Masters of the Art A Fighting Marine's Memoir of Vietnam cover

Victory Betrayed

Operation Dewey Canyon: The US Marines in Vietnam

In Vietnam, while American troops were fighting in the jungles, mountains, and rice paddies, global politicians, diplomats and other bureaucrats were engaged in an unending dance of deception, deceit and geo-political maneuvering. Representatives of free-world and communist factions each knew what the other side was doing. Yet neither side wanted to confront the facts head on, as that could lead to a nuclear conflagration. So they played their games, while the Marines dealt with reality. In Operation Dewey Canyon reality was manifested in such a complete smackdown on the communists that many politicians and bureaucrats were loath to admit it happened!

Dewey Canyon was unique in many ways. It was the first Marine battle in the Vietnam War that was completely dependent on helicopters for transport, reinforcement, resupply, and medical evacuations. It also was conducted during the depths of the monsoon season which often made it impossible for the helicopters to fly. Thus the infantry and artillerymen often were left to their own devices. Yet they prevailed.

After two months of vicious battle, including a week of fighting in Laos in which they interdicted the vaunted Ho Chi Minh Trail, the 9th Marines emerged victorious, believing they had changed the course of the war. In the end, Operation Dewey Canyon provided a blueprint for a successful end to the Vietnam War–for free-world forces. In the end, that blueprint was rolled up, put away on a shelf somewhere to be ignored, and even disdained by the very people who should have rejoiced in its existence. In the end, America’s politicians and bureaucrats disrespected the troops who gave them victory upon victory, and these same politicians and bureaucrats set the stage for the slaughter of some 3 million residents of Southeast Asia.

Regardless of how history judges the United State’s long and bloody engagement in Southeast Asia, “Victory Betrayed” stands as a vivid testament to the valor and tenacity of the Marines who fought there.

“Victory Betrayed” reveals how Congress enacted laws preventing further incursions into Laos or Cambodia, ultimately abandoning South Vietnam, resulting in some 3 million deaths in Southeast Asia.

While the Marines and their South Vietnamese counterparts decimated (the) communists, forces in the US worked to undermine their victory, prolonging the conflict to the benefit of the North Vietnamese.

Vietnam occupied my life from 1965 when I was drafted to 1975 when the war ended. In between I spent 20 months in country with the US Army as an Intelligence Officer and two years there with the CIA as a Special Operations Officer. It was frustrating that we seemed to win all the battles, and not the war. This was particularly evident after the 1968 TET Offensive which essentially eliminated the Viet Cong Infrastructure, but did not diminish the North Vietnamese offensives. The reason was obviously the military’s reluctance to conduct cross-border operations into Laos to sever the Ho Chi Minh Trail – North Vietnam’s life line for troops and supplies. This ended in the spring of 1969 with the US Marine Corps’ two-month long “Operation Dewey Canyon,” which included a “legal but politically incorrect” foray into Laos. Ron Winter’s thorough analysis of this operation also describes how politicians and so-call anti-war activists ignored or condemned this success. Then in a tragic act of betrayal, Congress’ 1970 Cooper-Church Amendment outlawed any future operations outside of South Vietnam. Like the title of the book, it was truly “Victory Betrayed.”orth Vietnamese.

“Victory Betrayed” captures the logistical challenges caused by bad weather, the ‘adapt and overcome’ spirit of every Marine, the bold tactical decisions made by commanders at all levels, and highlights the important role artillery, “The King of Battle,” played in the overall mission accomplishment.

Operation Dewey Canyon was a prime example of the Marine Corps' Air/Ground team fighting at its best in Vietnam. “Victory Betrayed” captures what it took to bring off an epic defeat of a strong, determined, and entrenched enemy force. Yet, by 1969, no Marine fighting in Vietnam had any illusions regarding the “stab-in-the-back” they were subjected to from their own feckless Congressional leadership, the US news media, and the easily manipulated anti-war movement back home. Ron's commentary, in this regard is right on target, and worth the read itself.

As a Marine helicopter pilot flying missions in support of Dewey Canyon, “Victory Betrayed” reveals how our military leaders were taking bold, creative steps to fight an elusive enemy. Ron Winter describes this operation in concise and brisk terms, often with information directly from the combatants, which keeps the narrative consistently interesting.

Operation Dewey Canyon was an Impossibly audacious, spectacularly executed Marine Victory against America’s enemies.