41st Anniversary Battle of Hue City
February 14-27, 2009

TOUR HOST: Col Chuck Meadows, USMC CO, G/2/5

Tour Director: Ed Garr

Feb 14 Sat - (Day One) Depart Los Angeles early morning on a flight to Inchon, Korea. Cross International Dateline, lose a day.

Feb 15 Sun - (Day Two) Arrive in Incheon and transfer to a flight to Vietnam. Arrive Hanoi late in the early afternoon and transfer to our hotel. Hotel: ICC Hotel Meals: (D)

Feb 16 Mon - (Day Three) A full day tour of sights of military interest in Hanoi, to include the National Army Museum, Hoa Lo Prison ("The Hanoi Hilton"), the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and Presidential Palace, and other sites as time permits. After lunch, and if permission can be obtained, we will go to the Joint Task Force Full Accounting Headquarters for a briefing on current body-recovery activities in Vietnam. In the evening, open house with the U.S Embassy Marine Guard Detachment. Hotel: ICC (B/L/D)

Feb 17 Tue - (Day Four) We depart Hanoi early in the morning for our flight to Hue. Proceed to our hotel and check in and have lunch at the hotel. The remainder of the day will be devoted to personal exploration of the city on your own. Hotel: Huong Giang (B/L/D)

Feb 18 Wed - (Day Five) Today we begin our exploration of the start of the Tet Offensive in the Phu Bai area of operations as 1/1st Marines and the 1st & 2nd Bns of the 5th Marines react to the attack including the relief of the CAP position and the movement to Hue to defend the MACV compound and the assuault across the Nguyen Hoang bridge. In the afternoon there will be a walking tour, in the footsteps of the original participants in January-February of 1968. Key objectives will be the treasury and postal buildings as well as the pivotal provincial capital building. Hotel: Huong Giang (B/L/D)

Feb 19 Thu - (Day Six) Today's historical focus is on the battle areas south of the Perfume River. There will be guided commentary on the actions and movements of 2/5 by the Cercle Sportif, Thua Thien Provincial HQ all the way to the Railroad Station. Continuing on past the Catholic Church all the way back to where Golf Company began at the Shell Station. The remaider of the day will be for R&R or exploration of this former French colonial capital. Hotel: Huong Giang (B/L/Dinner on own)

Feb 20 Fri - (Day Seven) This morning our emphasis is on the battle for the Citadel: we cover the significant actions north of the Perfume River in the re-taking of the Citadel. The primary focus will be on the battle of the "Phase Lines," the ARVN Headquarters, and the old airstrip. There will be time for exploration within the Citadel and the Forbidden City. Today we will also cover the efforts of U.S. Army units 2nd Bn, 12th Cavalry (Cav) and 5th Bn, 7th Cav in the blocking positions northwest of the city later joined by 1st Bn, 7th Cav and 2nd Bn 501st Infantry. Hotel: Huong Giang (B/L/D on own)

Feb 21 Sat - (Day Eight) Early morning departure as we travel west on Route 9 towards the Lao Border. Our objective is Khe Sanh, with side visits to Lang Vei Special Forces Camp, a view of the Lao Border and Co Roc. We will travel the extent of Route 9, stopping at Camp Carroll, The Rockpile, The Razorback, Khe Gia Bridge, Da Krong, LZ Stud, and Khe Sanh Village. If time allows, a stop at a Bru tribal village. Hotel: Don Truong Son (B/L/D)

Feb 22 Sun - (Day Nine) Today we tour Quang Tri Province. Along the way we will pass Ai Tu Airstrip (Quang Tri City also overrun during the Tet Offensive) on our way to visit sites in "Leatherneck Square" - Con Thien, Cam Lo, "The Wash-out", Gio Linh, The Peace Bridge at the Ben Hai River. This evening we enjoy a special dinner at the Tan Chau Restaurant in Dong Ha. In the late afternoon we head for Da Nang. Hotel: Hoi An (B/L/D on own)

Feb 23 Mon - (Day Ten) This morning we get an early start for a full day of touring along the Tu Bon - Vu Gia River basin, including the western edge of the "Rocket Belt." Our emphasis includes Hill 55, 65, 37, An Hoa Combat Base, Liberty Bridge, the Arizona Territory, Go Noi Island, & other sites. Hotel: Hoi An (B/L/D on own)

Feb 24 Tue - (Day Eleven) We proceed through the Chu Lai area with stops at Hill 69 and 43. We will view the old Chu Lai airbase, which is currently a commercial and military airfield. Hotel: Plaza (B/L/D)

Feb 25 Wed - (Day Twelve) This day will be devoted to touring of Da Nang, Red Beach, Marble Mountain, NSA, China Beach, and the old Air Facility. Lunch in Hoi An and the remainder of the day devoted to exploring the Hoi An shopping area. Hotel: Plaza (B/L/D on own)

Feb 26 Thu - (Day Thirteen) Return to Hanoi on the early morning flight and check in at the ICC. We depart for the airport in the late evening for our flight to Inchon. Hotel: ICC (B/L/-)

Feb 27 Fri - (Day Fourteen) We depart Hanoi for Inchon at 0030, and after a short lay over, we board our Korea Air Flight for Los Angeles, arriving at LAX Feb 27 at 0840.