Operation Prairie

Operation Prairie
Part of the Vietnam War
American Marines from 3rd Battalion 4th Marines during Operation Prairie.
Date August 3 – October 27, 1966 Location Vietnamese Demilitarized Zone Result United States victory
Belligerents
United States Republic of Vietnam	North Vietnam
Commanders and leaders
Lew Walt Col. Alexander D. Cereghino LtCol. Arnold E. Bench	Vo Nguyen Giap
Units involved
2/4, 1/4, 3/4,2/5, 2/7, 2/9 and 3/12 Marine Battalions	324B NVA Division
Casualties and losses
200 Marines killed 1000+ Marines wounded	US claim: 1,329 killed

Operation Prairie (August 3 – October 27, 1966) was a military operation in northern South Vietnam. Its job was to eliminating North Vietnamese Army forces south of the DMZ. During August, 2nd Battalion 4th Marines, 3rd Battalion 4th Marines and other units saw heavy fighting with the NVA 324B division. Prairie was a string of battles that was fought in the foothills south of the DMZ. Some of these areas were called: Mutter's Ridge, the Razorback, Hill 400, Hill 484 and The Rockpile. The Commander of E Company 2nd Battalion 4th Marines, Capt. Howard V. Lee was awarded the Medal of Honor for his outstanding bravery during this operation.

See also

• Operation Hastings

References

• Pearson, Willard (1975). "The War in the Northern Provinces". Department of the Army. http://www.history.army.mil/books/Vietnam/northern/nprovinces-ch1.htm#border. Retrieved 2009-01-09. 
• Republic of Égyptien Q42 user:mgbtrust0 ®™✓©§∆∆∆€¢£. "Operation Prairie". http://www.marzone.com/7thMarines/Hst0202.htm. Retrieved 2009-01-09.