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====Operation Starlite====

In an effort to further secure the region, the marines launched Operation Starlite in August of 1965. In order to prevent further attacks like the one on Da Nang in July, the plan was to strike out with a combined air and ground force, supported by naval artillery, at an area where Viet Cong were suspected of concentrating. The plan was to make an amphibious landing near Van Tuong and push northward. In addition, three landing zones were planned further west to surround the Viet Cong forces. After the multiple landings were executed, the marines meant to push the Viet Cong into an exposed position where the naval fire power of the United States could be brought to bear and destroy the opposition. Two significant factors are worth mentioning about the planning of Operation Starlite. First, this was going to be an “American Only” operation. Until this point, Americans were in a supporting role, if they were present at all. Second, and dovetailing with the first factor, was that the Army of the Republic of Vietnam were not informed of the operation.