The Hill Fights

The Hill Fights
Part of the Vietnam War
Map showing location of hills around the Khe Sanh area
Date 24 April – 11 May 1967 Location Near Khe Sanh, South Vietnam Result U.S. victory
Belligerents
North Vietnam	United States
Strength
6 Battalions from the 325C Division ~2,000 troops	2nd Battalion 3rd Marines 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines 9th Marines ~1,500 troops
Casualties and losses
940 killed	155 killed, 435 wounded

The Hill Fights (also known as the First Battle of Khe Sanh) was a battle during the Vietnam War between the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) 325C Division and United States Marines on several hill masses north of the Khe Sanh Combat Base in the I Corps Tactical Zone.

On 20 April operational control of the Khe Sanh area passed to the 3rd Marine Regiment.

On 22 April 1967 SLF Bravo comprising 2nd Battalion 3rd Marines supported by HMM-164 had commenced Operation Beacon Star on the southern part of the Street Without Joy straddling Quảng Trị and Thừa Thiên Provinces against the Vietcong 6th Regiment and 810th and 812th Battalions.

On 24 April 2nd Platoon, Company B, 3rd Battalion 3rd Marines moved to Hill 700 to establish a mortar position to support another Company. 5 Marines then moved to Hill 861 (16°40′36″N 106°41′13″E / 16.67667°N 106.68694°E / 16.67667; 106.68694) to establish an observation post, but as they entered a bamboo grove near the summit they were ambushed by the PAVN killing 4 Marines.

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