The Dragon's Tale Vol I No 1

    Thirty four officers and men of the Second Battalion, 14th Infantry were honored here Saturday, 17 September 1966, for heroism, wounds received in action, meritorious service and other achievements. Among those decorated was the Battalion Commander, Lt. Col. William E. Davis, who was presented the Bronze Star Medal for his services as the Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4, prior to his arrival in the battalion. Col. Davis was also awarded the First Oak Leaf Cluster to the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.
     The presentations were made by Colonel William B. Sandlin, Commanding Officer of 1st Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, during colorful ceremonies held on the battalion theater grounds. The Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device for heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force were awarded to Captain David P. Williams, B Co, Capt. George P. McQuillen, A Co, 1st Lt. Michael R. Rapuano, HHC, SSG James C. Bishop, HHC, SGT. Theodore Belcher, A Co, PFC Kermit Chastain, A Co, PFC James F. Barber, A Co, PFC Bobby G. Evans, HHC, and PFC Raymond F. Warfield of B Company. Other recipients of awards were Major Edwin R. Griffith, HHC, the Air Medal; SP4 Valdemar Anzaldua, A Co, the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device for heroism; Capt. William L. Mobley, HHC, the Army Commendation Medal, First Oak Leaf Cluster; 1st Lt. Roger R Renn, A Co, the Army Commendation Medal; SFC Miguel A. Perez, HHC, the Army Commendation Medal; SP4 Archie B. Thomas, HHC the Army Commendation Medal. Purple Hearts were pinned on Capt. Williams and Lt. Rapuano, (both received the 1st Oak Leaf Cluster), PFC Chastain, PFC Barber, SP4 Thomas, 1st Lt. William J. Thomason, B Co, 2nd Lt. Dale R. Crafton, B Co, PSG Leo M. Gessert, A Co, SSG George H. Hutter, B Co, SGT Phillip W. Bridges, A Co, SGT Larry G. Happle, A Co, SP4 B. J. Bradford, HHC, SP4 James I. Crabtree, HHC, SP4 Roger R. Robert, HHC, PFC Johnnie Brown Jr., A Co, PFC Joseph V. Cardona, A Co, PFC Detroy Carruthers Jr, B Co (1st Oak Leaf Cluster), PFC Eddie Crayton, A Co, PFC Charlie McBride, C Co, SP4 Arthur L. Reith, HHC, PFC Daniel D. Richeson, C Co, (1st Lak Leaf Cluster), and PFC Dale E. Taylor, A Co. 1st Lt. Charles E. Dewese, HHC, was presented the Fort Dix Certificate of Achievement in recognition of his services there.
     A special Presentation of the Purple Heart was made to the "Battle Dragon", a plaster replica of the 14th US Infantry "Golden Dragon" crest which was slightly damaged by mortar fragments on the night of 26 July 1966 when the 25th Infantry Division Base Camp came under a Viet Cong mortar attack (for story of the citation see "Special Award" below).
     Upon completion of the presentation and the Brigade Commander's congratulatory remarks, "Dragon Six" again assumed command by posting himself in front of the formation. Facing the troops, he congratulated them for a "damned fine job," and reviewed the battalion's record of outstanding accomplishments during the 60-day period since he assumed command on 12 July 1966 (see The Dragons Tally below). Col. Davis also admonished the troops to be prepared for greater efforts and more arduous tasks that lie ahead.

A special award of the Purple Heart Medal was presented to the "Battle Dragon", a plaster replica of the 14th Infantry crest during ceremonies held here on 17 September 1966. In case anyone has not yet seen the "Battle Dragon," now renamed the "Golden Dragon," it is standing atop the bunker at the Battalion entrance, proudly displaying its "wounds". "On the evening of 26 July 1966," the citation reads, "the Battle Dragon became the only casualty sustained by the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry, when the dastardly Viet Cong launched a sneak mortar attack upon the 25th Infantry Division Base Camp at Cu Chi, Republic of Vietnam. The "Battle Dragon" stood its faithful vigil at the battalion entrance when one enemy 60 millimeter mortar round landed on Lanai Road approximately ten meters from the battalion entrance and inflicted a severe wound upon the Battle Dragon as well as to the dignity of all Dragoneers. It should be noted by all Dragoneers, however, that throughout the entire attack the "Battle Dragon" steadfastly maintained its post even after being hit by the lethal mortar fragments."
The "wound", although damaging, was not fatal, and after a few days of recuperation, dental work and face lifting, the crest resumed its rightful place atop the bunker where it continues to keep a watchful eye on all who pass the lair of the Golden Dragon Clan.

FROM THE EDITOR

The current issue of THE DRAGON'S TALE marks the beginning of what, we hope, will become a new series of weeklies covering the everyday doings and activities of the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry "GOLDEN DRAGONS". Actually, THE DRAGON'S TALE is not new. To all former Dragoneers of Schofield Barracks, it probably marks, instead, the revival of an old, familiar institution -- so old, in fact that we are not even sure when the first issue was published. THE DRAGON'S TALE then appeared each month, and although its outward dress was different, its contents and purpose have not changed. With the onset of the battalion's deployment and subsequent arrival in Vietnam in April 1966 everyone, unfortunately, was too busy doing everything else to devote his time and attention to reading a battalion newspaper, let alone publishing one. As a result, THE DRAGON'S TALE succumbed to a temporary moratorium and has not seen daylight since February 1966.
As we go on press with our first "new" issue, it is our sincere desire to see you, Private Joe Doaks, and all the other Dragoneers in print. We solicit your contributions. If you have anything newsworthy to say, say it in THE DRAGON'S TALE. If you have a poem or a joke you'd like printed, send it to the editor. If you are buying or selling, remember it pays to advertise in THE DRAGON'S TALE. But most of all, it is your activities, the little and big things that make up our daily lives in Cu Chi, that we aim to relate in THE DRAGON'S TALE.

THE DRAGONS TALLY

     The following accomplishments by the 2nd Battalion, 14th Infantry were cited by the Commanding Officer, Lt. Col. Wm. E. Davis, covering the 60-day period after his assumption of command on 12 July 1966. Most of the "statistics" were amassed during Operation OAHU in Tay Ninh Province which lasted from August 1st to September 14th, and several smaller search and destroy operations. Taking into account the fact that the battalion's mission during OAHU was relatively static, these figures become even more impressive. At the same time, Col. Davis referred to the relatively light casualties sustained by the battalion during this same period, and added that "I am not pleased with this. We are going to kill more of them (VC), and destroy more of their bunkers, capture more of their rice and weapons, and we are going to have fewer casualties ourselves."
Viet Cong Losses For The Period Were:
KIA (by body count)                        37
KIA (estimated)                               23
Suspects Detained                            16
Small Arms Captured                         1
Grenades Captured                          11
Mines Captured                               49
Demolitions Captured (pounds)       11.5
Small Arms Ammo (rds)                608
Rice Captured (pounds)             22650
Fish Captured (pounds)                   50
Documents Captured (pounds)       20.25
Tunnels Destroyed                           53
Buildings Destroyed                           4
Roadblocks Destroyed                      4
Booby Traps Destroyed                  31
Booby Traps Destroyed (nonexpl) 42
Spider Holes Destroyed                   26
Hot Air Balloons Captured                 1