Operation UTAH
March 4, 1966
In Operation UTAH between March 4 and 7, units of the U.S. 3d Marine Division and the South Vietnamese 2d Division defeat elements of the 21st North Vietnamese Regiment south of Chu Lai. It is the first engagement between U.S. Marines and the North Vietnamese regular military, illustrating the growing presence of North Vietnamese regular troops operating within the borders of South Vietnam.1