Capt. William A. Branch
Details from the daughter of Capt. Branch
On the day he died, my father was briefing his replacement, Capt. Larry Byrd, on the area surrounding the Michelin Plantation near Dau Tieng. Capt Byrd was to take over dad's position as the BN S-2. Dad was going home. From the crash reports, hearsay and the daily unit log, I learned that Byrd and Dad were passengers in an OH-6 helicopter called Snoopy 15 (LOH light observation helicopter). I will never forget the name of that helo. Or the young pilot, Warrant Officer Thiem. Or the place that changed our lives...grid coordinates XT543480.
When the Loach dipped to part the trees, around 2:20 in the afternoon, it must have been right on top of the VC hidden there. It was shot down by 51 Cal ground fire. Byrd was killed instantly. My father and WO Thiem escaped the crash. Thiem was picked up nearby by the S-3. He reported seeing dad running SW of the accident. Another report confirmed a man being pursued. There were an estimated 60 VC in the area.
And then it gets confusing. A Chu Hoi (enemy soldier who has surrendered) reported that the VC had captured an American in the area and they were moving him North. Another report told of a wounded American being held in the Rubber trees. Immediately, Dad's men began to try to negotiate. Others combed the area near the crash scene, searching for him.
In the end, Dad had not been captured though. He had hidden himself so well in the undergrowth that his own men couldn't find his body for 6 days. I'd like to think he just went to sleep, peaceful and calm there. I'd like to think the VC hidden on the Michelin property was coincidence. I know that neither of these can be true.
I heard from the 2/14th Recon men who found and brought daddy's body out. Several wrote that they had found him very near the helo, in an area thick with undergrowth. They thought he must have died quickly, since they were on scene in less than 2 hours. I was able to thank them for making sure my dad did not remain Missing in Action. I was able to tell them how lucky I feel to have a grave site.
I have met the family of Capt. William Larry Byrd who died with Dad. His little sister Karen searches, as I do. This year, we found the pilot. We each wrote him a letter. He told us things that were hard to hear. That he had flown with my father many times. That Dad was complimenting him to Byrd and questioning him on what he'd seen that morning on his way to pick them up. It was the young pilot who reported movement on the Rubber plantation. And it was my father who wanted to check it out.
Dad had wanted to give an accurate pass down that day, to leave no stone unturned before he left the war behind. I have been told it was his professionalism...his willingness to go the extra mile that ultimately cost him his life. We buried him at Ft Benning on June 19th of 1970. But his story does not end.
This web site was a labor of love...a way for me to get to know my dad and his life and death in the place called Vietnam. If you were there and you remember it differently, I am open to hear your comments or corrections. His story is history, not found in books...but lived by those who loved him.
Home Page - CPT William A. Branch
1st Tour Photos: Advisory Team 99 2nd Bn 46th ARVN 66-67 in Duc Hoa
2nd Tour Photos: 2nd Bn 14th Inf, 25th Inf Div 69-70 in Dau Tieng
Places that remember Dad well... Memorials