The magnificent bastards

by Keith William Nolan

Throughout 1968, U.S. Marine Corps units patrolled to the edge of the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and manned combat outposts stretching from the Laotian border to the South China Sea in an effort to seal the demarcation line and prevent the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) from infiltrating large units into the south. As part of the post-Tet American counter-offensive, the 3d Marine Division was preparing to attack NVA units staging along the DMZ when, on April 29, the 320th NVA Division was spotted less than four miles from the Marines's Dong Ha Combat Base. Brutal fighting soon developed in nearby Dai Do as the 2d Battalion, 4th Marines, known as the "Magnificent Bastards," struggled to eject NVA forces from this strategic hamlet located just two miles from the division's headquarters and main supply base. Aided by the "Gimlets" of the U.S. Army Americal Division's 3d Battalion, 21st Infantry, who became embroiled in a bitter battle at neighboring Nhi Ha, the "Magnificent Bastards" held thei