Final Act – LZ Albany

Following the close of the fighting around LZ X-Ray, NVA forces disengaged and disappeared into the surrounding foliage. U.S. commanders began removing their troops from the field primarily by helicopter, but because of extensive air traffic, the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry was ordered to march overland about two miles to an adjacent landing zone designated LZ Albany. What was supposed to be a short march in the sun instead led into danger, as the NVA had moved reserves and survivors from the fighting at LZ X-Ray into the area near the new landing zone. The American troops were strung out for over 500 yards along the line of march when the NVA sprang an ambush all along the column. Prevented from establishing a cohesive defensive perimeter, the Americans fought in small isolated clusters, separated from their company commanders, who had been called to the head of the column just before the ambush. Outnumbered, they fought desperately as NVA attacks overran many positions in vicious and confused fighting. The enemy kept up the pressure through a terrible night, with darkness deepening the defenders' uncertainty, and by daylight the NVA had withdrawn, allowing the Americans to consolidate, gather their dead and wounded, and be extracted from the area. LZ Albany was the tragic final act of the incursion into the Ia Drang Valley.

Pennsylvania · United States