From the S&S archives: Operation Cedar Falls

The largest U.S. assault of the war in Vietnam was launched early in January to clean out a Viet Cong stronghold near Saigon called the Iron Triangle.

More than 30,000 American troops and several infantry battalions from the Republic of Vietnam are taking part in Operation Cedar Falls.

The joint U.S.-ARVN force has captured over 3,400 tons of enemy rice and 93 communists have been taken prisoner. In addition 122 VC surrendered and 408 suspects were held for questioning.

Over 5,500 residents of the area south of Saigon were relocated in a temporary settlement 13 miles north of Saigon. The villagers took with them thousands of cattle as well as household possessions.

Armored vehicles provide protection as a UH-1D helicopter extracts wounded soldiers from a landing zone carved out by Bravo Company, 4th Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade during Operation Cedar Falls. As the rescue operation continues, smoke from protective air strikes by F-100s rises near the landing zone. Brig. Gen. J.R. Deane, left, 173rd Airborne Brigade commander, talks with Maj. Gen. W.E. DuPuy, commander of the 1st Infantry Division. Troops wait in a clearing while an F-100 makes a low-level pass to soften enemy positions. Weapons and supplies captured during Operation Cedar Falls are displayed at the headquarters of 3rd Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Cpl. Robert C. Bass of Kalamazoo, Mich., a member of the 1/16th "Rangers," watches and waits. Chow time for soldiers from Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry (1/16th), 1st Infantry Division. Spec. 4 Fentom Wilson of Washington, D.C., Sgt. Knute R. Ingle of Mt. Holly. N.C., and Spec. 5 Riley J. Keys of St. Louis, Mo., help build a watchtower at Lai Khe. All are with the Radar Platoon, 2nd Bn., 28th Infantry (2/28th), 1st Infantry Div. Brig. Gen. John R. Deane, Jr., left, commanding general of the 173rd Airborne Brigade, inspects captured weapons during a visit with Bravo Company, 4th Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry.