Battle of Fire Support Base Ripcord

Battle of Fire Support Base Ripcord
Part of the Vietnam War
Fire Support Base Ripcord in 1970
Date 1–23 July 1970 (3 weeks and 1 day) Location 16°26′45.5″N 107°11′28″E / 16.445972°N 107.19111°E / 16.445972; 107.19111 (FSB Ripcord) A Shau Valley, Thừa Thiên-Huế Province, South Vietnam - UTM Grid YD 343-194[1] Result North Vietnamese victory
Belligerents
North Vietnam	United States
Commanders and leaders
324B Division:[2] Chu Phương Đới 803rd Rigiment: Vũ Thế Đào 29th Regiment: Nguyễn Hòa Bình	Col. Ben Harrison Lt. Col. Andre Lucas †
Units involved
High Command:[2] 324B Division Siege at Ripcord: 803rd Regiment, 324B Division[3] reinforced with: 2nd Battalion, 6th Regiment, Trị Thiên Army Group 7B Sapper Battalion 3 Fire Support Companies At Co Pung and Hill 1078: 29th Regiment, 324B Division,[4] reinforced with: 1 Fire Support Company	2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment
Casualties and losses
U.S. body count: 422 killed 6 captured	75 killed 8 aircraft destroyed

The Battle of Fire Support Base Ripcord was a 23-day battle between elements of the U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division and two reinforced divisions of the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) that took place from 1 to 23 July 1970. It was the last major confrontation between United States ground forces and the PAVN during the Vietnam War. Three Medals of Honor and six Distinguished Service Crosses were awarded to participants for actions during the operations.