The Battle of Ia Drang was the first major battle between the United States Army and the People's Army of Vietnam. It would also be the first large scale operation involving helicopter air assault landings at LZ XRay and LZ Albany.

George Forrest deployed to Vietnam in 1965 as a captain, commanding Company A, 1st Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile). He was the only AfricanAmerican company commander in the battalion.

Forrest's actions during the Battle of Ia Drang would be part of the subject of "We Were Soldiers Once...and Young," the widely acclaimed memoir of Harold Moore and Joseph Galloway about the critical battle. The book would later be adapted into the film "We Were Soldiers," starring Mel Gibson.

Interview recorded on November 3, 2023



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Video Credits:
Interviewer Luke Ryan
Director of Photography Umit Gulsen
Editor Daniel Taksas