Con Thien - Siege

Siege

In September 1967 the NVA started their major shelling. 152mm howitzers, 120mm and 82mm mortars and 122mm rockets hit the base daily. During the climax of the attack (September 19–27, 1967) over three thousand rounds of artillery pounded the fire base. On September 25, a reported 1200 rounds pounded the hill sides of the 158m mound of red dirt. September and October 2nd Battalion 4th Marines was involved three major battles. Sept 21st the Battle of Phu Oc southeast of Con Thien with the 90th NVA Regiment. Oct 14th the Battle of WashOut Bridge south of Con Thien on route 561 also with 90th NVA Regiment. Oct 25 - 27th the Battle for Hill 48 northeast of Cam Lo. The BN CO was wounded and the BN XO was killed.

The Marine Corps rotated battalions in and out of Con Thien every thirty days. The constant shelling and the threat of an NVA assault took a psychological toll on the Marines, the base was nicknamed "Our Turn in the Barrel" and "the Meat Grinder", while the DMZ was said to stand for "Dead Marine Zone."

More than 1400 Marines were killed and nearly 9300 wounded in the fighting in and around Con Thien. NVA losses were put at nearly 7600 killed in action and 168 prisoners of war.