Today in military history: Marines repel attack near Da Nang

On Oct. 30, 1965, U.S. Marines repelled an attack by violent waves of Viet Cong troops just miles from Da Nang in Central Vietnam.

During the war, Da Nang was home to a major air base that was used by South Vietnamese and U.S. forces. Fifty-six guerrilla fighters were killed during the assault, including a 13-year-old Vietnamese boy who had been selling drinks to the Marines the day before. A search of his body revealed a drawing detailing the Marine positions — another reminder to U.S. forces that civilians were providing intelligence to the enemy.

Nearly ten years later, in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal from the conflict, Da Nang finally fell to communist forces. Nearly 59,000 Americans were killed in the Vietnam War, with an estimated 2 million Vietnamese killed and millions more wounded and displaced. Warfare had ravaged the country, which would take years to rebuild as the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Featured Image: Army of the Republic of Vietnam Rangers board CH-46D helicopters from Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 263. The ARVN Rangers spearheaded a multi-battalion Allied helicopter assault. Operation Durham Peak got underway as the first rays of sunlight glinted from the whirling rotor blades. (Photo: U.S. Marine Corps Gunnery Sgt. Bob Jordan)