“Those of us who have been in combat share an experience and fear that only we can understand. Sometimes the fear is so overwhelming you don’t know how you’ll get through it, but somehow you find a way.”
William A King (SGT)
“March 21, 1967, was such a bad day for us at the Battle of Suoi Tre.”
Welcome to the Battle of Suoi Tre Vietnam Veterans Tribute Website — a place of remembrance, honor, and connection for all who served during the Vietnam War.
This site is dedicated to the heroes of the Battle of Suoi Tre, fought on March 21, 1967, and to every Vietnam veteran whose courage and sacrifice shaped history.
Here, you’ll find detailed information about the battle, personal stories from those who were there, and an expanding Vietnam Veterans Memorial List where visitors can explore names or submit their own.
This digital tribute stands as a lasting ‘thank you’ to every soldier, medic, and supporter who answered the call to serve.
Your presence here helps preserve their memory and ensures that their legacy will never be forgotten.
Battle of Suoi Tre map
BATTLE OF SUOI TRE
Two days before the actual battle, units on their way to the artillery landing zone (LZ Gold) were ambushed by the Viet Cong. Several soldiers were killed and wounded. Of the helicopters carrying support infantrymen to the landing zone, two were destroyed upon landing by remotely detonated IEDs. In total, 19 men were killed before the battle began.
In the early morning of March 21, four battalions of the 272nd North Vietnamese Army, along with two additional infantry battalions (estimated at 3,000 men), began their assault on LZ Gold. The landing zone was defended by approximately 450 young American soldiers.
The attacking forces fully intended to overrun the fire base and kill every man there. Thousands of rounds were fired by both sides from cannons, mortars, machine guns, and small arms. The noise was deafening. Our men were nearly out of ammunition, and hand-to-hand combat ensued.
Reinforcements had been called earlier as the situation was rapidly getting out of hand. They arrived none too soon and drove the enemy away from the base and back into the jungle. The battle resulted in the highest one-day enemy body count of the entire war. We buried 647 enemy soldiers in mass graves.
American casualties totaled 36 killed and approximately 190 wounded. All units involved in the battle were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation by President Lyndon Johnson in July 1968.
William A King (SGT)
C 2/22 1967
Brothers Forever