January 27

1966:   Operation New York

USMC elements begin a six-day operation, joining with ARVN Operation Thua Thien 177 in Thua Thien Province  LOSSES: US 15 KIA, 32 WIA; VC 122 KIA, 7 VC captured, 15 VC surrendered.

1966:   Philippine freighter recieves small arms fire

Philippine freighter SS Lorinda temporarily grounded 15 km SE of Nha Be after receiving VC small arms, machine gun and 57-mm RR fire, Friendly 3 WIA.

1966:   DOD sent out a draft call for 22,900 men

The Defense Department sent out a draft call for 22,900 men in March . The Marine Corps was to receive 5,000 men.

1967:  Operation Colby

The 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, and the 1st Brigade of the 9th Infantry Division and the 3/5 Cavalry conducted operations north of Phú My. This search and destroy operation had the goal to encircle and search the Phuoc Chi Special Zone and was one of the first operations conducted by the newly arrived 9th Infantry Division. The CP and Howitzer Battery road marched to an area south of the ONG QUE rubber plantation to establish a fire support base. On the same day Troop I became attached to the 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry and established a blocking position north of PHU MY, Teans K, L, and M laagered in an area northwest of PHU MY. During the next three days elements of the Squadron discovered 340 bunkers, 12 huts, and captured documents and medical supplies.

1967:   Operation Bullseye V  

On 27 of January , 1967 As part of Operation Thayer II: A combined United States Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam operation began as a part of Operation Thayer II in the Binh Dinh Province; carried out by 1st Air Cavalry units including the 2nd Battalion of the 12th Cavalry, the 1st Squadron of the 9th Cavalry and the 227th Assault helicopter AH and 228th Assault Support Helicopter ASH Battalions, and elements of the 40th ARVN Regiment, and Vietnamese Marine Task Force Bravo.

Bullseye V was initiated as a result of intelligence reports that there was a large concentration of enemy forces moving into position to attack the new logistical base at English Airfield, and the artillery base at LZ Dog. Such an attack would cause general disruption to the area by destroying the Bong Song bridge which would have impacted the success of Thayer III.

On 27 January heavy enemy contact occurred when elements of 2d Bn, 12th Cav executed an air assault into an area four miles NW of Bong Son, while on a three day sweep supported by fire of US Naval gunships while conducting a reconnaissance in force, encountered elements of the 7th and 8th Bns of the 22d NVA Regt and a local VC company  who were routed and scattered causing them to make a hasty and unconditional withdrawel of the area . Elements of the 40th ARVN Regt were committed to blocking positions north and south of the operating area, and the combined force successfully trapped the enemy force which suffered 71 KIA, while the friendly force lost 4 KIA. In Operation Thayer II the enemy once again suffered a punishing loss bringing the total for the operation to 1,757 KIA

1967:   Operation Iola

The 3rd Squadron, of the 5th Cavalry Regiment conducted a road security operation from Vung Tau to Bear Cat along Route 15 by securing a portion of Route 15 from BA RIA to PHY MY, The purpose of the operation was to secure the move of the main body of the newly arrived 9th Infantry Division from VUNG TAU to their base camp at BEARCAT.

1967:   Medal of Honor Recipient, Donald W. Evans Jr.

Rank and organization: Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army, Company A, 2d Battalion, 12 Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Place and date: Tri Tam, Republic of Vietnam, 27 January 1967. Entered service at: Covina, Calif. Born: 23 July 1943, Covina, Calif.

Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. He left his position of relative safety with his platoon which had not yet been committed to the battle to answer the calls for medical aid from the wounded men of another platoon which was heavily engaged with the enemy force. Dashing across 100 meters of open area through a withering hail of enemy fire and exploding grenades, he administered lifesaving treatment to 1 individual and continued to expose himself to the deadly enemy fire as he moved to treat each of the other wounded men and to offer them encouragement. Realizing that the wounds of 1 man required immediate attention, Sp4c. Evans dragged the injured soldier back across the dangerous fire-swept area, to a secure position from which he could be further evacuated Miraculously escaping the enemy fusillade, Sp4c. Evans returned to the forward location. As he continued the treatment of the wounded, he was struck by fragments from an enemy grenade. Despite his serious and painful injury he succeeded in evacuating another wounded comrade, rejoined his platoon as it was committed to battle and was soon treating other wounded soldiers. As he evacuated another wounded man across the fire covered field, he was severely wounded. Continuing to refuse medical attention and ignoring advice to remain behind, he managed with his waning strength to move yet another wounded comrade across the dangerous open area to safety. Disregarding his painful wounds and seriously weakened from profuse bleeding, he continued his lifesaving medical aid and was killed while treating another wounded comrade. Sp4c. Evan's extraordinary valor, dedication and indomitable spirit saved the lives of several of his fellow soldiers, served as an inspiration to the men of his company, were instrumental in the success of their mission, and reflect great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of his country.

1968:  BLT 2/4th Marines conducted an helicopter assault

BLT 2/4th Marines conducted an helicopter assault operation west of Dong Ha as part of Operation Fortress Attack. There were no reported casualties.

1968:  Enemy battalion attempts to overrun the 1/27th Inf Wolfhounds

Under cover of a mortar and rocket attack, an estimated enemy battalion attempted to overrun the night camp of the 1/27th Inf six miles northwest of Cu Chi. The attack, which began shortly after midnight, left 103 enemy dead. At dawn, the 2/27th Inf reinforced and made a concentrated search of the area.

1968:   The Dau Tieng base camp recieves small arms fire

The Dau Tieng base camp of the 3rd Bde, 25th Inf Div was hit by enemy small arms, automatic weapons, and rocket fire. Return fire by American infantrymen was restricted to small arms and automatic weapons fire because the VC were firing from the security of a nearby hamlet.

1968:   4/9th Inf. kill 5 enemy

During Operation Yellowstone, ground forces reported several small contacts with VC elements as they continued to probe near the Cambodian border. Five enemy were KIA by a company of the 4/9th Inf.

1968:   1/16th Inf, 1st Inf Div seal Village of Ben Tui with results

A seal of the village of Ben Tui north of Ben Cat resulted in nine VC killed. Infantrymen from the 1/16th Inf, 1st Inf Div began the seal, encountering small arms fire which continued sporadically throughout the night. Brief firefights erupted during the night, and the enemy finally broke contact early in the morning. Eleven suspects were detained.

1968:   Helicopters Aid Besieged Support Base

On 27 Jan 1968 elements of the 269th CAB airlifted supplies to FSB Burt near Katum, Tay Ninh Province, III Corps, when VC attempted to overrun the base. In the early morning hours, the enemy forces attacked the FSB and its defenders, the 3rd Bde, 25th Inf Div. The 188th AHC airlifted ammunition and supplies to the beleaguered troops under intense fire. As the battle progressed, the 188th ships would deliver one load of supplies and then extract another of wounded American soldiers.

1969:   101st area of operations is busy

Screaming Eagle offensives continued, with 11 enemy killed and one prisoner captured. 2/502 killed six enemy while 1/327 troopers killed two enemy near FB Anzio. A Ranger team operating east of FB Strike had three contacts resulting in two enemy killed.

1969:  Operation Linn River

The 7th Marines (HQ, USMC); 1st Battalion, 7th Marines (USMC); 2d Battalion, 26th Marines (USMC) conduct a cordon and search of Goi Noi Island in Quang Nam Province, south if Hill 55, CTZ I. 1/27 to 2/7.

1969:   Operation Dawson River Terminated

Conducted by the 9th Marines with artillery support by the 12th Marines, ended after two months. In November 1968, these units moved into Quang Tri province to replace the Army's 1st Cavalry Division .Casualties: US 3 KIA, 50 WIA; VC 86 KIA.

1970:   Operation Vu Ninh 9 terminated

Operation Vu Ninh 9 conducted under the operational control of the 1st ARVN Ranger Group in Quang Nam Province, terminates. Operation commenced on January 9. Results are 181 enemy killed, 13 detained, 19 ARVN KIA and 56 ARVN WIA.

1970:   U.S. pilots fly 329 sorties resulting in 24 enemy KIA+

SVN TAC AIR:  U.S. pilots flew 329 sorties (USAF 196, USMC 120, and USN 13), killing 24 enemy soldiers, triggering 36 secondary explosions, and igniting 36 fires. They also destroyed or damaged 134 enemy fortifications, and 237 bunkers.

1970:   16 enemy indirect fire attacks reported throughout the country

During the 24-hour period ending at 0800 today, 16 enemy indirect fire attacks were reported throughout the country, nine of which were against U.S. units or installations. Four of the 16 attacks caused casualties or damage. U.S. casualties were three wounded, no fatalities.

1970:   A-4's and helicopter gunships rack up 8 enemy KIA

III MAF (QUANG NAM PROVINCE) - At 1015 an aerial observer, in support of an element of the 5th Regiment, U.S. 1st Marine Division, sighted ten enemy soldiers moving south in an area two miles NE of An Hoa 16 miles SSW of Da Nang). The enem;y were engaged by A-4's from the 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and helicopter gunships. The bodies of eight enemy soldiers were sighted in the strike area following the action. No U.S. casualties.

1971:   USN transfers 8 river patrol boats to the Cambodians

The USN transfers custody of 8 river patrol boats to the Cambodian Navy, the first such transfer of combat craft under the Military Assistance Program. The Cambodian crewmen for the boats were trained by the VNN.

1973:   Paris Peace Accords signed

The United States, South Vietnam, Viet Cong, and North Vietnam formally sign "An Agreement Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam" in Paris. Due to South Vietnam's unwillingness to recognize the Viet Cong's Provisional Revolutionary Government, all references to it were confined to a two-party version of the document signed by North Vietnam and the United States—the South Vietnamese were presented with a separate document that did not make reference to the Viet Cong government. This was part of Saigon's long-time refusal to recognize the Viet Cong as a legitimate participant in the discussions to end the war.

The settlement included a cease-fire throughout Vietnam. It addition, the United States agreed to the withdrawal of all U.S. troops and advisors (totalling about 23,700) and the dismantling of all U.S. bases within 60 days. In return, the North Vietnamese agreed to release all U.S. and other prisoners of war.

Both sides agreed to the withdrawal of all foreign troops from Laos and Cambodia and the prohibition of bases in and troop movements through these countries. It was agreed that the DMZ at the 17th Parallel would remain a provisional dividing line, with eventual reunification of the country "through peaceful means." An international control commission would be established made up of Canadians, Hungarians, Poles, and Indonesians, with 1,160 inspectors to supervise the agreement. According to the agreement, South Vietnamese President Nguyen Van Thieu would continue in office pending elections. Agreeing to "the South Vietnamese People's right to self-determination," the North Vietnamese said they would not initiate military movement across the DMZ and that there would be no use of force to reunify the country.

Footnote: The last U.S. serviceman to die in combat in Vietnam, Lt. Col. William B. Nolde, was killed by an artillery shell at An Loc, 60 miles northwest of Saigon, only 11 hours before the truce went into effect.

1973:    Last American fixed-wing aircraft lost in the Vietnam War 

A U.S. Navy F-4 Phantom II from USS Enterprise (CVA(N)-65) piloted by Lieutenant Commander Harley Hall is shot down over South Vietnam near the Demilitarized Zone. It is the last American fixed-wing aircraft lost in the Vietnam War

1975:   The last river convoy from South Vietnam to Cambodia 

The last allied Mekong River convoy from South Vietnam enters Phnom Penh. The Cambodian Communist Khmer Rouge have successfully halted resupply to the embattled Cambodian capital, threatening the downfall of the non-Communist Cambodian Government.