We Were Soldiers Historical Accuracy

“We Were Soldiers” is a movie about the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division’s battle against the People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) in the Ia Drang Valley northeast of Chu Pong Massif, Vietnam in 1965. It is filmed from the point of view of Lt, Col. Hal Moore, who takes command of the newly formed Airmobile Cavalry battalion and leads them in the first major battle of the American phase of the Vietnam war.

The setting is June of 1965 at the beginning of America’s full military involvement in the Vietnam War, and is based on the book “We Were Soldiers Once… and Young” by LT GEN Harold G. Moore (Ret). The first location depicted in the movie is Ft. Benning GA the home base of the new Airmobile Cavalry. The second location shown is the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) base at Plei Me. The Third location is somewhere in the Ia Drang valley northeast of Chu

However, the events are a little lacking in accuracy. For starters, the 1st of the 7th under LTC Moore was not the first Air Cav unit to be on the ground and engaged with the enemy in the area of Plei Me. They actually took over what was known as Operation Silver Bayonet from 1st Brigade. Once the 7th took over they still had to search for several days before tracking the enemy forces to the area of the Chu Pong Massif. The movie depicts them landing and being told to go immediately to the Ia Drang Valley near Chu Pong Massif, leaving out the aforementioned events. Additionally, the 7th was already fully assembled and in Vietnam at Camp Radcliff located at An Khe in the Central Highlands, the movie shows them leaving Fort Benning and Arriving at Camp Garry Owen, which is supposed to be Plei Me. The recreation of the battle order and events appear to be fairly accurate, and the tactics, techniques, procedures, and equipment are also appropriate for the time