Battle of Hill 488: SSgt Jimmie Howard and 1st Recon Battalion

In June 1966, a significant portion of the 1st Marine Division’s Area of Operations (AO) included the provinces of Quang Ngai and Quang Tin, in the southern portion of the I Corps Military Region. Straddling the two are the hills of Que Son Valley, including Nui Vu: also known as Hill 488.. Reports of North Vietnamese forces moving into the strategically important valley in mid-June necessitated a response. General Lewis Walt, III, Amphibious Force and 3rd Marine Division commander, deployed elements of 1st Recon Battalion, including a team led by SSgt Jimmie Howard, to the valley.

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-Alemaster