Initially, the AK-47-equipped Vietcong and NVA outgunned Korean soldiers, since they were armed with World War II-era weaponry (M1 Garand and M1 carbine). The 3rd Battalion operated there for the rest of July, conducting hundreds of reconnaissance missions and ambushes. Marines were proud that the 1st Marine Division immediately answered the nation’s call, affirming the motto adopted by the previous five commanders, “Prepare to Deploy.”. In 1966, the White Horse Division was deployed to the Ninh Hoa region, Dar Lac Province, where Highway 1 met Highway 21. There have been countless thousands of published works devoted to all or of it. The Blue Dragon Marine Brigade’s service in Vietnam earned it a legendary reputation. The South Korean government sought several other concessions, including combat pay for their soldiers (at American expense), military equipment for South Korean reserve units, and a guarantee of American force levels in Korea. The deployment began that autumn and included the Capital (Tiger) Division and the 2nd Marine Brigade, the Blue Dragons. On September 12, 1969, Korean and American marines conducted their first combined amphibious assault since the 1950 Inchon landing. Actually, the ROK government had offered to send help as early as 1954 but was turned down. The ROK Marine Corps established a command and staff college and consolidated all training and education units under a single command in 1967. During interrogation, the women revealed the location of their headquarters and took Lee and a six-man patrol to the entrance of a large cave. By dawn, the enemy was in full retreat, pursued by the 10th and 11th Companies. Peter MacKay, lawyer, politician; last leader of Progressive Conservative Party of Canada before it merged with the Canadian Alliance in 2003 to form the Conservative Party of Canada. Various ROK special forces units were also deployed. The 9th Division gained its nickname in 1952 after its successful action against communist forces at the Battle of White Horse Mountain. They attended Buddhist religious services, ran medical clinics, and repaired damage inflicted on people’s homes. While focusing on small unit patrols, the marines readily incorporated new tactics learned from allied forces. The operation spoiled a planned communist offensive. The very best of the army were plucked from their units and assigned to the Capital Division. They also had to their favor the distinguished combat leadership of the company and platoon commanders. By the end of the year, more than 18,000 South Korean troops were in country. They shared Buddhism and similar dietary habits; both consumed rice prodigiously. During Operation Kang Ku, Viet Cong forces ambushed the 2nd Company’s 3rd Platoon as it entered a village on February 1, 1967. Shaun Cassidy, singer ("Da Doo Ron Ron"), actor, TV producer / creator, screenwriter (American Gothic). When the North Vietnamese advanced on the company one final time, the ROK marines cut them down. Success on Vietnam’s battlefields brought about new missions and responsibilities at home, ushering in. When the North Vietnamese breached the 3rd Platoon’s defense, the Koreans fought back with entrenching tools, pickaxes and fists. Vincent Youmans, songwriter best known for musical scores such as No, No Nanette and Flying Down to Rio. Petty Officer Ji, the company corpsman, rushed to the injured marines. Following Tet, the ROK marines began a series of operations in Quang Nam Province, conducting six in 1968 and 12 in 1969.