VIETNAM: MARINES STAGE AMPHIBIOUS ATTACK TO CLEAR VITAL WATERWAY OF VIET CONG DOMINATION

Record ID: 355020

  • Title: VIETNAM: MARINES STAGE AMPHIBIOUS ATTACK TO CLEAR VITAL WATERWAY OF VIET CONG DOMINATION
  • Date: 28th March 1966
  • Summary: LS Destroyers LS Destroyer MS Destroyer alongside other ship MS Marines in landing craft, going ashore MS amphibious craft going in water. MS Marines point out of amphibious craft. MS Marines ??? CU Marines wa??? MS Marines walk on beach C.U. Marines' feet MS Marines wade through swamp MS Marines board helicopter on aircraft carrier MS Crew of aircraft carrier
  • Embargoed: 12th April 1966 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: LONG TAO RIVER, SOUTH VIETNAM
  • Country: Vietnam
  • Reuters ID: LVA6NAPRIB9BSPZ5DP5XRC5SXP1Y
  • Story Text: U.S. Marines are combing the swamps and marshes 35 miles southeast of Saigon for Viet Cong units that have been harassing cargo ships heading for South Vietnam's capital. The guerrillas were reported hiding out along the Long Tao River - a waterway that runs into the South China Sea.

    Twelve hundred Marines, stationed aboard several warships in the South China Sea, boarded special amphibious craft Saturday (26 March), headed up the Long Tao River, and landed on several different spots along the river bank. They met no resistance from the Viet Cong, nor did 150 other Marines, aboard helicopters, who landed deeper in the Viet Cong-held territory.

    The amphibious and helicopter landings were the easy part of "Operation Jack Stay". Later, the hard part came -pushing into the 400 square mile swamp that is infected with snakes, crocodiles, red fire ants and Viet Cong.

    About 1000 guerrillas are believed to be hiding out in the area.

    General William Westmorland, the Commander of the U.S. military operation in Vietnam, ordered "Operation Jack Stay" because he wanted the guerrillas harassment of U.S. shipping up the Long Tao River stopped.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
  • Copyright Notice: (c) Copyright Thomson Reuters 2014. Open For Restrictions - http://about.reuters.com/fulllegal.asp
  • Usage Terms/Restrictions: None
Register