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Lt. Vincent Capodanno, right, a chaplain with Mike Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, and two U.S. Marines in the same unit pose for a photo before Operation Swift in Vietnam, Sept. 4, 1967. Lt. Capodanno’s dedication and care for his Marines earned him the highest respect of those who served with him. For his selfless bravery, he was awarded the Medal of Honor, posthumously.
Episode 3336 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Operation Swift in Vietnam. The featured story is titled: 31st MEU | U.S. Marines, Sailors Honor Legacy of Operation Swift During Battlefield Visit in Vietnam. It appeared on an official U.S. Government website and was submitted by 1st Lt. Heather Born, III Marine Expeditionary Force..
Lt. Born reported that the legacy of America’s Vietnam Veterans was honored in extraordinary fashion as U.S. Marines and Sailors from the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit returned to the battlefield of Operation Swift near Da Nang, Vietnam. Standing on the same ground where courageous Marines fought overwhelming North Vietnamese Army forces on September 4, 1967, today’s warriors paid tribute to one of the Vietnam War’s most heroic battles.
Operation Swift remains a shining example of the courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment displayed by the Vietnam Veteran generation. Outnumbered nearly fifteen to one, the Marines of Mike Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines fought with incredible determination against approximately 2,500 enemy soldiers. Their heroism was immortalized through the selfless sacrifices of Medal of Honor recipients Chaplain Vincent R. Capodanno and Sgt. Lawrence D. Peters, who repeatedly risked and ultimately gave their lives to save their fellow Marines.
The emotional centerpiece of the ceremony came when Vietnam veteran Cpl. George Phillips joined the Marines by phone from Florida. His vivid firsthand account of the brutal 14-hour battle brought history to life, reminding everyone of the unimaginable hardships endured by America’s Vietnam Veterans. His recollections of fearless Navy corpsmen, relentless enemy attacks, and the extraordinary brotherhood forged in combat highlighted why the Vietnam Veteran generation deserves the nation’s everlasting gratitude and respect.
The battlefield visit demonstrated that the courage of Vietnam Veterans continues to inspire today’s Marines and Sailors. By reading the Medal of Honor citations on the very battlefield where these acts of valor occurred, the 31st MEU reinforced the enduring bond between generations of American warriors.
The bravery, sacrifice, patriotism, and resilience displayed during Operation Swift helped shape the modern Marine Corps and remain a lasting testament to the greatness of all Vietnam Veterans. Their service, honor, and devotion to duty will never be forgotten, and their legacy continues to inspire future generations to uphold the proud traditions of the United States Marine Corps, the U.S. Navy, and the American military.
Listen to episode 3336 and discover more about Operation Swift in Vietnam.
