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Contact Info
Date of Passing Nov 18, 1997
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
"Lam Nut Bau troi, Rung chuyen Trai Dat" (Crack the Sky, Shake the Earth)
~ Signal to communist forces telling them to commence the greatest battle in the history of Vietnam. The Tet '68 offensive was countrywide and well coordinated, with more than 80,000 communist troops striking more than 100 towns and cities. The Saigon region was among those areas hit.
MG Mearns was heavily involved in defending that region. He was in constant overflight contact with the 3rd Squadron 4th Cavalry Regiment forces counter attacking and defending Saigon from hostile NVA forces. The 25th Infantry Division was a major factor in relieving Saigon from enemy forces.
Other Comments:
Most of the profile information was taken from a bio published in the Tropic Lightning News dated 2 Oct 1967.
Filmore Kennady Mearns is the son of BG Robert Walker Mearns and Ethel Brown Mearns. BG Mearns is also went to West Point & was interim commander of the 17th Division in WWI. Filmore Mearns was born 20 Sep 1915. The 1920 US census shows he was born in Utah. Brother's are Dr. Robert B Mearns and James B. Mearns. Filmore Mearns was married to Elizabeth Mary Boles. Daughter is Nancy Elizabeth Mearns. This information was provided by Major John Moore
Vietnam War/Counteroffensive Phase V Campaign (1968)
From Month/Year
July / 1968
To Month/Year
November / 1968
Description This campaign was from 1 July to 1 November 1968. During this period a country-wide effort was begun to restore government control of territory lost to the enemy since the Tet offensive. The enemy attempted another such offensive on 17-18 August but his efforts were comparatively feeble and were quickly overwhelmed by Allied forces.
In the fall of 1968 the South Vietnamese government, with major U.S. support, launched an accelerated pacification campaign. All friendly forces were coordinated and brought to bear on the enemy in every tactical area of operation. In these intensified operations, friendly units first secured a target area, then Vietnamese government units, regional forces/popular forces, police and civil authorities screened the inhabitants, seeking members of the Viet Cong infrastructure. This technique was so successful against the political apparatus that it became the basis for subsequent friendly operations. Government influence expanded into areas of the countryside previously dominated by the Viet Cong to such an extent that two years later at least some measure of government control was evident in all but a few remote regions.