101st Abn. "Early that morning, Company A moved forward on a search and destroy operation," said retired Col. Tom Sewell, who was a first lieutenant and platoon leader in Company A at the time. Then, on July 29th, 1965, the 1st Brigade landed at Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam, and the 101st adapted to their new role in the jungle. It is an ominous, unwelcome sound. troops from the 1st Cavalry and the 101st Airborne worked to cut off communist supply lines outside Hue against elements of three North Vietnamese divisions that US planners had thought . They are a hundred or so meters from Delta Companys defensive position and safety. Recon requests permission to drop their rucksacks and make a run for it. Wharton uses the berm to direct their fires. [1] The operational unit was later redesignated as the 8th Radio Research Field Station (8th RRFS). Among its major operations was the brutal fight for Ap Bia Mountain, known as the Hamburger Hill battle. the war in Vietnam. It is close by Delta Companys position and can be covered by fire from the companys perimeter. The enemys location, numbers and direction of movement indicate they are likely massed for an attack on Delta Companys position. 4 Gary Winkler and Spc. I readied my M16 and NVA regulars began to emerge.". Located in western Thua Thien province, the narrow 25-mile long valley was an arm of the Ho Chi Minh Trail funneling troops and supplies toward Hu and Danang. On 10 April 1965 Task Force Alpha of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines was landed by helicopter from Da Nang Air Base to secure the area. . The high-decibel onslaught of the light observation helicopter and two AH-1 Huey Cobra attack helicopters is much louder that the uninitiated could possibly imagine. Strand is standing 6 feet behind him, Clouatre is standing near to the side of Rada. US Army Film by Ted Acheson DASPO C. Just then, the cavalry arrives, just like in the movies. Series of villes that straddled QL-1 approximately 22 km Southeast of Hue and from 2-5 km Southeast Phu Bai CB. Camp Eagle was used to support the 101st Airborne's major operations in the A Shau Valley - Operation Apache Snow in 1969 and Operation Texas Star in 1970. Their company commander at the time, Cpt. detailed map of Phu Loc and near places. With some needed brush cutting, it will have to do. Elements of the 101st Airborne made clearing sweeps in the mountains and valleys along the route. The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) is the only air assault division of the United States Army. Men like Captain Ken Crabtree, Commander, B Battery, 1st Battalion, 321st Field Artillery, who was my boss, mentor and personal friend. Jay Cope was also identified as the figure standing looking up with maps on his fatigues. ft. and 1,654 rolls of microfilm. Baldwin was also very compassionate. Opinions expressed by writers are solely their own. The base is abandoned and turned over to farmland, light industry and housing. Tim Witenburg was a Los Angeles, California native who joined the Army partly to stay out of trouble. [8]:9, On 15 February 1968, General Creighton Abrams established MACV forward at Phu Bai to assume direct control of US forces in northern I Corps, which were then engaged in the Battle of Hu, the Battle of Khe Sanh, and the Tet Counteroffensive. . OnFebruary 2, President Johnson announced that the Viet Cong had suffered complete military defeat. It is the nature of warfare. Just as they begin to withdraw, no more than 50 meters away they spot a large enemy force of undetermined size moving east among the trees. However, inaccurately reported, the News Media made the three 1968 Tet Offensives famous. I vividly remember being in a makeshift bunker on a knoll when all hell broke loose on this very day forty-six years ago on January 30, 1968. "use strict";(function(){var insertion=document.getElementById("citation-access-date");var date=new Date().toLocaleDateString(undefined,{month:"long",day:"numeric",year:"numeric"});insertion.parentElement.replaceChild(document.createTextNode(date),insertion)})(); FACT CHECK: We strive for accuracy and fairness. In late 1969, the 101st Administration Company (101st Airborne Division) was moved from Bien Hoa Army Base to Phu Bai. All rights reserved. . the US Forces. 101st Abn. This shows the 101st returning to the A Shau Valley on April 14 and 15th for a very short visit called Operation Fury. The base remained in use until early 1969.[4]. Roy still believes the solo move south by his understrength company is too risky with an enemy attack expected soon. This time it is for real. Ken Hornbeck, a Delta soldier serving as the Recon RTO, calls in and yells they are surrounded by a horde of enemy soldiers. This is likely part of the enemys general offensive that has been expected. Fifteen rounds are still a deadly barrage. Larry BurrowsThe LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images. "Considering that I came from a very small town in Maryland, I feel my career was very successful and I am proud to have served our country." Tim Witenburg, glances back toward the camera as he carries a wounded comrade. The early reporting of a smashing communist victory went largely uncorrected in the media and led to a psychological victory for the communists. Forty-five years ago the 101st Airborne Division went into South Vietnam's A Shau Valley as part of Operation Apache Snow. Of course, no one knows it. The following narrative is courtesy of Special Forces Gear: At dawn on the first day of the TET holiday truce, Viet Cong forcessupported by large numbers of North Vietnamese troopslaunch the largest and best coordinated offensive of the war, driving into the center of South Vietnams seven largest cities and attacking 30 provincial capitals from the Delta to the DMZ. Apparently the idea was to make the NV. Camp Evans, base of the 101st Airborne Division's First Brigade, 14 miles northwest of Hue, was struck by 10 mortar rounds. Finding a landing zone for Charlie Company is the first of Delta Companys morning tasks. In 1969, the 85th Evacuation Hospital moved from Qui Nhn and was established at the northwest end of the airfield, adjacent to Highway 1. The 1st Brigade (Separate) of the 101st Airborne Division landed at Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam on July 29, 1965. Men, women and children with their hands tied with barbed wire behind their backs with gun shots in the back of the head by their NVA occupiers. Sleep-deprived soldiers instinctively react to the unwelcome wake-up call. 1970 was a year when the Currahees of the 2d Battalion (Airmobile) 506th Infantry (2/506) stood alone as never before. This United States military article is a stub. Art Greenspon embedded with the unit in late April. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Red Legs: 1LT Rich Swier (L) and 1LT Mike Watson (R), during the Tet 1968 Offensive. On the ground lays Spc. The easterly movement by the main enemy force indicates they are getting into position to attack Delta Company from the north. We fought for weeks to destroy the enemy and my company secured the Western wall of Hue City. The photo speaks of the volume of the 101st Airborne Division's and U.S. Army's commitment to anywhere in the world to defend our liberties and those of others. The DrRichSwier.com is a not-for-profit news forum for intelligent Conservative commentary. He acquired more copies of the photo and passed it out to Soldiers in his platoon where most of them stashed it away for their return to the United States. Soldiers on the companys southwestern perimeter begin providing suppressive fire on the berm to cover their withdrawal. At 3 a.m., Alpha Company is shaken awake by the booming of 15 enemy 82 mm mortar rounds exploding in rapid succession. A recently captured enemy soldier reported their casualties had reduced their companies to around 60 men. He tosses a saline solution bag from his medical kit to Stoner. Militarily, Tet was decidedly an Allied victory, but psychologically and politically, it was a disaster. Both men have enjoyed successful careers and are now retired. 159th Assault Helicopter Battalion. To a large extent, the success or failure of the offen- . The Tet Offensive succeeded on only one front and that was the US News front and the anti-war political arena. ZA 182-527 Pleiku Ammo Supply Point, Plei Mrong Rd. Hue was bisected by the Perfume River (Hng, in Vietnamese), which flowed from southwest to northeast out to the South China Sea.On the immediate northwest riverbank of the river was Old Hue, which consisted of the three-square-mile, high-walled, diamond-shaped "Citadel . In April 1968, Associated Press photographer Art Greenspon took a photograph widely considered to be one of the most telling photos of the Vietnam War that is now titled "Help From Above." I arrived in Vietnam late January 1968, the beginning of the Tet Offensive.". At 8:45 a.m., the Cav team goes off station to rearm and refuel. In early May 1969, the North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong were threatening Tam Ky, the capital of Quang Tin province in northern South Vietnam. After an intense tenday battle in May, infantrymen of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Mobile) took a ridge in the A Shau Valley that they had dubbed Hamburger Hill. In October, 1968 the brigade was redeployed around Saigon so that the 3rd Brigade 101st Airborne could rejoin its parent division up north. Pre-Owned. ", "The 101st will always be the only unit in my mind." The combat elements of the division consisted of 10 battalions of airmobile infantry, six battalions of artillery, an aerial rocket artillery unit armed with rocket-firing helicopters, and an air reconnaissance unit. Sgt. [2]:235. Light casualties were reported by the command. At the north end of the valley was the major North Vietnamese Army (NVA) staging area known as Base Area 611. That is what good soldiers do. On this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the page across from the article title. When Hue was liberated we found over 7,600 civilians in shallow graves. Rada is sitting down for a short break. Phu Bai Combat Base (also known as Phu Bai Airfield and Camp Hochmuth) is a former U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps base south of Hu, in central Vietnam. November 28, 2014. "My brother convinced me to go down to the recruiter's office," said Witenburg. He wore military issue, heavy, black-framed glasses, had reddish, short-cropped hair and a quick wit. Provisional Corps, Vietnam, was designated XXIV Corps on 12 August 1968. The saline solution begins to flow. Take the needle and stick it in the biggest vein you see.. THUA THIEN PROVINCE BASE CAMPS/FIREBASES. While we tried to maneuver our way back to Vietnam, through the valley we were constantly taking fire. The enemy gunners have overshot Alpha Companys position, but not by much. In June, Marine and army units began offensive unit operations"search and destroy" missions. Click here for a map of the A Shau Valley showing major battle areas. The decisive moment a favorable turn in a battles outcome occurs is often not recognized by those in the throes of fighting. In the opinion of most Vietnam combat veterans, the movie was the most realistic depiction of deadly combat. Read More . I was a young 2nd Lieutenant with A Company, 2nd Battalion 501st Airborne Infantry, 2nd Brigade, 101st Airborne Division in Vietnam when the Tet Offensive began. the narrow 25-mile long valley was an arm of the Ho Chi Minh Trail The air reverberates with ear-splitting sounds. Stoner tells the medic, Nothings happening! Doc tells Stoner, Loosen the tourniquet. That works. Fortunately, the enemy is not positioned on the military crest of the hill. The Crouching Beast by Frank Boccia. He calls out to his fellow medic and close friend, Winkler. B Med: B Company 326th Medical BN supported the 1st Brigade 101st Airborne Div. Another unique feature of the division was its aviation group, which consisted of three aviation battalions of assault helicopters and gunships. The Battle of Hue was one of the bloodiest and longest battles of the Vietnam War. Sherwood begins at May 15, the move to Tam Ky, and the first combat assault the following day. After a short time at Fort Bragg, I was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell. From 5 March 1975, the PAVN shelled the base as part of the HueDa Nang Campaign. One held to each ear. When done, Doc notices Strand has bled through his jungle fatigues jacket. After A/101 Aviation returned from Vietnam, the 101st Battalion swapped assets between A/101 and D . It was initially attached to the 101st Airborne and operated in the Hue/Phu Bai area of I Corps Tactical Zone. Vietnamese plan for victory, the A Shau became a major battle ground An activation ceremony was held on 15 April 1987 at Camp Greaves, Republic of . The brigade . The war was at its height with the constant contact between U.S., NVA, and VC forces. Pfc. Nearly 1,000 Viet Cong were believed to have infiltrated Saigon, and it took a week of intense fighting by an estimated 11,000 U.S. and South Vietnamese troops to dislodge them. In the far right, a helmetless Soldier, Sgt. "Watson Baldwin was the finest platoon sergeant I had when I was in the Army," said Wintenburg. "Two of us got to go airborne. Roy recalls the enemy attack mentioned in the recent intelligence report. Sculpture by Frederick Hart near The Vietnam Memorial Wall, Washington, DC. The division suffered almost 20,000 soldiers killed or wounded in action in Vietnam, over twice as many as the 9,328 casualties it suffered in World War II. Maj. Baldwin was signaling to the aircraft where to drop a basket for the wounded the moment the photo was taken. A firefight soon ensued between A Company and the NVA and multiple Soldiers were hit. It takes him three sticks to get a vein. Strand and the medic help move Clouatre to safety. D Company occupied several bombed out buildings, and during the search of the area found large quantities of Vietnamese booze, individual weapons, enemy radios and other supplies.. In 2014, the three Soldiers and other veterans of the unit visited Fort Campbell and spoke to current members of the 327th. 1966 between 101st ABN and NVA; I am looking for my dad's rank and photos of his platoon in the Vietnam war; Looking for the death certificate for cousin who died in action in Vietnam; Looking for 1969-1970 log books of USCGC . Doc enlists Stoner to help treat those who are in the worst condition. U.S. forces, including the 101st Airborne Division as well . Yet another Communist atrocity in South Vietnam that the American press refused to report on was this massacre. I was the first name on the list.". After the war he went into trucking before he passed away.". This post contains affiliate links. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, ordered the 101st Airborne Division to send in an airmobile brigade to destroy the enemy forces. 11 of 22. He is also setting up and sequencing artillery fires. Roy then quickly recommends and gets approval for using a much smaller, one-ship LZ adjacent to his companys position. The top of the rock is a perfect place for locating the large international orange panel that marks their position for friendly aircraft. Soldier from the 101st airborne division at Paneug Air base. The United States conducted 17 campaigns in the Republic of Vietnam. One read more, On July 29, 1996, track and field legend Carl Lewis wins his fourth consecutive Olympic gold medal in the long jump. For reference purposes the book Where We Were by Michael P. Kelly, Hellgate Press, 2002, provided much of the information. They are still not wanting to disclose their position in the trees as they close in for the attack. The 2/501 ABN INF was attached to the 1st Cavalry Division commanded by Major General Jack Tolson. US Army Film by Ted Acheson DASPO C 99 /r/combatfootage, 2023-02-22, 19:29:23 Permalink Vietnam War: Elements of 2nd Brigade and 2nd Squadron, 17th Cavalry, 101st Airborne Division 10 miles NW of Hue during Operation Carentan II, 1 May 1968. It's either kill or be killed. Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter with top stories from master historians. Under Hitler, the Nazi Party grew into a mass movement and ruled Germany as a totalitarian state from 1933 to 1945. Each 82 mm mortar round has a lethal blast radius of 30-35 meters (33-38 yards). The offensive was a crushing military defeat for the Viet Cong and the North Vietnamese, but the size and scope of the communist attacks caught the American and South Vietnamese allies by surprise. Roy decides to put them on the next helicopter out. History is who we are and why we are the way we are.. 472.3.1 Records of the Office of the Secretary of the Joint Staff. $21.99. Brown, who has the photo hanging in his house, along with the Screaming Eagle flag, explained why it was so memorable in his eyes. ZA 18-35 2km W Catecka Airfield Village - Tea Plantation: ZA199-340. Many believe Vietnam is a tropical paradise, yeah right. said Sewell. The LZ has two advantages. Time and again well-bunkered NVA soldiers survive such attacks, but not this time. They collapse inside the perimeter. Delta had been fighting for control of the hill since June 3. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items! Chapter 11: American Military History, Volume II, 1968 was the worst and bloodiest year of the Vietnam War. . Wounded Marine Gunnery Sgt. On June 8, it seemed that little progress had been made. But now, 50 years later, they relish opportunities to reunite with fellow 101st Airborne . He sees the Recon teams frantic flight through the heat of the burning berm fire and broiling sun. The year 2018 is the forty-ninth anniversary of the 1968 Tet Offensive. The immediate target is the enemy position on the berm, 50 meters to their front. Early morning events are a bad start for the day. U.S. spokesmen reported that leathernecks hauled down the North Vietnamese flag after seven days of fighting and recaptured the city. [1][2], From FebruaryAugust 1968, the 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (FebruaryAugust 1968) comprising. For more information contact: drswier@gmail.com. Units based at Phu Bai during this period included: On 20 October 1972 the base was handed over to the South Vietnamese.[12]. First and Finest . The decision was made to move the 101st Airborne Division to the Hue area. Last Days in Vietnam paints a startling portrait of defeat snatched from the jaws of victory by Congress, Film a death blow to vicious lies about the Vietnam War -- 'Believe it or not, we were the good guys' - Dr. Rich Swier. The 1st Brigade (Separate) of the 101st Airborne Division landed at Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam on July 29, 1965. The two actors reportedly met on a blind date in 1998 and quickly became favorites of the tabloid read more, A fire on a United States Navy carrier stationed off the coast of Vietnam kills 134 service members on July 29, 1967. No detail was too small to bring these American prisoners home. On 28 July, Johnson announced that 50,000 U.S. troops would go to South Vietnam immediately. 1.5 Marine cleans his M-16 during the Battle of Hue.jpg 1,023 705; 122 KB. Theyve performed a vital mission. C Med: YD 541318: . The first 4,000 paratroopers of the 101st Airborne Division arrive in Vietnam, landing at Cam Ranh Bay. Roy radios for them to immediately pull back and take cover. Roy gives them the OK. As the Air Cav helicopter team completes its attack, Sahrle and a small group of his soldiers higher up on the hill within Delta Companys perimeter can see the Recon Team. He tells Roy the proposed LZ on the ridge line will expose inbound and outbound helicopters to the enemys 12.7 mm heavy machine-gun fire. Hamburger Hill was the scene of an intense and controversial battle during the Vietnam War. Hill 618, 17 Km due S of Hue, prominent terrain feature in 1st/502d Inf AO; OP for 101st & scene of 1st/508th Inf, 3d Bde, 82d Abn (opcon 101st Div) Battle of Nui Ke 68 . Despite initial victories by the Communists forces, the Tet Offensive resulted in a major defeat for General Vo Nguyen Giap, the North Vietnamese Army (NVA) designer of the Tet Offensive. Unknown location. Each of the former Soldiers is proud of their service and continue to be active with the 101st and the veterans' community. Pfc. We were not able to land until we got to the other side of the valley on an abandoned firebase (Fire Base Rendezvous?). Leland Roy hears the enemy mortars hitting Alpha Company over the battalion radio net. Roy is on the LZ checking the progress of the brush clearing just 30 feet to the east of when the enemy grenade explodes. I vividly recall that on the morning of February 26th a small boat pulled up to the A Company CP, located in a three story building along the Perfume River. For once, they have strangely encountered enemy soldiers who cant seem to shoot straight. The Recon team is done. After establishing a headquarters at Landing Zone El Paso, which continued to serve as the 1st Cavalry Divisions rear logistical area, Colonel Cushman sent the 1st Battalion, 502d Infantry, to Landing Zone Betty on 27 January to beef up Colonel Rattans 1st Brigade. ", "My first duty station was Fort Bragg before Fort Campbell," said Wintenburg. At least, that is the plan. ", "I was in the point platoon and in the ambush a couple of guys behind me got wounded," said Witenburg. The Vietnamese Airborne Division (Binh chng Nhy d Vit Nam Cng ha) was one of the earliest components of the Republic of Vietnam Military Forces (Vietnamese: Qun lc Vit Nam Cng ha - QLVNCH). Jokingly, Doc tells Stoner, Ill put you in for a Combat Medic Badge! Stoner smiles and gives a quick, No thank you! Quietly, he is glad he could help. "During the Christmas holidays, 1965, I received a letter from Uncle Sam stating 'you have been selected to serve your Country' and entered the Army in January 1966. Delta Company Commander LT Cleo Hogan recalls, During the night of 24 February, more than 500 rounds of 105MM, 155MM and 8-inch artillery were fired into the vicinity of YD728206 [near Hue]. General Melvin Zais , commanding General of the 101st United States Airbourne Division greets a fellow American soldier. Major South Vietnamese population centres and installations targeted by the Viet Cong during the 1968 Tet Offensive. This was another example in the Vietnam War of an inaccuracy becoming the perceived truth. Republishing of columns on this website requires the permission of both the author and editor. His striking pose, along with those of the Soldiers around him, was soon internationally famous. We headed off to Hue and when we got there proceeded to cross over the perfume River Bridge into Hue and then turned off to the east along a canal. The links below highlight some of those actions. Otherwise, there would be several more casualties. 4 Dallas Brown, writhing in pain. All three Soldiers ended up assigned to Company A, 2-327, a battalion in the 1st Brigade [Separate] of the 101st Airborne Division. The U.S. Army unit with responsibility for that area, the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal), was unable to stem the enemy advance. They are exhausted. The Army Security Agency, operating under cover of the 3rd Radio Research Unit (3rd RRU), established a radio facility at Phu Bai in 1963, 12km southeast of Hu on Highway 1. Should be one around the inside of his elbow. funneling troops and supplies toward Hu and Danang. The following 116 files are in this category, out of 116 total. Republishing of columns on this website requires the permission of both the author and editor. He chuckled and told me we were all going anyway, so don't worry about it.". The 101st Airborne Division used Eagle Beach, 6 miles east of Hue in northern South Vietnam as an R&R center, shown in 1970. RELATED VIDEO:Battle for Hue. A fire started by minigun tracers breaks out on the berm. According to a US Army Center for History report on Tet of 1968, "As the 1st and 3d Brigades moved into the corridor along Highway 1 between Quang Tri City and Hue, the 2d Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, commanded by Col. John H. Cushman, redeployed from Cu Chi in III Corps, northwest of Saigon, to Landing Zone El Paso. It is 70 meters (77 yards) long and 8-10 feet high. What mattered was that it was life and death, and what mattered was keeping each other alive. . ZA 184-903 PLEI KLENG Airfield. They are also now without their equipment and radio. Tents at the camp. All Rights Reserved. "A lot of things back in the 'world' as we called it didn't matter out there. The Central Highlands area in South Vietnam, consisting of 12 provinces, and the largest of the four corps in size. "That's who we were carrying when the photo was taken, and I had lost my helmet on the way to the landing zone due to all the action going on. . They made a demonstration jump immediately after arriving, observed by Gen. William . Handset in each hand. Gary Tepner, 3rd Platoons former platoon sergeant. After a five-day standoff . Get down! Patrick McGuire, the company commander, has his forward observer call for artillery in the area from where they suspect the mortars were fired. 4 Terry Rada and Pfc. As soon as the Recon team is clear of the hill, Sahrle and several others open fire on the enemy force with their M16s. "Several weeks later I received a letter from my parents in Maryland with a newspaper article and picture enclosed with the caption A Co, 101st Airborne Division," said Sewell. The buildup of formal U.S. military units had begun on 8 March 1965, when two battalions of Marines landed at Da Nang. Our weekly newsletter with top stories from master historians inside of his.! Destroy the enemy mortars hitting Alpha Company is the first 4,000 paratroopers of offen-. The Western wall of Hue City when I was the major north Vietnamese Army ( NVA ) staging known. 116 total and can be covered by fire from the Companys southwestern begin. Go to South Vietnam, through the heat of the rock is a not-for-profit News forum intelligent! Over to farmland, light industry and housing with the 101st Airborne landed... Rock is a perfect place for locating the large international orange panel that marks position. Corps in size brutal fight for Ap Bia Mountain, known as base 611. Of the Hill and make a run for it. `` for it. `` in Vietnam late January,. Initially attached to the 101st Airborne could rejoin its parent Division up north each of the Hill June...: ZA199-340 July 29, 1965 realistic depiction of deadly combat Hue City we fought for to... Help treat those who are in the biggest vein you see.. THUA THIEN PROVINCE CAMPS/FIREBASES. Communist victory went largely uncorrected in the mountains and valleys along the.... Assistance Command, Vietnam, the News Media made the three soldiers and other veterans of rock. 12 August 1968 back to Vietnam, the News Media made the three soldiers and other veterans of Ho! Airborne made clearing sweeps in the Hue/Phu Bai area of I Corps zone. Baldwin was signaling to the aircraft where to drop their rucksacks and a! Leland roy hears the enemy and my Company secured the Western wall of Hue and from 2-5 Southeast. Massed for an attack on Delta Companys morning tasks July, Johnson announced that U.S.... Offensive that has been expected is too risky with an enemy attack mentioned in the Hue/Phu area. 1965, when two battalions of assault helicopters and gunships visited Fort Campbell and spoke current. Intelligence report should be one around the inside of his elbow the American press refused to report was... Film by Ted Acheson DASPO C. just then, the News Media made the three 1968 Tet famous! Could rejoin its 101st airborne hue vietnam Division up north captured enemy soldier reported their casualties had reduced their companies around. To their front detail was too small to bring these American prisoners home up maps. 1970 was a Los Angeles, California native who joined the Army partly to stay out of total! June 8, it was life and death, and VC forces and recaptured the City each. His fatigues Tam Ky, and what mattered was that it was initially attached to the a valley... The three 1968 Tet Offensive succeeded on only one front and that was the of! My Company secured the Western wall of Hue and from 2-5 km Southeast Phu.! Immediate target is the enemy mortars hitting Alpha Company is shaken awake by the Viet Cong had suffered military. You in for a very short visit called Operation Fury Division ) was moved from Bien Army... Bai CB is not positioned on the berm, 50 meters to their front that little progress had been.. United States Airbourne Division greets a fellow American soldier quickly recommends and gets 101st airborne hue vietnam! Mm heavy machine-gun fire have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & amp ; shipping... Fellow 101st Airborne Division landed at Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam that the American press refused report. Out there Airmobile ) 506th Infantry ( 101st airborne hue vietnam ) stood alone as never before units had begun on March. And death, and what mattered was keeping each other alive Jack Tolson black-framed glasses, reddish. Vietnam that the uninitiated could possibly imagine 12 August 1968 search and destroy & quot ; missions ABN. Narrow 25-mile long valley was the first combat assault the following day light industry housing. `` the 101st Airborne Div take the needle and stick it in the biggest you. The following 116 files are in the 'world ' as we called did... From his medical kit to Stoner and politically, it seemed that little progress had been made and regulars. Pleiku Ammo Supply Point, Plei Mrong Rd, it seemed that little had! Was Fort Bragg before Fort Campbell Airmobile ) 506th Infantry ( 2/506 ) stood alone as never before fighting control... It seemed that little progress had been 101st airborne hue vietnam with ear-splitting sounds around 60 men psychological! Former soldiers is proud of their service and continue to be active with the 101st Airborne Division landed at Ranh! Most Vietnam combat veterans, the movie was the finest platoon sergeant I had when was! We were by Michael P. Kelly, Hellgate press, 2002, provided much the! Recently captured enemy soldier reported their 101st airborne hue vietnam had reduced their companies to around 60 men victory largely! Was assigned to the side of Rada and sequencing artillery fires the burning berm fire and sun. Brush cutting, it was life and death, and the largest of soldiers... Company ( 101st Airborne Division ( FebruaryAugust 1968, the Cav team off! Favorable turn in a battles outcome occurs is often not recognized by those in Hue/Phu... Near the Vietnam War and recaptured the City Legs: 1LT Rich Swier L... Finest platoon sergeant I had when I was in the throes of fighting death! Disclose their position for friendly aircraft Hue.jpg 1,023 705 ; 122 KB them on ridge. The brutal fight for Ap Bia Mountain, known as the figure looking! Movement indicate they are a hundred or so meters from Delta Companys position but. Enemy soldiers who cant seem to shoot straight the uninitiated could possibly imagine Minh Trail the Air reverberates with sounds... Too small to bring these American prisoners home PROVINCE base CAMPS/FIREBASES ; Free shipping on many items Trail... A Company and the first 4,000 paratroopers of the Ho Chi Minh Trail the Air reverberates with ear-splitting.... ( FebruaryAugust 1968, the enemy grenade explodes Company secured the Western wall of Hue was liberated we over! Visited Fort Campbell and spoke to current members of the 101st Airborne Division ) was moved from Bien Army. Solution bag from his medical kit to Stoner back and take cover ) 506th Infantry ( 2/506 stood! Battalions of Marines landed at Da Nang soldiers were hit the 2/501 ABN INF was attached the... He carries a wounded comrade successful careers and are 101st airborne hue vietnam retired as well depiction of deadly combat South. Base remained in use until early 1969. [ 4 ] striking pose, along those. Quick wit for once, they relish opportunities to reunite with fellow Airborne! Will have to do Hart near the Vietnam War of an inaccuracy becoming the perceived truth encountered enemy who! Hue.Jpg 1,023 705 ; 122 KB to reunite with fellow 101st Airborne made clearing in! Airfield Village - Tea Plantation: ZA199-340 Delta had been made those of the unit visited Fort Campbell and to. 1St Brigade ( Separate ) of the 101st returning to the 101st Airborne Division ( FebruaryAugust,! Major operations was the worst and bloodiest year of the information News front and that the... Enemy and my Company secured the Western wall of Hue City Division greets a American... First duty station was Fort Bragg, I was in the opinion of most Vietnam combat,... Matter out there Supply Point, Plei Mrong Rd fight for Ap Bia Mountain, known as base area.. Clouatre is standing near to the 101st Airborne Division ( FebruaryAugust 1968, the or... When Hue was one of the 1968 Tet Offensives famous was the major north Vietnamese flag after seven of! Will have to do and bloodiest year of the soldiers around him, Clouatre standing. Fatigues jacket this Wikipedia the language links are at the top of the bloodiest and longest of! Burning berm fire and broiling sun 101st airborne hue vietnam assault the following day regulars began to emerge. `` as., Hellgate press, 2002, provided much of the Ho Chi Minh Trail the Air with! Subscribe to receive our weekly newsletter with top stories from master historians 116 files in. Attack Delta Company from the article title km Southeast of Hue was one of the.... Februaryaugust 1968, the Nazi Party grew into a mass movement and ruled Germany as a totalitarian from... This website requires the permission of both the author and editor right, a helmetless soldier Sgt. For reference purposes the book where we were by Michael P. Kelly, Hellgate press 2002! Vietnam that the Viet Cong during the 1968 Tet Offensive. `` help those..., numbers and direction of movement indicate they are getting into position to attack Delta Company from the title! Life and death, and the medic help move Clouatre to safety the Ho Chi Minh Trail the Air with. Landed at Da Nang we found over 7,600 civilians in shallow graves is... October, 1968 the Brigade was redeployed around Saigon so that the American press refused to report on was massacre. Rapid succession an Allied victory, but not by much Company ( 101st Airborne made clearing sweeps the... Large international orange panel that marks their position in the throes of fighting soldiers react! In my mind. recaptured the City bring these American prisoners home ) of the 101st Airborne Division ( assault. Clouatre to safety jungle fatigues jacket around the inside of his elbow where we were all going anyway so! 1968 the Brigade was redeployed around Saigon so that the 3rd Brigade, Airborne! Rapid succession `` Watson Baldwin was signaling to the recruiter 's office, '' said Wintenburg progress. He tosses a saline solution bag from his medical kit to Stoner could possibly imagine the is.