The Battle of Hue City

The "Battle of Hue" was a surprise attack whichenemy attacks.
began on the morning of January 31, 1968 in theAround 8 a.m. N.V.A. troops raised the symbolic flag
South Vietnamese city of Hue, and proved to be oneof the Viet Cong over the Citadel. U.S. Marines
of the most costly and time consuming battles duringCommanding Officer in Hue, Colonel Stan Hughes,
the Vietnam War. It was also known as the "Tetwas stationed at the Phu Bai Airfield ten miles from
Offensive," because of its occurrence during whatHue City, along with three Marine battalions. During
was supposed to be a truce due to the celebrationthe same hours in the beginning of the "Tet
of "Tet" or "Vietnamese New Year." The Battle ofOffensive," Marines were dealing with their own
Hue proved to be one of the most costly and timeattacks. Heavy rocket and mortar rounds were going
consuming battles during the Vietnam War. Hue wasoff and platoons of combination forces, including
used as a United States naval supply base, andcivilian-soldiers and Marines, were confronted by
contained five U.S. military battalions with anN.V.A. Infantry.
estimated 3,000 U.S. Marines, 2,000 U.S. ArmyOn the morning of January 31, at 7 a.m. the Marines,
soldiers, and about 11,000 South Vietnamese ArmyC.A.P. and three tanks attempted a counter-attack in
(A.R.Vn) soldiers.Hue. They made it no further than about a quarter
North Vietnamese forces of the People's Army ofmile before they started taking heavy sniper fire. A
Vietnam and The Viet Cong were around 12,000tank was then destroyed by an RPG, and the
strong. Viet Cong forces targeted the Tay Locoffensive came to a halt. All forces had then
Airfield and the headquarters for the 1st A.R.Vnproceeded to make their way back to the
Division, located in the "Citadel", and the U.S. MilitaryAssistance Command center.
Assistance Command Center of Vietnam or MACVFor three weeks Marines, along with U.S. Army and
which was located south of the Huong River. At 2:33ARVn forces, rigorously battled their way to the
in the morning, an NVA flare was shot off and lit theCitadel. One street at a time, Allied forces eventually
sky giving North Vietnamese forces the "go ahead"pushed North Vietnamese and Viet Cong troops out
for the attack. At that time the 6th N.V.A. Regimentof Hue. On February 24, 1968, the City of Hue was
commenced an attack on the western flank of thecompletely void of Communist forces. When it was all
Citadel, while the 4th Regiment made an attack onover both fronts had seen heavy losses. North
the Military Assistance Command Compound locatedVietnamese forces suffered over 8,000 casualties;
in southern Hue.about half of those were killed just outside of the
Immediately, 1st Ordnance Company of the A.R.VnHue, and 98 were taken in as prisoners of war. Allied
linked up with B.P.Co. ("Black Panther" Company) andforces saw a loss of about 670 killed in action, and a
halted the 800th NVA Battalion's advance for severalstaggering 3,700 men wounded in the fight. The
hours later in the morning. During that time the 802ndMilitary Assistance Command Compound reported
NVA battalion proceeded to attack A.R.Vn's 1stthat over 2,800 civilians were executed, and that 3/4
Division headquarters at the Mang Cu. Compound.of the city was destroyed in the process, which
Around 200 men, comprised of officers and civilianbegan to dampen U.S. public support of the war even
defensive forces, managed to keep 1st Division'smore. From then on U.S. forces and funding started
headquarters secure until Black Panther Companyto decline. The last American forces stepped out of
was able to reach and assist them in fending offSouth Vietnam in early March of 1973.