What happened after the battle of Khe Sanh?

Americans destroyed the base complex of Khe Sanh and withdrew from the battle area in July 1968 (re-established in 1971). North Vietnamese Army gained control of the Khe Sanh region after the American withdrawal. Termination of the McNamara Line.

How did the US defend Khe Sanh?

Defending Khe Sanh Did you know? As part of a program codenamed Operation Scotland, Westmoreland reinforced the Marine garrison at Khe Sanh—bringing the total number of troops to around 6,000—stockpiled ammunition and refurbished the airstrip at the base, all in preparation for a possible attack.

How many Americans died at the Battle of Khe Sanh?

The United States ultimately held the base at a cost of 274 Americans killed. 2,500 Americans were wounded. And thousands of Vietnamese fighters were killed.

Was the Battle of Khe Sanh part of the Tet Offensive?

Not only was the Battle of Khe Sanh one of the longest and bloodiest confrontations of the Vietnam War, it also kept American focus away from the impending Tet Offensive. American military presence in the area began in 1962 when special forces built a camp near the village.

What was Khe Sanh Why was it important?

Khe Sanh was just 8-10 miles from Laos, an extremely important part of the Ho Chi Minh trail, which made the Khe Sanh Combat Base an important outpost because it could disrupt the flow of NVA weapons, troops, and supplies into South Vietnam.

What happened to Khe Sanh after the Vietnam War?

Americans destroyed the base complex of Khe Sanh and withdrew from the battle area in July 1968 (re-established in 1971). North Vietnamese Army gained control of the Khe Sanh region after the American withdrawal. Termination of the McNamara Line. North Vietnamese lines of communication were extended further into South Vietnam.

How did the defenders of Khe Sanh defend the base?

The outnumbered defenders of Khe Sanh beat back repeated attacks and withstood continual shelling in defense of the isolated combat base and nearby hills. In the first months of 1968, the siege of a remote Marine combat base at Khe Sanh in northwestern South Vietnam captivated Americans.

What happened in 1968 in the Vietnam War?

The year 1968 was the year of the Tet Offensive including Khe Sanh and Hue City. These were momentous events in the course of the war and they occurred in the first three months of the year. This book, however, documents that 1968 was more than just the Tet Offensive.

What happened to Kilo Company at Khe Sanh?

Marines sealed the breach as supporting fire from Khe Sanh Combat Base and Hill 881 South, to the west, pounded the attackers. Dawn found Kilo Company bloodied, but still in control of the hill. As the fighting on 861 ended, the North Vietnamese bombarded the combat base.