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

Pong Massif, Vietnam designated as landing zone X-Ray
Historically, this movie is mostly accurate, it does relate well the 1st Battalion 7th Cavalry’s creation, leader, and tactics.

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

period.
The good aspects of the film were the historical accuracies coupled with main characters that matched the description of their real-life counterparts. Additionally, although the battle scenes were similar to other war movies they did a good job of showing the absolute nightmare that is war. The negatives aspects are the overly pithy home life of the soldiers, especially LTC Moore, also the few historical glitches. Overall the acting was good as well as the cinematography.
From watching this movie, a person should learn a few lessons about war and about the 7th Cavalry. War is and always has been hell, no plan ever survives first contact with the enemy, no matter how good the plan sounds when you’re making it. Additionally, many real people, who were very brave and talented died for their countries in the Vietnam war. The 7th Calvary is famous or rather infamous for the battle of Little Bighorn, where they were led against the Sioux Indians by Gen. Custer, and were completely wiped out. However, not giving in to past history, the 7th Cavalry fought an exemplary battle forcing the enemy to retreat from their stronghold in the Ia Drang Valley of Vietnam.