Junction City

Operation Junction City, the largest U.S. operation of the war, is launched. Four U.S. divisions, as well as additional brigades, are involved in a massive search and destroy mission, along the Cambodian Border. American troops overrun much of the area, before encountering significant resistance. There are three major battles, each initiated by the Viet Cong: the first, at Ap Bau Bang; the second, at Fire Support Base Gold and the third at Ap Gu. In each battle, the Vietcong attack U.S. forces and are repulsed, suffering very heavy losses. In all, the Viet Cong lose 2,728 troops in the battles, while the U.S. loses 282 troops. Nevertheless, the Viet Cong headquarters, one of the targets of the operation, is not captured and, once the U.S. troops withdraw, the area is reoccupied by the Communists.