India & Mike Companies
3rd Battalion 26th Marine Regiment
In honor and memory of the gallantry of India & Mike Companies, 3rd Bn 26th Marine Regiment and their supporting units, who defended Hill 881 South during the Battle of Khe Sanh in the Republic of Vietnam from 21 January to 14 April 1968, against numerically superior enemy forces.
India & Mike Companies and their supporting units on Hill 881 South, were commanded by Colonel (then Captain) William H. Dabney, who was awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism. Colonel Dabney reported to "Heavens Gate" on 15 February 2012.
Initially Hill 881S made for crowded conditions with approximately 400 Marines and Corpsmen. In addition to India and Mike Companies, there were two 81 mm mortars, two 106 mm recoilless rifles and three 105 mm howitzers from Charlie Btry, 1st Bn, 13th Marines. At times, casualties reduced that number to about 250 Marines and Corpsmen.
Enemy snipers, machine guns, artillery, and 120-millimeter mortars responded to any daylight movement on their positions. In spite of deep entrenchments, the total casualties during the siege were close to 100 percent. Helicopters were the only source of resupply, and each such mission brought down a cauldron of fire on the landing zones. A special bond developed between the Marines on Hill 881S and the aircrews of HMM-364 and HMM-262, who were the primary
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They were strong, tough men of "India" and "Mike" Companies, 3/26, surrounded by the Communist North Vietnamese Army (NVA), they daily risked life and limb for each other. They were so tough they took their r&r at Khe Sanh Combat Base, and they improvised not only to survive, but also to leave an indelible memory of pain on those enemies who would be fortunate enough to survive. The Marines took an unrelenting and brutal pounding and with cool efficiency provided what help they could to other Marines also under siege at Khe Sanh four miles to the east. And in doing so, they inspired others from all U.S. Forces providing support in one form or another to the beleaguered garrison at Khe Sanh.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam. In addition, it is included in the Distinguished Service Cross/Navy Cross/Air Force Cross Recipients series list. A significant historical date for this entry is February 15, 2012.
Location. 38° 32.571′ N, 77° 20.571′ W. Memorial is in Triangle, Virginia, in Prince William County. It can be reached from Jefferson Davis Highway (U.S. 1) 0.1 miles south of Joplin Road (Virginia Route 619), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Memorial is at or near this postal address: 18900 Jefferson Davis Hwy, Quantico VA 22134, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this memorial is in the Washington Metropolitan Area, in Northern Virginia, and in the Piedmont. It is also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, one of the original Thirteen Colonies, one of the Confederate States of America, and the Antebellum South.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: VMFA-333 Squadron History (here, next to this marker); 26th Marine Regiment (here, next to this marker); VMB-612 (here, next to this marker); Golf Company, The Basic School (here, next to this marker); 3d Battalion, 11th Marines (here, next to this marker); 42nd Officer Candidates School Class / The Basic School Class 4-67 (here, next to this marker); The CO Vans (here, next to this marker); 1942 (here, next to this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Triangle.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 13, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 1,524 times since then and 56 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 13, 2021, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
