Vol 2 No. 21 TROPIC LIGHTNING NEWS May 29, 1967
Index
Wolfhounds and Cav Whip VC
‘Honcho’ Meeting Disrupted
Twenty-two Viet Cong guerrillas were killed, 15 prisoners detained and 51
suspects detained during a lightning raid on the village of Phouc Mi, nine kms
northwest of Cu Chi.
A combined force of 25th Inf. Div. soldiers from the 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav.,
along with Vietnamese Regional and Popular forces from the Cu Chi sub-sector
swept into the village shortly after dark.
The action routed nearly 75 Viet Cong who appeared to have gathered for a
meeting or celebration, probably in commemoration of Ho Chi Minh’s birthday,
which was the next day.
Working on intelligence reports that the VC were using the village for a
staging area, a platoon from Trp. A, was sent through the village toward Trang
Bang as if on another mission. Approximately 15 minutes later a lone track
retriever pulled a tank back through the village.
The track retriever and the seemingly disabled tank were sent through as
bait, hoping to draw enemy fire.
The Viet Cong took the bait and fired on the vehicles. At that time, the
first and third platoons, along with a company of Vietnamese forces, entered the
village from the southeast while the second platoon closed in from the
northwest.
The first and second platoons moved into the center of the village and then
flanked to the left and right to drive the fleeing VC away from the civilian
population into the rice paddies where they could be fired upon.
Air Force flareships circled overhead to provide illumination while
helicopter gunships were screening the flanks to keep the guerrillas from
escaping.
SSG Robert L. Coates described the first contact. “As we swung to our right
toward the edge of the village, about 10 VC ran out of the village toward the
woodline. We took them under fire and I saw five of them fall.” The scout
section leader continued, “We couldn’t chase them because our gunships were
firing and our primary mission was to seal off the village. But when the firing
stopped about 15 minutes later we went out and found four weapons, some web gear
and several blood trails.
“A couple of hours later my observer saw two VC run out of the village. They
were down in a gully trying to sneak through our position. When they were about
50 meters away we fired,” said the Argyle, N.Y., native.
One of the guerrillas was killed immediately and the other wounded in the arm
and shoulder. “When we picked him up,” Coates continued, “he was yelling ‘No
VC. No VC!’ but he had a carbine slung over his shoulder and 13 magazines of
ammunition on his belt.”
Tank of 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav., moves along Highway 1. (Photo by SP4 Jack Mraz) |
Bde. Cmdr. Leads Fight From Above
Thirty-four Viet Cong were killed, a 57mm recoilless rifle was captured, and
several small arms and the barrel-carrier group of a Soviet heavy machinegun
were taken as the result of an immediate reaction aerial assault by elements of
the 25th Inf. Div.’s 2nd Bde.
The battle that resulted raged until midnight southwest of the division’s Cu
Chi base camp.
The multi-battalion force was airlifted into the area west of the Oriental
River in response to an urgent request for assistance by a Civilian Irregular
Defense Group company that had been heavily engaged by an estimated Viet Cong
company.
COL Marvin D. Fuller, 2nd Bde. commander, orbiting over the battle area
ordered the 1st and 2nd Bn “Wolfhounds” into the fight despite the lack of
immediately available artillery support. The two units had been on a search and
destroy mission across the Oriental River approximately 10 miles away.
Covered by heavily armed gunship helicopters, the 1st Bn. was heli-lifted
into place behind the enemy. The unit received heavy fire as they scrambled off
the ships and made immediate contact with the estimated 100 Viet Cong. The
battalion, directed on the ground by its commander LTC Harvey H. Perritt, swept
ahead into the hedgerow that hid the VC force. They killed 13 while taking six
wounded. The remaining VC fled to the north.
“It looked as if the Viet Cong were about to flank the CIDG unit,” said
Fuller, “the attack by the 1st Bn. caught the VC in the middle.”
As the Viet Cong fled to the north Fuller ordered his own helicopter to
engage the enemy. The command ship accounted for three enemy while other
gunships killed three more.
Meanwhile, the 2nd Bn. was heli-lifted into a blocking position to the north
and immediately began sweeping toward the fleeing Viet Cong. In fighting that
lasted until midnight 15 VC were detained. Large amounts of ammunition, medical
supplies, and 35 pounds of documents were also taken.
“Spooky” flareships lit the area throughout the night as the fighting
continued. Medevac helicopters withdrawing American wounded and resupply ships
bringing food and ammunition took enemy ground fire.
“The heavy weapons captured indicated that this was a major Viet Cong unit,”
said Fuller.
The area of the battle was the site of extensive sweeps by the brigade nearly
one month ago as part of Operation “Waialua.” Contact with the enemy during the
operation was light.
The brigade is taking part in the 25th Inf. Div. monsoon campaign, aimed at
destroying Viet Cong forces in the Hau Nghia Province area and restoring
government control and road systems.
Two helicopters being used by 2nd Bde. for aerial assaults take off at the start of the mission. |
1st Brigade ‘Cleans Up’ On Manhattan
“I do not think the Viet Cong will be able to go back into the area which was
once a haven for them. They had put many man years of work into the
construction of the trap doors, concrete fortifications and tunnels.
“They had a highly developed perimeter defense which was impossible to spot
from the air under the triple canopy of the jungle.” So said COL Francis S.
Conaty Jr., commander of the 25th Inf. “Tropic Lightning” Div.’s 1st Bde.,
summarizing the impact of Operation “Manhattan”.
The 4th Bn, 9th Inf., 2nd Bn, 14th Inf. and the 4th Bn., 23rd Inf. (Mech),
combined to capture 500,000 rounds of small arms ammunition. They killed 33 of
the enemy. They captured 125 individual weapons and 12 machine guns.
Some 550 mortar rounds were found and destroyed. Other ammunition captured
included 29 bombs, 31 claymore mines, 100 anti-personnel mines, 33 anti-tank
mines, 298 hand grenades and 133 rifle grenades and 3191 pounds of explosives.
Fortifications destroyed were 160 tunnels, 574 bunkers, 3870 trenches and 157
foxholes. Generators, radios, batteries, bicycles, telephones and thousands of
pounds of clothing and food were found.
“The rifleman must be given tremendous credit, and we also had
terrific
artillery and aerial support,” said Conaty.
Word of Advice By CG
During the first few months of command, I have had an opportunity to meet
only a few of you. As each day goes by I meet many more fine soldiers, and I am
impressed by your performance of duty. Keep up the good work!
From time to time there will be matters of importance to all of us which I
will discuss with you by letter in this paper to be sure everyone “gets the
word” and understands my concern.
Intermingled with our operational successes of the past few weeks have been
some tragic accidents which are a result of inexcusable carelessness. Four men
have been killed and twenty-one men wounded as a result of accidentally
discharged weapons since March 7, 1967. The tragedy of all this lies in that
“we all know better.” Improper inspections, unsafe cleaning practices, and
failure to practice basic safety precautions have placed this blemish upon our
superb record. The man lost as a result of an accidentally discharged weapon is
just as effectively eliminated from the rolls as one killed by the enemy. I
realize that such accidents are a shock to the responsible soldier; yet I must
emphasize to you as strongly as I can that each such incident is a particularly
serious matter and can result in severe punishment of the soldier concerned.
Everyone of us must realize the seriousness of such careless acts.
Carelessness is not a soldierly habit and certainly not one which anyone in
any walk of life dares to cultivate. Elimination of this accident blemish must
be a personal program. Each one of us must make every effort to improve his own
safety consciousness as well as that of those around us or under our
supervision. If we all take that extra moment to be 100 per cent certain, I am
confident that we can defeat this enemy “carelessness” as ably as we can the VC.
JOHN C. F. TILLSON III
Major General, USA
Commanding
Page 2 TROPIC LIGHTNING NEWS May 29, 1967
Decorated
SILVER STAR | |
1SG Elbert A. Martin, Co. C, 2nd Bn., 34th Armor SP4 Gary A. Bower, Co. A, 3rd Bn., 21st Inf. |
SP4 George Lillienthal, Co. A, 1st Bn. (Mech), 5th Inf. |
DISTINGUISHED FLYING CROSS |
|
CPT Francis X. Delvy, Trp. D, 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav. CPT Wilfried H. Dast, Co. B, 25th Avn. Bn. CPT Charles A. Phipps, 147th Aslt. Hel. Co. CWO Archie P. Fremen, 147th Aslt. Hel. Co. |
CWO Roy J. Molick, 147th Aslt. Hel. Co. CWO John H. Calloway, 147th Aslt. Hel. Co. CWO Robert G. James, 147th Aslt. Hel. Co. WO1 Mark A. Lindamood, Co. A, 25th Avn. Bn. |
BRONZE STAR (VALOR) |
|
MAJ Arno L. Ponder Jr., HHC, 1st Bn., 27th Inf. 1LT James S. Conley Jr., Btry. A, 2nd Bn:, 77th Arty. 1LT Dale R. Crafton, Co. B, 2nd Bn., 14th Inf. 1LT George N. Dorn Jr., Co. C, 2nd Bn., 34th Armor. 1LT Joseph M. Lingle Jr., Co. C, 1st Bn., 27th Inf. 1LT James D. Montavon, Co. A, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. 1LT Grant Yee, Trp. A, 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav. SSG Karoly L. Denes, Co. A, 2nd Bn. (Mech), 22nd Inf. SSG Chris Y. Garcia, Co. C, 2nd Bn., 34th Armor SSG Miguel S. Garcia, Co. C, 2nd Bn., 34th Armor. SSG Arthur W. Grace Jr., Btry. A, 2nd Bn., 77th Arty SSG Richard L. Massie Jr., Co. A, 1st Bn., 27th Inf. SGT James W. Evans, Btry. A, 2nd Bn., 77th Arty. SGT David A. Stover, Co. A, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. CPL Carl Besson, Btry. A, 2nd Bn., 77th Arty. CPL William T. Garner, Btry. C, 2nd Bn., 77th Arty. CPL Thomas E. Hill, Btry. A, 2nd Bn., 77th Arty. SP4 Francisco R. Arvizu, Co. C, 2nd Bn., 34th Armor SP4 Charles J. Bivona, Btry. A, 2nd Bn., 77th Arty. |
SP4 George F. Bresson, Btry. A, 2nd Bn., 77th Arty. SP4 Amilcar C. Cerejo, Btry. A, 2nd Bn., 77th Arty. SP4 Israel R. Cisneros, Btry. A, 2nd Bn., 77th Atry. SP4 Ovie B. Clark, Btry. C, 2nd Bn., 77th Arty. SP4 Eric N. Espino, Co. C, 2nd Bn., 34th Armor. SP4 Charles Grodes, HHC. 1st Bn. (Mech), 5th Inf. SP4 Willis E. Headen Jr., Btry. A, 2nd Bn., 77th Arty, SP4 Robert M. Hill, Co. B, 2nd Bn., 14th Inf. SP4 Richard M. Lane, HHC, 2nd Bn., 34th Armor. SP4 Robert H. Melgareio, Btry. C, 2nd Bn., 77th Arty. SP4 Russell A. Russo, Btry. A, 2nd Bn., 77th Arty. SP4 Oliver B. Suttles, Co. A, Bn., 9th Inf. SP4 Joseph Vierra. Co. C, 2nd Bn., 34th Armor. PFC Robert A. Choauette, Btry. A, 2nd Bn., 77th Arty. PFC Dennis R. Graham. Btry. B, 2nd Bn., 77th Arty. PFC Larry Harrison. HHC, 1st Bn. (Mech), 5th Inf. PFC Edward R. Malinowski, HH&S, Btry., 2nd Bn., 7th Arty. PFC Jerry R. Miller. Co. A, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. PFC Harvard H. Walker Jr., Btry. A, 2nd Bn., 77th Arty. |
AIR MEDAL (VALOR) |
|
MAJ Michael J. Kubas, HHC, 1st Bde., 25th Inf. Div. CPT Adolfo Eschenwald Jr., Trp. D, 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav. CPT Joseph V. Johnson Jr., Trp. D, 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav. CPT William Wilde, Trp. D, 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav. 1LT Clarence C. Buxton III, Trp. D, 3rd Sqdn, 4th Cav. 1LT Bainbridge Cowell, Trp. D, 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav. 1LT Richard W. Prillaman, Trp. D, 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav. WO1 Donald J. Scholz, Trp. D, 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav. SP6 Heinrich G. Harring Jr., 147th Aslt. Hel. Co. SP5 Kenneth P. Holmes, Trp. D, 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav. |
SP5 Joseph A. Marsh, Trp. D, 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav. SP5 Robert N. Van Horn, Trp. D, 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav. SP4 Wayne A. Humphrey, 147th Aslt. Hel. Co. SP4 Jimmie R. Rhinehart, 147th Aslt. Hel. Co. SP4 Jerald D. Spurlin, Co. A, 25th Avn. Bn. SP4 Clifford L. Weaver, 147th Aslt. Hel. Co. PFC Gerald T. Crawford, Trp. D, 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav. PFC Walter P. Hand, Trp. D, 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav. PFC Leland R. Stewart, Co. A, 25th Avn. Bn. PFC James M. Vaughn, Trp. D, 3rd Sqdn., 4th Cav. |
Editorial
Praise From Our CG
Millions of words have been written and spoken in praise of the thousands of
American fighting men engaged in the bitter struggle to safeguard the cause of
freedom against communist aggression in the Republic of Vietnam.
The most eloquent praise a fighting man can receive is that which comes from
his commander because there is a kinship that exists between them based upon
mutual respect and confidence strengthened by the ordeals of combat.
GEN William C. Westmoreland, commander of the U.S. Military Assistance
Command, Vietnam, had this to say about the American forces here:
“Who are these men? They are mostly youngsters representing every State of
the Union from the farms, the cities, the factories and the campuses. They are the
sound product of America’s democratic society. They are the sum of our
educational system, our medical science and our communications.
“Their excellent morale results from knowledge of their jobs, sound military
policies, professional unit leadership and unprecedented material support.
Their medical care is superb, their food is excellent and their mail is
carefully handled. Shortages have been few and of short duration.
“As an individual, the fighting man I command is a tough, determined
professional in battle one day, and (the) next day, a sensitive, compassionate
friend helping the Vietnamese people. He is a fighter, a thinker, and a doer.
He has seen at first hand Communist subversion and aggression at work; he has
acquired a deeper appreciation of the importance of freedom. And from his ranks
in the years ahead will come the confident, alert, intelligent citizens and
leaders who will make this nation’s future greater than its past.
“With fighting forces like these, a commander cannot help but look forward
with confidence as he views the military situation.”
Speedster Chopper Unveiled
Army’s “Cheyenne” AH-56A, a radically new winged combat rotorcraft, was
unveiled on schedule at a rollout May 3 in the Van Nuys plant,
Lockheed-California Company, as the first of 10 prototypes the firm is building
for the Aviation Materiel Command.
Cheyenne, according to DOD announcement, is designed for a top speed
exceeding 250 miles per hour, nearly twice that of current combat helicopters in
Vietnam. It will escort troop-carrying helicopters and be used to direct fire
support missions.
The heavily armed, agile aircraft will be able to dash suddenly from its
convoy to hover and fire on a surprise target and then return to its escort
position.
It will be able to make a complete turn in a radius far less than present
combat helicopters and in less time. The large bubble canopy gives the two-man
crew wide visibility. The crew is protected by armor plate.
The crew can ferry the unloaded aircraft across the United States nonstop.
It can be ferried across the Pacific Ocean from Calif., with fueling stops at
Hawaii and Guam.
AH-56A is one of the first major weapons systems originated under DOD’s
contract definition concept.
Allowances To Be Upped
A nine per cent increase in Quarters and Subsistence allowances for some
270,000 lower grade enlisted men, E-1 through E-4 with less than four years
service, with an estimated annual price tag of $20.1 million, is now before
Congress in two pieces of legislation.
The 1967 military pay raise bill calls for increasing the current $55.20
monthly rate of zero or one dependent to $60 and the $83.10 rate for two
dependents to $90. The current $105 BAQ for more than two dependents would
remain unchanged.
Legislation to extend Selective Service another four years proposes a
continuation of current lower grade BAQ allowances for family assistance, as
married men are now being drafted. The increase itself is in the pay bill and
is based on the actual increase in cost of housing since rates were set in 1963.
New WO Ranks Refused by DOD
Defense will not approve the Army’s proposal to establish two new warrant
officer grades, CWO-5 and CWO-6. The Army has been seeking ways to improve the
career possibilities of warrants.
The Army proposal to create the new pay grades (each bring about $50 more a
month in basic pay) would have affected all of the services because new grades
normally can’t be established for a single service.
Defense views the Army’s pilot problems sympathetically but does not see
changing the pay and promotion structure merely to solve the pilot situation.
It is studying other methods to help the services recruit and retain
aviators.
25th Top Division On Re-ups in VN
According to a report from Hq USARV, the 25th Inf. Div. tops all in-country
Divisions for reenlistments from Nov. 1, 1966 thru Mar. 31 1967, with 338.
In second place was the 1st Cav. Div. with 303 re-ups.
The 25th also took first honors in number of ‘US’ personnel reenlisted with
37. Second went to 1st Cav. with 30.
The 1st Cav. took first in ‘RA-1st termers’ with 97, followed by the 25th,
with 78.
NCOs of 2/12 Get New Club
DAU TIENG - May Day of 1967 marked the official opening of the 2nd Bn., 12th
Inf.’s NCO Club. LTC Joe F. Elliott, battalion commander, and some 20
non-commissioned officers representing the units within the battalion, cut the
ribbon stretched across the club’s main entrance.
New Coat To Be Issued
The new Army Green 44 overcoat will become a standard clothing item for
Active Army enlisted men entering the service on or after next July 1.
According to a DA Message, all EM entering the Army prior to that date will
be authorized the current Olive Green 107 overcoat as an organizational item,
not a standard item, until July 1, 1970. At that time, the AG 44 becomes
mandatory wear for all enlisted personnel.
Those entering the service prior to next July may buy the new coat at their
option.
As a general rule, the new overcoat will not be issued until the individual
completes AIT.
The TROPIC LIGHTNING NEWS is an authorized publication of the 25th Infantry Division. It is published weekly for all division units in the Republic of Vietnam by the Information Office, 25th Infantry Division, APO San Francisco 96225. Army News Features, Army Photo Features, Armed Forces Press Service and Armed Forces News Bureau material are used. Views and opinions expressed are not necessarily those of the Department of the Army. Printed in Tokyo, Japan, by Pacific Stars and Stripes.
MG John C. F. Tillson III . . . . . . . . Commanding General
MAJ Bernard S. Rhees . . . . . . . . . . Information Officer
CPT John P. Fortner . . . . . . . . . . . . Officer-in-Charge
SSG David G. Wilkinson . . . . . . . . NCOIC
SP4 John R. Dittmann . . . . . . . . . . Editor
SP5 Nicholas V. Polletta . . . . . . . . Editorial Assistant
Page 3 TROPIC LIGHTNING NEWS May 29, 1967
‘Manchus’ Help Rural Vietnam
Pacification is the current mission of the 4th Bn., 9th Inf., “Manchu.” This
25th Inf. “Tropic Lightning” Div. unit has named its current Operation
“Farmingdale II” and for a very good reason. A while back they were “adopted”
by the people of Farmingdale, N.Y., who have since formed the “Vietnam
Assistance Committee” (VAC).
The VAC is now working in partnership with the “Manchu” battalion as they
attempt to win the confidence of the rural Vietnamese living in the small
villages along the road between Trang Bang and the Boi Loi Woods, about 60 kms
northeast of Saigon. The American infantrymen are passing on clothing and
medical supplies which the people of Farmingdale have sent over.
Confidence of Chief
Still in the initial stage of the mission the battalion has already seen
signs of success. Recently a village chief came to the “Manchu” field camp early
in the morning to report that terrorists had been in his village during the
night stealing food and collecting “taxes.” The fact that he was sufficiently
confident in the ability of the Americans to assist him, and that he risked his
life by reporting the terrorist activities to them, proves that the battalion
has already partially accomplished its goal in the area.
The “Manchu” are striving to provide both day and night security for the
villagers they come in contact with during daytime pacification work. The
existing Government of Vietnam resistance forces are also being aided by the 4th
Bn.
The main road running through the pacification project area has been closed
due to Viet Cong mining for the past several years. The Americans have now
replaced two bridges that had been destroyed by the VC and have cleared mines
from it making it possible for the villagers to communicate more easily with the
nearby village of Trang Bang. Twenty mines were removed from one short stretch
of the road. Two were located thanks to the help of villagers who responded to
the message of leaflets which asked that the location of any mines or booby
traps be reported.
The “Manchus” are adapting themselves quite well to the difficult task of
fighting the Viet Cong by night and winning friends during the day. The support
of the people back home as it is concretely displayed by the efforts of the
Vietnam Assistance Committee makes the task a little less difficult.
HOSS HEADED HOME - Horace “Hoss” Drew, Red Cross field director for the 25th Inf. Div. receives a Certificate of Appreciation from MG John C.F. Tillson III. Drew is on his way to reassignment at Griffiss Air Force Base, N.Y. (Photo by SP4 Collins) |
Literary Lift
Steinbeck’s New Technique
The creative imagination that enables an author to write prize-winning novels
can also develop new ideas for the military in Vietnam. Take John Steinbeck and
his magnets as a case in point.
In January of this year Steinbeck was invited by Everett Martin of NEWSWEEK
to go along on a visit to Co. B, 4th Bn., 9th Inf. “Manchus”, who were then
engaged in a particularly interesting pacification effort, Operation “Fairfax,”
in the northern part of the Mekong Delta.
Watching a squad of troops wade through the slime and ooze of an
evil-smelling paddy in search of hidden arms, the author suggested that magnets
might prove equally efficient in locating weapons concealed in the patchwork of
paddies and deep wells which dot the Delta country.
Moreover, by attaching the magnets to long poles the rifleman might be spared
the unpleasant task of wallowing waist-deep in water and muck, with the
associated risks of detonating underwater booby traps with his feet or stepping
on submerged punji stakes.
The Manchu battalion commander, LTC Robert A. Hyatt, of Fairfax, Va.,
commented that the idea certainly had merit but he knew of no source of magnets
both light enough to be carried conveniently and powerful enough to do the job.
Steinbeck promised to do what he could to find some.
Subsequently the author mentioned his conversation with Hyatt in his
nationally-syndicated newspaper column, and letters came to the battalion from
well-wishers from Florida to California.
Meanwhile, the Manchus had gone on to Operations “Gadsden” and “Makalapa,”
and were preparing to take part in Operation “Manhattan.” But Steinbeck had not
given up. Shortly after the battalion plunged into the Boi Loi Woods on
Manhattan, Everett Martin paid a return visit, bringing with him a gift from the
famous novelist: five 5 pound magnets of watch-wrecking capacity, any one of
them powerful enough to snatch a rifle right off the ground.
Aid For Animals
DAU TIENG - The village of Dau Tieng located outside the perimeter of Camp
Rainier, the home of the 4th Div.’s, 3rd Bde. has been ‘the host to a very
unusual MEDCAP. The medical assistance wasn’t available for the people but it
was being given to their animals which are treasured almost as highly as human
life.
Coming from all surrounding villages the people brought their sick livestock
and pets to the medical team. The variety of animals ranged from small dogs to
huge water buffalo, yet all received the same amount of care. The majority of
the vaccinations were given to pet dogs to prevent rabies which is common in
every hot country.
The three-man team, two Americans and one Vietnamese, worked all day caring
for the animals and giving advice on how to care for the different diseases
without professional help. The veterinarians supplied by the Army were mainly
advisors for Nguyan Van Luong who will carry on the work after they leave.
CPT Thomas A. Dees, 4th Med. Det., spoke highly of the people’s readiness to
have their animals cared for. “The people are anxious to have their animals
well.” SP5 Fred E. Stannard, 44th Med. Bde., spoke of their Vietnamese
counterpart with the respect of one doctor for another. “He is dedicated,
careful, intelligent and gentle which is a combination that is impossible to
beat.”
R&R Saves An ‘Ivyman’ From Death
DAU TIENG - An Ivyman from the 3rd Bde., 4th Inf. Div., was soaking up the
sun and relaxation of Hawaii with his wife while on R&R, but if he had been at
the Dau Tieng base camp he would most certainly have been killed.
SP5 Grady E. Payne of Seattle, returned to the 4th Inf. Div. to find that a
Viet Cong had planted two satchel charges on the aviation hangar and had blown a
three by three foot hole through the cement and brick building. Payne’s cot was
situated in front of the blast and was completely covered with debris from the
blast.
“I’m glad I was on R&R,” the 22 year old crew chief said quietly, “or right
now I’d be a number.”
War Dead Are Honored
DAU TIENG – “On behalf of the officers and men of the 3rd Bn., 22nd Inf., we
present this memorial to be dedicated to the memory of those men of the 3rd Bn.,
22nd Inf. who gave their lives in the Republic of Vietnam in the defense of
freedom.”
As CPT Fred J. Spencer, adjutant of the 3/22 Inf., finished his dedication a
white curtain was pulled unveiling a memorial to the men of the battalion who
made the supreme sacrifice.
LTC James E. Hilmar, commanding officer of the battalion, accepted the
memorial with these words, “We accept this gift as a sacred trust, and shall
guard it reverently, in honor of the faithful and devoted lives in whose memory
it is given.”
The memorial contains the names of the operations in which each man died
fighting. Above the names is a large wooden eagle containing the crest of the
22nd Inf. on a blue background. The scroll underneath contains the 22nd Inf.
motto, “Deeds not Words.”
Base Camp Appearance Improved
Several large base camp construction projects have been started by Co. B,
544th Engr. Bn. (Construction), at the 25th Inf. Div., according to 1LT Roger
Baker, company construction officer.
The largest of the new projects, according to Baker, is the up-grading of the
airfield by resurfacing the runway with aluminum mats. “The new surface will
provide a more durable and smoother surface needed for Air Force aircraft such
as the Caribou and C-123,” he added.
At the same time work was started on the 12th Evac. Hosp. New nurses
quarters and recreation hall, sidewalks and mess facilities are being added to
the hospital complex. Improving the hospital water system is also on the work
schedule.
25th Div. Commended
LG Bruce Palmer will become a deputy of GEN William C. Westmoreland, MACV
commander. As he left II Field Force he wrote this message.
“As I take leave of II FFV, I wish to commend the ‘Tropic Lightning’ division
for its truly great performance of duty in combat. The 25th Infantry Division
has led the way carrying the fight to the enemy whether it was in the depths of
the jungle, in War Zone C, in the delta country of Hau Nghia, or in the
pineapple plantations.
“You have added new laurels to an already long, proud record of many old and
distant battlefields and have faithfully lived up to its traditions. Please
pass on to your officers and men my personal admiration for their devotion to
duty. I wish you all God speed and good luck.”
ALPHA’S ALPHY - The Bobcat monster leers at CPT William H. Pelfrey (right), CO, and 1LT David Becerra, XO of Co. A, 1st Bn. (Mech), 5th Inf. “We figure “Alphy” will strike at least as much fear into VC hearts as the “Hounds” in the 2nd Bde.,” said Pelfrey. (Photo by 2LT Marlowe Haakenson) |
Page 4-5 TROPIC LIGHTNING NEWS May 29, 1967
3rd Bde., 25th Infantry Division – 1 Year
DUC PHO - On May 10 the 3rd Bde., 25th Inf. Div. completed its 365th
consecutive day of combat operations. In 12 months the Bronco Bde., which has the motto “None Better,” has never
left the field of combat.
They have sloshed through rice paddies, climbed forested, precipitous
mountains, waded rivers and endured torrential rain, mosquitoes, rotor-blasted
dust, monsoon mud and unbearable heat over the past 52 weeks.
Since May 10, 1966, they have participated in 129 battalion-size and 16
brigade-size assaults. They have fought the North Vietnamese Army and the Viet
Cong in seven different operations ranging from Kontum to Darlac on the
Cambodian Border and from Qui Nhon to Duc Pho on the South China Sea.
They have battled in the swampy, densely vegetated Ia Drang Valley, in the
triple-canopied, virgin forests north of Plei Djereng, where sunlight never
reaches the forest floor and on the sands of the hot South China Sea coast.
They have waded through rice paddies from Qui Nhon to Duc Pho and repeatedly
searched caves in the mountains, sniper holes and trenches in the villages along
the way.
Before Operation “Baker” began on April 22, the Bronco Bde. had rid Vietnam
of 2196 North Vietnamese Army regulars and Viet Cong by confirmed body count and
captured 1437 of their weapons for one of the best weapon-to-body count records
in Vietnam. Since the beginning of Operation Baker they have added another 234
enemy killed in action to their already impressive record.
From May to October - except for a three week period in August - they were
the only U.S. force between five North Vietnamese Army regiments and their
objectives around Pleiku. They made numerous contacts with enemy units of
battalion size or larger in that four month period of “Paul Revere,” each time
sending the NVA scurrying west to escape.
In October, while still on Revere, the brigade displaced north to Plei
Djereng where the NVA were reported to be massing in the mountains. Five times
the brigade made contact with enemy battalions. Twice they overran NVA
regimental base camps, earning the highest weapons captured count to confirmed
body count recorded as of that time.
Two hundred and thirty days and 1466 dead NVA later Paul Revere came to a
close, concluding the longest single operation in U.S. Army history.
The brigade started the new year in a new area of operation.
Without returning to base camp for a rest or standdown, the 3rd Bde. of the
“Tropic Lightning” Div. moved over 100 miles on Highways 19 and 1 to Phu Cat
leaving one battalion still fighting in Pleiku Province. There the brigade
joined the 1st Cav. Div. (Airmobile) on Operation “Thayer II” to force the NVA
out of the rich coastal ricelands.
By constant patrolling they sufficiently agitated the Viet Cong so that the
enemy had to focus his efforts on staying alive. The enemy lost the offensive
and his operation deteriorated.
In addition, the Bronco Bde. located the Communist Binh Dinh provincial
headquarters, seizing NVA weapons, ammunition, flags, hospital administrative
supplies and large amounts of documents that proved highly useful intelligence
sources.
In February, the 3rd Bde. Task Force attacked north and Operation “Pershing”
began, a continuance of the same programs in another more vital, more strongly
VC-held area. Especially in the Crescent Valley, an area rich in rice and salt,
the enemy was reluctant to leave. He attacked in battalion strength at the
Village of Hoa Tan, but scurried into the mountains the next morning leaving 81
dead comrades, numerous machine guns, anti-tank rocket launchers and rifles
behind.
On April 19 the brigade massed an air and sea lift and jumped deep into Viet
Cong territory. They landed at Duc Pho and began operations immediately, this
time on Operation “Le Juene.”
The commanding general of the 1st Cav. Div. attested to the 3rd Bde.’s
effectiveness in a message which read in part:
“Through the inspiring leadership of its officers and non-commissioned
officers, and the resolute determination of its courageous soldiers, the 3rd Bde.,
25th Div. has received laurels not normally awarded units of this size and has
clearly merited the retention of its motto, ‘None Better’.”
Still on Operation Baker, the brigade is now part of the multi-brigade Task
Force Oregon.
This brigade of the 25th Inf. Div. is unique in Vietnam. It fought as a
separate brigade under the operational control of I Field Forces, the 4th Inf.
Div., 1st Cav. Div. and Task Force Oregon but never under the 25th Div.
Its overall reenlistment rate of 54 per cent for April tops any other in
Vietnam. Also from January thru April, 100 per cent of the Bde.’s Regular Army
personnel eligible for reenlistment have reenlisted and stayed in Vietnam to
fight with the unit.
Throughout the previous operations in which the 3rd Bde. Task Force has
participated over the past year, they have maintained one of the best
enemy-to-friendly loss ratios of any unit in Vietnam.
COL James G. Shanahan, the brigade commander, and a veteran of three wars,
who was with the 25th Div. as a platoon leader and a company commander during
World War II, and a battalion commander in the Korean War, believes the last
year has been a profitable one for his brigade.
“We’ve fought and defeated the enemy throughout the highlands and for 150
miles along the South China Sea. I think the situation has vastly improved,
partially because of the brigade’s gallant efforts. We have proven to ourselves
everyday for the last 365 that we can defeat the enemy in battle and it appears
we may be convincing him of that fact also.
“Vietnam has been saved from the NVA. The enemy seems to be fighting a
retrograde action with an occasional well planned but desperate attempt to
regain lost control.
“The job has just begun, but the threat is diminished. The tide has turned
and there is no longer the question, ‘Will South Vietnam be free?’ but rather
the question is, ‘When?’.”
SEARCHING EYES - A patrol from Co. A, 1st Bn., 14th Inf., recons an area near an NVA rest camp in Pleiku province during Operation “Paul Revere III” (Photo by SP4 Dale Sutphin) | |
OUT AND AT ‘EM - A machine-gunner in Co. C, 1st Bn., 35th Inf., heads for fortifications as his helicopter is setting down during a combat assault. The action took place during a search and destroy operation in Binh Dinh province. (Photo by SP4 John Rolfe) | |
OUT ON PATROL - Men of Co. C, 1st Bn., 35th Inf., keep a watchful eye on Operation “Pershing” in an area where 81 NVA soldiers were killed the day before. (Photo by PFC Robert Metz) | |
COMIN’ DOWN - A Vietnamese youngster picks a coconut for his buddy in the recon platoon, 1st Bn., 35th Inf. The two became friends during Operation “Pershing” when the men were near Van Thiet. (Photo by PFC Eric Schmidt) |
Page 6 TROPIC LIGHTNING NEWS May 29, 1967
2nd Brigade ‘Menehunes’ Always On The Job
By 1LT A. R. Karel
Wiggle into the seat, strap yourself in, and get ready for the ride of a
lifetime, your first ride in a Menehune (pronounced mina-hoony).
It’s not a jet, but rather one of the tiny light observation helicopters of
the 25th Infantry Division’s 2nd Brigade Aviation Section.
“It’s the closest thing to skydiving I can think of,” says WO James M. Riley,
one of the section’s four pilots. Unlike the HU1D “Huey” and the mammoth CH-47
“Chinook,” the only thing that surrounds you in the small chopper is air and
plexiglas.
“The vision is fabulous,” says Riley, “which makes it a perfect ship for
command and control or observation.”
The helicopters of the Menehune fleet are used for just that. Each of the
battalion commanders in the Brigade has one of the ships generally available for
controlling his troops.
“Sometimes all it takes is a good look at the terrain from a few hundred feet
up to clear up a confusing tactical situation,” said MAJ William Priest, Brigade
Aviation Officer, and a pilot himself.
“When the commander must get down with his troops on the ground, the Menehune
fills the bill,” said WO Riley. “The ship can get into areas far too small for a
larger helicopter.”
How small an area the ship can enter depends on many things including winds,
and oddly enough, temperature.
When the air is very hot, as it often gets in Vietnam, it thins out a very
little, but just enough that the rotor blades don’t have as much to dig into. A
load that could easily be carried in the morning might be too heavy is late
afternoon.
Flying the ship under these conditions is difficult, but so is everyday
normal flying. Unlike a standard fixed wing aircraft where control can be
relaxed, a helicopter demands constant attention to the controls.
“One hour of helicopter flying, especially in a light one like a Menehune, is
as tiring as three hours on the ground,” said Riley. Second Brigade pilots often fly
eight or more hours a day.
But they are well prepared for combat flying. Like all Army pilots, they
have trained for nine months at Fort Wolter, Tex., and Ft. Rucker, Ala., before
becoming qualified. Many of the men of the section had flown on previous
assignments before coming to Vietnam.
The ships they fly must be as good as the pilots and this is the job of the
enlisted Menehunes. “Three hours of maintenance for every hour in the air is
the general rule,” said Section Chief, SSG James R. Wade, “The lights in the
maintenance section often burn all night.”
These men, like the pilots, have been extensively trained for their jobs.
“The light helicopter course at Ft. Rucker is ten weeks of tough training that
makes the mechanic familiar with every square inch of the ship,” said Wade.
Both officers and enlisted men of the section wear the distinctive red pocket
patch of the Menehune. Embroidered on it is the symbol of 2nd Brigade Aviation,
the tiny Hawaiian elf.
“He’s got everything an Irish leprechaun has and more,” said MAJ Priest.
“He’s our good luck guy.”
Menehune luck must work. The ships have flown through ground fire on every
operation they’ve been in, and been shot down several times in the year and one
half that they’ve been in Vietnam, but no Menehune pilot has ever been seriously
hurt.
Towers Watch Over Base Camp
By SP4 Terry Richard
It starts with a difficult climb up 28 steps and ends 48 hours later at the
bottom of those same stairs. Perimeter tower guard is a unique job. Physically
it isn’t as hard as the job the infantryman has, but it does have its aspects
that make it anything but easy.
PFC Eduardo Barrera was standing by the “Old Lady,” a .50 caliber machinegun,
his arm draped over the barrel. Barrera is from Redlands, Calif., and a member
of the 4.2 inch mortar platoon, HHC, 2nd Bn., 27th Inf. “Wolfhounds.”
This man, only 20 years old, has the responsibility of guarding all the men
and equipment in the 25th Inf. Div. base camp at Cu Chi. He sits in a wooden
tower 40 feet above the ground. He can see a long way past the perimeter, but
he is also a stand-out target up there.
Sitting on his air mattress, SP4 James M. Nichols of Reading, Mich., cleans
one of the M-16 rifles in the tower. Nichols is the oldest man in the tower.
He is 22.
“It’s about time to give the battalion TOC (Tactical Operations Control) our
sit. rep. (situation report),” comments Nichols.
The third man in the tower, PVT William S. Hairston of Winston-Salem, N.C.,
picks up the phone and rings the TOC, “Sitrep no change.”
These three men have communications with other men on the perimeter, the
battalion and the division TOC. If “Charlie” ever did try to break through the
perimeter the entire division could be alerted in minutes.
The next ten minutes are quiet. Nothing is said. Often this is the case in
the tower. According to Barrera, “Sometimes you run out of things to say.
Nobody talks then. Forty-eight hours is a long time for three men to be
together in a small room.”
It takes a man with an extremely casual temperament to be able to live in a
10 by 12 foot area for 48 hours with two other men. These three men have books
and crossword puzzles to keep them busy. They have 24 hours off and each man
eagerly looks for things to talk about when he goes back for the next 48 hours.
As the sun goes down, eyes become adjusted to the darkness. On cloudy nights
it is almost impossible to see more than 25 or 30 meters without the aid of
scientific devices. When a tower guard peers through one of the three
instruments located in the tower the ability of his eyes to penetrate the
darkness is increased 20 times.
The tower-men have at their disposal two starlighters. One small one and a
large one for penetration up to 500 meters. An infrared spotlight is always in
the area and is utilized with special binoculars in the tower. Many a night,
especially during Operation “Manhattan,” the men have watched firefights in the
Boi Loi Woods, some 15 kms to the northeast.
Every man in the towers on the perimeter is capable of plotting and calling
in mortar and artillery fire.
On maps on the front wall of the tower are drawn in the areas of
responsibility and fire. Areas that are suspected to be possible routes of VC
movement are marked in also.
As minds dull from the many hours in the tower, Nichols checks the positions
of ambush patrols on a plot board to make sure he knows where they are.
Suddenly the silence is broken as one of the men whispers, “I got it. I got
it.” Quizzical looks are directed at him. He answers them with, “I got the
prize in the crackerjack box.” The tension that has built up over the past 40
hours slacks off. Only eight hours to go.
Very rarely does the enemy attempt to get through the wire. Hairston joked
while patting the .50, “If Charlie does get to the wire that’s all right, cause
this Old Lady will convince him to di di mau.”
Finally the rope that drops from the trap door is pulled taut. The door is
opened and someone below yells, “Come on down. New crew comin’ up.”
SSG Gets 3rd In-Country Promotion
SSG James J. O’Neil of HHC 588th Engr. Bn. was recently promoted to his
present rank during ceremonies at the battalion’s forward command post in the
Boi Loi Woods while on Operation “Manhattan.”
The event marked the third in-country promotion for O’Neil who has served in
Vietnam for 19 consecutive months.
Initially assigned to Co. A of the 588th in September of 1965, he has had the
opportunity to acquire nearly all the complex “combat engineering” skills during his 19
month tour.
At 22, SGT O’Neil is assigned to the battalion intelligence section as recon
sergeant.
New Boss For Red Cross
Miss Laurae Fortner of Denver has recently become the new director of the
25th Inf. Div. Red Cross Clubmobile. Laurae is replacing Joan McKniff of Boston
who has taken a new position with the 11th Armd. Cav. at Long Giau.
The “Tropic Lighting” Red Cross unit, founded in August of last year, is
presently composed of eight young ladies: Chris Campell of Clairmount, Calif.;
Marian Gibbs of Las Vegas, N.M.; Ellen Felman of Highland Park, Ill.; Marietta
Ginocchio of Cincinatti; Deirdre O’Brian of the Bronx, N.Y.; Mary Peshek of
Scottsbluff, Neb.; and Dotty Kojala of Pittsburgh, Pa.
THE NAME IS THE SAME – Miss Laurae Fortner of Sterling, Colo., serves coffee to CPT John Fortner of Bloomington, Ill., (left) and SP4 Harold Fortner of Oakland, Calif., at her first Coffee Call since becoming Red Cross Clubmobile Director with the 25th Inf. Div. (Photo by SP4 Rich Calvo) |
Page 7 TROPIC LIGHTNING NEWS May 29, 1967
AP Carriers Roll In, Bring Aid To Sieged Squad
DAU TIENG - A squad-size outpost of the 1st Sqdn., 10th Cav., was saved from
annihilation recently when two tanks and an APC of the troops reaction force
came to the rescue as the road guards sustained nine casualties.
Late in the evening, an RPG-2 anti-tank round smashed into one of the two
APC’s at the small outpost six miles southwest of Dau Tieng on the. 3rd Bde.,
4th Div.’s main supply road. The blast injured four men in and around the
track.
“I was the only man in the track who wasn’t hurt and so I got to the radio,
called for help, and then started firing the ‘fifty,”‘ said SP4 Ronnie L. Gros
of East St. Louis, Ill.
Right after the first RPG, four more were fired into the outpost and an
estimated 15 Viet Cong across the road opened up with automatic weapons and
small arms fire. Five minutes later, mortar rounds came smashing into the area
from the rear.
In response to Gros’ call, 1LT Dean H. Guynes of Hazlehurst, Miss., 1st
platoon leader, moved out two M-48 tanks and an APC from the main camp a mile
from the squad and pushed down the road.
“Just as we got there, the mortars started coming in,” Guynes said. “We had
a searchlight on one of the tanks but the smoke was pretty thick and we couldn’t
tell exactly where our troops were.”
Jumping off his tank, Guynes yelled to SP4 Richard M. Trovato of Rochester,
N.Y., to follow him up the other tracks. They ran 300 feet up to the outpost
where Guynes first called his tanks by radio, and Trovato started to help the
wounded.
“We had gone about 50 feet when a mortar round exploded between us,” related
Guynes. “I called back to him ‘Are you there’ - ‘Yes, sir!’ - ‘Are you
hurt?’-’No, sir!’
Guynes then directed his tanks to open up on the VC on the north side of the
road with high explosive, while he peppered the area with the 50 caliber
machinegun.
“We turned the big gun around, fired a few rounds and the VC stopped firing,”
commented Guynes. “Just like blowing out a match.”
The next morning a search of the area revealed a pair of sandals, forgotten
ammunition and several blood trails leading into the jungle.
MOBILE PX - With his helmet covered by the “necessities” of jungle living, a 3rd Bn., 22nd Inf., trooper wades across a stream in central War Zone C. The 3rd Bde., 4th Div., troopers were on search and destroy operations near the Saigon River. (Photo by 1LT Ralph Campbell) |
Signal Maint. Busy Place
DAU TIENG - The men of the signal section, Co. B, 704th Maint. Bn., 3rd Bde.,
4th Inf. Div., keep the brigade supplied with one of its most vital elements . .
. signal equipment maintenance support.
“Communication is just as important on a combat mission as the weapons used
and a great deal of the time there can be no mission without radios,” said SP5
Francis Hunsaker, head of the signal section.
The section’s mission is to inspect and repair everything from a RT 524 radio
to teletype machines.
The eleven men of the section have all been specially school trained at their
different specialties and have a complete knowledge of their job.
Since their arrival in October, they have received and completed more than
2100 job orders. The section receives about 125 pieces of equipment each week.
This variety of equipment includes radio transmitters and receivers, teletype
machines, field telephones, switchboards and even mine detectors. The section
has also helped out the base chapel by working on its loudspeaker system.
The section also prides itself in being able to move. If any of the
brigade’s units need signal support, the section is in their trucks and on their
way. This type of support is necessary in the field, where properly functioning
equipment is vital. Many times the men find themselves working for units other
than the 3rd Bde.
Commenting on the training and knowledge acquired here in Vietnam, senior
radio repairman, SP4 Walter Lamberson said, “When we first arrived here we were
greatly understaffed and many times found ourselves working deep into the night
trying to get equipment out to the men in the field who needed it, but by doing
this we soon learned how to trouble shoot equipment faster and what parts went
bad most frequently.
With the different equipment constantly being brought in, the men never
really stop learning. And their knowledge of their job is appreciated most by
the men who use signal equipment.
‘Ivymen’ Leap-frog Saigon River
DAU TIENG - Heavily armed river assault group (RAG) boats and the Ivymen of
the 3rd Bde., 4th Div., kept the VC along the Saigon River on the move during
Operation “Manhattan” south of Dau Tieng.
In a search of the river bank, four sunken sampans and several large bunkers
were located and destroyed.
The twelve RAG boats, each equipped with 40mm cannons, and .30 and .50
caliber machine guns “leap-frogged” down the river carrying the troops of Co. A,
3rd Bn., 22nd Inf., on a thorough search of the river bank.
Platoon Search
Each platoon was designated to search a particular area which eventually
linked them with a second platoon. When one area was “secured,” they would load
back onto the boats and move down river.
Once a bunker complex is found, it is destroyed and marked for future
operations.
Air-conditioning
Co. A and RAG boats don’t really want to deny “Charlie” the use of the Saigon
River. Anytime the VC want to ride up and down the river they can because the
RAG boats will be glad to see them. The River Assault Group boats have a unique
air conditioning device for the VC boats which works on the same principal that
Co. A uses on the occupants.
Sharp SP4 Given Pass For Action
DAU TIENG - In a move of the 2nd Bn., 12th Inf., in conjunction with
Operation “Manhattan,” SP4 Robert L. Smith, as point man for Co. A, heard
rustling noises to his front. Without hesitation he pumped several rounds into
the area from which the noise came.
The battalion picked up to move out and had gone no more than twenty five
meters when they discovered a dead Viet Cong complete with AK-47 and full web
gear.
For his undivided attention to duty Smith was awarded a three day pass to
Vung Tau by his company commander.
COL Visits Men In Cu Chi Hosp.
DAU TIENG - The new commanding officer of the 3rd Bn., 22nd Inf. 3rd Bde.,
4th Inf. Div., LTC James E. Hilmar visited with the wounded men of his battalion
at the 12th Evac. Hosp. at Cu Chi.
Colonel Hilmar talked with SSG Horace Harvey who was wounded in the leg
during Operation “Manhattan.” The sergeant was surprised at first to have a
colonel visit him. Hilmar explained that he was the new commanding officer and
that he was trying to visit all his men in the hospital.
The commanding officer asked Harvey how they were treating him in the
hospital.
“See that nurse sir? Every time she smiles I know I’m going to get another
needle.”
What Sort of Man Reads TLN
Although he now spends his time drawing maps and diagrams for the S-3 Office
of the 4th Inf. Div.’s 3rd Bde., SP4 Vito Ramanauskas looks back fondly on the
time when he was drawing bunnies. |
Page 8 TROPIC LIGHTNING NEWS May 29, 1967
Midnight Resupply Hectic Affair
The fight had begun early in the evening when the 1st and 2nd Bns., 27th
Inf., were airlifted into the battle between a Civilian Irregular Defense Group
and an estimated 100 man VC force. As the sun went down, flareships lit the
area while the fighting went on.
But despite the battle, the 25th Inf. Div. soldiers had to be fed and their
stores of ammunition replenished. In the middle of the firing, plain resupply
had to go on. But that night, resupply was anything but plain.
The ships had been ready for hours, and piles of material lay neatly across
the open field of the Cu Chi supply pad. Helicopters attempting to get to the
fighting men 32 kms away had been driven off by Viet Cong fire. Medevac ships
that had to get in took enemy hits, but luckily no one was wounded. The
material had to wait.
Then, just before midnight, the word came that supply could begin. Choppers
guided in by hand lights settled between the twin mounds of food and ammunition
and the frantic loading began. The swirls of dust kicked up by the rotor’s
downdraft glowed red as the ship’s safety lights blinked.
A minute or two of loading, and the men turned their backs to the flying grit
as the ship nosed over and swung off on its mission.
In the forward area the problem was to get the ships in without drawing Viet
Cong fire. Searchlights on the aircraft had to remain out. Though the entire
area was dimly lit by flareships, the battlefield was spread out and finding the
correct unit was tough.
Flashlights, emergency lights, and anything else available were used by the
soldiers on the ground to bring the choppers in. Many of them still attracted
enemy fire, but this time there were no hits. Men scrambled and loads were
literally thrown off the moment the skids touched the muddy ground. In a matter
of seconds, the aircraft were airborne and on their way back to Cu Chi for
more. The infantry now had its food and ammo.
“The pilots were fabulous,” said 1LT Derry Gallagher, 2nd Bde. assistant
S-4. Gallagher is in charge of the brigade resupply pad. “They had an
extremely tough mission, and they accomplished it.”
Early the next morning, Gallagher and the resupply men were at it again, this
time extracting heavy equipment brought in during the night, so that the
infantry could move out on a new assault.
LEFT AND DOWN - A Wolfhound guides in extraction ship after a hectic night of resupply. (Photo by 1LT A.R. Karel) |
Manchu Point Man His Close Call
Slammed to the ground by the force of the blast from four simultaneously
detonated claymore mines, the rest of the patrol was certain their point man had
been killed. The deafening explosion of claymores was followed by an attack of
automatic and small arms fire from three positions.
Miraculously, point man PFC Curtiss L. Scott of Clarksville, Miss., was hit
by just a few pellets from the claymores and not seriously wounded. He managed
to join the rest of the patrol as they began to return the fire. Sgt Antonio
Ortiz of San Juan, P.R., pulled the patrol back about 100 meters and called in
artillery. The enemy was silenced and the only friendly casualty was Scott.
In the morning 1LT Glen Crummie, 26, of Fayettville, N.C. took the men of the
2nd PIt., Co. C, 4th Bn., 9th Inf., 25th Inf. Div., to survey the scene of the
night’s action. They found that most of the deadly fragments from the claymores
had sprayed the area between Scott and the remainder of the patrol. A fortunate
miscalculation by the guerrillas.
The sites the Viet Cong had fired from were uncovered disclosing casings from
the AK 47 submachine guns they had fired at the Americans the previous night.
Part of a boot and some pieces of clothing were also located indicating that at
least two enemy had been killed by the remarkably accurate artillery barrage
which left craters as near as ten feet from the enemy positions.
Troop commander CPT James H. Strickland of Birmingham, Ala., set up a POW
collecting point and aid station in the village school to handle the large
number of detainees. “The Vietnamese soldiers were outstanding,” said the
captain. “They moved through the village in a beautifully coordinated manner
and quickly separated the VC from the civilian population.”
Are You Putting Me On?
When “Doc,” CPT Murray Rothberg, battalion surgeon of the 1st Bn. (Mech), 5th
Inf., was called in after one of the unit’s track vehicles hit a Viet Cong mine
he learned something new.
The eardrums of several of the men had been punctured by the tremendous
blast. A fifth man complained of ear pain, “Doc” assured him that the eardrum
was only bruised.
“The eardrum looked all right to me,” said Rothberg. But a few hours later
the soldier returned and insisted that the ear must have been punctured.
“I asked him how he could be so sure after the examination turned up
nothing,” said Rothberg,” and without saying a word he lit a cigarette, took a
puff, held his nose, and proceeded to blow a pretty fair puff of smoke out his
right ear.” Having proven his point, the man was evacuated to a hospital at Cu
Chi.
“It was pretty embarrassing at the time,” said Rothberg, “but now we light up
a cigarette every time a man comes in complaining of ear pain.”
Hornets Have Long Night
Elements of the 116th Avn. Bn. were recently involved in a formidable clash
with enemy forces, turning a routine re-supply mission into a medical evacuation
mission, and setting what is believed to be one of the longest flight records of
the war.
Approaching the 2nd Bde., 9th Inf.’s operational base camp, located some 48
kms southwest of Saigon near My Tho, the “Hornets” came under intense enemy fire
from automatic and small arms weapons.
Continuing their movement into the area, the “Hornets” extended the cut-off
time of their original mission and, under the direction of Maj. Harold I. Small,
commanding officer of 116th, began to fly medical evacuations and provide air
support.
Additional support was later supplied by the 68th Avn. Co. “Top Tigers,” out
of Bien Hoa.
At dusk, the 3rd Bn., 60th Inf. element at base camp came under attack by
three 82mm mortars. Two gunships and a “slick” aircraft spotted their
positions, destroying two and silencing the third.
The results of the battle included 40 American casualties and the loss of two
gunships. Enemy forces suffered heavily, with combined Hornet and ground units
confirming 131 VC dead. In addition, four enemy structures and two sampans were
destroyed, 15 weapons and 60mm mortar rounds were captured.
The combined Hornet forces scored a total of 203 hours flight time,
qualifying it as one of the longest on record for one day by one unit.
You’re Kidding
DAU TIENG – “Doe” has had some strange cases to deal with since he came to
Vietnam, but none quite as unusual as when a bird walked into the 2nd Bn. (Mech),
22nd Inf.’s medical tent.
The bird had been weakened by a number of red ants. Battalion Surgeon, CPT
Vseuolod Kohotia of Utica. N.Y. applied first aid, removing the ants and giving
the bird something to eat and drink.
SP6 Richard C. Davis of Fitchburg, Mass., said, “I guess he saw the red cross
on the side of our tent. He sure came to the right place.”
Celebration Has Special Touch
With all the trouble and bother the Viet Cong went through to celebrate North
Vietnamese president Ho Chi Minh’s birthday, the officers planning the ambush
patrols for the 25th Inf. Div.’s 2nd Bde. thought they would do their part.
The four patrols the night before the big event were codenames “Happy,”
“Birthday,” “Uncle,” and “Ho.” It was a quiet night for the patrols north of
the division’s Cu Chi base camp until “Happy” celebrated the birthday with a
bang by getting into a firefight with an estimated five man VC unit.
The Viet Cong fled the scene when the American patrol returned fire with
their best wishes of the day.
Ivymen Uncover Weapons Factory
A Viet Cong arms factory was uncovered recently by elements of the 3rd Bde.
4th Inf. Div., while working on search and destroy missions with the 25th Inf.
Div. The 2nd Bn., 22nd Inf. found the factory in War Zone C, 24 kms north of
Dan Tieng.
A large number of rifle stocks, barrels and assorted parts were uncovered
along with 16,000 mine fuses.
In the same area, a small VC base camp was uncovered, containing five huts
with heavily protected bunkers under the flooring. Captured in the camp were 15
pounds of batteries, 50 pounds of peanuts and 90 pounds of rice. No contact was
made with the enemy.
Thanks to:
Gary Hartt, 2nd Bn. (Mech.), 22nd Inf.,
for sharing this issue,
Kirk Ramsey, 2nd Bn., 14th Inf. for creating this page.
This page last modified 06-14-2005
©2005 25th Infantry Division Association. All rights reserved.