| Landing Zone Loon | |
|---|---|
| Coordinates | 16°34′44″N 106°45′11″E / 16.579°N 106.753°E |
| Type | Marines |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1968 |
| In use | 1968 |
| Battles/wars |
 Vietnam War |
| Garrison information | |
| Occupants | 4th Marine Regiment |
Landing Zone Loon was a U.S. Marine Corps base located southeast of Khe Sanh, Quảng Trị Province in central Vietnam.
History[]
The base was established on 3 June 1968 by the 2nd Battalion 4th Marines during Operation Robin North/South approximately 8 km southeast of Khe Sanh.[1]
The initial landing at Loon on 3 June was met by the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) with small arms, mortar and artillery fire. At 6am on 4 June a company from the PAVN 88th Regiment attacked Company F 2/4 Marines resulting in 2 U.S. and 34 PAVN killed. Companies from the 1st Battalion 4th Marines replaced the 2/4 Marines on Loon on 4/5 June. At 6am on 6 June a PAVN Battalion attacked Loon, after a 2 hour battle that resulted in 154 PAVN dead, the PAVN withdrew under cover of mortar and artillery fire. Due to the steady pressure on Loon it was decided to evacuate the landing zone and during the afternoon the 1/4 Marines were extracted by helicopter. The last HMM-165 CH-46 (#152533) to leave Loon was hit by PAVN anti-aircraft fire and crashed resulting in 13 U.S. killed.[2] The total U.S. losses for their 3 days at Loon was 24 dead and 37 wounded.[3]
Current use[]
The base has reverted to jungle.
References[]
- ↑ Kelley, Michael (2002). Where we were in Vietnam. Hellgate Press. pp. 5–306. ISBN 978-1555716257.
- ↑ "680606 HMM-165 Vietnam". USMC Combat Helicopter Association. http://www.popasmoke.com/kia/incidents.php?incident_id=164. Retrieved 22 November 2014.
- ↑ Shulimson, Jack (1988). US Marines in Vietnam: 1968 The Defining Year. History and Museums Division Headquarters United States Marine Corps. p. 322.
The original article can be found at Landing Zone Loon and the edit history here.