Timeline, September 17th

[David]

SECOND INDOCHINA WAR:
September 17, 1961 (Year of the Ox [Tan Suu]): An estimated three battalions of Viet Cong attack the provincial capital of Phuoc Thanh on the edge of War Zone D. The town is garrisoned primarily by CG with some ARVN support, including ARVN Rangers in the area, but the nearby jungle provides excellent cover for the attackers.

September 17, 1965 (Year of the Snake [At Ti]) (US Defense): Elements of the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne become heavily engaged with a VC force to the east of An Khe.

September 17, 1965 (Year of the Snake [At Ti]) (US Defense): Operation Dazzlem is conducted around Camp Radcliff.

September 17, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Counteroffensive Phase V): Two thousand U. S. Marines are airlifted into the DMZ to cut North Vietnamese supply lines.

September 17, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Counteroffensive Phase V): Early in the morning, the 282nd AHC is scrambled to an area four miles west of Hoi An, where elements of the 51st ARVN Regiment are reporting heavy contact.

September 17, 1972 (Year of the Rat [Nham Ty]) (US Cease-Fire): Nguyen Hue/Easter Offensive: By late afternoon, South Vietnamese Marines have eliminated the last NVA remnants within the Old Citadel in Quang Tri City and have expanded control over the entire city, most of which is in ruins. During the last ten days of fierce assaults on the Citadel, 2,767 enemy troops were killed and 43 captured. Marine casualties during this time averaged 150 a day. After this defeat, Communist activities in Military Region 1 drop off markedly, and the South Vietnamese set out to regain more territory in the province.

THIRD INDOCHINA WAR:
September 17, 1978 (Year of the Horse [Mau Ngo]): Following the visit of the UN high commissioner for refugees to Vietnam, Hanoi agrees to allow some of the 150,000 Cambodian refugees received since 1975 to leave for Western countries.