Operation Sunset Beach was an operation conducted by the 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division in Hậu Nghĩa Province, southeastern Tây Ninh Province and southwestern Bình Dương Province, lasting from 2 September to 11 October 1966.

Prelude

Operation Sunset Beach was planned as a security operation intended to engage

Viet Cong , , war = the Vietnam War , image = FNL Flag.svg , caption = The flag of the Viet Cong, adopted in 1960, is a variation on the flag of North Vietnam. Sometimes the lower stripe was green. , active ...

forces before the South Vietnamese national elections scheduled for 11 September 1966.

Operation

The 2nd Brigade conducted a series of air and ground assaults across the operational area together with Army of the Republic of Vietnam forces, before withdrawing to base camps several days before the elections to avoid accusations of interference. On 20 September the 1st Battalion, 5th Infantry Regiment (Mechanized) conducted a sweep of the Boi Loi Woods, meeting sporadic resistance and destroying bunkers and supplies.

Aftermath

Operation Sunset Beach officially concluded on 11 October, with US reports claiming that Viet Cong losses were 80 killed (body count) and a further 135 estimated killed, U.S. losses were 29 killed.

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Sunset Beach, Operation Conflicts in 1966 1966 in Vietnam Battles involving the United States Battles involving Vietnam Battles and operations of the Vietnam War in 1966 History of Bình Dương province History of Bình Phước Province History of Long An Province