Vietnam War/Counteroffensive Phase V Campaign (68)/ Battle at Cam Le Bridge
From Month/Year
August / 1968
To Month/Year
August / 1968
Description At 0300 23 August the Marine security outposts at the Cam Le Bridge just south of Danang came under heavy attack by what appeared to be most of a North Vietnamese battalion. Although the outpost on the north bank of the river held out, the outpost on the south side was overrun after a four hour fight. A reaction force from the 1st MP Bn (which had elements of the 3rd MP Bn attached) moved to reinforce the north bank outpost, while elements of the 1/27 and 2/27 Marines, supported by tanks from the 1st Tank Bn moved to recapture the southern end of the bridge. The fighting lasted well into the 23rd and resulted in a number of US killed and wounded - but the actions north and south of the river and follow-up sweeps by the Marines and the 52nd ARVN Infantry on 24-26 August resulted in several hundred NVA dead left on the field. The number of casualties at the Cam Le Bridge is difficult to determine with exactitude because a number of different units were involved. Close reading of the Command Chronologies shows that not fewer than 15 Marines and sailors died in the fight for the Cam Le Bridge:
D Co, 1st MP Bn: LCpl Hylan L. Crowder, Winona, MS LCpl John A. Eller, Norfolk, VA (Silver Star) LCpl Albert Mc Bride, New York, NY Pfc Walter M. Henry, Seattle, WA (Silver Star)
H&S Co, 3rd MP Bn: Cpl Robert D. Purdie, Sherman Oaks, CA HN Alan R. Gerrish, Woburn, MA (Navy Cross) LCpl Harold J. Klusendorf, Troy, MI LCpl Jerry A. Weimer, Fort Morgan, CO Pfc Christopher L. Chambers, Molalla, OR
A Co, 1st Bn, 27th Marines: LCpl Henry H. Ballew, South Roxana, IL LCpl Leo M. Jennette, Buxton, NC
H&S Co, 1st Bn, 27th Marines: HM3 Charles R. Golling, Nevada, OH HM2 Danny L. Grimshaw, Seattle, WA
E Co, 2nd Bn, 27th Marines: LCpl Michael L. Cooper, Chesapeake, WV
F Co, 2nd Bn, 27th Marines: LCpl George A. Kyricos, Tewksbury, MA
