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TET
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Rumors filled the air days before the annual TET cease fire, that there was a planned enemy offensive. Every Screaming Eagle went on alert, anticipating such a move. At 3 a.m. on January 31, the attack began. Rockets and mortars poured into the Bien Hoa Army and Air Force complex, allowing the enemy maneuver elements to move within striking distance of the base areas. At 5 a.m., the enemy force launched their ground attack. At the same time there was an attack on the U.S. Embassy in Saigon. A platoon of paratroopers from the 2nd Brigade made a rooftop assault and secured the embassy floor by floor. The attack on Bien Hoa was driven off by gunships and organic weapons fire by 10:00 that morning. The same day, the 2nd Bn., 506th Abn. Inf. was airlifted from Phuoc Vinh to sweep the immediate area surrounding the Eagle base camp. During the fighting and a succeeding follow-up operation named Uniontown, the Division amassed a total of 851 enemy killed. |
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