Vietnam war in-country embroidered patch measures approximately 3" by 3.75", used condition. A valuable addition to your Vietnam war military memorabilia collection.

Task Force X-Ray was a significant unit of the 1st Marine Division during the Vietnam War. It is best known for its pivotal role in the Battle of Ia Drang, which took place from November 14 to November 18, 1965. The Battle of Ia Drang was the first major engagement between the United States Army and the North Vietnamese Army (NVA).

Task Force X-Ray was a temporary, ad-hoc unit formed specifically for the Battle of Ia Drang. It consisted of elements from the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment (1/7th Cav) of the U.S. Army, and Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment (1/5th Cav) of the 1st Cavalry Division, and elements of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, which was part of the 1st Air Cavalry Division (Airmobile).

Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Hal Moore, Task Force X-Ray was airlifted into the Ia Drang Valley in the Central Highlands of South Vietnam to search for and engage NVA units in the area. The battle began on November 14, 1965, when elements of the 1/7th Cav were inserted by helicopters into Landing Zone X-Ray.

The battle was fierce and intense, with both sides suffering heavy casualties. Task Force X-Ray endured repeated attacks from the NVA, but their disciplined and courageous efforts, combined with effective air and artillery support, enabled them to repel the enemy assaults.

The Battle of Ia Drang marked a turning point in the Vietnam War, highlighting the importance of helicopter mobility and air support in modern warfare. The performance of Task Force X-Ray and the other units during this battle demonstrated the effectiveness of airmobile tactics in counterinsurgency operations.

Task Force X-Ray's successful defense of Landing Zone X-Ray and subsequent operations in the area were portrayed in the book "We Were Soldiers Once... And Young" by Lieutenant General Hal Moore and war correspondent Joseph Galloway. The book was later adapted into the movie "We Were Soldiers," starring Mel Gibson as Hal Moore.

The Battle of Ia Drang was significant in the broader context of the Vietnam War and influenced future military strategies and tactics. Task Force X-Ray's valiant efforts and sacrifices in this battle remain an important part of the history of the U.S. military's involvement in Vietnam.