Battle of Ia Drang

This was the first major battle between the US forces and People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) that took place in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam. Battle of Ia Drang was a 2-part battle that occurred at the Landing Zone X-Ray and Albany in Ia Drang Valley.

In the first part, the VC attacked the Special Forces camp at Plei Me, the US launched three counterattacks to cut them off from their retreat to Cambodia and destroy them. The Battle of Ia Drang was part of the second phase from November 14 to 18 when the VC launched a conventional attack on US forces deployed by helicopter close to their main supply bases and the border. Instead of employing their usual guerrilla tactics, PAVN soldiers went head to head trying to overrun the Americans. As a result, both sides were beaten off and received heavy casualties. However, both sides also claimed the battle was a victory of their own.

The Battle of Ia Drang was considered essential as it taught the Americans to stick to their superior air mobility as well as artillery fire to achieve their battlefield objectives, and the People’s Army of Vietnam to stick to guerrilla warfare in order to neutralize American advantages.

• Date: November 14-18, 1965
• Location: Ia Drang Valley, Vietnam
• Result: Both sides claimed victory