Operation Sam Houston begins as a continuation of border surveillance operations in Pleiku and Kontum Provinces in the Central Highlands by units from the U.S. 4th and 25th Infantry Divisions. The purpose of the operation was to interdict the movement of North Vietnamese troops and equipment into South Vietnam from communist sanctuaries in Cambodia and Laos. The operation ended on April 5. A total of 169 U.S. soldiers were killed in action; 733 enemy casualties were reported.
Also on This Day
- Lead Story
- Batista forced out by Castro-led revolution, 1959
- American Revolution
- Mutiny of the Pennsylvania Line, 1781
- Automotive
- Edsel Ford succeeds father as president of Ford, 1919
- Civil War
- The Emancipation Proclamation takes effect, 1863
- Cold War
- Cuban dictator Batista falls from power, 1959
- Crime
- The real-life murder behind Looking For Mr. Goodbar, 1973
- Disaster
- Air India jet crashes just after takeoff, 1978
- General Interest
- New Year's Day, 45 B.C.
- Haitian independence proclaimed, 1803
- Emancipation Proclamation goes into effect, 1863
- First modern Mummers' Parade, 1876
- Hollywood
- Sneak preview of The Birth of a Nation, 1915
- Literary
- E.M. Forster is born, 1879
- Music
- Inmate Merle Haggard hears Johnny Cash play San Quentin State Prison, 1958
- Old West
- A Nebraska farmer files the first homestead claim, 1863
- Presidential
- Lincoln signs Emancipation Proclamation, 1863
- Vietnam War
- 1st Marine Division advance elements arrive, 1966
- Operation Sam Houston begins, 1967
- World War I
- British ship Formidable is torpedoed, 1915
- World War II
- United Nations created, 1942
- Hidden Japanese surrender after Pacific War has ended, 1946
Jan 1, 1967:
Operation Sam Houston begins
Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!
This Week in History, Jan 1 - Jan 7
- Jan 01, 1966
- 1st Marine Division advance elements arrive
- Jan 01, 1967
- Operation Sam Houston begins
- Jan 02, 1963
- Viet Cong are successful at Ap Bac
- Jan 02, 1967
- U.S. planes down seven enemy planes
- Jan 03, 1965
- Antigovernment demonstrators clash with police
- Jan 03, 1968
- McCarthy announces his presidential candidacy
- Jan 04, 1965
- Johnson reaffirms commitment to South Vietnam
- Jan 04, 1974
- Thieu announces war has resumed
- Jan 05, 1967
- Amphibious operations conducted in the Mekong Delta
- Jan 05, 1969
- Lodge succeeds Harriman as chief negotiator
- Jan 06, 1971
- Army drops charges of My Lai cover-up
- Jan 06, 1975
- Phuoc Binh falls to the North Vietnamese
- Jan 07, 1965
- Civilian government is restored in Saigon
- Jan 07, 1971
- Laird visits Saigon
Related Topics
What Happened on Your Birthday?
Pick a DateEditor’s Picks
-
Ultimate History Quiz
Play solo or challenge your friends.
-
Memorial Day
Explore the history of America's most solemn holiday.
-
Civil War 150
Explore the people, events and technology that shaped America's bloodiest conflict.
-
History Lists: Royal Pretenders
Meet seven people who posed as monarchs.
Bio.com
-
On This Day
Read about notable birthdays and celebrity deaths at On This Day.
Shop HISTORY
-
Vietnam War DVD Set
America's first televised war comes starkly and comprehensively alive in this sweeping documentary collection.
-
Vietnam in HD DVD Set
Their story is in danger of being lost to history. This six-hour miniseries spans the massive initial troop build-up in 1965 to the fall of Saigon a decade later.
$24.95
Buy Now -
The Doomsday Clock
Learn the history of the clock - developed in 1947 as an image to symbolize urgency in the Cold War and the threat of nuclear disaster.
$19.99
Buy Now
