Preceded by five B-52 strikes, which reportedly killed 300 North Vietnamese to the south, South Vietnamese forces arrive by helicopter to within two miles of An Loc in continuing efforts to relieve this besieged city. It had been surrounded by three North Vietnamese divisions since early April. The North Vietnamese had been holding An Loc under siege for almost three months while they made repeated attempts to take the city. The defenders suffered heavy casualties, including 2,300 dead or missing, but with the aid of U.S. advisors and American airpower, they managed to hold An Loc against vastly superior odds until the siege was finally lifted on June 18.
Also on This Day
- Lead Story
- Brown v. Board of Ed is decided, 1954
- American Revolution
- Washington criticizes "taxation without representation", 1769
- Automotive
- Toyota announces plans for hybrid Camry, 2005
- Civil War
- Confederates defeated at the Battle of Big Black River, 1863
- Cold War
- Gorbachev meets with Lithuanian prime minister, 1990
- Crime
- LAPD raid leaves six SLA members dead, 1974
- Disaster
- Fire engulfs Honduras prison, 1994
- General Interest
- Heyerdahl sails papyrus boat, 1970
- Televised Watergate hearings begin, 1973
- First legal same-sex marriage performed in Massachusetts, 2004
- Hollywood
- Final episode of Beverly Hills 90210 airs, 2000
- Literary
- Dorothy Richardson, pioneer of stream of consciousness, is born, 1873
- Music
- The FBI Laboratory weighs in on the "dirty" lyrics of "Louie Louie", 1965
- Donna Summer, queen of disco, dies, 2012
- Old West
- Geronimo flees Arizona reservation, 1885
- Presidential
- Andrew Johnson marries Eliza McCardle, 1827
- Sports
- Islanders win fourth consecutive Stanley Cup, 1983
- Vietnam War
- Operations continue in Cambodia, 1970
- South Vietnamese reinforcements near An Loc, 1972
- World War I
- Henri Barbusse is born, 1873
- World War II
- The Memphis Belle flies its 25th bombing mission, 1943
May 17, 1972:
South Vietnamese reinforcements near An Loc
Fact Check We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, contact us!
This Week in History, May 17 - May 23
- May 17, 1970
- Operations continue in Cambodia
- May 17, 1972
- South Vietnamese reinforcements near An Loc
- May 18, 1966
- Laird charges
- May 18, 1969
- Communists attack Xuan Loc
- May 19, 1964
- U.S. Air Force begins Operation Yankee Team
- May 19, 1972
- South Vietnamese fight to open road to An Loc
- May 20, 1953
- French see "light at the end of the tunnel" in Vietnam
- May 20, 1969
- Kennedy criticizes the "Hamburger Hill" battle
- May 21, 1969
- Military spokesman defends "Hamburger Hill"
- May 22, 1964
- Rusk warns North Vietnamese
- May 22, 1969
- Negotiators differ on diplomatic exchange
- May 23, 1967
- Congressman claims M-16 is defective
- May 23, 1971
- North Vietnamese infiltrators attack U.S. base
- May 23, 1972
- United States widens aerial campaign
Related Topics
What Happened on Your Birthday?
Pick a DateEditor’s Picks
-
Ultimate History Quiz
Play solo or challenge your friends.
-
Grand Canyon
Get the facts on this geological wonder of the world.
-
Civil War 150
Explore the people, events and technology that shaped America's bloodiest conflict.
-
History Lists: Ridiculous Wars
Discover six of history's most preposterous conflicts.
Bio.com
-
On This Day
Read about notable birthdays and celebrity deaths at On This Day.
Shop HISTORY
-
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 -
Battle 360: The Bloody Battle of Guadalcanal DVD
Own this chronicle of the epic showdown with Japanese forces at Guadalcanal, one of the most critical battles in WWII.
$11.99
Buy Now -
The Great Escapes of WWII DVD Set
Own this breathtaking chronicle of hope, ingenuity, courage and survival.
$12.99
Buy Now
