Battle of An Bao

The Battle of An Bao occurred from 5 to 6 May 1968 in Bình Định province during the Vietnam War. It involved elements of the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) 3rd Division ambushing a unit of the U.S. 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry Regiment (Mechanized). The battle was part of the PAVN's May Offensive, led by Major General Chu Huy Mân, who ordered the 3rd Division to attack the 1/50th Infantry at Landing Zone Uplift.

On 5 May, PAVN forces ambushed two platoons from Company A, 1/50th Infantry, near An Bao village. The U.S. force, traveling in M113s, encountered PAVN troops and initially engaged them but were soon overwhelmed by RPGs, mortar fire, and machine gun attacks. This led to the disabling of command vehicles and the retreat of some U.S. forces. Reinforcements, including tanks from Company C, 1/50th Infantry, and M48s from the 1st Battalion, 69th Armored Regiment, arrived later that day. Despite heavy resistance and muddy conditions, U.S. forces managed to withdraw and establish a night defense position.

On 6 May, PAVN forces launched another attack at dawn but were repelled. The Americans advanced again later that morning, finding empty bunkers after the PAVN had withdrawn. The battle concluded with MACV claiming it as a U.S. victory, with 117 PAVN soldiers killed and 70 weapons recovered. Eighteen Americans were reported killed in the action.