Operation Swift | |||||||
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Part of the Vietnam War | |||||||
A forward air controller attached to 1/5 Marines takes a break | |||||||
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Belligerents | |||||||
United States South Vietnam |
North Vietnam Viet Cong | ||||||
Commanders and leaders | |||||||
Lt. Col. Peter Hilgartner | Unknown | ||||||
Units involved | |||||||
1st Battalion, 5th Marines 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines 37th Ranger Battalion |
2nd Division 1st Regiment | ||||||
Strength | |||||||
U.S estimate: 2,500 | |||||||
Casualties and losses | |||||||
127 killed 28 killed 9 missing | U.S. estimate: ~600 killed |
Operation Swift was a military operation in the Vietnam War, launched by units of the U.S. 1st Marine Division to rescue two Marine companies which had been ambushed by the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN). The operation took place in the Quế Sơn Valley, beginning on 4 September 1967. In the ensuing battles, 127 Marines and an estimated 600 PAVN were killed.