Operation Starlite
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Operation Starlite was the first major offensive action conducted by a purely U.S. military unit during the Vietnam War from 18 to 24 August 1965. The operation was launched based on intelligence provided by Major general Nguyen Chanh Thi, the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) I Corps commander. III Marine Amphibious Force commander Lieutenant General Lewis W. Walt devised a plan to launch a pre-emptive strike against the Viet Cong (VC) 1st Regiment to nullify their threat to the vital Chu Lai Air Base and Base Area and ensure its powerful communication tower remained intact.
Vietcong prisoners (or civilians) await transport during Operation Starlite
Operation Starlite 18–19 August 1965
A MAG-16 helicopter evacuates casualties, while a Marine M48 Patton tank stands guard
7th Marine Regiment
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The 7th Marine Regiment is an infantry regiment of the United States Marine Corps based at Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms, California. Nicknamed the "Magnificent Seventh", the regiment falls under the command of the 1st Marine Division and the I Marine Expeditionary Force.
Marines watch F4U Corsairs drop napalm as I Company, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines move in to attack Chinese positions in North Korea.