Operation HASTINGS

U.S. Marine and South Vietnamese Army personnel launch Operation HASTINGS in response to MACV’s call for more extensive operations in Quang Tri Province. Forces involved include 8,000 Marines—including four battalions of infantry, one battalion of artillery, and the First Marine Aircraft Wing—and 3,000 South Vietnamese troops. It is one of the largest operations of the war so far. Allied forces engage the well-trained North Vietnamese 324B Division south of the DMZ. Marine units patrol in force and push enemy troops into helicopter-inserted men in blocking positions. HASTINGS lasts until August 3, and the North Vietnamese suffer heavy losses during the operation.¹