After 54 days at Rach Kien, the battalion returned to Cu Chi for a well deserved respite.  The operation in the Delta was highly successful.  It was successful because every man in this battalion is a professional.  You kept "Charlie" on the run and rendered him ineffective in an area that he had completely dominated for a long period of time.  An interesting point which highlights your fighting capability is that during the entire period the VC were never able to spring an ambush against you.    This battalion has done everything well.  Alfa, Bravo, and Charlie Companies conducted base defense, ambush patrols, search and clear, and search and destroy missions.  They went in on foot and by air.  They operated at night and during the day.  The Recon Platoon did a tremendous job in a variety of tasks - base defense for Brigade Headquarters, convoy escort, and eagle flights.  Their convoy escort duties covered over 3,000 miles during the operation.  The ENTAC Platoon was always there furnishing its men for ambush patrols and outpost duty.  Our 4.2 Mortar Platoon showed us the way that fire support should be furnished.  It also built some of the best looking bunkers and mortar pits you'll see in Vietnam.  The Medical Platoon furnished the type of support that makes us happy to have them around.  Not only did they provide for us, but they also handled many civilian emergencies and conducted frequent MEDCAPS.  And while the majority of the battalion was engaged at Rach Kien, our headquarters elements were doing a fine job of continually supporting us form Cu Chi.  The Support and Maintenance Platoons kept the vehicles running and the supplies flowing.  You don't see them much, but if they were not doing their jobs well, we would all feel the effects.    With a team like we have, to include our direct support artillery, air, and airmobile support, the battalion cannot be beaten!    I had a unique opportunity in being able to see, very briefly, the battalion that replaced you at Rach Kien.  In terms of military courtesy, bearing and appearance, it was strictly "No competition."  I was visibly reminded of the fine outfit that I am honored to command.    We are now moving to a new area where we'll be associated again with another unit.  I desire, and know you will product the same impression once again.  When we arrive there, and when we depart, I want the officers and men of the "other unit" to be stnading there saying "Those Golden Dragons are one fine outfit - they're soldiers!"  Because men, you are!!

CHAPLAIN'S CORNER "ETERNAL LIFE" Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace! Where there is hatred . . . let me sow love. Where there is injury . . . pardon. Where there is doubt . . . faith. Where there is despair . . . hope. Where there is darkness . . . light. Where there is sadness . . . joy. O Divine Master, grant that I may not    so much seek To be consoled . . . as to console, To be understood . . . as to understand, To be loved . . . as to love; For it is in giving . . . that we receive; It is in pardoning . . . that we are pardoned; It is in dying . . . that we are born    to eternal life.        St. Francis of Assisi

CHAPEL SERVICES 18 FEB 67    ROMAN CATHOLIC MASS         0900         AT 4/23 CHAPEL    PROTESTANT SERVICES            0900         AT 2/14 BATTALION HQS   HAPPY BIRTHDAY    Sgt Ignacio P. Pajela celebrated his twenty-ninth birthday on 1 February 1967.  Sgt Pajela is a Squad Leader in the Mortars Section.    SFC Johnny B. Page of the Medical Platoon celebrated his thirtieth birthday on 14 February 1967.

RECREATION AT RACH KIEN    Any man who has spent at least one day in Rach Kien very easily becomes aware of the fact that the place is restrictive by the very nature of its location: it's surrounded by numerous ponds and swampy rice paddies and if a man doesn't walk on the road, he invariably will find himself half way up to the knees at least in mud.  It's obvious then that this type of terrain poses problems in any undertaking, even recreational activities.  Some of the men, however, decided to accept the most natural sport available, that of fishing.  Members of the communications platoon became somewhat ardent fishermen and it wasn't at all an uncommon sight to see from one to as many7 as six men fishing in the pond behind the S-1 shack.  Their efforts were not always in vain either.  At times some of the fish to catch were only minnow sized while others were considerably bigger.  SP4 Larry D. Irons pulled out a fish as big as twenty inches in length and he claims that he has seen fish in the Commo fishing hole which to his estimation weight anywhere from five to ten pounds.  Then there is PSG James D. Spitz who claims he caught enough big fish at one short sitting to provide a meal for more than seven men, however he refused to disclose the secret of his skill or the location of the water hole.    Not everyone had the time, patience, or the interest to enjoy fishing and many managed to find other diversions.  SP4 Ralph E. Ammendolia, SP4 Mike Genna and PFC Dave Orlandini had set up a PT program consisting of situps, pushups, inclined situps and pushups, and chinups which were done on the doorway of their hootch.  They're not ready for muscle beach yet, but they do claim that it has done wonders for them..    The commo section has come up with a variation of the PT program; their program not only provides exercise but introduces a little fun into the undertaking.  The required ingredients for their PT are at least two or more men and one coconut.  How does it work?  It's simple, the coconut is passed around from man to man like a hot potato and the man who drops it drops for five pushups, if the same man drops the coconut three times in succession he drops for ten.  It doesn't sound as if there's much to it, but SP4 Joseph Mars probably thinks differently - one night he inadvertently managed to squeeze out 150 pushups.  A good guess - more to come.    The medics, too, have come up with a recreational facility.  While gathering empty ammo boxes from the 7/11th Artillery some of the medics discovered that the braces in the boxes came pretty close to looking like horseshoes.  It didn't take long for them to see the implications and quickly devised a horseshoe pit.  From then on Frank Dockter, Bud Riding, Dan Doniak and Dennis Strimike began to hold daily horseshoe matches.  SP4 Dockter acquired a substantial lead in the standing and has extended an invitation to any and all challengers.   CIVIC ACTION    On 23 January 1967 one of the many civic action projects initiated at Rach Kien by our battalion and the attached units has been completed.  The room adjoining the Pagoda was reconverted to a school room which will accommodate approximately 140 school children.  The improvements that were made include painting desks, the interior of the building itself, and providing blackboards.    A ceremony was held in the new school to commemorate its opening.  Present at the ceremonies were village officials, ARVN military, staff members of the Golden Dragons, and approximately 100 of the 140 students who will attend the school.  After an exchange of comments, congratulations, and gestures of appreciation by the ARVN civil and military leaders the battalion staff participated in the presentation of school kits to the prospective students.

IN SUPPORT OF THE GOLDEN DRAGONS 7/11th Artillery    On 22 December 1966, Bravo Battery, 7th Battalion, 11th Artillery was airlifted by CH-47 (Chinook) helicopter into Rach Kien to provide direct support for the Golden Dragon Battalion.  Commanded by Captain Thomas Faulds, and in spite of the difficulties inherent in building positions for heavy weapons in swampy terrain, the men of Bravo Battery worked industriously to establish their "base" and did provide excellent support for the Golden Dragons.    Since 22 December 1966, the battery, using only four 105mm Howitzers, fired over 3,500 rounds in supporting the operations of the 2/14th Infantry and ARVN units and accounted for 10 VC killed by body count, 65 VC possibly killed, 2 sampans destroyed, 8 VC structures damaged, and two bunkers destroyed.  In addition to its positions in Rach Kien, the battery has elements in Ben Luc and Binh Chanh.    During the 60 days spent in the Delta, the battery has also engaged in civic action programs.  The men of Bravo Battery built a see-saw for the school playground and assisted in building facilities for the school house.  The men of the battalion congratulate Bravo Battery for the timely and accurate artillery support rendered to the Golden Dragons during the operations conducted at Rach Kien. Company A, 65th Engineers    The support rendered to a battalion on an extended combat operation cannot be measured in mere terms of fire power or the number of men available to provide this support, one must also take into consideration such things as the construction of the facilities to house the battalion and provide security for it's base of operations.    Support of this nature was more than adequately provided the 2/14th Infantry "Golden Dragons" by the engineer squad attached from Company A, 65th Engineers.    Since 10 December 1966 this engineer squad, under the direction of SSG Henry W. Turner, has done an outstanding job under the most adverse conditions; there cannot be doubt in anyone's mind that building bunkers and other structures on an endless rice paddy is a task and a half.  The unfavorable conditions of the Delta did not prevent the engineer squad from carrying out it's mission.  In addition to the above the squad has constructed numerous base facilities such as tent frames, tables and other mess facilities, observation towers and barbed wire.  When most of these base camp facilities were completed, the squad then undertook the task of making civic improvements within the village of Rach Kien:  Foot bridges were built wherever necessary; road improvements made, a 53 foot long class 30 bridge was built at the south end of town, and last but not least, improvements were begun on the market square to include rebuilding of the fish market.    This last village improvement was undertaken on 31 January 1967.  On this date the engineers poured a cement floor in the market square.  For this undertaking it took 4 truck loads of sand and six of gravel.  It might be interesting to note that the largest man in the squad is SP4 Elmer "TINY" Leger who only stands 6'4" and weighs in at 250 pounds and the smallest man is SP4 Rodney Dolan who stands all of 5'4" and tips the scales at 140 pounds.  SSG Turner has pointed out that at all times, each man has done more than his share of work to accomplish these tasks.    In addition to the construction of facilities and improvements in the village the engineer squad has frequently been called upon to support combat operations.  This support was provided in the form of road clearing operations conducted by the mine detector team, and destruction of booby traps and mines by the demolitions team.  When the situation required, they also performed guard and security duties on the defensive perimeter and key installations.

REPLACEMENTS    The officers and men of the battalion would like to welcome the following individuals to the 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry "Golden Dragons" SP6 Rufus Abanathey, Jr.       HHC PFC James K. Wheeler           HHC PFC David W. Dunlap            HHC PFC John D. Key                HHC PFC John W. Mayton             HHC PFC Rudolph L. Van Hassel Jr.  HHC PFC Edward F. Girard           HHC SGT Carey J. Ogletree          A Co PFC James H. Johnson Jr.       A Co PFC Edward P. St. Clair        A Co PVT Shearill D. Presnell       A Co SGT William R. Groce           B Co 1SG Roasire G. Cote            C Co SSG W. Bert Justice            C Co PFC Lonnie L. Davis            C Co PFC George R. Madden           C Co PFC Robert C. Ross             C Co PFC Jose J. Minjarez           C Co PFC Cleveland C. Chamberlain   C Co PFC Walter L. Thomas           C Co PFC Michael F. Gunn            HHC PFC Robert W. Barnes           HHC PFC Theodore Lockhart          HHC   WELCOME BACK    The officers and men of the battalion would like to welcome back the following individuals on their return from the hospital.   Cpt Daniel J. Deliz     C Co   SSG Martin E. Brunelle  C Co   SGT Emilio Rodriguez    B Co   PFC Joseph Murphy       B Co   SGT James L. Taylor     A Co REASSIGNMENT    1Lt Frederick A. Voto has been reassigned to Headquarters Company, as Battalion Motor Officer.  Lt Voto was formerly a platoon leader of the 2d Platoon, Company A.    1Lt Alfonsas Baleisis has assumed duties as Battalion Communications Officer on 14 February 1967.  He is replacing Captain Waldo A. Phinney who is rotating to CONUS on 20 February 1967.   PROMOTION    1Lt John P. Robertson the Battalion Medical Operations Assistant was promoted to Captain, 10 February 1967.  Major Ramon F. Warner presented him with his "railroad tracks" at the Battalion Conference Room.   NEW ADDITIONS    On the return of the "Bravo Bandits" from Rach Kien it was discovered that they have added to their menagerie of pets.  The Bandits have 6 newly arrived ducklings, 5 young puppies, and 5 guinea pigs.  This last tally bring the total to 39.  As the total stands now, there are 14 dogs, 16 ducks, 5 guinea pigs, 3 monkeys, and 1 chicken.  Will the population explosion ever cease?  Only time will tell!

MIXED EMOTIONS    Rach Kien, without a doubt, is a controversial village to those who have spent any time there.  To the infantryman who's been on at least one operation in the vicinity of Rach Kien, it's a rice paddy as far as he can survey; and he can hardly attribute it to his imagination for he's the man who wades through it chest deep.  Then of course, the man who spends some time at Rach Kien in support of combat operations may consider it a fisherman's paradise, that is if he's not part of the engineer squad or the twin 40's section, and for good reasons too.    It seems that on 26 January 1967 the 65th Engineers, while rebuilding a road outside the southern perimeter of Rach Kien, ran into some difficulties: one of their bulldozers ran partially off the road and was half buried in mud.  Quickly a track mounted twin 40 (M-42) came to it's rescue.  It was carefully maneuvered onto what seemed to be solid ground in preparation for extraction, but contrary to expectations, the ground gave way and there were two "little indians" stuck in the mud.  As a matter of fact, the twin 40 had to elevate it's cannons to its maximum position to keep them from being clogged with mud.    The day was not lost.  A second bulldozer equipped with a winch managed to pull the first bulldozer and the M-42 free from the mud and onto solid ground.  End of story?  Negative.  The mud fouled up the mechanism of the M-42 and only after several days of work and a new engine was it operational again.  So no matter how you look at it there is bound to be some one with mixed emotions about Rach Kien.    FAREWELL    Major Hubert J. Whitener, the Battalion Executive Officer, is scheduled to depart Vietnam on or about 21 February 1967.  Major Whitener, who assumed duties as the Executive Officer on 24 July 1966, has been reassigned to Fort Leavenworth to attend the Command and General Staff College.  The officers and men of the 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry wish him a hearty farewell and much success in his new assignment.    WE SALUTE    On 3 February 1967, Company A was part of a larger force on a 2-day search and destroy operation in a previously untested part of the Delta.  While preparing defenses for the night in a former VC base camp, members of SSG Armenta's squad, 3rd Platoon, discovered a bunker inside a hootch that was easily visible from the ground, but could not be seen from the air.  Inside the bunker, which measured approximately 15' x 30' x 10' and was reinforced with concrete, PFC Bradley Davidson found a North Vietnamese type poncho and carrying case.  A more thorough search of the bunker by PFC Terry Hayes disclosed two fully loaded M-16 magazines in a compartment beneath the floor tile; SP4 Arthur Williams and SP4 Wash Way, found two more magazines wrapped in plastic outside of the bunker.    After the search of the bunker had been completed, the engineer demolitions team was summoned to destroy the bunker.  The first attempt to destroy it with a 40-pound shaped charge did not product the desired damage.  C-3 explosive used on the second try accomplished the job satisfactorily. HAIL AND FAREWELL    1st Sergeant Rosaire G. Cote joined the 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry on 11 February 1967.  He has been assigned to Charlie Company as the "top shirt" and will be fully assuming these duties as soon as 1st Sergeant Eugene Hamilton receives his port call.  1SG Cote, a veteran of 19 1/2 years, has served in a variety of infantry assignments which well qualify him for a combat infantry company.  It is interesting to note that 1st Sgt Cote and 1st Sgt Hamilton had known each other previously while serving tours in Germany.  Even though they both were glad to see each other, 1SG Hamilton is looking forward to receiving his port call shortly.  He has been with 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry since January 1966.  We extend a hearty welcome to 1SG Cote and good luck and farewell to 1SG Hamilton.

GOLDEN DRAGON MONSTER   UP THE LADDER - Uta Stone has begun her climb to stardom in the movies.  Obviously the 21-year-old Berlin-born model is well-suited for her roles.  Statistics: 36-22-35

THE DRAGON'S TALE is an authorized weekly publication of the 2d Battalion, 14th Infantry.  Views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Department of the Army.  AFPS and ANF materials are used.  Basis of distribution is one copy every three men.   CO:      LTC Charles A. Gillis   OIC:     1LT Paul Vasylionis   EDITOR:  PFC Douglas C. DeBolt

 

This copy of The Dragon's Tale has been generously contributed by Jim Huskey, HHC S-1, 2/14th Inf., 66-67    The Dragon's Tale Vol. 1 No. 9  18 February-67 Copyright © 2009 Kirk S. Ramsey Last modified: November 30, 2013