Swift Sword

Isolated and under attack by more than two North Vietnamese Battalions, Mike Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines (M Co. 3/5) fought for its life with an unreliable rifle, The M-16. Only the courage of the individual Marines, marvelous Close Air Support, and a heroic helicopter drop of tear gas on their position stalled the NVA assault. Deep in the heart of the Queson Valley, the 2nd North Vietnamese Army Division (2nd NVA Division) decided for the first time to fight all...
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Isolated and under attack by more than two North Vietnamese Battalions, Mike Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines (M Co. 3/5) fought for its life with an unreliable rifle, The M-16. Only the courage of the individual Marines, marvelous Close Air Support, and a heroic helicopter drop of tear gas on their position stalled the NVA assault.

Deep in the heart of the Queson Valley, the 2nd North Vietnamese Army Division (2nd NVA Division) decided for the first time to fight all Marine forces at once. They placed three Infantry regiments to intercept any American reinforcements to the two 1st Battalion 5th Marine (1/5) Companies surrounded and under intense fire.

The 5th Marines, with limited forces, attempted to reinforce their beleaguered companies and marry up in the Queson Valley with 2 companies from 3/5. Before reaching 1/5 location, M Co moved on a small cemetery knoll. Two NVA Battalions smothered them from the flanks. Surrounded and isolated from other Marine forces, M Co. fought for their lives against overwhelming forces.

The 5th Marines, stretched so thin they had only two Infantry Companies out of twelve available, were drawn into battle by the entire 2nd NVA Division of 6500 troops and all the local guerrilla forces in the Quesons.

Swift Sword The Marines of Mike 3/5 is a true saga of a one day battle in the Queson valley, Vietnam.