Landing Zone X-Ray History Through Film Mr. Clark

Ancient Vietnamese military maxim states: He who controls the Central Highlands controls South Vietnam

Orders November 14, 1965, Hal Moore's 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry was ordered to air assault into the Ia Drang Valley

Orders his mission:Find and kill the enemy

Ia Drang Valley- LZ X-Ray

X-Ray: Day 1 November 14, 1965: Troops of the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry air assault into a small clearing in jungle below the Chu Pong Massif (this group was under-manned at around 450 men) Moore and his men were sent into the first major battle of the Vietnam War between the American Army and the People's Army of Vietnam - Regulars

Clearing at Base of Hill

X-Ray: Day 1 At 10:48 AM, Lt. Col. Moore was the first man out of the lead chopper to hit the landing zone, firing his M16 rifle.

Within an hour, a fierce battle is underway between the American Air Cavalry troopers and the 9th Battalion of the 66th Regiment of the Peoples Army of Vietnam - North Vietnamese Regulars.

X-Ray: Day 1 Lt. Col. Hal Moore at Command Post

Lt. Col Moore is faced with three tasks to be accomplished simultaneously: (1) Shuttle in the rest of his men from 14 miles away on 16 Huey helicopters (2) Holding onto the clearing so that the Hueys can land and take off (3) Carry the fight to the numerically superior force as far into the jungle as possible so as to control the edges of the clearing

X-Ray: Day 1

afternoon is consumed in a desperate battle for survival in 100 degree heat In the action, a 29 man Cavalry platoon is surrounded by 200 enemy.

Employing massive air and artillery fire, the disciplined Cavalrymen hold onto the landing zone clearing against 7-1 odds

During the action, Huey pilots land their choppers under fire to bring in ammo and water and carry out wounded.

PAVN Prisoners

X-Ray: Day 1 During the fighting that day, the 1st Bn, 7th Cavalry is reduced to approximately 340 officers and men; none missing.

X-Ray: Day 1 PAVN casualties are much higher due to awesome American fire support; six enemy are captured and evacuated.

X-Ray: Day 1 US Command Post at LZ X-Ray

X-Ray: Day 2 November 15, 1965 Before dawn, Moore orders his company commanders to meet him prior to an attack to rescue the still cut-off platoon. Before this meeting takes place, the PAVN launch a heavy attack C Company of the Cavalry Battalion bears the brunt of the assault and is soon involved in hand to hand combat.

X-Ray: Day 2

Code word "Broken Arrow" is sent out over the radio by the Battalion Forward Air Controller.

X-Ray: Day 2 Within minutes, all available fighter bombers in South Vietnam are headed for X-ray to render close air support to "an American unit in grave danger of being overrun".

3 hour battle that features non-stop 105mm artillery, aerial rockets, and determined American Infantrymen, results in Charlie Company holding it's ground But it pays a terrible price - no officers left and only 49 men unhurt. 42 officers and men killed; 20 wounded.

X-Ray: Day 2 Lt. Col. Moore and a Dead PAVN Soldier

X-Ray: Day 2 At noon, the 2nd Bn, 5th Cavalry marches into X-ray from a landing zone 2 miles east. it continues out unopposed, rescues the cut-off company, and brings it back with all wounded and dead. Of the 29 man platoon, 9 killed and 13 wounded. The battalion now forms a strong perimeter and prepares for more action in the night. All American dead and wounded are evacuated

X-Ray: Day 3 November 16, 1965 PAVN Commander, knows that he had severely weakened and damaged the defenders in the Charlie Co sector What he does not know is that a fresh company - B Co 2nd Bn 7th Cav, had taken over the position after that engagement.

X-Ray: Day 3 Sr. Lt Col Nguyen Huu An, Commander of PAVN forces of Massif

X-Ray: Day 3 The PAVN assaults four separate times beginning at 4:22 AM. The last is at 6:27 AM. They are stopped cold, losing over 200 dead. At 9:55 AM, a sweep outward is made which results in more enemy dead and the position secured.

X-Ray: Day 3 By 3:00 PM, 1/7 CAV had turned over X- ray to the 2nd Bn, 5th Cav and the 2nd Bn, 7th CAV they fly back to the Camp Holloway airfield

THE END