Operation Kalamazoo

Operation Kalamazoo
DateApril 13-14, 1966
Location
Hố Bò woods
11°3′16.44″N 106°40′46.06″E / 11.0545667°N 106.6794611°E / 11.0545667; 106.6794611
Belligerents
U.S. Army Viet Cong
Units involved
25th Infantry Division
-5th Infantry Regiment
-69th Armor Regiment
Casualties and losses
7 killed, 27 wounded 9 killed, 15 prisoners
Operation Kalamazoo is located in South Vietnam
Operation Kalamazoo
Location within South Vietnam

Operation Kalamazoo (sometimes called Operation Keana) was a search and destroy mission during the Vietnam War led by Task Force GREER composed of elements of the 5th Infantry Regiment of the 25th Infantry Division supported by 69th Armor Regiment in the Hố Bò woods area on 13–14 April 1966.

The operation's goal was to destroy Viet Cong forces in the Hố Bò woods near the Filhol Plantation. The mechanized task force moved into the woods early on 13 April and met little initial resistance, but the deeper they went, the more resistance they faced including automatic weapons, rifle grenades, mortars, RPGs, tunnels, booby traps, and extensive minefields.

The American forces deployed M113 armored personnel carriers (APC), tanks and a vehicle recovery track and helicopter gunships against the enemy forces. At the conclusion, the task force identified Rach Son Creek, north of the area as a newly discovered tunnel system.

The operation ended with 9 enemy killed and 15 prisoners and the destruction of weapons, supplies, tunnels and buildings used by the enemy. The task force suffered 7 killed (mainly from B Company, 1st Battalion) and 27 wounded. Additionally, four APCs were damaged, primarily by mines.

References

  1. 1 2 Mountin-Luyat, Stephane (2009). "VIETNAM COMBAT OPERATIONS – 1966" (PDF). Vietnam Combat Operations.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "ARMY 1966 2ND BDE 25TH INF OR LL KALAMAZOO". The Vietnam Center & Sam Johnson Vietnam Archive at Texas Tech University. May 7, 1966.
  3. 1 2 Miner, Dennis (2015-04-29). "Remembrance: Willits Gallant Men on the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War". The Willits News. Retrieved 2026-09-19.
  4. ↑ "1LT Frank Anthony D'Amico, Gloucester, MA on www.VirtualWall.org The Virtual Wall® Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall". www.virtualwall.org. Retrieved 2026-09-19.