Double Eagle
Written January 2021
Operation
Dates:
28 Jan 1966 – 6 Mar 1966
Area of Operation:
Quảng Ngãi Province, I Corps
Allied Units:
USMC 3d Battalion 1st Marines, 2d Battalion 3d Marines, 2d Battalion 4th Marines, 2d Battalioin 9th Marines
Allied Casualties:
24 KIA, 156 WIA
Enemy Units:
NVA, VC
Enemy Casualties:
312 KIA; 9 POW
Objective(s):
Search and destroy; to trap VC and PAVN units in Quảng Ngãi Province
Significance/Notes:
Double Eagle was conducted in conjunction with US Army Operation Masher/White Wing and ARVN Operations Than Phong II and Lien Ket 22. Together, the forces planned to engage in a large pincer movement, sweeping communist forces between US Army and Marine units. Ultimately, Double Eagle failed in its objective. Weather caused delays for the Marines as they moved through mountainous jungle terrain. This likely contributed to the ability of communist forces to evade engagement with US Army and ARVN forces.
Sources:
The Encyclopedia of the Vietnam War, 2nd Edition edited by Spencer C. Tucker
Vietnam Battle Chronology: U.S. Army and Marine Corps Combat Operations, 1965-1973 by David Burns Sigler
The Vietnam Center And Archive (at Texas Tech University)
Further Reading:
After Action Report from 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, which provided air support
Operation Double Eagle Duc Pho, RVM: Video of Marines debarking landing craft onto a beach
