U.S. Navy Planes Penetrate Deep into North Vietnam

Apr. 18, 1965 - U.S. Navy planes, penetrating deeper than ever before into North Vietnam, today bombed a Communist army barracks and sank a ferry boat. Some of the fighter-bombers flew within 60 miles of the capital of Hanoi in their search for targets.

About 30 planes from the 7th Fleet launched a series of three raids. In one, rocket-firing attackers blasted Dong Thanh army barracks. In another, planes attacked and sank a ferry at Giap Tam, 50 miles inside North Vietnam.

The pilots came on their targets as they searched along Highway 101 north of the 17th parallel.

A third armed reconnaissance mission which flew within 60 miles of Hanoi failed to find any targets. All the attackers returned safely without seeing enemy planes.

The dispatch of more U.S. ground forces to take a limited combat role in South Vietnam will be discussed this week at a top-level military meeting in Honolulu, it was learned today. 

The disclosure came as the U.S. military chief in Vietnam, Gen. William Westmoreland, flew to Hawaii to confer with Gen. Earle Wheeler, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and other top brass. 

One point that will be considered is the Viet Cong offensive expected in the next few weeks.

Reliable sources said the Johnson Administration might send several thousand more troops to take over security at U.S. installations now protected by South Vietnam government forces, which would be released for front line duties. U.S. Marines are already protecting the air base at Da Nang. 

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