines who had to rely exclusively on artillery support. By 10 March the Marines penetrated the PAVN defenses and engaged in a daylong battle with the defenders. On 11 March the PAVN counterattacked the Marine positions and 4 Marines were killed of which 3 were killed by friendly fire. When the Marines finally secured the area they found 24 PAVN dead.

...
Wikipedia