During Operation TEXAS STAR, CLINCH VALLEY was initiated by the 101st ABN DIV (AM) in reaction to intelligence indicating the 9th REGT, 304th NVA DIV, was infiltrating into RVN to reinforce or replace the weakened 66th NVA REGT in the northwest portion of the division area of operation (AO). Operation CLINCH VALLEY employed elements of the 3d BDE and 3d REGT (ARVN), B CO. 2d BN, 502d INF, moved by air from FSB Birmingham to Mai Loc and conducted an airmobile assault into FSB Shepherd. The battalions passed from operational control of the 1st BDE to the 3d BDE. The 1st BN, 506th INF, passed from operation control of the 3d BDE to the 1st BDE, and moved by air from FSB Kathryn to FSB Bastogne. On 10 July the 1st and 2d Battalion's, 3d REGT (ARVN) assulted into FSBs Snapper and Smith, and the 3d REGT ligh command post (CP) moved by air to FSB Shepherd; the 3d BDE tactical CP moved to Camp Carroll and maintained close coordination with the 3d REGT (ARVN). The next day, the 1st BN, 327th INF moved from FSB Veghel to Phu Bai. The 2d BN, 501st INF moved from FSB Ripcord to Camp Evans to refit and prepare for redeployment against elements of the 803d NVA RGT in the FSB Ripcord area. On 12 July, the battalion assaulted into the area and began attacks to the south and east. The operation was terminated at 1800Z, 15 July, when the 1st and 2d BN, 3d REGT (ARVN) were extracted from FSBs Snapper and Smith to Camp Sally. The 2d BN, 502d INF moved by air from FSB Sheppard to Camp Eagle and returned to the operational control of 1st BDE.
(HQ, USMACV; Command History 1970, Volume III; 19 April 1970)
Unit(s) tasked organized or under brigade control: 2-502 IN BN; 2-501 IN BN
Operation Clinch Valley commenced on 09 July 1970 and terminated on 15 July 1970 with the following results:
Friendly: No Allied Casualties
Enemy: 266 NVA KIA
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