Operation Sunset Beach


Operation Sunset Beach was an operation conducted by the 25th [Infantry Division (United States)|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 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 5th [Infantry Regiment (United States)#Vietnam War|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 and a further 135 estimated killed, U.S. losses were 29 killed.