In 1965, the United States and North Vietnamese forces fought a critical battle in the Vietnam War known as the Battle of Ia Drang Valley. It was the first significant battle between the two antagonistic groups. The combat, which took place in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam, had two distinct phases: the first, which lasted from November 14 to 16, and the second, which lasted from November 17 to 18. Airmobile operations were used by U.S. forces, in which helicopters were used to rapidly deploy and resupply troops.

The North Vietnamese Army’s 66th Regiment faced up against the United States’ 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, led by Lt. Col. Hal Moore. Ambushes, close quarters fighting, and significant casualties were hallmarks of the war, which was fought in tight terrain. The U.S. declared victory in the end, but the lessons learned highlighted the difficulties of asymmetrical warfare. The novel “We Were Soldiers Once… and Young” and its film adaptation brought the conflict and the sacrifices of the men on both sides into the public consciousness.