Timeline, September 4th

[David]

SECOND INDOCHINA WAR:
September 4, 1961 (Year of the Ox [Tan Suu]): South Vietnamese spokesmen officially announce that two Viet Cong battalions comprised of 1000 Viet Cong regular troops attacked and occupied two South Vietnamese government military posts at Poko and Dakha approximately 50 km north of Kontum on September 1. One post has been retaken by South Vietnamese forces, but fighting is still going on for the second. A reported 100 VC and 19 ARVN personnel have died in the action so far. The VC are said to be armed with modern weapons and, for first time, have worn khaki uniforms into battle. This is the largest VC attack to date.

September 1964 (Year of the Dragon [Giap Thin]) (US Advisory): After ninety days, the American pilot of one of the reconnaissance planes shot down by Communists over Laos in June, who is the only pilot so far unaccounted for, returns. He had evaded the Communists and managed to make his way overland to friendly territory.

September 4, 1965 (Year of the Snake [At Ti]) (US Defense): Operation Highland update: a Venture operation is conducted.

September 4, 1966 (Year of the Horse [Binh Ngo]) (US Counteroffensive): Operation Baton Rouge begins in the Rung Sat.

September 4, 1967 (Year of the Goat [Dinh Mui]) (US Counteroffensive Phase III): Enemy troops attack US Marines in the Que Son Valley, beginning Operation Swift.

September 4, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Counteroffensive Phase V): Battle at Vinh Loc Island in Thua Thien Province.

September 4, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Counteroffensive Phase V): Operation Somerset Plain begins in the A Shau Valley.

September 4, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Counteroffensive Phase V): Operation Toan Thang II update: US forces in a two-day battle with an estimated VC battalion 11 miles south of Saigon.

September 4, 1968 (Year of the Monkey [Mau Than]) (US Counteroffensive Phase V): Operation Champagne Grove begins

September 1969 (Year of the Rooster [Ky Dau]) (US Summer-Fall 1969): In Operation Breezy Cove, allied riverine forces patrol the Ong Doc River, which borders the dense and isolated U Minh area. Staging from an advance tactical support base at the river's mouth, U.S. and Vietnamese PBRs repeatedly intercept and destroy enemy supply parties crossing the waterway.

September 4, 1969 (Year of the Rooster [Ky Dau]) (US Summer-Fall 1969): In North Vietnam's Hoa Lao Prison, Captain James Stockdale resists.

September 4, 1969 1969 (Year of the Rooster [Ky Dau]) (US Summer-Fall 1969) : Formal charges, including at least four specifications of premeditated murder, are brought against Lt. William Calley.