The War in I Corps

The mission of the Marine Corps in Vietnam was to defeat the NVA invasion of the northern provinces and reduce the threat of other enemy units infiltrated into the southern provinces of I Corps and the Main-Force VC. Starting in 1967, the U.S. Army joined the fighting in the northern provinces as well. The American war effort involved countless battles and skirmishes throughout I Corps. The enemy operated from sanctuaries in Laos and north of the DMZ. These staging areas allowed for the movement of enemy forces and supplies.

The mission of the NVA and Main-Force VC was threefold. First, they sought to weaken the Vietnamese government by conducting a war of terrorism against civilians. Second, they sought to defeat American units in the northern provinces and conduct harassing operations elsewhere. Third, they sought to create antiwar propaganda.

The North Vietnamese strategy proved costly as they suffered many defeats beginning in 1965 when the Marines started to clear the coastal areas and continuing with many DMZ actions, Khe Sanh, Tet 1968, Dodge City, and a series of enemy operations targeting Da Nang.  After years of fighting, the military and political situation had been altered by these defeats. 

The new strategy for the NVA and Main-force VC became to disengage and wait for a better day.  As a result, the decision was made to reduce American strength in I Corps.  The Marines Corps began its withdrawal from Vietnam during the last half of 1969.  Prior to this, 1st Air Cavalry Division was relocated from northern I corps to near the Cambodian border area.

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I Corps experienced heavy fighting with about half of the total American casualties during the war.  

I Corps Casualties: 

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