A 28-day search-and-destroy operation in Duc Pho District of Quang Ngai Province was launched by 1st BDE, 101st ABN DIV and supported elements.
(USMACV; Command History 1967; Volume III; 16 September 1968)
On 11 May TF OREGON launched search-and-destroy Operation MALHEUR in the vicinity of Duc Pho in SE Quang NGAI province. Forces involved were the 1st and 2nd BNs of 327th INF and 2d BN, 502d INF, of the 1st BDE, 101st ABN DIV. During the month, friendly forces engaged the enemy on 18 separate occasions, each time inflicting heavy personnel losses as well as uncovering large food caches and capturing numerous weapons and vast quantities of ammunition. The operation, supported by 311 tactical air sorties.
(USMACV; Command History 1968; Volume II; 30 April 1969)
Operation Malheur was characterized by small unit contacts. Initially the enemy defended his position in platoon and larger size force. Contacts with large forces, however, gradually declined as did the enemy's will to stand and fight. Soon contacts with a squad size enemy force became rare and the Brigade made some contact with groups of two or three men who attempted to withdraw on contact. The search and destroy tactics utilized consisted of saturation patrolling, night movement, night ambushes, raid and the use of small unit stay behind forces. The terrain over which operations were conducted included mountainous jungle, rolling hills, sandy scrub forest and flat, cultivated lowlands.
Operation Malheur was initiated 12 days after the termination of Operation Summerall in Khanh Hoa, Phu Yen and Darlac provinces. On May 1, 1967 the Brigade began movement to Duc Pho with one battalion combat team conducting convoy movement from Khanh Duong to Nha Trang and then sea movement from Nha Trang to Duc Pho. On 05 and 06 May, the remainder of the Brigade conducted similar movements from Khanh Duong to Duc Pho. The Brigade completed closure at Duc Pho when the last Infantry battalion combat team arrived on 08 May 1967. Operation Malheur commenced at 0700H on 11 May 1967.
Unit(s) tasked organized or under brigade control: 2-502 IN BN
Operation MALHEUR commenced on 11 May 1967 and terminated on 08 June 1967 with the following results:
Friendly: 81 KIA, 286 WIA
Enemy: 869 KIA, 305 DET, 151 I/W, 11 C/S
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