The Battle of Ia Drang

Over the last few days there have been a marked upswing of deaths from 1965 on the Daily Wall postings. The reason for that is the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley took place during these days 50 years ago this week.

The battle is well known and has been widely reported on, written about and memorialized in film. I have written about it before on this site as well. Instead of trying to succinctly and accurately (which can be difficult to accomplish both)portray the days of this major battle in the early days of the Vietnam War, I will instead refer you to some great links where others have accomplished just that, far better than I could hope to.

First, there is an excellent website called LZXray. It has tons of information that I haven't seen elsewhere. Ties in closely with Moore and Galloway's books.

http://www.lzxray.com/

Next is a site that features some incredible first-person accounting and stories from one, Jack Smith, who was there. We lost Jack several years ago due to cancer.

http://www.mishalov.com/death_ia_drang_valley.html

More first person accounting, this time from John A Cash, as featured in the book Seven Firefights In Vietnam.

http://www.history.army.mil/books/vietnam/7-ff/Ch1.htm

There are also a few good videos out there that at least partially tell the story. I believe this was part of a series on the Vietnam War:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FxPeHqH4XxI

This was a CBS story ran back during the time of the battle:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=25x53ibwp7A

I also HIGHLY suggest you read the Hal Moore and Joey Galloway book, We Were Soldiers Once, And Young, which was also made into a very good film.

We salute those that served during the battle and remember those that were lost. We will never forget and forever be thankful for the service and sacrifice of those incredibly valiant men.