Air Power and the Fight for Khe Sanh

The intense battle for Khe Sanh in 1968 saw 6,000 U.S. Marines and South Vietnamese Rangers face off against a significantly larger North Vietnamese force. Over 70 days, the defenders, entrenched around the airstrip, were pressured by continuous assaults. Initially, the deployment aimed to intercept Communist movements along Highway 9. However, upon discovering the buildup of enemy troops, Gen. William C. Westmoreland ordered the Marines to maintain their position, leading to a critical and prolonged confrontation in the Vietnam War.