NAM65 - The Battle for LZ-ZRAY
November 14-15, 1965

Seeking to prove the validity of air mobile warfare, the U.S. was anxious for a scenario in which helicopter transported troops could be moved into an area and serve with devastating efficiency. Such was the case in the landing of units of the famous Seventh Cavalry of the First Division (air mobile) in the Ia Drang Valley, near the Cambodian border. The purpose of the maneuver was to execute the destruction phase against retreating NVA units. The 3rd Brigade of the First Division chose Colonel Harold G. Moore's 1st Battalion of the Seventh Cavalry (Military descendants of General George Custer's Unit) to search out the area in the Ia Drang Valley near the Chu Pong Mountain. Moore found a suitable landing area for 10 helicopters at a time and coded it LZ X-Ray. On arriving at the landing zone, the 1st platoon soon found itself under fire and cut off. The attempts of the second platoon to extricate the 1st soon placed them in jeopardy. The majority of the 33rd and 66th NVA regiments were located nearby. Both artillery and helicopter support poured gunfire into the NVA troops racing down the mountain toward the battle. Lt. Col Moore placed his command post next to the emergency aid station and began to direct other companies into the area. Finally further landings were canceled as the incoming NVA fire was too intense. The Seventh Cavalry was on its own again. American troops were gradually put under attack and suddenly were in a struggle for survival. Platoons were cut off, and the Seventh Cavalry was again in danger of being annihilated. In a serious of vicious firefights all around the perimeter, the U.S. soldiers were even forced into hand-to-hand combat with knives and shovels. The perimeter held, and by the next day, the enemy began its retreat. LZ-XRAY was secure. The troops were too decimated and exhausted to pursue the fleeing enemy and B-52 airstrikes were directed against the mountain. Although suffering heavy casualties, the Seventh Cavalry had proved victorious in this encounter and severely damaged the NVA.