Faced with increasing attacks, US Commander Westmoreland shifts tactics. His aim? To force the Vietnamese into a traditional battle where American firepower dominates. Operation Starlight marks the first major offensive. #VietnamWar #Westmoreland #OperationStarlight #MilitaryHistory #USHistory | War Stories

8 March 1965 - #OTD the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade landed at DaNang, Republic of Vietnam as the first U.S. ground combat troops to be committed to that conflict. The 3,500 men arrived both across the beach with Battalion Landing Team 3/9, and at Da Nang Airfield with Battalion Landing Team 1/3. Find out more about this date in history in our Vietnam Gallery or visit our Virtual Experience: http://www.virtualusmcmuseum.com/Vietnam_1.asp. | National Museum of the Marine Corps

136K views · 15 reactions | On this day in 1965, Operation Starlite came to an end. It was the first regimental-sized battle of the Vietnam War. Fifty-four American lives were lost in the week-long battle. Before Starlite, the enemy had no appreciation of how the Marines could apply power from the sea. After Starlite, they never again positioned another large unit near the coast. Semper Fidelis, Marines. | U.S. Marine Corps | Facebook