Operation STARLITE, the first major Marine Corps operation in Vietnam, was launched on 18 August 1965 and lasted until 24 August. A presumptive strike was directed at the 1st Viet Cong Regiment base camp near the village of Van Tuong, 15 miles from Chu Lai. On the morning of 18 August, a large number of US troops, including four Marine battalions (3d Battalion, 3d Marines; 2d Battalion, 4th Marines; 3d Battalion, 7th Marines and 1st Battalion, 7th Marines Special Landing Force), a tank and armored battalion, two 105mm cannon battalions, six landing vessels and aircraft launched an operation, advancing toward Van Tuong. After heavy shelling and bombing, US troops were divided into four contingents to attack Van Tuong from four directions. The first contingent from Chu Lai followed the road to Van Tuong while two contingents came from the sea and the remaining contingent landed from the air.
Major Donald Gordon Radcliff, a tanker during the Korean War, by 1965, was flying helicopters for the First Cavalry Division in the Central Highlands. When the site selection committee for the 1st Cavalry Division was exploring locations for possible inclusion of their base camp, the Marine Corps put out a call for all available helicopters in the greater area to support Operation STARLITE, and Major Radcliff and his crew volunteered. He flew from II Corps to I Corps to assist the Marines at Chu Lai. On 18 August 1965, during a Marine Corps troop lift, in which he was participating, Major Radcliff was killed at Landing Zone Blue, and subsequently the First Cavalry Division Base Camp at An Khe was named in his honor (see "IN HONOR AND MEMORY" page 326).
Major Donald Gordon Radcliff, a tanker during the Korean War, by 1965, was flying helicopters for the First Cavalry Division in the Central Highlands. When the site selection committee for the 1st Cavalry Division was exploring locations for possible inclusion of their base camp, the Marine Corps put out a call for all available helicopters in the greater area to support Operation STARLITE, and Major Radcliff and his crew volunteered. He flew from II Corps to I Corps to assist the Marines at Chu Lai. On 18 August 1965, during a Marine Corps troop lift, in which he was participating, Major Radcliff was killed at Landing Zone Blue, and subsequently the First Cavalry Division Base Camp at An Khe was named in his honor (see "IN HONOR AND MEMORY" page 326).
 Major Donald G. Radcliff, as a captain, US Army. Photo courtesy of Connell Radcliff |  Aerial view of Camp Radcliff, An Khe. Photo by COL Bentley Herbert, USA (ret.) |
Meanwhile, at Van Tuong Village, on the border of Quang Tin/Quang Ngai provinces, I Corps, Captain Bruce Douglas Webb, company commander of India Company, 3d Battalion, 3d Marines, 3d Marine Division, was killed by a Viet Cong feigning death who hurled a grenade while Captain Webb was admonishing a platoon sergeant for shooting "already dead" Viet Cong. Captain Webb was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic leadership in earlier outflanking the enemy, and setting an example of calmness and courage during the operation. Camp Bruce E. Webb, Chu Lai, was ultimately named in his honor (see "IN HONOR AND MEMORY" page 422) .
 Bruce D. Webb Photo by Northwest University Library (Arts 1955) |  Camp Bruce D. Webb, Chu Lai, Quang Tin Province |
L/Cpl Joe C. Paul, US Marine Corps Also, on 18 August 1965, Lance Corporal (L/Cpl) Joe Calvin Paul was serving with Hotel Company, 2d Battalion, 4th Marines when, after his unit was pinned down by enemy fire, sustaining several casualties, he advanced between the enemy positions and his fellow Marines, laying down suppressive fire until his comrades could be evacuated. L/Cpl Paul was hit by enemy fire. He died the following day on 19 August 1965. The Medal of Honor was posthumously awarded to him and the USS Joe C. Paul (FF-1080), launched on 20 June 1970, was named in his honor (see "IN HONOR AND MEMORY" page 305A).
Operation STARLITE involved approximately 5,500 US Marines. Ultimately, the 1st Viet Cong Regiment and their supporting units were decimated. Our US forces suffered 51 killed and 203 wounded. It has been an education for us to learn and write about Operation STARLITE; Major Radcliff, Captain Webb and L/Cpl Paul, and this week we remember their sacrifice and dedication to duty.
Operation STARLITE involved approximately 5,500 US Marines. Ultimately, the 1st Viet Cong Regiment and their supporting units were decimated. Our US forces suffered 51 killed and 203 wounded. It has been an education for us to learn and write about Operation STARLITE; Major Radcliff, Captain Webb and L/Cpl Paul, and this week we remember their sacrifice and dedication to duty.
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