Harvest Moon - Day 2 US Marines to th - Divided Ground - Vietnam

Early morning Dec 9th 3 VC regiments overran ARVN infantry and rangers. Answering their pleas for help, BG Henderson order LTC Utter and 3/3 Marines to spearhead a rescue of the 5th ARVN ID and clear out the Que Son Valley. They were supported by 2/7 Marines and H Co 9th Marines. Although 7th and 9th marines became famous in this battle due to the Medal of Honors won and the capture of Hill 43, it should not be forgotten the 3/3 marines took the brunt of the casualties and that out of the 407 KIA during the 12 day battle 97 of those go to 3/3 marines, Lima Co in the first 12 hours of fighting. Along with the 407 confirmed KIA, were 33 capturedalong with 60 tons of supplies as the 3 VC Regiments were using the Valley as a supply staging area. The marines suffered 45 KIA and 218 wounded.