Middlesex Township in Carlisle in Cumberland County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Final Act LZ Albany
November 17-18, 1965
Following the close of the fighting around Landing Zone (LZ) X-Ray, the NVA forces disengaged and disappeared into the surrounding foliage. US commanders began to remove their troops from the field primarily by helicopter. Because of the extensive air traffic, the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry was ordered to march overland to an adjacent landing zone about two miles away designated LZ Albany. This movement was supposed to be merely a short march in the sun.
Unknown to these forces, the NVA had moved elements of their reserves and survivors from the fighting at LZ X-Ray into the area near the new landing zone. The American troops were strung out for over 500 yards along the line of march when the NVA sprung an ambush along the column. Prevented from establishing a cohesive defensive perimeter, the Americans had to fight in small clusters, isolated from their company commanders who had been called to the head of the column just before the ambush. The Americans were outnumbered and fought desperately. NVA attacks overran many positions in the vicious and confused fighting.
The enemy continued the pressure on the Americans through a terrible night, and the darkness only added to the defender's uncertainty. By daylight the NVA had withdrawn all the Americans to consolidate, gather their dead and wounded, and be extracted
this page online
LZ Albany was a tragic final act of the incursion into the Ia Drang Valley.
Erected by The United States Army War College; United States Army Heritage and Education Center.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, Vietnam.
Location. 40° 12.305′ N, 77° 9.457′ W. Marker is in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, in Cumberland County. It is in Middlesex Township. It can be reached from Army Heritage Trail south of Soldiers Drive, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 180 Army Heritage Trail, Carlisle PA 17013, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in South-Central Pennsylvania and in Greater Harrisburg. It is also in the American Northeast, in the Mid-Atlantic, in Appalachia, and specifically in Northern Appalachia. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Colonel Joseph D. Newsome (here, next to this marker); The Battle of the Ia Drang Valley (a few steps from this marker); Bill Beck and Russell Adams (a few steps from this marker); 360 Degrees of Fire (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named The Ia Drang Battlefield (a few steps from this marker); Colonel Vincent J. Tedesco, Jr. (within shouting distance of this marker); One-Oh-Five (within shouting distance of this marker); Duty (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Carlisle.
Other markers no longer nearby. Guard Tower (was a few steps
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. This marker has replaced the linked marker.
Credits. This page was last revised on March 1, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 1, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 581 times since then and 58 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on March 1, 2023, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
