Hamburger Hill

[erpowers]

What happened with Hamburger Hill in Vietnam? I recently read that Marines were order to take the hill then after they finally captured the hill it was found that there was no tactical advantage to the hill. The Marines were then order to leave the hill. How did the commanders not know that there was no tactical advantage to the hill? Why were Marines ordered to take the hill in the first place? What was the supposed advantage of the hill?

[Rhiannon12866]

1. Seem to remember that you're right. Saw the film, years ago, with my Dad...

It was pretty grisley... x(

The Battle of Hamburger Hill was a battle of the Vietnam War which was fought between the United States and South Vietnam and North Vietnamese forces from May 10–20, 1969. Although the heavily fortified Hill 937 was of little strategic value, U.S. command ordered its capture by direct assault.

The battle was primarily an infantry affair, with the U.S. Airborne troops moving up the highly sloped hill against well entrenched troops. Attacks were repeatedly repelled by weather, friendly fire, accidents, and especially the highly effective Vietnam People's Army (PAVN) defenses. Nevertheless the Airborne troops took the hill through direct assault, causing extensive casualties to the PAVN forces, and taking such in their own units. The debacle caused an outrage both in the American military and public.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Hamburger_Hill

[Bryn]

9. This makes no sense to me

My brother was there and it happened in August 10, 1969. He was with the 101st Division Airborne troops, Screaming Eagles, on Hamburger Hill where he got killed by our own USA helicopters.

I am going over Mom's house and get letters from Army and type here about what happened exactly directly from those letters that were sent to my parents about what happened to my brother.

If dates are correct then it happened twice?? Something is wrong. :(

[HereSince1628]

2. IIRC Killing commies was the objective, not taking and holding land

It was a mess at hills 881 and 661

[Captain Hilts]

5. Correct, that's another reason Khe Sanh is kinda different. nt

[ET Awful]

3. Hamburger Hill was just one such instance.

US Troops were thrown away in an attempt to take insignificant pieces of land throughout that conflict.

[DemoTex]

4. Elements of the US Army's 101st Airborne Div. fought the battle .. not the USMC.

In addition to traditional Army support (arty, air), the 101st was supported by US Navy artillery (including battleship) and USAF close air support. The 40th anniversary of the battle of Dong Ap Bai (Hamburger Hill) is three months away (battle fought May 10 - May 20, 1969).

Read Samuel Zaffiri's Hamburger Hill and watch the great movie by the same name.

[erpowers]

6. Were There Some Marines

Was it all Army? I thought that there were at least a few Marines at the battle, but I do realize now that it was mainly, if not excusively an Army event.

[DemoTex]

7. All Army: US Army, ARVN (S. VN), and PAVN (N. VN)

No mention of USMC in the Hamburger Hill Order of Battle. The lower A Shau Valley was a bit south of the Marines' AO (Area of Operation) at the time.

[Bryn]

8. My brother was one of those killed on Hamburger Hill

:( It happened in August 1969. My brother was with (US Army) Airborne Screaming Eagle Division 101st troops. From what I understand he was leading his troops and he radioed helicopters where the enemy was, but he and his troops were too close to the enemy post and got shot down by our own USA helicopters. I saw the movie, Hamburger Hill. I don't understand why it is said it happened in May 1969 when it actually happened in August 10th, 1969. Did it happen TWICE? I don't know. I never did the research. It took me so many years to get over his death because we were so close and were best friends. He was my only full blooded sibling and was 19 months older than I. He was amazing guy and was humanitarian. He was 20....still just a boy! In that movie, there's a guy who is a leader of his troops that speaks with Southern accent and has a close friend who is a black guy. This is same as my brother, he was the leader of his troops, was Southerner and had a close black friend guy named Ronald. Their names aren't mentioned in that movie. Ronald and I used to write each other letters. He got in touch with my father then we wrote to him. Ronald survived the attack, but was released from the Army because his nerves were shot and he was all torn up about what happened with my brother. My brother's name was Alan Daryl. We called him Daryl, but in Army he was called Alan. The story of movie "Hamburger Hill" is same, but not dates and names.

on edit: Ronald and I lost touch long time ago. I tried looking him up over the internet to no avail. Don't remember his last name, but he was from Texas. Alan Daryl was from Tallahassee, Florida. They became close friends in the army.