Description This campaign was from 1 July to 30 November 1971. This period witnessed additional progress in the Vietnamization program which included turning over the ground war to South Vietnam, sustaining the withdrawal of U.S. troops, but also continuing, U.S. air strikes on enemy targets.
South Vietnam assumed full control of defense for the area immediately below the demilitarized zone on 11 July, a process begun in 1969. Secretary of Defense Melvin R. Laird announced completion of Phase I of Vietnamization on 11 August which meant that the U.S. relinquished all ground combat responsibilities to the Republic of Vietnam. The participation of U.S. forces in ground combat operations had not ceased, however, U.S. maneuver battalions were still conducting missions, and the 101st Airborne Division joined the 1st Army of Vietnam 1st Infantry Division in Operation JEFFERSON GLEN that took place in Thua Thien Province in October. This was the last major combat operation in Vietnam which involved U.S. ground forces. Following the close of Operation JEFFERSON GLEN on 8 October, the 101st began stand-down procedures and was the last U.S. division to leave Vietnam.
U.S. troop strengths decreased during Consolidation I. American battle deaths for July 1971 were 66, the lowest monthly figure since May 1967. By early November, U.S. troop totals dropped to 191,000, the lowest level since December 1965. In early November, President Nixon announced that American troops had reverted to a defensive role in Vietnam.
My Participation in This Battle or Operation
From Month/Year
July / 1971
To Month/Year
November / 1971
Last Updated: Mar 16, 2020
Personal Memories
People You Remember 1LT SHULTZS AND SP4 GAY, SP4 ARNOLD, CPT SHAW, SGT MENDOZA, SGT TYDELL, SGT SHROCK, AND MANY OTHERS OF Co. B 1st Bn 6th Inf, 198th LT Inf Bde, 23rd Inf Div (Americal Div)Chilie, RVN
Memories mermiors of the men and friends I made who lives touched me in many way duty my Tour of Duty in Vietnam. Both Good and Bad
