Battle of Long Dinh
{{short description|1964 battle of the Vietnam War}}
{{Infobox Military Conflict
| conflict = Battle of Long Dinh
| partof = the Vietnam War
| date = 26 February 1964
| place = Long Định, Định Tường province, South Vietnam
| result = South Vietnamese victory
| combatant1 = {{flag|South Vietnam}}
| combatant2 = {{flagicon image|FNL Flag.svg}} Viet Cong
| commander1 = Colonel Tan Hoang Quan
| commander2 =
| strength1 = ~3,000
| strength2 = 600
| casualties1 = 19 killed
1 missing
| casualties2 = 89 killed
2 captured
| notes =
| units1 = 4+ battalions
| units2 = 514th Battalion
}}
{{Campaignbox Vietnam War}}
The Battle of Long Định took place during the Vietnam War between the Viet Cong (VC) and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN).
Background
In late February the ARVN operations and intelligence center reported that the VC 514th Battalion was operating in Long Dinh District, Định Tường province. Agents subsequently confirmed the information.{{cite book|last=Birtle|first=Andrew|title=Advice and Support: The Middle Years, January 1964–June 1965|publisher=Center of Military History, United States Army|year=2024|url=https://history.army.mil/Publications/Publications-Catalog-Sub/Publications-By-Title/Advice-and-Support-The-Middle-Years/|isbn=9781959302056|page=171}}{{PD-notice}}
Operation
At 07:30 on 26 February an airborne battalion, two marine battalions, an M113 troop, two Civil Guard companies, and naval craft encircled the suspect area. The government troops then converged, cutting their way through heavy vegetation. Contact began almost immediately, but major fighting did not commence until 13:00. Artillery and fighter-bombers hit the VC as the force advanced and U.S. helicopters flew a ranger battalion into a blocking position. At 18:30, the 514th Battalion charged the 1st
Marine Battalion in a mangrove swamp. Two companies held in heavy fighting, but a third company broke, allowing the VC to escape. Operations on subsequent days failed to regain contact.
Aftermath
The South Vietnamese lost 19 killed, 40 wounded, and one missing. 89 VC were killed and took two captured and a further 22 suspects were detained. In a rare imposition of
accountability, the South Vietnamese demoted to the rank of private three officers in the Marine company that had fled the battle.
References
{{reflist}}
{{coord missing|Vietnam}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Long Dinh, Battle of}}
Category:Battles involving the United States