aug 1, 1965 - Battle of La Drang Valley

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The first key battle in the Vietnam war occurred in the middle of this time period as most Americans saw the Vietnam War in the fall of 1965 as a succession of little conflicts that left little to recall. That would all change when the First Cavalry Air Mobile Division flew into the La Drang Valley in South Vietnam's central highlands. The Air Mobile Division was a novel idea. As artillery support arrived from above, battalions would be ferried in and out by helicopter.

This enabled troops to be quickly moved into and out of battle. Air travel was the only possible alternative due to the lack of roads and the difficult terrain in the central highlands. The Battle of La Drang Valley became one of the most famous battles of the Vietnam War. The significance of La Drang Valley is the first major contact between the U.S and the North Vietnamese troops, while also allowing the north to show off their superior strength and to convey they are ready and willing to make sacrifices for their cause.

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