Criteria The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, kill... The Purple Heart may be awarded to any member of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving under competent authority in any capacity with one of the Armed Forces, has been wounded, killed, or who has died or may die of wounds received in armed combat or as a result of an act of international terrorism. MoreHide
Criteria The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service... The National Defense Service Medal is awarded for honorable active service as a member of the Armed Forces during the Korean War, Vietnam War, the war against Iraq in the Persian Gulf, and for service during the current War on Terrorism. In addition, all members of the National Guard and Reserve who were part of the Selected Reserve in good standing between August 2, 1990, to November 30, 1995, are eligible for the National Defense Service Medal. In the case of Navy personnel, Midshipment attending the Naval Academy during the qualifying periods are eligible for this award, and Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps (NROTC) Midshipmen ae only eligible if they participated in a summer cruise that was in an area which qualified for a campaign medal. MoreHide
Criteria The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspa... The Vietnam Service Medal was awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who served at any time between July 4, 1965, and March 28, 1973, in Vietnam or its contiguous waters or airspace; or, for any period of service during the same time period in Thailand, Laos, or Cambodia or the air spaces thereover and in direct support of operations in Vietnam. MoreHide
Criteria The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of Sout... The Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation (Gallantry Cross Colors) was authorized to be worn by units individually cited for service in military operations in support of the government of South Vietnam. The actions cited are for the same services that would have resulted in the award of a Valorous Unit Citation by the Army or a Navy Unit Citation. MoreHide
Description
9 Aug 65-19 May 69, DAGO 59, 69; May 69-Feb 70, DAGO 11, 73, amended DAGO 42, 72; 21 Feb 70-28 Feb 71, DAGO 42, 72; 13 Sep 65-1 Apr 72, DAGO 54, 74; 17 Sep 65-Jun 72, DAGO 54, 74
Criteria This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical l... This medal is awarded to members of the Armed Forces of the United States who: 1. Served for 6 months in South Vietnam during the period 1 Mar 61 and 28 Mar 73; or 2. Served outside the geographical limits of South Vietnam and contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces for an aggregate of six months. Only members of the Armed Forces of the United States who meet the criteria established for the AFEM (Vietnam) or Vietnam Service Medal during the period of service required are considered to have contributed direct combat support to the RVN Armed Forces; or 3. Did not complete the length of service required in item (1) or (2) above, but who, during wartime, were: a. Wounded by the enemy (in a military action); b. Captured by the enemy during action or in the line of duty, but later rescued or released; or c. Killed in action or in the line of duty; or 4. Were assigned in Vietnam on 28 Jan 73, and who served a minimum of 60 calendar days in Vietnam during the period 29 Jan 73 to 28 Mar 73. MoreHide
Description In early October 1966 intelligence reported a buildup of People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) units near Plei Djereng and Dức Cơ Special Forces Camps southeast of the Plei Trap Valley near the Vietnam-CambIn early October 1966 intelligence reported a buildup of People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) units near Plei Djereng and Dức Cơ Special Forces Camps southeast of the Plei Trap Valley near the Vietnam-Cambodia border.
Battle
On 20 October the 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division deployed to Plei Djereng and began to sweep northwest towards the southern Plei Trap and the Cambodian border engaging platoon-sized units from the PAVN 95B Regiment, 10th Division. On 22 October the 2nd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division arrived at Plei Djereng and began sweeping west.
The two US Brigades found abandoned PAVN base camps and few enemy, but were subjected to attacks on their night defensive positions. On 30 October the 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division deployed to Landing Zone Oasis to protect Dức Cơ and the rear of the US force. On 5 November 6 US Battalions moved north along two parallel lines of advance into the Plei Trap Valley, while a combined Army/Special Forces unit called "Task Force Prong" (TF Prong) moved directly west towards the Cambodian border.
On 9 November the souther element of TF Prong was ambushed and fought a day-long with PAVN forces before the PAVN broke contact. On 10 November reinforced by a rifle Company, TF Prong moved back to the ambush area and again ambushed by elements of the PAVN 88th Regiment. Reinforcement were deployed by helicopter and linked up with TF Prong by midnight. On the morning of 11 November the northern element of TF Prong was ambushed by the PAVN and had to mount a day-long fighting retreat.
On 11 November the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment was deployed by helicopter to assist TF Prong, 2 helicopters were shot down by PAVN machine guns during the landing. The 1/12 Infantry established a firebase called Firebase Red Warrior (14.075°N 107.39°E) near the landing zone and patrolled the immediate vicinity. On the evening of 12 November Red Warrior came under increasing mortar fire and two PAVN Battalions began human wave attacks on the north and west perimeters of the base. Two orbiting USAF A1E Skyraiders engaged the attackers with napalm, cluster-bombs and machine-gun fire. The PAVN withdrew at midnight and the following morning 76 PAVN dead were found on the base perimeter while a helicopter pilot reported a further 400 dead on the approaches to the base, while US losses were 5 killed and 41 wounded.
On 18 November units from the 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry discovered two large PAVN base camps, as they were destroying the bases they were attacked by units from the PAVN 33rd Regiment. US losses were 19 killed and 53 wounded while the PAVN lost over 165 killed.
On 21 November Company C 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment patrolling near the Cambodian border was attacked by a Battalion of the PAVN 101C Regiment, one platoon was completely overrun (many of them captured and executed) before US air and artillery support could be brought to bear on the PAVN; US losses were 32 killed, while PAVN losses were 145 killed.
The US Battalions patrolling the northern Plei Trap were withdrawn by 20 November and the area was intensively bombed by B-52s from 20–30 November. The US Battalions were then sent to try to locate the PAVN 32nd and 95B Regiments with little success.
On 9 December the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division was airlifted into the northern Plei Trap with little effect as the PAVN had apparently withdrawn into Cambodia. From mid-December the operation began to wind down as the US Brigades were redeployed elsewhere and finally concluded on 30 December 1966.
Aftermath
Operation Paul Revere IV appeared to end inconclusively, losses were approximately 300 US dead and 1200 PAVN dead, however intelligence later found that the PAVN 33rd Regiment had been rendered combat ineffective for a year, the 95B Regiment never fought again and the 101C Regiment was downgraded to a Battalion and spread amongst the 32nd and 88th Regiments.... More
