Operation Manhattan

Operation Manhattan was an operation conducted by the 1st and 2nd Brigades, 25th Infantry Division and the 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division in the Ho Bo Woods/Bến Củi area, lasting from 23 April to 7 June 1967.^[1]: 146

Operation Manhattan
Part of the Vietnam War
The 1st Infantry Division jungle clearing team moves into the woods to destroy a Viet Cong bunker complex northwest of Saigon.
Date 23 April – 7 June 1967 Location Ho Bo Woods/Bến Củi, South Vietnam Result U.S. operational success
Belligerents
United States  South Vietnam	Viet Cong
Commanders and leaders
MGen John C. F. Tillson
Units involved
4th Infantry Division 3rd Brigade 25th Infantry Division 1st Brigade 2nd Brigade
Casualties and losses
	US body count: 74 killed 99 estimated killed 19 captured 3 defected 201 individual and 18 crew-served weapons recovered

Background

The objective of the operation was to destroy Vietcong (VC) bases in the Ho Bo Woods, Boi Loi Woods, Bến Củi area and along the Saigon River.^[2]

Operation

The operation commenced on 23 April. On 9 May 2 Brigade, 25th Infantry Division withdrew from the operation and returned to Củ Chi Base Camp to prepare for Operation Kolekole. On 10 May 3rd Brigade, 4th Infantry Division withdrew from the operation and returned to Dầu Tiếng Base Camp to prepare for Operations Ahina and Operation Diamond Head. The 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division continued the operation, providing security for the 65th Engineer Battalion which used Rome plows to destroy VC fortifications when discovered.^[2]

Aftermath

Operation Manhattan officially concluded on 7 June, VC losses were 74 killed, with a further 99 estimated killed, 19 captured and three Chieu hoi. A total of 201 small arms and 18 crew-served weapons were captured.^[1][2]

Notes

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.