BATTLE FOR KHE SANH, VIETNAM. COL DAVID E. LOWNDS, COMMANDER 26TH MARINES

Description: BATTLE FOR KHE SANH, VIETNAM. COL DAVID E. LOWNDS, COMMANDER 26TH MARINES HQMC, Washington DC. Portrait of the USMC Commander of the 26th Marines, Battle of Khe Sanh. The Battle for Khe Sanh was the biggest battle of the Vietnam War. The Marine combat base at Khe Sanh was established in the far northwest corner of South Vietnam close to Laos as the most westerly strongpoint of the main Marine defensive lines facing North Vietnam. Formerly a small Army SF camp, the Marines built up the Khe Sanh bastion on the strategically located plateau and hills just north of Rte 9 and garrisoned it with reinforced 26th Marines. During Jan 1968, a series of violent hill fights around Khe Sanh disclosed that at least 2 NVA divisions had moved into the area and surrounded it. The battle for Khe Sanh mushroomed into a major confrontation between the US and North Vietnam. Control of the base acquired overriding political importance as a test of national willpower under President Lyndon Johnson who thought it could turn into an American disaster like France’s Dien Bien Phu. Throughout the weeks that the lst Cav Div was battling the NVA/VC Tet-68 offensive at Quang Tri and Hue, the besieged 26th Marines fought for Khe Sanh’s survival under the heavy bombardment and ground attack. Enemy approach trenches extended to within a few yards of the outer wire. The few patrols sent out by the Marines were ambushed and destroyed. NVA heavy cannon artillery mortars pounded Khe Sanh night and day and often more than a thousand rounds landed within the Marines’ perimeter every 24 hours. The airstrip was in a shambles and the Marines were soon cut off from both land and airlanded supplies. The NVA ringed the Marine lines with entrenched infantry and antiaircraft weapons. During February, 679 parachute drops were flown to keep the garrison alive. On the night of 7-8 Feb 1968, NVA tanks overran the SF fort at Lang Vei. At this point, President Johnson demanded of Gen. Westmoreland that MACV achieve a breakthrough. The Marines hung on through March. The MACV call for help went to M.G. Tolson’s 1st Cav Div. The rescue operation was named PEGASUS. The Marines were relieved as the Cav pounded the NVA along the way to Khe Sanh. Four paper maps included with photographs for informational purposes (no monetary value).Circa 1980's vintage print of a US Defense Dept (USMC) photograph. 8" x 10" Black-and-white photograph. Very Good condition Normal 0 false false false EN-US X-NONE X-NONE The photographs in this collection are original or vintage reproductions of historic prints. They are NOT DIGITAL REPRODUCTIONS. The origin of the image is pasted, typed or handwritten on the back of each photograph in varying detail, typically – but not always - identifying the location, action, artist/photographer, and occasionally the date. These notes are original to the photograph and a testament to their originality and historical significance. Some might be a little faded, or showing their age, if so we will disclose it in the listing so you are fully aware of the condition. If you are unhappy with your purchase we will, of course, issue a refund. All photographs are shipped via USPS Media mail unless another shipping method is preferred, please contact us for faster delivery options and charges. If free shipping is offered, it applies to US domestic destinations only. Package dimensions are estimated based on the actual size of the item. We offer combined shipping: 1st photograph $7.00; each additional photo $2.00. International buyers: we use eBay's lnternational Shipping program under which you pay domestic postage to us and eBay bills you for the international portion.PAYMENT: Please make payment within 5 days of winning bid or purchase. RETURNS:Returns are accepted within 14 days of receipt. Before returning a photograph, please contact us to let us know the reason for the return. Shipping costs to be borne by buyer. PACKING: Our photographs are packed extremely carefully, protected with stiffening or other protective means so they will reach you in the condition they left our premises.

Price: 20 USD

Location: Gardiner, New York

End Time: 2024-11-24T22:09:23.000Z

Shipping Cost: 7 USD