Duluth (LPD 6) - Naval Cruise Book

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During the period 13-24 December, 1968, DULUTH participated in Operation BOLD MARINER, which was the largest amphibious land- ing since the landing at In- chon, Korea during the Ko- rean Conflict. The forces in- volved in this large operation included both Amphibious Ready Groups ALFA and BRAVO, with embarked Ma- rine landing forces, various naval gunfire support ships of the U. S. Seventh Fleet, as well as ground forces of the U. S. Americal Division, and Army of the Republic of Vietnam. The objective area, the Batangan Peninsula, located about 40 miles south of Da Nang, had been a Viet Cong stronghold for almost 20 years. After a heavy pound- ing of the assault area by Naval gunfire and Marine fighter bomber air strikes, DULUTH landed elements of the Marine Battalion Landing Team 2 26 by helicopter, LVT ' s, and LCM-8 assault craft. Then she remained in constant support of the Ma- rines ashore for the dura- tion of the operation. BOLD MARINER resulted in 100 VC NVA killed or captured.

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