Operation Austin IV was a search and destroy operation conducted by the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division and the 173rd Airborne Brigade in western Quang Duc and Phước Long Provinces, from 1 to 18 May 1966.^[1]

Quick Facts Date, Location ...

Operation Austin IV
Part of Vietnam War
Date 1–18 May 1966 Location Phước Long Province, South Vietnam Result U.S. claims operational success
Belligerents
United States	North Vietnam
Commanders and leaders
BG Willard Pearson Lt.Col. Henry E. Emerson
Units involved
1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division 173rd Airborne Brigade	141st Regiment
Casualties and losses
9 killed	US body count: 101 killed 148 estimated killed 6 captured

Close

Operation Austin IV was a search and destroy operation near the Cambodian border in II Corps.^[1]

On 1 May the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment conducted a helicopter assault near Bu Prang Camp and patrolled the area until 6 May without making any contact with the PAVN. Also on 1 May the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment was deployed by helicopter onto 2 infiltration routes from Cambodia and patrolled the area until 8 May without making any contact.^[2]: 28

On 6 May following intelligence indicating the presence of enemy forces near the abandoned Special Forces base at Bù Gia Mập, the 2/502nd was moved from Bu Prang to Bù Gia Mập and were joined by A Troop 17th Cavalry Regiment on 8 May and the 1/327th on 10 May. On 10 May Company A, 2/502nd captured a soldier from the PAVN 141st Regiment who revealed that 4 companies of his unit were waiting in an ambush nearby. On 11 May Company A, 2/502nd and A/17th Cavalry encircled the PAVN ambush position and then called in air and artillery strikes, which resulted in claims of the destruction of most of a PAVN battalion.^{[3][2]: 28–9}

On 14 May a B-52 strike took place northwest of Bù Gia Mập and 2/502nd and 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry Regiment were sent into the area to exploit the strike but met only scattered resistance. On 17 May 2/502nd was flown out of Bù Gia Mập to Nhon Co (11.978°N 107.565°E / 11.978; 107.565), while 2/503rd was flown by helicopter to Sông Bé Base Camp. On 18 May 1/327th was flown out to Nhon Co.^[2]: 29

Operation Austin IV officially concluded on 18 May, with the US claiming PAVN losses were at 101 killed, 148 estimated killed and 6 captured, U.S. losses were 9 killed.^[2]: 30