Search and Destroy Near Da Nang (1965–1966)

Following Starlite the battalion continued to conduct regular sweeps and low-level (i.e. small unit) combat operations against the Viet Cong (usually the 1st VC Regiment) in the greater Da Nang area. In November they participated in an amphibious operation similar to Starlite called Blue Marlin (II), which was carried out near Hoi An. Contact was irregular as the VC attempted to avoid a drawn-out engagement and the battalion only had three Marines wounded.[42] Then in December the battalion moved to the Que Son Valley for Operation Harvest Moon, preventing the VC from capturing the town.[43][44] Among the casualties suffered during this period was Lieutenant Colonel Muir, who was killed when he stepped on an IED.[45] In March 1966, 3rd Battalion participated in Operation Kings, officially a search and destroy mission in the An Hoa region, but really an attempt to create a long-term occupation in a historical Viet Cong stronghold.[46] However, any progress gained in Kings was immediately negated by the Buddhist Uprising just one week later in Da Nang.[47] In July, the battalion acted as a blocking force during Operation Macon but did not see significant action.[48] In August, 3rd Battalion was relieved and left Vietnam for Okinawa.[49] The battalion would not be gone long though, and in early October was stationed offshore as BLT 3/3 near the northern portion of I Corps to combat a possible North Vietnamese invasion. The threat never materialized and BLT 3/3 returned to Vietnam later that month.[12][50]




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