Search and Destroy

Search and Destroy, or Seek and Destroy, or even simply S&D, refers to a military strategy that became a component of the Vietnam War.

What do you know about Search and Destroy? Take this Vietnam War History Made Easy Trivia quiz.

1. The idea was to insert ground forces into hostile territory on special missions to target enemy forces and withdraw immediately afterwards, a strategy that was thought to be ideally suited for counter-guerrilla / jungle warfare.

• True or False?

2. The complementary conventional strategy, which entailed attacking and conquering an enemy position, then fortifying and holding it indefinitely. What was it known as?

• Clear and Hold
• Gun and Down
• Take Over

3. Missions were mainly assigned to the second phase along with operations “Clear and Secure.” What were the years the mission was used?

• 1963 thru 1965
• 1966 and 1967
• 1968 to 1970

4. Search and destroy missions entailed sending out platoons, companies or larger detachments of US troops from a fortified position to locate and destroy Vietcong or NVA units in the countryside. Where did it most commonly involved hiking out into?

• "boonies"
• "delta"
• "hamburger hills?

5. The mission set up an ambush in the brush, near a suspected VC trail. The ambush typically involved use of fixed Claymore anti-personnel mines, crossing lines of small arms fire, mortar support, and possibly additional artillery support called in via radio from a nearby firebase.

• True or False?

6. In February 1967, the largest mission was operated in an area located between Saigon and Routes 13 and 25. What was the area known as?

• Delta Gold
• Ironsides
• Iron Triangle

7. The largest mission began with an offensive began where the American units assigned had destroyed hundreds of tons of rice, killed 720 guerillas, and captured 213 prisoners. What was the operation known as?

• Operation New Signs
• Operation Victory
• Operation Junction City

8. Large numbers of Viet Cong troops would be killed or captured, however they were quickly replaced. Although enemy forces were pushed out of certain territories, as soon as the American forces left the areas, the North Vietnamese returned with more reinforcement.

• True or False?

9. The missions created millions of refugees who lost their homes. This hurt the economic system, the political and social system in South Vietnam. What food production areas were often destroyed?

• Rice paddies
• Corn fields
• Cranberry fields

10. In one of the first Search and Destroy missions northwest of Dau Tieng, named Operation Attleboro, the North Vietnamese lost 1,106 soldiers. How many U.S. soldiers were killed?

• 155
• 255
• 555

Battle of A Shau Answers

1. True
2. Clear and Hold
3. 1966 and 1967
4. "boonies"
5. True
6. Iron Triangle
7. Operation Junction City
8. True
9. Rice paddies
10. 155