The ‘March of Folly’: America’s headlong lurch into Vietnam began with just 3,500 Marines
A significant event in US history occurred on March 8, 1965, when the first combat troops arrived in Vietnam. The 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade, consisting of 3,500 Marines, landed in the coastal city of Da Nang. Unlike previous wartime experiences, they were met with a welcoming ceremony, complete with girls placing wreaths around their necks and a sign that read "Welcome, Gallant Marines".
The Marines then proceeded to seize Hill 327, which was found to be unoccupied by enemy forces. Instead, they encountered rock apes, also known as gorillas. This marked the beginning of a long and complex US involvement in Vietnam.
Further details about this event and its significance are available from the Council on Foreign Relations and other sources.
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