The 1968 Tet Offensive resulted in an increase in fighting along the DMZ. A bitter clash started 30 April and ran through 3 May between 2/4 and 320th NVA Division (8,000 to 10,000 soldiers) that broke out northeast of Đông Hà. To protect the base and also the 3rd Marine Division headquarters, 2/4 reinforced by B/1/3 was moved forward to seize the fortified village and area around Dai Do. After three days of bloody fighting the cost was very high for both sides. The enemy lost nearly 1500 killed, while 2/4 suffered 81 dead and 397 wounded. The battalion commanding officer Lt. Col. William Weise received the Navy Cross and two company commanders, Captain James E. Livingston (E Co.) and Captain Jay R. Vargas (G Co.) were awarded the Medal of Honor for their bravery and leadership. By 15 May the NVA were driven back north across the DMZ. Total losses for the Marines were 233 killed and 821 wounded. The NVA’s losses were put at 2945 killed and 47 POW’s.
I highly recommend this documentary. 500 marines stumble into an NVA division and battle it out for 4 days. In the end, the NVA leave a fortified attack base and retreat north of the DMZ. A film crew was on site for the last day of the battle. The crew interviewed the commander Lt. Col. William Weise while he was on a stretcher about to be evacuated because of wounds. The Colonel said, “we hurt ’em bad, but they hurt us, too.”
I love these men.