Headquarters, I Field Force Vietnam directed the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (AM) to conduct search and destroy operation in the vicinity of DAK TO, TOU MORONG, TAN CHANH and assist in the withdrawal of the TOU MORONG Regional Force outpost.
The Brigade (-) began deployment from the CHEO REO area by C-130 aircraft on 29 May 1966 and closed into DAK TO on 03 June 1966. A total of 201 sorties were utilized. On 02 June, the 2-502 IN BN displaced from PLEIKU to DAK TO by CV-2 aircraft and convoy.
This operation was conducted in two phases. Phase I (02 June - 06 June 1966) consisted on a three pronged converging attack by the 1-327 IN BN, the 21st ARVN Ranger battalion and the 1-42 ARVN INF REGT to relieve the besieged Regional Force outpost at TOU MORONG. Phase II (06 June - 20 June 1996) consisted of a double envelopment of the enemy located in the ridges northeast of TOU MORONG by the 1-327 IN BN and 2-502 IN BN. Subsequently, the 1-42 ARVN INF REGT, B/2-327 IN and 1-5 CAV were inserted in an attempt to encircle the enemy, then identified as the 24th NVA REGT. A massive B-52 strike was then delivered on 13 June. Following the B-52 strike, and exploitation by airmobile and ground attack was launched, and search and destroy operations were conducted through 20 June 1966.
On 07 June, the 2-502 IN BN was released from IFFORCEV reserve and immediately deployed in an airmobile assault to envelop the enemy's northern flank. From 07 - 10 June, heavy contact was made with the enemy almost continuously as the 1-327 IN BN and 2-502 IN BN sought to dislodge the NVA forces from entrenched position in the dense bamboo jungle. Between 0820H and 0847H on 13 June, the B-52 strike was launched precisely on target. Following the strike, enemy resistance crumbled and the 1-327 IN BN, 2-502 IN BN, 1-5 CAV, 1-42 ARVN INF RGT and CIDG elements immediately exploited the objective area by helicopter and overland movement. Thirty minutes following the B-52 strike, one rifle company from 2-502 IN BN had been helilifted into the B-52 target area. Large number of VC KIA's weapons and equipment were found in the area. The 2-502 IN BN located and captured 15 dazed NVA personnel. On 15 June elements of the 2-502 IN BN and 1-5 CAV engaged a company size VC force north of the B-52 strike and the enemy broke contact following tactical air strikes.
(HQ, 1BDE, 101st ABN DIV; After Action Report, Operation HAWTHORNE, 22 July 1966)
Unit(s) tasked organized or under brigade control: 2-502 IN BN
Operation Hawthorne commenced on 02 June 1966 and terminated on 21 June 1966 with the following results:
Friendly: 48 KIA, 239 WIA
Enemy: 688 KIA, 506 (EST) KIA
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