Operation Swift was a U.S. military operation that took place in the Que Son Valley during the Vietnam War, which began on September 4, 1967. The operation involved elements of the 1st Marine Division as they engaged North Vietnamese Army (NVA) troops, aiming to intercept and disrupt their logistics and troop movements. The Que Son Valley was strategically significant, being located near key routes used by the North Vietnamese for supplies and reinforcements to South Vietnam.

The operation featured a variety of combat scenarios, including ground assaults and aerial support, as U.S. forces attempted to clear the area of enemy presence. Initial encounters were fierce, with both sides taking heavy casualties. The Marines utilized their experience in jungle warfare and coordinated air support to confront the NVA's entrenched positions. This military engagement highlighted the difficulty of conducting operations in Vietnam's challenging terrain while underscoring the persistence of the North Vietnamese forces, even against superior firepower.

Through Operation Swift, the U.S. military sought to demonstrate their commitment to supporting South Vietnam and to hinder NVA operations in the area. In the weeks that followed, the operation evolved into a broader effort aimed at securing the Que Son Valley. The complexities and costs of this operation illustrated the ongoing dilemma faced by U.S. forces in balancing military objectives with the realities of guerilla warfare.