Clearing operations of the 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry, 25th Infantry Division in Iron Triangle during the Vietnam War. Shirtless American soldiers load sand bags into heavy load cargo helicopter ( Boeing CH-47 Chinook ). American soldiers place sandbags on pad. African-American soldier, wearing sunglasses, places sandbags.
Opening slate identifies this footage as from "Operation Rio Grande" which ran from November 20-27, 1967. It was a Search and Destroy mission which incorporated the U.S. Marines 5th and 7th Brigades along with Republic of Vietnam marines and Army units during the Vietnam War. Patrolling marines walk across a field. Next, marines are seen crossing a crude log bridge on a road through jungles. View from rear of a marine approaching a thatched roofed dwelling, where he joins other marines. Some weapons are seen on the ground. They gather at a low entrance to the house where another marine is searching inside. He comes out carrying an automatic pistol that he hands to another marine. The marines search other houses in the small cluster of homes. Several marines gather outside the huts. One speaks on a PRC-25 radio. They begin moving away from the area. In a different area, a marine pulls a cover off a hole in the ground which conceals an entry to a tunnel. He slowly crawls into it. He passes a large roll of paper, covered with plastic, to a marine standing outside the tunnel entrance. As he emerges from the tunnel he passes an orange-colored object to the marine outside.
An honor guard stands as the American flag is raised during a ceremony at Anderson Air Force Base, Guam, on March 21, 1967. Major General William Joseph Crumm, Commander, 3rd Air Division, Strategic Air Command is seen saluting together with President Nguyen Van Thieu, and Prime Minister, Nguyen Cao Ky, of Republic of Vietnam, who flank him. Civilian spectators also salute in the background. Glimpse of the Honor Guard, again, followed by view of Vietnamese President Thieu pinning the Vietnam Distinguished Service Order medal on the uniform of General Crumm. Sign identifies building in background as Headquarters, 3rd Air Division. Civilian spectators watch from sidelines. A breeze is blowing and some light rain falls. A number of American Air Force officers and airmen stand at parade rest. A large number of Vietnamese medals is seen on a board ready for presentation. Next, Prime Minister Ky (former Chief of the Vietnamese Air Force) is seen pinning Vietnamese medals on the uniforms of the American Air Force personnel.
Opening slate reads: "Operation Rio Grande" and shows partial date of "11-2....." (The complete date is November 20-27, 1967, when this Search and Destroy mission was launched by the U.S. Marines 5th and 7th Brigades with South Vietnamese forces support during the Vietnam War.) A U.S. Marine jet aircraft dives low and drops a bomb on a Viet Cong position. View from overflying CH-46A helicopter of others maneuvering low over rice paddies, where smoke rises from some small fires, possibly from helicopter M60 machine gun fire. Helicopters parked with rotors turning on a large open field. Helicopters maneuvering low above the ground, and then climbing and departing the area.
United States Marine Corps Pilots of VMF (AW) 232 (Red Devils), conversing at an office in a trailer, at Da Nang Airbase, South Vietnam. Major B A Martin in flight suit sits at a desk. He briefs another pilot, Captain Herb Jellander. Major Martin writes on a pad. Captain Jellander smiles and converses with Major. Major Martin mark positions on blackboard, explains and then rubs it off. He returns to his desk. ( Note: In July, 1967, Major Bruce A. Martin's F-8E was hit by enemy fire and he was forced to eject. He parachuted safely and was picked up.) (Vietnam War period).
Shows a night time Vietcong rocket attack, just after midnight, July 15, 1967, on the United States Air Force flight line and barracks areas at the Da Nang Airbase in Vietnam. Heavy explosions and fires on the base. Fires started from secondary blasts by bombs and fuel. Aircraft destroyed included F-4 Phantom II's & C-130's. The U.S Marine Corps Fighter Squadron VMF (AW) 232, also based here, lost some of its F-8E Crusader aircraft in this attack. (Vietnam War period).