Huế retaken. February 25, 1968

The last Communist positions in the city of Huế were retaken by Vietnamese Marines on this day in 1968.

Marines in Huế.

In the United States the battle is associated with the U.S. Marines in the same fashion that many of the worst battles of World War Two are, and for good reason. The battle was a rare, hard fought, street to street, house to house battle.  Taken by the NVA and VC in the opening days of Tet, the city was recaptured only through hard fighting efforts by the Marines, Vietnamese Marines and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, the latter of which has had its role in the battle somewhat forgotten.   The battle would result in the loss of 216 U.S. Marines lives and 452 South Vietnamese combatants.  Communist losses are unknown with estimates ranging from a low of 1,000 to over 8,000 killed.  Communist forces executed 4,856 South Vietnamese while in control of the city, something that is a basic hallmark of Communist forces everywhere.

U.S. Marine with M60 machinegun in Huế.

On this day, the last position in the city, as noted, was taken by Vietnamese Marines.  Outside the city a Communist position was taken by ARVN Rangers.   Mopping up operations would continue on for some days after the recapture of the city.