where was the battle of hamburger hill

Why was the battle for Hamburger Hill was so controversial?

Why the Battle for Hamburger Hill Was So Controversial After 10 days of bruising battle, U.S. forces took the hill, only to abandon it days later. Sniper fire was so intense, one soldier called it ...

What caused the Battle of Hamburger Hill?

The Battle of Hamburger Hill was fought May 10-20, 1969, during the Vietnam War (1955-1975). In late spring 1969, American and South Vietnamese forces commenced Operation Apache Snow with the intent of driving North Vietnamese troops from the A Shau Valley. As the operation moved forward, heavy fighting developed around Hill 937.

What are facts about the Battle of Hamburger Hill?

The Battle of Hamburger Hill was a battle of the Vietnam War that was fought by the United States and South Vietnam against the North Vietnamese forces from May 10–20, 1969. Although the heavily fortified Hill 937 was of little strategic value, U.S. command ordered its capture by a frontal assault, only to abandon it soon thereafter.The action caused an outrage both in the American military ...

Did the United States win the Battle of Hamburger Hill?

Hamburger Hill marked a turning point in America’s involvement in the Vietnam War. After nearly a dozen deadly assaults, on May 20 the U.S. military finally captured Hill 937, known locally as Dong Ap Bia (“the mountain of the crouching beast”).

Where is Hamburger Hill Vietnam?

A Shua ValleyLocated in the northern region of what was then the Republic of South Vietnam, Hamburger Hill sits approximately 60 miles south of Khe Sanh, and just a little more than a mile from the Laos border, in the A Shua Valley.

When did the Battle of Hamburger Hill take place?

May 13, 1969Battle of Hamburger Hill / Start dateThe Battle of Hamburger Hill (13–20 May 1969) was a battle of the Vietnam War that was fought by US Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces against People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) forces during Operation Apache Snow.

Why did the Battle of Hamburger Hill happen?

Though the hill had no real tactical significance, taking the hill was part of Operation Apache Snow, a U.S. military sweep of the A Shau Valley. The purpose of the operation was to cut off North Vietnamese infiltration from Laos and enemy threats to the cities of Hue and Da Nang.

Where was Hamburger Hill shot?

the PhilippinesWritten by James Carabatsos and directed by John Irvin, the film starred Dylan McDermott (his film debut), Steven Weber, Courtney B. Vance, Don Cheadle and Michael Boatman. It was shot in the Philippines.

What was the bloodiest battle in Vietnam?

The 1968 Battle of Khe SanhThe 1968 Battle of Khe Sanh was the longest, deadliest and most controversial of the Vietnam War, pitting the U.S. Marines and their allies against the North Vietnamese Army.

What was the bloodiest day in Vietnam?

November 19, 1967 was one of the bloodiest days for American troops in the Vietnam War.

How many soldiers were killed on Hamburger Hill?

More than 370 American soldiers were wounded, and 72 American soldiers were dead. Only four of the 20 platoon leaders in the 187th Infantry who fought their way up the hill made it to the top on May 20, 1969.

What was the toughest unit in Vietnam?

The all-volunteer MACV-SOG (most were U.S. Army Special Forces “Green Berets”) carried out some of the most dangerous and challenging special operations of the Vietnam War.

How accurate is the movie Hamburger Hill?

Hamburger Hill definitely belongs in the latter category, being one of the most realistic movies about the Vietnam conflict. Despite the opinion that it is among the goriest and most brutal war movies, it is actually very accurate about the events it portrays.

What happened to Hamburger Hill after the US troops left it?

U.S. troops abandon Ap Bia Mountain. A spokesman for the 101st Airborne Division said that the U.S. troops “have completed their search of the mountain and are now continuing their reconnaissance-in-force mission throughout the A Shau Valley.”

How many soldiers died on their last day in Vietnam?

1,448 soldiers1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam. 31 sets of brothers are on the Wall. Thirty one sets of parents lost two of their sons. 54 soldiers attended Thomas Edison High School in Philadelphia.

Who was the most decorated soldier in Vietnam?

Staff Sergeant Joe Ronnie HooperHis name is Staff Sergeant Joe Ronnie Hooper, and not only was he a hero in the Vietnam War; he is also the most decorated soldier in American international combat, even eclipsing both York and Murphy.

What was the toughest unit in Vietnam?

The all-volunteer MACV-SOG (most were U.S. Army Special Forces “Green Berets”) carried out some of the most dangerous and challenging special operations of the Vietnam War.

How many soldiers died on their first day in Vietnam?

997 soldiers997 soldiers were killed on their first day in Vietnam. 1,448 soldiers were killed on their last day in Vietnam. 31 sets of brothers are on the Wall. Thirty one sets of parents lost two of their sons.

How accurate is Hamburger Hill?

Because of the overall combat atmosphere, and with only a few minor mistakes, Hamburger Hill is regarded as a really accurate movie. Despite the fact that it can be overshadowed by the bigger movies with greater budgets, hardly any of those show the Vietnam War in its true nature as well as Hamburger Hill does.

What was the result of the Battle of Hamburger Hill?

The bloody battle over Hamburger Hill and the fleeting victory resulted in a firestorm of criticism from anti-war activists. Outrage over what appeared to be a senseless loss of American lives was exacerbated by photographs published in Life magazine of U.S. soldiers killed during the battle.

Where is Hamburger Hill?

Known to military planners as Hill 937 (a reference to its height in meters), the solitary peak is located in the dense jungles of the A Shau Valley of Vietnam, about a mile from the border with Laos.

What battalion did General Zais send to the US?

On May 20, General Zais sent in two additional U.S. airborne battalions (the 1st Battalion, 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment and the 2nd Battalion, 501st Parachute Infantry Regiment), plus a South Vietnamese battalion as reinforcements for his increasingly disgruntled soldiers.

Why is Ap Bia called hamburger hill?

Due to the bitter fighting and the high casualty rate, Ap Bia Mountain was dubbed “Hamburger Hill” by journalists covering the Vietnam War. Speaking to a reporter, 19-year-old Sergeant James Spears said, “Have you ever been inside a hamburger machine? We just got cut to pieces by extremely accurate machine gun fire.”

When was the North Vietnamese stronghold captured?

Not many guys can take it much longer.”. Finally, in the 11th attack, the North Vietnamese stronghold was captured on May 20, when thousands of U.S. troops and South Vietnamese soldiers fought their way to the summit. In the face of the four-battalion attack, the North Vietnamese retreated to sanctuary areas in Laos.

Who condemned the Battle of Ap Bia Mountain?

On the floor of the U.S. Senate, Edward Kennedy scorned the military tactics of the Nixon administration. Kennedy condemned the battle for Ap Bia Mountain as “senseless and irresponsible.”.

Who was the commander of the 101st Airborne Division?

101st Airborne Division Attacks. Under the leadership of General Melvin Zais, commanding general of the 101st Airborne Division, paratroopers engaged a North Vietnamese regiment on the slopes of Ap Bia Mountain on May 10, 1969.

Why is it called Hamburger Hill?

Due to the grinding nature of the fighting on Hill 937 , it became known as "Hamburger Hill.". This also pays homage to a similar fight during the Korean War known as the Battle of Pork Chop Hill. In the fighting, US and ARVN forces suffered 70 killed and 372 wounded.

Who was the historian who fought at Hamburger Hill?

Battle of Hamburger Hill. Photograph Source: Public Domain. Kennedy Hickman is a historian, museum director, and curator who specializes in military and naval history. He has appeared on The History Channel as a featured expert. The Battle of Hamburger Hill was fought May 10-20, 1969, during the Vietnam War (1955-1975).

How did Honeycutt push his battalion into positions?

Over the next two days, Honeycutt attempted to push his battalion into positions where they could launch a coordinated assault. This was hampered by difficult terrain and fierce PAVN resistance. As they moved around the hill, they found that the North Vietnamese had constructed an elaborate system of bunkers and trenches. Seeing the focus of the battle shifting to Hill 937, Conmey shifted the 1/506th to the south side of the hill. Bravo Company was airlifted to the area, but the remainder of the battalion traveled by foot and did not arrive in force until May 19.

What was the name of the hill in the A Shau Valley?

The A Shau Valley was covered in thick jungle and dominated by Ap Bia Mountain, which had been designated Hill 937 .

How many bodies were found on the hill after the Battle of PAVN?

Total PAVN casualties are unknown, but 630 bodies were found on the hill after the battle. Heavily covered by the press, the necessity of the fighting on Hill 937 was questioned by the public and stirred controversy in Washington. This was worsened by the 101st's abandonment of the hill on June 5.

What was the goal of the Battle of Hill 937?

This soon became the focus of the battle and additional American forces were committed with the goal of securing the hill. After a grinding, bloody fight, Hill 937 was secured.

When did Zais and Conmey attack Dong Ap Bia?

Landing two battalions on the northeast and southeast slopes, Zais and Conmey launched an all-out assault on the hill at 10:00 AM on May 20.

What was the purpose of the Battle of Hamburger Hill?

The operation’s goal: to eliminate enemy forces in ...

How long was the siege of Hamburger Hill?

That led to a 77-day siege during which U.S. Marines struggled to hold on to a garrison under fierce attack by the North. Harkins thinks much of the controversy surrounding Hamburger Hill can be attributed to misconceptions of the mission’s true aims.

Why is Hamburger Hill controversial?

Harkins thinks much of the controversy surrounding Hamburger Hill can be attributed to misconceptions of the mission’s true aims. “The battle got caught up in (old) WWII terminology about capturing terrain,” he says. “In Vietnam, as long as there were no bad people on that hill, that hill had no significance. We didn’t fight it for terrain, we fought it to destroy a (enemy) force.”

What was the immediate aftermath of Hamburger Hill?

Hugh Van Es/AP Photo. In the immediate aftermath of Hamburger Hill, the United States shifted its tactics. Over the protests of some senior military leaders, the Defense Department significantly restricted the size and scope of U.S.-led missions.

Where is Hamburger Hill?

Located in the northern region of what was then the Republic of South Vietnam, Hamburger Hill sits approximately 60 miles south of Khe Sanh, and just a little more than a mile from the Laos border, in the A Shua Valley.

Where was the base camp in Vietnam?

A wounded U.S. paratrooper grimaces in pain as he awaits medical evacuation at base camp in the A Shau Valley near the Laos border in South Vietnam on May 19, 1969 during the Vietnam War.

When was Hill 937 captured?

After nearly a dozen deadly assaults, on May 20 the U.S. military finally captured Hill 937, known locally as Dong Ap Bia (“the mountain of the crouching beast”). When they abandoned it just days later, controversy erupted over what many saw as a senseless loss of lives—a debate that has continued in the decades since.

What was the Battle of Hamburger Hill?

The Battle of Hamburger Hill (Hill 937) during the Vietnam War pitted the United States and South Vietnam against North Vietnamese forces from May 10–20, 1969. Although the heavily fortified hill was of little strategic value, U.S. command ordered its capture, only to abandon it soon thereafter.

How many Americans died in Hamburger Hill?

In the end over 50 Americans were killed and nearly 400 wounded in addition to several helicopters shot down. The debate over Hamburger Hill reached the United States Congress, with severe criticism of military leadership and it is considered a watershed event of negative public opinion toward the Vietnam War.

What was the battle of the jungle?

The battle was primarily an infantry engagement, with the U.S. Airborne troops moving up the steep jungle hill against well entrenched troops. Attacks were repeatedly repelled by the NVA defenses. Bad weather also hindered operations.