Video: 'Battle of Hill 937 aka Hamburger Hill'

(Saturday, May 10, 1969; during the Vietnam War, part of the Indochina Wars and the Cold War) — The Battle of Hamburger Hill, a battle of the Vietnam War that was fought by U.S. Army and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces against People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) forces during Operation Apache Snow, began today.

Although the heavily fortified Hill 937 was of little strategic value, U.S. command ordered its capture by a frontal assault, only to abandon it soon after it was secured on May 20, 1969, at 5:00 p.m. The action caused a controversy both in the American military and public.

The battle was primarily an infantry engagement, with the U.S. Airborne troops moving up the steeply-sloped hill against well entrenched troops. Attacks were repeatedly repelled by the PAVN defenses. Bad weather also hindered operations. Nevertheless, the Airborne troops took the hill through direct assault, causing extensive casualties to the PAVN forces.