The Battle for Khe Sanh

(1) Major John J. Cahill, USMC and Jack Shulimson, "History of U. S. Marine Corps Operations in Vietnam, Jan-Jun65," pp. 67, 68, 126 (S).

(2)FMFPac, Marine Opns in Vietnam, Jun67, pp. 5-12 (S).

(3)Ibid.

(4)3d MarDiv CmdChron, Oct68, p. 11 (S).

(5)FMFPac, Marine Opns in Vietnam, Mar67, p. 15 (S).

(6)3d Marines Khe Sanh AAR, p. 7 (S); Bernard B. Fall, The Two Viet-Nams (New York: Frederick A. Praeger 1965 ed.), p. 3.

(7)Westmoreland Comments.

(8)3d Marines, Khe Sanh AAR, p. 12 (S).

(9)Lieutenant General Lewis W. Walt Interview with Historical Branch dtd 17Dec68 and 14Jan69 (S).

(10)3d Marines, Khe Sanh AAR, pp, 7-30 (S).

(11)Ibid.

(12)Ibid., pp. 32-33 (S).

(13)FMFPac Marine Opns in Vietnam, May67, p. 11 (S).

(14)Ibid., pp. 7-10, 19 (S).

(15)FMFPac HistSum, pp. 7-17 (S).

(16)FMFPac Marine Opns in Vietnam, Jul67, pp. 9-13 (S).

(17)Ibid.

(18)FMFPac Marine Opns in Vietnam, Sep67, pp. 52-73 (S); 3d MarDiv ComdChron, Sep67, p. 25 (S); Chaisson Comments; Personal observations of the author.

(19)Westmoreland Comments; Metzger Comments.

(20)FMFPac, Marine Opns in Vietnam, Oct67, pp. 24-36 (S).

(21)Metzger Comments.

(22)26th Marines CmdChron, May67, p. 4 (S).

(23)Ibid.

(24)26th Marines CmdChron, Jun67, p. 4 (S).

(25)Ibid., Jul67, p. 4 (S).

(26)Col Lownds tape No. 801 674/4 (S); 26th Marines CmdChron, Aug67, p. 4 (S); Metzger Comments.

(27)Wilkinson Comments.

(28)Col Lownds Tape No. 801 674/4 (S); 26th Marines CmdChron, Aug67, p. 4 (S), Brown Comments.

(29)26th Marines CmdChron, Nov67, p. 4 (S).

(30)Cushman Comments; Hoffman Comments.

(31)26th Marines CmdChron, Dec67, p. 4 (S).

(32)Alderman Comments.

(33)Bohr Comments.

(34)Hudson Comments.

(35)FMFPac Marine Opns in Vietnam, Jan 68, pp. 8, 9; III MAF CmdChron, Jan and Feb68 (S); 26th Marines CmdChron, Feb68, p. 60 (S); Lownds Sep Interview (S).

(36)Lownds Sep Interview (S); 3/26 CmdChron, Jan68, p. 10 (S); Caulfield Comments.

(37)Lownds Sep Interview (S); 26th Marines CmdChron, Jan68, p. 4 (S).

(38)3/26 CmdChron, Jan68, p. 3 (S).

(39)2/26 CmdChron, Jan68, p. 2 (S).

(40)Ibid.; Breeding Comments; Caulfield Comments.

(41)26th Marines CmdChron, Jan68, pp. 3, 4 (S); Lownds Sep Interview (S).

(42)FMFPac Marine Opns in Vietnam, Jan68, p. 10 (S).

(43)26th Marines CmdChron, Jan68, pp. 3, 4 (S); 3/26 CmdChron, Jan68, p. 3 (S); Alderman Comments; Dabney Comments; Caulfield Comments.

(44)Ibid.]

(45)Dabney Comments.

(46)Ibid.; 26th CmdChron, Jan68, pp. 3, 4 (S); 3/26 CmdChron, Jan68, p. 3 (S); Alderman Comments; Dabney Comments.

(47)Ibid.

(48)Cushman Comments; Tompkins Interview (S); Lownds Sep Interview (S); Wilkinson Comments; Pipes Comments; 26th Marines CmdChron, Jan68, p. 5 (S).

(49)Caulfield Comments.]

(50)Alderman Comments.

(51)Caulfield Comments.

(52) Ibid.

(53)3/26 CmdChron, Jan 68, p. 3 (S); Caulfield Comments.

(54)Lownds Sep Interview (S); Interview with Major Matthew P. Caulfield, USMC dtd 10Feb68, No. 2535 (Oral History Collection, HistBr, HQMC) (S); Caulfield Comments.

(55)Dabney Comments; Caulfield Comments.

(56)Ibid.; 26th Marines CmdChron, Jan68, p. 4 (S); Lownds Sep Interview; White Comments.

(57)Pipes Comments.

(58)Wilkinson Comments.

(59)26th Marines CmdChron, Jan68, p. 4 (S); Hudson Comments.

(60)Interview with First Lieutenant William L. Everhart, dtd 10Feb68 No. 2535 (Oral History Collection, HistBr, HQMC) (S); Hennelly Comments.

(61)26th Marines CmdChron, Jan68, p. 9 (S); FMFPac Marine Opns in Vietnam, Jan68, p. 11 (S); Tompkins Interview (S); Hudson Comments.

(62)Lownds Sep Interview (S).

(63)26th Marines CmdChron, Jan68, p. 9 (S).

(64)Cushman Comments.

(65)Ibid.; Westmoreland Comments.

(66)Westmoreland Comments.

(67)Ibid.; Sharp and Westmoreland, Report on The War, p. 163.

(68)26th Marines CmdChron, Jan68, pp. 4, 11 (S); Lownds Sep Interview (S).

(69)Lownds Sep Interview (S); Baig Comments.

(70)Wilkinson Comments.

(71)26th Marines CmdChron, Jan68, p. 4 (S); Lownds Sep Interview; Wilkinson Comments.

(72)26th Marines CmdChron, Jan68, pp. 3, 4 (S); III MAF CmdChron, Jan68, pp. 3-10 (S).

(73)Sharp and Westmoreland, Report on The War, p. 158.

(74)Presentation of Lieutenant General Robert E. Cushman, Jr., USMC, in 1968 General Officers Symposium Book, dtd 15Jul68 (S).

(75)Sullivan, et al., The Vietnam War, pp. 101-104.

(76)Ibid., Sharp and Westmoreland, Report on The War, p. 235.

(77)Ibid.

(78)Sullivan, et al., The Vietnam War, p. 99.

(79)Ibid.

(80)Lownds Jul Interview (S).

(81)Ibid.

(82)Ibid.; CG FMFPac msg to CMC, dtd 200327Z Mar68 (S).

(83)Lownds Jul and Sep Interviews (S).

(84)Dabney Comments.

(85)Ibid.

(86)Ibid.

(87)Ibid.; Caulfield Comments.

(88)Dabney Comments.

(89)Lownds Jul Interview (S).

(90)Mitchell Comments.

(91)Lownds Jul and Sep Interviews (S); Tompkins Interview (S).

(92)Ibid.; Mitchell Comments.

(93)26th Marines CmdChron, Feb68, p. 8 (S); Interview with Captain Earl G. Breeding, USMC, dtd Jul68, No. 2121 (Oral History Collection, HistBr, HQMC) (S): Breeding Comments.

(94)Ibid.

(95)Ibid.

(96)Ibid.; Dabney Comments.

(97)Ibid.

(98)White Comments.

(99)26th Marines CmdChron, Feb68, pp. 8-10 (S); Tompkins Interview (S).

(100)Ibid.; Lownds Jul Interview (S); Hennelly Comments.

(101)Hennelly Comments.

(102)Hudson Comments.

(103)Wilkinson Comments.

(104)Lownds Sep Interview; Caulfield Comments.

(105)Anderson Comments.

(106)Westmoreland Comments; White Comments; 26th Marines CmdChron, Feb68, pp. 4-8 (S).

(107)DIA IntBul.

(108)26th Marines CmdChron, Feb68, pp. 8, 48 (S); Mitchell Comments.

(109)Ibid.

(110)Lance Corporal Michael A. Barry Interview with HistBr, dtd 17Feb69.

(111)Ibid.

(112)26th Marines CmdChron, Feb68, pp. 8, 48, 49 (S); Mitchell Comments.

(113)26th Marines CmdChron, Feb68, p. 49 (S).

(114)Ibid., p. 51 (S).

(115)Air Force Historical Comments; 1st MAW CmdChron, Feb68, p. 8 (S).

(116)Wilkinson Comments; White Comments.

(117)26th Marines CmdChron, Feb68, p. 51 (S); Kashiwahara, "Lifeline to Khe Sanh".

(118)Ibid.; Lownds Sep Interview (S).

(119)VMGR-152 CmdChron, Feb68, p. 4 (S); Gregerson Comments.

(120)Kashiwahara, "Lifeline to Khe Sanh"; Meyers Comments; Brown Comments; Air Force Historical Comments.

(121)Ibid.; Lownds Jul Interview (S).

(122)Ibid.

(123)Information provided by the Marine Corps Command Center on 19Feb68.

(124)Ibid.

(125)1st MAW CmdChron, Jan, Feb, Mar68 (S); Wilson Comments.

(126)Ibid.

(127)Dabney Comments.

(128)Ibid.

(129)Wilson Comments.

(130)DCS/Air Comments.

(131)Breeding Comments.

(132)See 1st MAW CmdChron, Jan, Feb, Mar68 (S); CG FMFPac msg to CMC dtd 200327Z Mar68 (S).

(133) Wilkinson Comments.

(134)CG FMFPac Msg to CMC dtd 200327Z Mar68 (S); Lownds Jul Interview (S).

(135)See 26th Marines CmdChron, Jan, Feb, and Mar68 (S).

(136)Lownds Sep Interview (S).

(137)26th Marines CmdChron, Jan, Feb, and Mar68 (S); Lownds Sep Interview; Interview with Major William J. Sullivan, USMC, dtd 26Apr68, No. 2621 (Oral History Collection, HistBr, HQMC) (S); Hennelly Comments; Gregerson Comments; Air Force Historical Comments.

(138)1st MAW CmdChron, Jan and Feb68 (S).

(139)Ibid., Debrief Sheets (S).

(140)Dabney Comments.

(141)1st MAW CmdChron, Feb 68, p. 2-2 (S); Pipes Comments.

(142)Interview with Lieutenant Colonel Harry T. Hagaman, USMC, dtd 2Mar68, No. 2548 (Oral History Collection, HistBr, HQMC) (C).

(143)Information supplied by U. S. Air Force Public Information Office, 16Oct68 (U); Chaisson Comments; Air Force Historical Comments; Brofft Comments.

(144)Tompkins Interview (S).

(145)Ibid.; Lownds Sep Interview (S); Kashiwahara, "Lifeline to Khe Sanh."

(146)Air Force Historical Comments; 26th Marines CmdChron, Jan, Feb and Mar68 (S); Tompkins Interview; Baig Comments.

(147)Gregerson Comments.

(148)Lownds Jul Interview (S); Interview with Major William J. Sullivan, USMC, dtd 26Apr68, No. 2621 (Oral History Collection, HistBr, HQMC) (S); Gregerson Comments.

(149)Lownds Sep Interview (S); Interview with First Lieutenant James M. Alexander, USMC, dtd 26Apr68, No. 2621 (Oral History Collection, HistBr, HQMC) (S); Hennelly Comments.

(150)Interview with Major William J. Sullivan, USMC, dtd 26Apr68, No. 2621 (Oral History Collection, HistBr, HQMC) (S); Interview with First Lieutenant James M. Alexander, USMC, dtd 26Apr68, No. 2621 (Oral History Collection, HistBr, HQMC) (S); 26th Marines CmdChron, Jan, Feb and Mar 68 (S); Gregerson Comments.

(151)Ibid.

(152)Ibid.

(153)Lownds Interview; Hennelly Comments.

(154)Hennelly Comments.

(155)Baig Comments.

(156)Hennelly Comments.

(157)Ibid.; 26th Marines CmdChron, Jan, Feb and Mar68 (S); Baig Comments.

(158)Ibid.

(159)Baig Comments.

(160)Ibid.

(161)Ibid.

(162)Ibid.; Interview with Lieutenant Colonel Edward J. A. Castagna, USMC, dtd Mar68, No. 2621 (Oral History Collection, HistBr, HQMC) (S); Colonel Robert D. Heinl, Jr., USMC, Soldiers of the Sea (Annapolis: United States Naval Institute 1962 ed.) p. 563.

(163)Baig Comments.

(164)Six Month Evaluation Report, HQ USMACV, 31May68 (S); Interview with Colonel Franklin N. Pippin, USMC, dtd 24Jun68, No. 2907 (Oral History Collection, HistBr, HQMC) (S).

(165)1/26 CmdChron, Jan and Feb68 (S); CG FMFPac msg to CMC dtd 200327Z Mar68 (S); Information provided by Research, Development, and Study Division, HQMC, 8Nov68 (U); Lownds Jul Interview (S).

(166)26th Marines CmdChron, Jan and Feb68 (S); Lownds Jul and Sep Interviews (S).

(167)26th Marines CmdChron, Jan, Feb and Mar68 (S).

(168)Dabney Comments.

(169)Ibid.

(170)Lownds Sep Interview (S); Interview with Sergeant Timothy B. Keady, USMC, dtd Mar68, No. 2621 (Oral History Collection, HistBr, HQMC) (S).

(171)Baltimore Sun, 25 May, p. 2 (Early Bird) (U).

(172)Interview with First Lieutenant James M. Alexander, USMC, dtd 26Apr68, No. 2621 (Oral History Collection, HistBr, HQMC) (S); Interview with Major William J. Sullivan, USMC, dtd 26Apr68, No. 2621 (Oral History Collection, HistBr, HQMC) (S); Interview with Colonel Johnnie C. Vance, Jr., USMC, dtd 20Jun68, No. 2909 (Oral History Collection, HistBr, HQMC) (S); Interview with Major John A. Shepherd, USMC, dtd 26Apr68, No. 2621 (Oral History Collection, HistBr, HQMC) (S).

(173)Shepherd Comments.

(174)Lownds Sep Interview (S).

(175)Lownds Jul Interview (S).

(176)Ibid.; Tompkins Interview (S).

(177)Keller Comments.

(178)Wilkinson Comments.

(179)26th Marines CmdChron, Feb68, Encl 1 (S).

(180)Ibid.

(181)Lownds Sep Interview (S); Interview with HM3 Class Frank V. Calzia, dtd Mar68, No. 2621 (Oral History Collection, HistBr, HQMC) (S).

(182)Ibid.; Interview with Captain Kenneth W. Pipes, USMC, dtd Mar68, No. 2621 (Oral History Collection, HistBr, HQMC) (S).

(183)Ibid.

(184)Ibid.; 26th Marines CmdChron, Feb68, Encl 1 (S).

(185)Lownds Jul and Sep Interviews (S).

(186)Ibid.; 26th Marines CmdChron, Mar68, p. 4 (S); Baig Comments.

(187)26th Marines CmdChron, Mar68, pp. 3, 4 (S); Wilkinson Comments.

(188)Ibid.; Lownds Sep Interview.

(189)26th Marines CmdChron, Mar68, p. 8 (S).

(190)Ibid., pp. 11, 12.

(191)Ibid., p. 7.

(192)Ibid., pp. 7, 8.

(193)Ibid., p. 6.

(194)Ibid., p. 10 (S).

(195)Ibid.; White Comments.

(196)Ibid.; McEwan Comments; Pipes Comments.

(197)26th Marines CmdChron, Mar68, pp. 9, 10, and Encl 1.

(198)Ibid.; Baig Comments.

(199)MCCC, Status of Forces, Apr 68 (S); Lownds Sep Interview (S); PEGASUS AAR, pp. 1-4.

(200)PEGASUS AAR, Encl 1 (C); Westmoreland Comments; Cushman Comments.

(201)Ibid.

(202)Tolson Comments.

(203)Ibid.

(204)PEGASUS AAR, Encl 1 (C); Rosson Comments.

(205)Ibid.

(206)Ibid.

(207)Ibid.; Lownds Jul and Sep Interviews (S).

(208)PEGASUS AAR, Encl 1 (C).

(209)Ibid.

(210)Ibid.; Lownds Jul and Sep Interviews (S); Tolson Comments.

(211)PEGASUS AAR, pp. 13, 14 (C).

(212)Ibid., Encl 1.

(213)Ibid.

(214)3/26 CmdChron, Apr68, p. 4 (S); Studt Comments; Meyers Comments.

(215)Ibid.; Caulfield Comments.

(216)Ibid.; Dabney Comments.

(217)Caulfield Comments.

(218)Meyers Comments.

(219)3/26 CmdChron, Apr68, p. 4 (S); Meyers Comments; Studt Comments.

(220)Caulfield Comments.

(221)PEGASUS AAR.

(222)Ibid.; 26th Marines CmdChron, Apr68, p. 4 (S); Caulfield Comments.

(223)Baltimore Sun, 25May68, p. 2 (Early Bird) (U); Washington Star, 25May68, p. 13 (Early Bird) (U).

(224)Ibid.

(225)Olson Comments.

(226)Cushman Comments.

(227)Alderman Comments; Caulfield Comments.

(228)Baig Comments.

(229)Tompkins Interview; Lownds Jul and Sep Interviews (S).

(230)Westmoreland Comments; Cushman Comments; Rosson Comments.

(231)Ibid.

(232)Ibid.

(233)Washington Star, 9Jun68, p. 1-E (Early Bird) (U).