Was the Ending of ‘We Were Soldiers’ Completely Accurate? Not As Much As Everyone Thinks

Photo Credit: Barney112 / Paramount Pictures / MovieStillsDB
Photo Credit: Barney112 / Paramount Pictures / MovieStillsDB

One of the most renowned Vietnam War films to ever premiere on the big screen, We Were Soldiers (2002) gained acclaim for director Randall Wallace’s unwavering commitment to accuracy in depicting the Battle of Ia Drang. Despite this dedication, the film diverges from the actual historical conclusion in its narrative.

What is We Were Soldiers about?

Mel Gibson as Lt. Col. Hal Moore in 'We Were Soldiers'
We Were Soldiers, 2002. (Photo Credit: Zayne / Paramount Pictures / MovieStillsDB)

We Were Soldiers is based on the book, We Were Soldiers Once… and Young: Ia Drang – The Battle That Changed the War in Vietnam, by acclaimed war correspondent Joe Galloway and Lt. Gen. Hal Moore. Both were present at the Battle of Ia Drang, the first major engagement of the Vietnam War.

The film depicts the experiences of Moore, portrayed by Mel Gibson, and his wife, Julia, played by Madeleine Stowe. The former arrives in Vietnam in November 1965 and is soon tasked with leading 400 men in an attempt to repel the enemy forces who’ve attacked a base in the Ia Drang Valley. Outnumbered, the troops find themselves fighting for survival while facing a 4,000-strong North Vietnamese force.

The secondary plot follows Julia, who volunteers to deliver telegrams bearing the somber news of soldiers’ deaths in Vietnam to their families.

The ending of We Were Soldiers

Still from 'We Were Soldiers'
We Were Soldiers, 2002. (Photo Credit: Zayne / Paramount Pictures / MovieStillsDB)

In the concluding scenes of We Were Soldiers, Hal Moore makes a pivotal decision to call in a “Broken Arrow,” a request for all available combat aircraft to engage the enemy positions. This strategic airstrike successfully hits numerous Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army (NVA) troops, but regrettably results in some unintended American casualties due to friendly fire.

In a final desperate attempt, the North Vietnamese launch an attack, only to be overwhelmed and eventually ordered to evacuate the headquarters they’d seized just days earlier. Having accomplished their mission, the American forces make their way back to their designated landing zone for extraction. Moore, displaying unwavering dedication, remains behind as the last man to depart, refusing to leave until every soldier, whether living or deceased, has been evacuated.

Despite their valiant efforts, the North Vietnamese manage to reclaim the position shortly after the American departure. Moore continues his relentless fight and, after a year of challenging combat, finally returns home to his wife, Julia.

Battle of Ia Drang

Bell UH-1D Iroquois hovering over two American soldiers
American troops in the Ia Drang Valley, November 1965. (Photo Credit: US Army / Wikimedia Commons / Public Domain)

The historical Battle of Ia Drang unfolded from November 14-19, 1965, with the focus of combat centered around two critical helicopter landing zones: LZ X-Ray and Albany. Hal Moore and the 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment engaged in intense fighting at the former, beginning on November 14.

Where We Were Soldiers diverges from reality is in its portrayal of the battle’s conclusion. The actual events didn’t see Moore and his men evacuating with a final heroic charge. The formal conclusion of the engagement occurred only after Albany was reclaimed by American forces.

The bulk of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, commanded by Lt. Col. Robert McDade, entered the fray after X-Ray had already been relieved by Moore. Following their airlift out of the combat zone, McDade’s troops were subsequently joined by the 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment.

LZ Albany

American troops walking through the Vietnamese jungle
American troops in the Ia Drang Valley, 1965. (Photo Credit: Tim Page / CORBIS / Getty Images)

The following day, both battalions were informed of an incoming bomber run on LZ X-Ray, meaning they needed to go elsewhere. The 2nd Battalion, 5th Cavalry Regiment went toward LZ Columbus, while the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment traveled to LZ Albany, capturing two NVA soldiers on the way. They were interrogated by McDade, who, along with most of the commanding officers and radio operators, were called into a meeting to discuss the intel.

The remainder of the 2nd was left waiting in a communication blackout. In addition, they were exhausted from the fight at X-Ray, so it was easy for hundreds of NVA troops to sneak up and launch an attack. Word reached the battalion traveling to Columbus, who sent Bravo Company back to Albany to serve as reinforcements. These additional troops pushed back the enemy, allowing the others to evacuate the wounded.

Conclusion of the Battle of Ia Drang

US soldiers disembarking from a helicopter
US forces during the beginning stages of the Battle of Ia Drang, November 1965. (Photo Credit: Pictures From History / Universal Images Group / Getty Images)

There were no further attacks overnight. On November 18, 1965, the US forces were able to gather their dead. Although the fighting had ended, the Battle of Ia Drang didn’t officially conclude until the next day, as it took two days to collect the bodies.

James Lawrence, one of the men who fought at LZ Albany, later recounted his experiences. He wanted to ensure the memories of those who died live on, in particular that of his best friend, Lt. Don Cornett.

Recalling the aftermath of the fight, he said, “Back then Stars and Stripes would carry the casualty reports and I had a red pen and started checking off the names of guys I knew who were listed as KIA. I marked off 65 names and that’s when it really hit me what had happened and it just overwhelmed me. I couldn’t grasp it.”

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Although it was left out of We Were Soldiers, Albany was no less bloody than X-Ray. Of the 500 men present as part of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 155 lost their lives, and just 84 were immediately able to return to active duty.

Rosemary Giles

Rosemary Giles is a history content writer with Hive Media. She received both her bachelor of arts degree in history, and her master of arts degree in history from Western University. Her research focused on military, environmental, and Canadian history with a specific focus on the Second World War. As a student, she worked in a variety of research positions, including as an archivist. She also worked as a teaching assistant in the History Department.

Since completing her degrees, she has decided to take a step back from academia to focus her career on writing and sharing history in a more accessible way. With a passion for historical learning and historical education, her writing interests include social history, and war history, especially researching obscure facts about the Second World War. In her spare time, Rosemary enjoys spending time with her partner, her cats, and her horse, or sitting down to read a good book.

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