Page 190 - Images: We were...We are

Thomas Spadaro - NOTES FROM THE VIRTUAL WALL

The Tet Offensive began in late January 1968 and by mid-February the North
Vietnamese and Viet Cong assault forces largely had been turned back with heavy
losses - but fighting continued at a high level into the spring.

Between 27 Feb and 03 March 1968 inclusive Mike Company, 3/1 Marines, lost at
least 22 men. Of those, 19 died as a result of the fighting at Mai Xa Thi West on
01/02 March 1968. The heaviest fighting was during the initial assault on 01 March,
when 14 of Mike 3/1's Marines were killed in action; the final assault on 02 March
cost 5 more Marines. The 3rd Bn, 1st Marines Command Chronology for March 1968
describes the action as follows:

"Mai Xa Thi (west) (YD 283667) 1 Mar 68 This was the largest and most challenging
attack of the operation. The situation was unique in that the friendly held attack
position was separated from the objective by a small river only 140 meters wide
[Note: approx 450 feet]. The objective had been previously bombarded from 2 to
14 Feb in preparation for an attack. The attack was postponed due to operations
south of the river. When operations south of the river were terminated, the part of
the hamlet to the east of the north-south river (Mai Xa Thi east) was again
occupied and the attack by fire continued. The assault was by LVT after extensive
preparation by artillery, naval gunfire, air, and direct fire from tanks and LVTH-6s.
Plans called for an LVTE to be the first vehicle ashore and to neutralize the beach
with a line charge. The LVTE -became stuck moving into position and was not used.
In spite of a maximum effort to deliver all possible preparatory fires, the enemy
inflicted heavy casualties as Co M left the LVT's. Co M pressed the attack and
secured the beach area. Co I was able to cross the river using a partially destroyed
bridge and to move up on Co M's right, attacking on line. One section of LVTH-6's
were in direct support of Co M. A section of tanks was in direct support of both Co
M and Co I. LVTE's with line charges were used to breach enemy strong points with
excellent results. By-passed enemy snipers took a heavy toll and necessitated that
Co L follow Co M and Co I in trace and mop up by-passed enemy. The attack was
continued until 2100H when a defensive perimeter was established with about 80
per cent of the hamlet in friendly hands. A detailed search of the hamlet the
following day revealed many extensive fortifications, living bunkers, and large
stores of ammunition indicating that Mai Xa Thi (west) was the center of enemy
activity on the north bank of the Cua Viet River."

Mike 3/1's losses on the two days were

x 01 March 1968:
o 1stLt Thomas C. Gosch, Oceanside, CA (Silver Star)

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