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FOREWORD by Jerry Berry

Many Americans recall with pride the accomplishments of the fighting men of

World War II, who are often referred to as “The Greatest Generation”, but do not realize

that another generation of fighting men would emerge to continue the legacy of their

World War II predecessors and carry its tradition of valor and honor once again to the

battlefield in the continuing struggle to protect freedom in the world. Among this new

generation of fighting men were the “Screaming Eagles” of the 101st Airborne who also

fought, sacrificed and died for the cause of freedom while serving our country in the rice

paddies and jungles of South Vietnam.

In the bookcase at my home in Montana, I proudly display a "shadowbox"

containing various military ribbons, medals, badges and awards earned during my military

service in 1967-1968. Underneath these decorations is an engraved plate with my name

and service number, followed by the caption:

Paratrooper, Rifleman, PIO Company A/HHC

3-506, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, Vietnam 1967-1968

'CURRAHEES' Hundreds of men served with the famed 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry

(Currahees), either as infantry or support members during the Vietnam Era (1 April 1967

through 15 May 1971). Some of these soldiers served with the battalion at Fort Campbell,

Kentucky, as well as various locations in the Republic of Vietnam-- Phan Rang, Song

Mao, Bao Loc, Phan Thiet, DaLat, Ban Me Thout, An Khe, Phu Bai, and Camp Eagle,

including Cambodia. The 3-506 would serve in Vietnam until May 15, 1971, when the

Battalion colors were encased and the Battalion was inactivated. They were professional

soldiers... and proud to "stand alone". . . they called us "Currahees."

Each of those engraved words on that metal plate in my shadow box have profound

and everlasting meaning for me in so many ways. Utmost is the camaraderie with soldiers

whom I had the privilege to know and the honor to have served with in combat during the

3-506 odyssey in Vietnam, as well as those who filled the ranks and files of the battalion

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after I retuned home in 1968. One of these soldiers is Combat Medic Bruce William Nied,

Company A, 3-506th who served as a platoon medic.

Vietnam

To appreciate the role of the American soldier and his contribution to the Vietnam

War, certain background information on the area of the world known as Indochina is vital

to Tom's story.

The area of Southeast Asia known as Indochina was under the control of the French

colonies until the end of the Indochina War with France in 1954. As a result, the countries

of Indochina gained their independence and became neutral countries, yet totally open to

the looming threat of Communist aggression and influence from China. The Geneva

Accords of 1954 had divided the small country known as Vietnam into two parts—a

Communist North Vietnam and a non-Communist South Vietnam—but the Communist

leader of North Vietnam, Ho Chi Minh, kept alive his goal of one day reuniting the country

of Vietnam under Communist rule. The small republic of South Vietnam struggled to

hold on to its freedom, but was constantly plagued by attacks from Communist guerillas,

known as Viet Cong (VC), and infiltration of their government by Communist

sympathizers.

United States involvement in Indochina began with passive involvement in the

form of economic aid. From 1955 through 1963, the countries of Indochina, especially

Cambodia and South Vietnam, received millions of dollars in aid from our country. Our

Nation's role in the Vietnam conflict started with economic aid to South Vietnam during

the presidency of Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954. Over the next ten years, United States

involvement in the Vietnam conflict was only in an advisory capacity to assist the South

Vietnamese Government in their struggle to stop the spread of Communism in their

country. By the end of 1964, there were about 23,000 military personnel in South Vietnam

serving as advisors. This passive involvement slowly evolved into active participation

during the presidencies of John F. Kennedy and Lynden B. Johnson. In March of 1965,

President Johnson deployed a group of U. S. Marines to South Vietnam as the first

American troops to enter the war. It was evident that the Communist threat to South

Vietnam was growing and could not be halted without the aid of additional U. S. ground

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combat troops. By the end of 1965, the number of military personnel in South Vietnam

rose to 180,000.

The shadow of Communism had already darkened the neutrality of Laos.

Cambodia’s vain, yet colorful chief of state, Prince Norodom Sihanouk was pro-

Communist, despite his claim that his country remained neutral. By 1965, North Vietnam

no longer denied their direct support of Communist guerillas operating in South Vietnam.

The United States realized that the Communist threat to South Vietnam could not be halted

without the involvement of ground combat troops. The desire to thwart the spread of

Communism in Indochina compelled our country to ultimately commit combat troops to

the effort in South Vietnam. In March 1965, the first American troops set foot on

Vietnamese soil. The United States also began bombing raids on North Vietnam, and the

decision of the American government in the years to follow would bring our country more

deeply into the Vietnam conflict.

Following the first group of Marines deployed to South Vietnam in March 1965

was the best of a new generation of "Screaming Eagles" of the 101st Airborne Division,

who also answered the call to serve their country in combat. In July 1965, the first element

of the 1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division was deployed to South Vietnam to assist

in halting the spread of Communism in southeast Asia. The conflict in this small country,

as well as the U. S. troop build-up, escalated within the next two years (1966 and 1967).

At the beginning of 1967, there were approximately 385,000 troops serving in

South Vietnam, with assurance from President Johnson that more troops would be sent as

needed. A fourth maneuver battalion of the 101st Airborne Infantry, the 3rd Battalion,

506th Infantry (Airborne), was deployed to Vietnam in October of 1967, in response to the

increased need for more troops to fight the guerrilla-type warfare being waged in South

Vietnam. By the end of 1968, U.S troop strength had increased to 475,000. In January

1969, President Richard Nixon was sworn in as President of the United States and would

take our country in a new direction concerning involvement in the Vietnam War.

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* * *

A Oak Park, Illinois Soldier's Military Journal The Combat Journal of Bruce William Nied

Fate delivered me into the arms of my loving parents, Betty and Robert Nied in Chicago, Illinois on June 27, 1947. I grew up in the Oak Park area and graduated from Oak Park-River Forest High School in June 1965. Soon after graduating high school, I enrolled at Eastern Illinois University (EIU) that fall. I attended college for two years, before running out of money and decided to leave college to work at DuPont Chemical Company in downtown Chicago. As the military draft numbers continued to increase during the Vietnam conflict, and the fact that I was not actively enrolled in College, my name was eventually added to the list of draftees. As a result, I was classified 1-A (Available for Military Service) by my local draft board, Selective Service Local Board No. 104 of Forest Park, Illinois. However, by the time I had earned enough money to return to EIU and the same day that I received my enrollment acceptance for the spring quarter 1968, I received my draft notice! On Friday, March 22, 1968, I was inducted into the U. S. Army. This journal is the account of a personal experience and so personal that for four decades I could not bring myself to write it--an experience which had a profound affect on my life and how I have tried to live that life. This is my story of a year, six months and 28 days in Vietnam with the renowned "Screaming Eagles" of the 101st Airborne Division--the 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry "Currahees"; and the 192nd Assault Helicopter Company "Polecat and Tiger Sharks".

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* * * Military Service

All army recruits during the Vietnam war era, whether volunteers (enlisted) or conscripts (drafted), were sent to one of many training camps in the U.S. depending on their state of residence when inducted. Those from the northeastern, eastern and southeastern states were sent primarily to Fort Leonard Wood, New Jersey, Fort Gordon or Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Fort Jackson, South Carolina, or Fort Leonard Wood, Louisiana. Those recruits living in the mid-section of the US most likely reported to Fort Knox, Kentucky, or Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. If a recruit lived in the upper West or Southwest, he was assigned to Fort Ord in California. For those living in the Northwest and Alaska, their duty station became Fort Lewis, Washington. As a resident of Illinois, I was assigned to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. Fort Leonard Wood is located in the heart of the Missouri Ozarks about 90 miles east of Springfield, Missouri and 140 miles west of St. Louis on Interstate 44. Young men drafted or enlisted into the military were first sent to an induction center, usually within their state for their physical examination to determine if they were physical and mentally suitable for military service, and if he passed his physical, he was given the Oath of Allegiance (sworn in) in front of the flag of the United States.

* * *

From Civilian to Recruit Early on a dark, cold and rainy morning of March 22, 1968, my father drove me to the Oak Park Post Office building located approximately l.5 miles from my home. There other young male draftees and enlisting individuals were arriving to be sworn in. After a roll call, we were directed to a large room, where we were administered the Oath of Allegiance in front of the United States flag. "I, Bruce William Nied, do solemnly swear (or affirm) that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; and that I will obey the orders of the President of the United States and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to regulations and the Uniform Code of Military Justice. So help me God." An officer then said. "Congratulations men; you are now in the United States Army. You will be escorted to the bus station where you will be transported to the airport and from there flown to St. Louis, Missouri. Once at St. Louis, there will be a bus that take you to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri to commence basic combat training. Good luck, men."

Immediately following being sworn in--now a new recruit--I would be transferred to my designated military post to be processed into the military and commence my eight weeks of basic combat training aka "boot camp".

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* * * Reception Center - Fort Leonard, Missouri

" First Eight Weeks"

I was grouped with a number other draftees and delivered to the bus station where we boarded a bus for the eight hours and 442-miles ride southwest to Fort Leonard Wood in South Louisiana. We arrived at Fort Leonard Wood in the wee hours of the morning on March 23, 1968. We got off the bus and told to form up in sort of a formation, where we waited for until a roll call was taken and then when daylight arrived, were moved to a supply facility where we were issued our bedding and then moved to barracks where we made up our bunks. We then went to a nearby mess hall and ate breakfast. None of us had slept on the bus and we were dog tired and hungry. Before commencing the required eight weeks of training, new recruits went through a few days of processing after reporting to the Reception Station. Among the very first items that a recruit receives after he arrives at the Reception Station was the standard government-issued postcard or letter to be sent home to parents. Figure 1 was an example of the form issued to new inductees at the Fort Campbell Reception Station.

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Figure 1 - Government-issued postcard for new recruits to send home to parents.

Eight weeks of Basic Combat Training would seem like an eternity for most recruits. The first few days at Fort Leonard Wood was at the Reception Station prior to being assigned to their training unit for their actual basic training. The reception station was the first stop at the basic training post. It was the same all over the US for men inducted into military service. Time spent at the reception station could be anywhere from a few days to a week or more. When recruits arrived at their Reception Station, they most likely arrived in military buses that had picked them up from the nearest airport or the bus station. Recruits usually arrived in the afternoon or evening and were dead tired, hungry and a bundle of nerves! Once they arrived at the appropriate building, the recruits were met by personnel who were assigned to the reception station, most likely drill sergeants. At the Reception facility, we were introduced to some of the personnel and procedures, as well as what we would be doing for the next several days. My processing at the Reception Station began in earnest on October 29. During the few days at the Reception Station, some of the things I had to do include: getting my Army file started (lots of paperwork), getting my paycheck started and in order, completing my life insurance paperwork, getting my first series of immunizations (lots of shots), eye test, getting my ID card. After completing most of the paperwork, we were moved to other facilities where we were given a physical examination, eye test, aptitude tests, and a classification interview. We also attended orientation meetings, and our military permanent file was created. The next step was a trip to the barber shop to receive our G.I.

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hair cuts, have their photograph taken, and receive our initial issue of military clothing (one large duffel bag full). Basic Combat Training was about to commence!

* * *

Company E 2nd Training Battalion, 1st Training Brigade

March 23 to May 17, 1968

BCT Classbook

After spending a days at the Reception Station, I was assigned to my basic training company for the remainder of my stay at Fort Leonard Wood. From this point on, things would change drastically for me and my fellow recruits. My new home for the next eight weeks was Company E, 3rd Training Battalion, 3rd Training Brigade, or simply referred to as E-3-3.

"Boot Camp"

US Army training for men during the Vietnam War consisted of eight weeks of basic combat training, aka "boot camp", in which the recruit was taught the basics of being an American soldier. During these grueling, seemingly endless weeks, the typical recruit was reduced humbly to a "paltry pile of putty"--then carefully reshaped to fit the mold of "American's finest fighting force". He would learn to respect authority, how to properly stand at attention; and how to execute a sharp salute in the presence of officers. Endless hours were spent in perfecting synchronized marching (drill) in parade formation. Combat preparation included weapons training--M-14 rifle, hand grenade, as well as hand-to-hand and bayonet fighting. We were required to be clean and neat at all times, with boots shined to perfection and beds made up flawlessly. All phases of daily life were constantly subject to repeated inspection. Any infractions were taken seriously, and disciplinary action was meted out as necessary. We also became familiar with C-rations, first aid, map and compass use (Land Navigation). If a recruit successfully completed his training, he was graduated and moved on to the next phase of his combat training--

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Advanced Individual Training (AIT). If a recruit did not graduate, he was recycled back through the system.

My BCT Barracks

Once at our company area, we got to meet our company cadre and drill sergeants and become acquainted with the "ultimate in authority"! Drill sergeants were the primary instructors responsible for most of the training. They accompanied us throughout the training process, instructing and correcting us in everything from firing weapons to the appropriate way to address a superior, and were also largely responsible for our overall safety. All drill sergeants were recognizable by their distinctive headgear (campaign hats), often called "Smokey Bear" hats, since they resembled the typical round park and forest ranger hats. My basic combat training commenced on Tuesday, October 17, 1967. The first two to three weeks can only be described as "hell on earth" for most of us recruits. We were around from our bunks from 4-5 a.m., moved outside to an area to do PT (Physical Training) and then went back into the barracks to shower, shave and clean up your area. Time is short in the military, and you were lucky to have fifteen minutes to shower, shave and get dressed. Then we assembled outside in our platoon formations and marched to chow, we attended classes and/or weapons instructions. Leisure time did not exist in basic training. Every waking moment belonged to Uncle Sam. There were no such things as "liberty passes" either. No one stepped outside the training area during the full eight weeks. Homesickness was made to disappear quickly if a raw recruit was to succeed. Sometimes in the evenings, we had anywhere from fifteen minutes to an hour before 'lights out', which was usually at 9:00 pm (2100 hours). This time was not totally ours though. The drill sergeants, especially at the beginning of BCT, would tell us what to do--shine boots for fifteen minutes, then he would come back in to check what we did and proceed to tell us to do it over again. Sometimes evenings were also used to reinforce tasks learned during the day. Saturdays were just like any other week day during BCT. After the first week, we were allowed to attend church services on Sunday morning, but the afternoon was filled with details, such as PT and miscellaneous

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tasks. If a recruit didn't go to church, most companies would let him hang out around his bunk, or outside near the front of his barrack. Our first week of basic training at Fort Leonard Wood was designed to adjust us to military life, and it began with mental and physical conditioning as we got introduced to the basic techniques of combat for the first time. Our second week consisted of Army drill and inspections, which quickly became a routine part of our daily life. Training in general military subjects also rapidly increased. Weeks three, four and five concentrated on the use of the primary combat weapon. We became thoroughly familiar with the M-14 rifle, the basic weapon of the infantry soldier, even though the M-16 would eventually be our basic weapons in Vietnam. Marksmanship training also intensified during the later part of this period.

Page from my Fort Leonard Wood BCT Classbook

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After familiarizing ourselves with the M-14 rifle, learning how to clean it, take it apart and reassemble it, we were off to the rifle range for basic marksmanship training. The fourth week of training emphasized the rigors of living in the field during bivouacs near the rifle ranges. Our fifth week of basic training involved our proficiency with the rifle, and we were tested during record fire. By the end of the fifth week, we had mastered the use of our combat weapon.

Page from my Fort Leonard Wood BCT Classbook

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Week six focused on "combat techniques", including camouflage, hand-to-hand combat, grenade throwing, Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) training, as well as night firing with intense Individual Tactical Training.

Page from my Fort Leonard Wood BCT Classbook

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As we reached our seventh week of basic combat training, each of us began to realize our capabilities as a fighting man; and we were introduced to realistic combat training, beginning with the bayonet assault course, and followed by combat firing and the infiltration courses. We completed the week with testing on our physical conditioning, which is more commonly known as PCPT testing. The Physical Combat Proficiency Test was conducted to judge the level of physical fitness for each individual trainee. The eighth and concluding week of basic combat training finally arrived, but the routine didn't get any easier. We still faced a lot of hard work. The final week ensued with more proficiency tests. These final proficiency tests were tough, comprehensive exams designed to rate each of us on everything we had learned during the previous weeks. These tests included the grueling Physical Combat Proficiency Test, whose results would show that a soldier was in vastly better condition than the raw recruit who had entered the Army eight weeks before. On December 12, 1967--the final day of basic combat training--we soldiers (no longer recruits) marched out smartly to our company's graduation parade. We proudly heard congratulations on a job well done by our company commander and were deemed ready for the next assignment--Advanced Individual Training (AIT), where our military careers would begin in earnest. As a result of intense testing, each of us had been given an "MOS", the US Army alpha-numeric codes to identify a soldier's Military Occupational Specialty. Basically, an "MOS" is the specific occupation in which the GI would be henceforth stringently schooled and trained to perform. I was assigned an MOS of 91B20 (Medical Specialist); and my new orders were to report to Headquarters, U.S. Army Training Center, here at Fort Sam Houston, Texas for Advanced Individual Training (AIT). I had an extended leave, due before reporting to my next assignment, so my parents came over to Fort Leonard Wood for my graduation.

My BCT Group Photo - I'm in Row 3, No. 6 in from left.

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Graduation Day - Fort Leonard Wood

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* * * Advanced Individual Training

Fort Sam Houston, Texas Combat Medic (91B) training

U.S. Army Medical Training Center, June 11 - August 2, 1968

Fort Sam Houston is a US Army base located in San Antonio, Texas. The army post is named after Sam Houston, the first President of the Republic of Texas, an independent state, from 1836 and 1846. Fort Sam is the largest military medical training facility in the world and also the headquarters of the US Army Medical Command (MEDCOM). I had just completed my eight weeks of Basic Combat Training. All soldiers (new recruits) inducted into the Army received Basic Combat Training together for eight weeks, regardless of their future MOS (Military Operating Specialty). The only exception was made for conscientious objectors who received their basic training at Fort Sam Houston for six weeks. Unlike other soldiers with an infantry, artillery, etc. MOS, Advanced Individual Training for those soldiers with the MOS 91B were sent to Fort Sam Houston, Texas and the ten weeks training for Combat Medic. I arrived at Fort Sam Houston on the afternoon of October 24, 1969 and reported to the orderly room for Company B, 2nd Training Battalion, US Army Medical Training Center. In the coming ten weeks of AIT, I, along with other medical students, would take on a variety of roles in order to support a combat operation.

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Several things were quite different from basic combat training, however. We ran in the morning before breakfast, then ran some more, including PT after breakfast. We ran to and from almost every training area. Sleep was limited to only about 3-4 hours of sleep each night; and after the first couple of weeks, we could get a weekend pass. The training consisted of a variety of subjects and courses: Basic health care and hygiene for self and others. We learned how to give shots by practicing on each other using saline, drawing blood (practiced on each other), and starting IVs (practiced on each other). We learned how and when to use splints for broken bones, treatment of gunshot wounds, the treatment for amputations, head wounds, shock, burns, shoulder dislocations, C.P.R, tracheotomy, seizures, and suturing (taught by a Vietnam veteran surgeon). Oh yes, and the common disease among GIs...VD. Our field training included stretcher usage, correct procedures for moving and carrying patients, techniques for approaching and treating patients under combat situations, setting up different types of tents, as well as air medevac. Training films were heavily used during our instruction process. Medic training also included hospital duty, which was geared toward combat situations; however, some general medical training was included for hospital duty such as making beds, bed pans, setting up and giving catheters and enemas to patients. The training was intense. We all knew that we were going to Vietnam after AIT, and we were constantly reminded by the training instructors of that fact. On August 2, 1968, I graduated from AIT as a medical corpsman and a received a 14-day leave before reporting for overseas movement.

My AIT Certificate

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Orders for my assignment to the USARV (United States Army, Vietnam) came near the end of my stay at Fort Sam Houston. At that point, I had been in the Army exactly four months and nineteen days! A few days before I left for Vietnam, my parents had an early Thanksgiving dinner for me with my brothers and their spouses. It was great because I didn't think about going to Vietnam too much, since I really had no idea what it would be like; and I just assumed that I would make it back. When my leave was up, I flew to San Francisco, California to be processed manifested to Vietnam. My journey into the unknown was about to begin.

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* * * VIETNAM!

Map of Vietnam

In 1968 there were two major US Army troop replacement battalions operating in South Vietnam--the 22nd Replacement at Cam Ranh Bay and the 90th Replacement at Long Binh near Bien Hoa. Located at the southernmost tip of Khanh Hoa province, II Corps, Cam Ranh Bay was a large seaport, as well as the location of a major US military airbase. Most American soldiers being deployed to South Vietnam during that phase of the war would be flown from the states on a chartered civilian airliner, such as the "Flying Tiger" Airlines. Myself, along with other soldiers being deployed for combat in Vietnam, boarded a flight on November 20, 1969, destined for Cam Ranh Bay. Flights regularly left

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from San Francisco International Airport, located 13 miles (21 km) south of downtown San Francisco, near Millbrae and San Bruno in unincorporated San Mateo County. Our flight to South Vietnam would take approximately twenty hours, with only one stopover for refueling in Alaska. The stop in Anchorage, Alaska allowed passengers to deplane and spend a short break in the airport lounge while our aircraft was serviced. From Alaska, the remainder of the flight would be quite lengthy. This final leg of our trip to South Vietnam was uneventful, yet provided sufficient time for serious reflections. My memory of the flight over was one of quite somber thoughts. There wasn't much talking going on once we left he USA. I believe most of us on board--surely I was-- were wondering what lay ahead of us. With an 91B MOS, our thoughts caused us to wonder whether or not we would return to our homeland alive or in a body bag. After refueling in bone-chilling Alaska, the plane continued on to the US Air Force Base at Bien Hoa, South Vietnam. As the plane descended through the clouds over South Vietnam, everyone on board looked out their windows for a brief glimpse of the war-torn country that would determine their destiny for the next few months. When the plane finally touched down onto the runway at Bien Hoa, the pilot came over the intercom to say, "Welcome to Vietnam, gentlemen!"

Bien Hoa, South Vietnam

My first perception of Vietnam was the strange odor permeating my sense of smell once the cabin door was opened. The interior of the plane was immediately filled with a wave of humid, sulfur-laden air, as it swept through the cabin. Our aircraft came to a stop in the middle of the airfield, and a portable staircase was pushed up to the cabin door. I remember the door opening and distinctly recall the smell and the heat as we began to unload. When we walked out onto the tarmac, I remember seeing lots of dark green military vehicles, some for baggage handling, fuel trucks, and buses, it was a sobering

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effect. I was thinking to myself that this was the start of our 365 days of undying heat and the pungent smell of war.

After deplaning at Ben Hoa Air Force Base, we moved to a nearby open air terminal, where we were briefly assembled and afterwards moved to several waiting Air Force buses that transported us to Long Binh Army Post and the 90th Replacement Battalion. All troops assigned to units operating in part of II, III and IV Corps Tactical Zones went to the 90th Replacement Center for processing in or out of country When I arrived in Vietnam, I had no idea where I would eventually be stationed in country, or with which infantry unit, until the second day at the reception center. During the in-country processing at the 90th Reception Center, I received orders for the 101st Airborne Division.

SERTS - Screaming Eagle Replacement Training School

For those assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, especially enlisted men in the 101st, the first stop after being assigned to the Division was the Screaming Eagle

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Replacement Training School (SERTS) near Bien Hoa at Long Binh. SERTS was a week-long orientation and Proficiency Training (P-training) course. At this period in my military service, I knew very little about the 101st Airborne Division.

* * *

"Screaming Eagles"

During the escalation of the war in Vietnam, the U. S. Army Airborne Infantry was comprised of two major divisions-the 101st Airborne Division and the 82nd Airborne Division. A separate smaller unit, the 173rd Airborne Brigade, served as a troubleshooting force held in reserve for quelling potential hot spots in the Pacific theater. (Figure 2) The 173rd was the first U. S. Army ground combat unit ordered to Vietnam in May of 1965. Each airborne division was further divided into three brigades of jump-qualified infantry troops. The brigade was the major tactical command level to which combat, combat support, and administrative support elements were attached/placed in support to perform specific missions.

Within each of the three brigades of the 101st Airborne Division, there were three battalions of airborne infantry. (Figure 3)

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The three battalions of the 1st Brigade (Separate) were deployed to Vietnam in July of 1965. A fourth maneuver airborne battalion, the 3-506, was deployed to Vietnam in October of 1967 to become the fourth infantry battalion of 1st Brigade. Thus, the Currahees of the 3-506 became known as the "Stand Alone Battalion". The six battalions comprising the 2nd and 3rd Brigades, as well as the remainder of the 101st Airborne Division command, administrative, and service elements, were ultimately deployed to Vietnam in December of 1967.

SERT had two primary purposes: 1) to help acclimate newly arriving soldiers to their present environment; and 2) the Proficiency Training Course ("P-training") that included instruction in small unit tactics such as patrolling, ambushing, adjustment of supporting fire, as well as land navigation, mines and booby traps, first aid, and physical conditioning. All replacements being assigned to the 101st Airborne Division were required to attend SERTS.

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Lessons learned at SERTS had saved many lives. Besides providing a transition period to adjust to a tropical combat zone, the school offered refresher instructions in virtually every subject covered in Basic Combat Training -- with specific application to the Division's area of operations. Training day and night was under the watchful eyes of handpicked, combat-experienced NCOs, where the replacements became familiar with virtually every weapon in the Army's Vietnam arsenal--as well as those used by the enemy. A realistic enemy village and jungle trail was used to acquaint new Eagles with the mines and booby traps they would strive to avoid for the coming year. Reaction courses, guard duty, classes in first aid and field sanitation, interspersed with unscheduled mortar attacks, all served to prepare the Screaming Eagle replacements for their months ahead in Vietnam. The last day of the course included a patrol outside the perimeter, undoubtedly under the watchful eyes of the enemy.

Map created by fellow Currahee, Dan Lin (Co. C, 3-506th) 1969-70

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The 90th Replacement Center at Long Binh was located approximately 24 miles (38 km) southeast of Saigon and approximately 4 miles (5.7 km) southeast of Bien Hoa. Nearby Long Binh functioned as a U.S. Army base, logistics center, and major command headquarters for United States Army Vietnam (USARV). Long Binh Post was a sprawling logistics facility and the largest U.S. Army base in Vietnam, with a peak of 60,000 personnel in 1969. Among the numerous facilities and units at Long Binh was the 90th Replacement Battalion, a first stop for many newly arrived U.S. Army personnel--as was the 22nd Replacement Battalion at Cam Ranh Bay--who were then permanently assigned to other units in Vietnam. Long Binh also included the Long Binh Stockade commonly referred to as LBJ--"Long Binh Jail"--a U.S. Army prison. . By the time we graduated from SERTS, we had gained more confidence, along with an improved physical condition to accompany us forward. After completing P-training at SERTS and receiving new orders, I had learned that my new home would be with the famed 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry Battalion stationed up the coast at Phan Thiet in Binh Thuan Province, some 95 air-miles east-northeast of Long Binh. Phan Thiet, the capital of Binh Thuan province, was the location for all government offices for the province. Those of us replacements for the 3-506 were bused back to the Bien Hoa Air Base, where we boarded a C-130 aircraft for the 45-minute flight to LZ Betty at Phan Thiet.

Phan Thiet, South Vietnam

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* * * "Currahees"

September 1968

I arrived at the 3-506 Tactical Operation Center (TOC) at Landing Zone Betty on September 6, along with several other replacements from the Screaming Eagle Replacement Training School at Long Binh. LZ Betty was a large airstrip located approximately three miles south of the coastal city of Phan Thiet in southern II Corps. The South China Sea bordered the east side of the base, enabling Navy LSDs to off-load supplies and Navy destroyers to cruise the adjacent waters and provide fire support.

Landing Zone (LZ) Betty outside Phan Thiet, South Vietnam

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On arrival at LZ Betty, I reported to the battalion S-1 (Personnel) Section, presented my 201 folder and soon afterward was told to report to the Aid Station where Battalion Surgeon Captain William Hyland would give me further instructions and my assignments. I was issued my aid bag and introduced to the Medical officers and medical platoon sergeant along with the other new medics. The aid bag weighs 30-35 lbs (see the reference notes and description of contents on page 5). I was thinking, how am I ever going to carry all of this weight? My rucksack and aid bag weight half as much as I do! I given a brief overview of our battalion, Task Force 3-506, and the current situation with our maneuver units. After spending a few days at my new home, Cpt. Hyland informed me that he was sending me to Whiskey Mountain Relay Station.

3-506 Operations Map 1969

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When I arrived at LZ Betty, the Currahees of the 3-506 had recently fought the fierce “Battle of Dai Hoa-Xuan Phon” back on August 25 at the Dai Hoa Hamlet northwest of Phan Thiet. Elements of the 3-506 combat assaulted into the area of contact to assist the South Vietnam Army (ARVN) forces in encircling the enemy. Vietnamese forces sustained five KIAs and 41 wounded; the Currahees sustained fourteen wounded. One of the wounded from 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company-Sergeant Teodorito Rio-Rosario, 23, of Aibonito, Puerto Rico-died of his wounds the following day. Another Currahee, Sergeant Keith Howell was killed as his platoon was being extracted from their field position to support the battle at Dai Hoa Hamlet. In the dark early hours of September 1, an unknown size enemy force attacked Fire Support Base Sherry, north of Phan Thiet with B-40 rocket and mortar fire, which resulted in the death of Pfc. William John Flint, 19, from Lynn, Massachusetts, who was an RTO with our Delta Battery, 2-320th Artillery I learned that the 3-506 had experienced almost continual contact with the enemy in Vietnam ever since their initial combat assault on November 11, 1967. The Currahees have persevered through the Tet Offensive of January/February 1968 and continued to face-off with the enemy as the year rolled on through the summer months. The month of September would be no different. Joint coordination between the 3-506 and Vietnamese Forces had inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy and had denied them access to their usual safe havens. By constantly keeping the enemy off-balance and “on the run”, combined operations had greatly reduced enemy strength in the villages and hamlets throughout Binh Thuan Province. The fierce “Battle of Dai Hoa-Xuan Phon” back on August 25 at the Dai Hoa Hamlet northwest of Phan Thiet began on August 24, when an estimated VC/NVA battalion attacked the 3rd Regional Forces Company approximately three kilometers northwest of Phan Thiet. The next morning, August 25, the 288th Regional Forces Company engaged two VC/NVA companies approximately seven kilometers north of Phan Thiet in the vicinity of Dai Hoa Hamlet. The 288th RF Co. became heavily engaged with the dug-in enemy forces, and elements of the 3-506 combat assaulted into the area of contact to assist the ARVN forces in establishing a cordon of the hamlet. Elements of the 3-506 combat assaulted into the area of contact to assist the ARVN forces in encircling the enemy. Sergeant Keith Rowell, 25, from Amarillo, Texas was killed by a sniper as the helicopter slicks lifted off the pick up zone (PZ). Sergeant Rowell was operating as a squad leader with 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, and was awaiting the arrival of helicopter slicks to extract his company for the combat assault and rendezvous with other elements of the battalion for battle at Dai Hoa-Xuan Phon. Unknown at the time, the enemy had been watching the Currahees as they gathered at the PZ to board the incoming helicopters. When the first ships came in for the first lift, Sergeant Rowell’s squad was to go first. As soon as the choppers were loaded and began lifting off, all hell broke loose from the nearby woodline. The VC had sneaked up to the PZ and waited for the first troops to board and lift off before attacking. Sergeant Rowell was hit in the first few seconds, as he was about to board his chopper along with his men. Sergeant Rowell was among the "boat troopers" deployed with the battalion to Vietnam in October 1967. He had been in country 301 days when he died in combat. Despite the enemy ambush at the Alpha Company PZ that day, the Currahees went on to take part in the Battle at Dai Hoa-Xuan Phon. The fierce Battle of Dai Hoa-Xuan Phon continued well into the night. A dawn sweep of the contact area revealed that the enemy had escaped through poorly defended ARVN positions. Vietnamese forces sustained five

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KIAs and 41 wounded; our battalion sustained fourteen wounded. Once all elements were on the ground and in position, Captain William Knowlton’s Bravo Company took field command of the 1/69th Tank Platoon and the 4/8th (APC) Cavalry Troop (ARVN) and all moved to the contact area. One of the wounded, Sergeant Teodorito Rio-Rosario, 23, of Aibonito, Puerto Rico, died of his wounds on following day. Second Platoon Leader, 2Lt. Terry Weaver was also critically wounded in the battle.

2Lt. Terry Weaver, 2nd Platoon Leader

By this fateful day in August, 2Lt. Terry Weaver had spent all of thirty-one days in the field as platoon leader of 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company. He was a confident leader, but barely had his “feet wet” in the battlefield arena. As his platoon began to move into the contact area along with the rest of Bravo Company, the enemy launched an unyielding attack on the US and ARVN units with small and automatic weapons, B-40 rockets, and light to heavy mortars. The battle was quite fierce—and the enemy a formidable foe, as the mortared the Currahees from their heavily fortified positions. Despite the heavy mortar fire raining down on them, the Currahees of Bravo Company were able to move toward the enemy bunkers quite rapidly mounted on the APC’s; but were forced to dismount and make their final approach on foot. Lt. Weaver’s platoon was in the center of the battle as they approached the fortified bunkers in front of them. It was as if all of the small arms, artillery, tank, and exploding ammo caches converged at one point. Lt. Weaver was hit by an enemy RPG. The fierce “Battle of Dai Hoa” continued will into the night. A dawn sweep of the contact area revealed that the enemy had escaped through poorly defended ARVN positions. Vietnamese forces sustained five KIAs and 41 wounded; our battalion sustained fourteen wounded. Captain Knowlton recalls, “Lt. Weaver had only been with the company a little over a month. As most LTs, he was technically and tactically proficient; but what makes the man and the leader is in his heart. Squarely built, Terry was a committed leader, a team player, and someone you’d follow to hell and back. He cared, and his men knew it. That’s why those bunkers and the enemy within them didn’t have a chance. Second Platoon was coming after them, and Terry was leading.” Back at LZ Betty, Lt. Weaver was stabilized by the Battalion Surgeon and then evacuated to the 24th Evac in Long Binh for extensive neurological surgery. His wounds had left Lt. Weaver paralyzed at the T-8 level, with neurological damage also to his left arm and his eyes. From Long Binh, Lt. Weaver was transferred to Okinawa, where he spent three more weeks building up his strength for the trip back home to the States. Terry

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would finally leave Okinawa in September of 1971 and returned to the VA Hospital in Long Beach, California where he learned to adjust to life confined to a wheelchair. Lieutenant Weaver was ultimately sent for further recuperation and therapy to Portsmouth Naval hospital, where he spent the next the next seven months. From there, he went to the VA Hospital in Richmond, Virginia and stayed until his medical retirement from the military in December of 1969. This was only the beginning of his long road to recovery. He would spend a total of twenty-three months in recovery/rehab for the wounds he sustained in Vietnam. First Lieutenant John Stevens, 23-year-old platoon leader, 2nd Platoon, Company B Lt. Stevens had been with the 3-506th for only a couple of weeks was ordered to take over command of 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company when its platoon leader, 2nd Lt. Terry Weaver, was seriously wounded.

1Lt. John C. Stevens, Platoon Leader

* * *

After spending a few days at my new home, Cpt. Hyland informed me that he was sending me to Whiskey Mountain Relay Station. I grabbed my aid bag and caught a helicopter flight to Whiskey Mountain! Ap An-Lam Mountain aka Whiskey Mountain aka "Tittie" Mountain. Whiskey Relay was a radio relay outpost that was our lifeline to Phan Thiet. Whiskey would relay radio messages to and from LZ Betty, our field units, the MACV compound at Song Mao, and the firebases in between. Whiskey also coordinated fire support missions for TF 3-506 and the off-shore gun boats and gunships Puff, Spooky, and Shadow from Phan Thiet. I was sent to be the medic at the small relay facility. I would end up spending a month at the outpost.

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Whiskey Mountain Relay Station

Whiskey Mountain located NE of Phan Thiet

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View from Whiskey Mountain Relay Station

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Enemy activity decreased significantly during the month of September, as VC/NVA forces evaded contact with friendly forces to regroup and refurnish its ranks. Reconnaissance-in-force operations discovered many enemy base camps, bunkers, tunnel complexes and caches. We persistently used CS-grenades and other explosives to destroy or deny the enemy access to these locations. During the month of September, our rifle platoons continued to conduct reconnaissance in force and search operations while supporting the pacification and revolutionary development program in the McLain AO. Fire Support Base Sherry was a strategically located artillery firing position within the “triangle” area that provided a means of interdicting Local Force and Main Force Viet Cong movement into this rich rice production area northeast of Phan Thiet between Highway 8 and Highway QL-1.

Location Map from "Battle of Phan Thiet"

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Task Force Johnson Commenced on September 10, with a combined recon-naissance-in-force operation into the coastal village of Tuy Phong east of Song Mao. TF Johnson was composed of Bravo Company; Delta Battery, 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 320th Artillery; and the 444th Regional Forces ARVN Company.

Some Going Home

Beginning on September 11, different sections within the Battalion began to hold their “going home” parties for those of original "boat troopers" Currahees scheduled to DEROS (Date Eligible for Return from Overseas). The "boat troopers" had arrived at Cam Ranh Bay on October 26, 1967. On September 17, the Battalion held an Awards Ceremony and Battalion Party at LZ Betty. Those from the original group that had arrived in-country last October began to process out of the Battalion and proceed to Long Binh for final out-processing.

Major General Melvin Zais, 101st Airborne

Division Commanding Officer awarding medals to members of the 3/506th at LZ Betty.

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Activity in the AO continued low-key, as the Currahees continued their search and destroy operations in pursuit of the enemy. On September 9, another Currahee was killed when a squad from 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company detonated an enemy booby-trap. The blast killed Pfc. Jerry Lavon Miller, 19, from Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, and seriously wounded five others in the squad. In the late afternoon hours of September 9, Alpha Company was moving on patrol to seek out possible night ambush sites. A seven-man squad led by Sergeant Paul Clement was walking point at a distance of approximately 200 feet ahead of the rest of the company. Traveling along behind Sergeant Clement was his RTO, Pfc. Jerry Miller. As the point element moved along cautiously, a right flanker moving alongside Sergeant Clement’s squad tripped a wire attached to an enemy booby-trap, believed to be 105-mm or 155-mm artillery round. The resulting blast from the exploding booby-trap killed Pfc. Miller instantly and wounded the rest of the squad, as shrapnel pelted the squad formation. Sergeant Clement was the most seriously wounded member of the squad. He recalls, “I thought that I had stepped on a land mine. As I was being thrown through the air, my short life passed in front of me. When I finally hit the ground several feet from the explosion and realized that I wasn’t dead, I yelled for a medic. At this time, I still didn’t know the extent of my wounds, but was finally medevaced back to Phan Thiet. While I was laying on a stretcher at the aid station, I was told that we had lost Jerry Miller.” Pfc. Rodney Peterson, who was also seriously wounded in the incident, recalls, “Sergeant Clement and his RTO, Jerry Miller, were on my left. The blast blew me backwards about two feet. My boot on my right leg was blown off, which saved my leg. Otherwise, I received a lot of shrapnel in my legs and some burns. I was really lucky—most of us were, except Miller, who was probably killed instantly by the blast. He had the nickname Okie because he was from Oklahoma. He always had a big smile and a great laugh.”

* * * October 1968 Our battalion began the month of October with Operation Phuong Hoang, a combined U. S. and Vietnamese search and clear operation. During the ten-day operation, The 3-506 was to provide cordon forces for detailed searches for enemy supporters, the Viet Cong Infrastructure (VCI), in selected villages in Ham Thuan and Thien Giao Districts of Binh Thuan Province. As outlined in the plans for the operation, the villages of Phu Nhang, Duc Long, Phu Kanh, Phu Sum, and Go Boi were to be cordoned and systematically searched for enemy elements. Many Viet Cong guerrilla forces managed to evade the targeted areas, but there were some significant contacts with the enemy during the cordon and search operation. Our mission for this operation--Operations Phuong Hoang 10/56--was to provide cordon forces for a week-long cordon and search operation conducted by Binh Thuan Sector forces. Operations Phuong Hoang 10/56 is designed to provide extensive cordon and searches of selected village,/hamlet sites throughout Ham Thuan and Thien Giao Districts during the period a 10-day period. Intelligence had creditable evidence that

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members belonging to the 482nd Battalion, 840th Main Force Battalion, the K/C Battalion, the 430th Local Force Battalion and 450th Local Force Battalion were occupying and or being supported by villages in Ham Thuan District in Binh Thuan Province. On October 4, we lost another member from Delta Company. Private First Class Wayne David Johnson, a 20-year-old native of Menominee, Michigan, was assigned to 1Lt. Daniel Neiswender’s 3rd Platoon, Delta Company. He had been in country 31 days when he was killed by an enemy B-40 rocket on October 4. As our 3rd Platoon, Delta Company moved into position to cordon the selected village of Phu Sum in the early evening of October 4, his platoon maneuvered into its position south of the village, they engaged a platoon-size enemy force armed with small arms, automatic weapons, and B-40 rockets. Pfc. Johnson was killed in the initial attack by the enemy guerrillas. SP4 Dan Hackman, fellow Delta Company member recalls, “I was in 2nd Platoon the day of the incident. Johnson’s platoon was the point element that afternoon. He had arrived in country in early September, along with several others and me. This was our first firefight. Johnson was hit by a B-40 rocket and killed instantly.” Pfc. John Bittner, Battalion PIO recalls, “I had recently assumed the position as battalion PIO from former battalion PIO, Jerry Berry, who had just DEROSed. I remember the incident in which Pfc. Johnson was killed. I had been traveling with Delta Company for a few days to cover their operation and had to leave the field with a bad case of sunburn. Delta Company was operating with a cordon around a village along with ARVNs. On the night of October 4, the Viet Cong attacked Delta Company and Pfc. Johnson was killed. Three other Currahees were wounded in the incident.” We lost another Delta Company member on October 22. Sergeant Frederick G. Jackson, Jr., a 20-year-old native of Las Cruces, New Mexico, was assigned to 1Lt. Frances Doherty’s 3rd Platoon, Delta Company. He had been in country 274 days when he was killed by enemy rocket fire on October 22, while participating in Operation LE HONG PHONG in Binh Thuan Province, South Vietnam, II Corps. On the day of Sergeant Jackson’s death, the our battalion was nearing the end of Operation Le Hong Phong. Our 3rd Platoon, Delta Company had been sent to join the ARVN forces and the Provisional Platoon 1-69 Armor (tanks) near Long Hoa village along Highway QL-1 northeast of Phan Thiet. In the early hours of October 22, we engaged an estimated Viet Cong platoon, which fought back with small arms, automatic weapons, and B-40 rockets. Sergeant Jackson was killed during the firefight, and three other Currahees were wounded. Sergeant Richard Hendershot of Delta Company recalls, “The ARVNs and armor had been there at least a couple of days when we got there. That night the enemy tried to overrun us, and I remember that it was raining very hard. If it hadn’t been for the tanks with infrared, we would have all been killed. The next morning, there were dead VC all around us not five feet from our perimeter.”

Earning the Combat Medic Badge

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After about a week with my company, I had my first contact with the Viet Cong, and was called upon to provide medical aid to one of our wounded soldiers. The incident with the enemy resulted in earning my combat medic badge (CMB). The CMB recognizes medical aidmen who shared the same hazards and hardships of ground combat on a daily basis with the infantry soldier. To be awarded the CMB, the infantry unit to which the medical personnel is assigned or attached must have engaged the enemy in active ground combat. Medical personnel must have been personally present and under fire in order to be eligible for this award. The Combat Infantry Badge (CIB) is awarded to an infantryman. During contact, members of my platoon were firing their weapons and throwing grenades. The brief encounter and treating my first combat causality would imprint my memory for the rest of my life. The war had suddenly become real for me, those indelible words of our DIs from BCT and AIT constantly reverberated through my mind--"I hope you learned and are the best because if you're not, you are coming home in a rubber bag!" Among the combat medical profession is the Medics Prayer written by an unknown author. It goes as follows:

The Medics Prayer: Author: Unknown

Oh, Lord

I ask for your divine strength to meet the demands of my profession.

Help me to be the finest medic, both technically and tactically.

If I am called to the battlefield,

give me the courage to conserve our fighting forces by providing medical care to all who are in needs.

If I am called to a mission of peace,

give me the strength to lead by caring for those who need my assistance.

Finally Lord,

help me to take care of my own spiritual, physical, and emotional needs.

Teach me to trust

in your presence and never-failing love. AMEN

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* * * November 1968 The first operation conducted by our battalion during November commenced on November 11, in combination with the 4th Battalion, 44th ARVN Regiment. These combined U. S. and Vietnamese forces conducted numerous reconnaissance-in-force operations for several days in the southwest portion of Binh Thuan Province. Shortly afterwards, our battalion commenced unilateral small unit operations within the AO. Sergeant Gary Don Pagan of Charlie Company was killed during a platoon-size operation on November 20, while positioned alongside a trail leading into a suspected enemy base camp. Sergeant Pagan, a 22-year-old native of Ozona, Texas, was a squad leader in 1Lt. David Bentley’s 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company. He had been in country 310 days when he was killed. On November 20, Sergeant Pagan's platoon was conducting Bushmaster operations West of Thien Gia Hamlet, when the Currahees engaged a squad of Viet Cong while positioned on a trail leading into a suspected enemy base camp. Sergeant Pagan was killed by small arms fire during the enemy contact. Medic George Bolt, 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company, recalls, “I still miss Sergeant Gary Pagan. He and I use to talk a lot about Texas, since both of us were from there. Ozona is the county seat and the only town in Crocket County, Texas. Ozona now lies on Interstate 10, but back then it was so small it had a B-class school with an 8-man football team. Gary was a leader in that school. He was the oldest brother of a large family and admired by all. His death was a tragedy to that small town, and his parents never got over it. Gary was indeed a leader and quickly earned the respect of his squad in the field. I knew of no one with a bad word to say about Gary. He was concerned about his men, always. He and I talked about small town Texas football with gridiron antics and shenanigans so common in sand lot games. He was a good man.” November also began a series of five combined operations, named the Double Eagles Operations, involving the 3-506 and the four battalions of the 44th ARVN Regiment. This series of combined operations lasted more than two months and established an important rapport with the ARVN units. The first operation, Double Eagles I, commenced on November 23, north of Luong Son in the MR-6 area. An enemy sniper killed one of Delta Company platoon leaders, 1Lt. Daniel Lynn Neiswender on the first day of the operation. First Lieutenant Daniel Neiswender, a 22-year-old native of South Laguna, California, was the platoon leader of 2nd Platoon, Delta Company. He had been in country just 67 days when he was killed by an enemy sniper on November 23, while on a patrol in Binh Thuan Province, South Vietnam, II Corps. Elements of the 3-506 began the first of five combined operations with four battalions of the 44th ARVN Regiment. Lieutenant Neiswender was leading his 2nd Platoon on a routine patrol along a trail. Delta Company First Sergeant, C. E. Horn, recalls, “I was in the field with Lt. Neiswender and his platoon the day he was killed. We had ‘shot the bull’ over our breakfast of C-rations that day. Later on, Lt. Neiswender was up near the front of his platoon, and I was further back near the rear. As we moved forward, an enemy sniper shot him. The platoon medic tried to save him, but he died almost instantly.”

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The second combined operation in the Double Eagles series commenced on December 5 and ended December 12. Our battalion launched Phase I of Operation Double Eagles III on December 17 in an area northwest of Song Mao, working alongside ARVN forces in conducting reconnaissance-in-force operations throughout the AO. We lost another member from our Delta Company, Private Wade Thomas Shaw of Delta Company became the last Currahee killed in 1968, when his platoon engaged a squad of Viet Cong northwest of Song Mao. Private Wade Thomas Shaw, a 21-year-old native of Henning, Tennessee was a rifleman in 1Lt. Francis E. Dorherty’s, 2nd Platoon, Delta Company. On the afternoon of December 19, 1st Platoon, Delta Company was on patrol within the AO and stopped for a brief break. As was customary practice, a squad of troops was sent out on a cloverleaf patrol to check the surrounding area. Within minutes, the patrol made contact with a squad of Viet Cong near a streambed. Sergeant Darryl Roland, squad leader in 1st Platoon, recalls, “The squad made contact with the enemy several hundred meters out from our location. They radioed for backup, and another squad was dispatched for support. At the time, Shaw was with my squad. We were to stay put in case we were needed to maneuver and block the enemy. Wade could not resist a firefight and took off running toward the contact area. Shaw and I were best friends in Vietnam. He was a former Marine and was serving his third tour in country. Wade had told me that he was a SSG in the Marines and because they would not allow him a third tour in Vietnam that he waited a short time and took a rank reduction in order to join the Army for the single purpose of returning to Vietnam. He said that he was not done fighting until the war was over. He lived to fight and died fighting.” Lt. David Dalton, Platoon Leader, Delta Company recalls, “Shaw had been busted back to Pvt.-E1 by the time I took leadership of the platoon. He was a real character—experienced and fearless—and truly moved to the sound of guns. On the day he was killed, as always he immediately moved to where the action was. In doing so, he inadvertently walked in front of another trooper and was accidentally shot.” Private. Shaw was medevaced from the field, but died later while at the Battalion Aid Station at LZ BETTY. He was the last trooper from the 3-506 to die in battle in 1968.

1969

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1969 - More of the same

January 1969 found the 3-506 still OPCON to Task Force SOUTH and at LZ Betty, yet the battalion continued to fight the enemy separated from our parent unit, the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division in defense of Binh Thuan, Lam Dong, and Ninh Thuan Provinces of II Corps; and Operation McLain, which had commenced back in January 1968 continued. The enemy has constantly tried to sustain an offensive within II Corps, but was unable to do so because of our aggressive ground operations. Ground operations completed by the battalion during the recent months had resulted in heavy enemy loss of life and material for the Viet Cong and NVA operating within the AO. Our "Stand Alone” Battalion continued its combined operations with elements of the 44th ARVN Regiment, 23rd ARVN Division in search of Viet Cong and North Vietnamese Army forces within Binh Thuan, Lam Dong, and Ninh Thuan Provinces. On January 4, our battalion completed Phase II of Operation Double Eagles III and prepared for the next back-to-back Double Eagles operation. A significant contact with the enemy occurred on January 5, when 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company killed the Executive Officer of the 482nd Local Force Viet Cong Battalion during a Bushmaster (ambush) operation north of Thien Giao village. Operation Double Eagles IV commenced on January 7, northwest of Phan Thiet near the village of Thien Giao. Fire Support Base Zewert-named in honor of LRRP SP4 Edward J. Zewert, Jr., who was killed in action on April 26, 1968-was the command post for the combined forward CP and artillery support for the operation. This combined 3-506 and ARVN operation employed reconnaissance-in-force, as well as “Bushmaster” tactics against the enemy.

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* * * The first significant enemy contact of Operation Double Eagles IV occurred on January 9, when the Currahees killed the Battalion Surgeon and a Viet Cong nurse from the 482nd Local Force Viet Cong Battalion in an am bush. On January 9, our 2nd Platoon, Company A was conducting Bushmaster operations SW of Phan Thiet in Binh Thuan province. During the early morning hours, members along our NDP (Night Defensive Position) employed their claymore mines and hand grenades in reaction to movement outside their position. At daylight, a patrol sent out discovered two VC (females) killed by the explosions, one carbine, 500 rounds of ammunition, four rucksacks, seven B-40 rockets, and a large assortment of medical supplies were found and extracted back to LZ Betty. While searching the area, a patrol from our platoon received sniper fire, resu1ting in two patrol members wounded, our platoon senior medic, Sgt. Lee Decker and one other member. The enemy sniper was engaged and killed by our battalion commander, LTC Manuel Alves' (call sign "Blackhawk") C & C Helicopter doorgunner flying overhead. My platoon swept through the area and found the body of the VC sniper and his Chicom 7.62 pistol along with documents which indicated the individual was a battalion surgeon, and some how had escaped the contact that had killed the two VC women. I immediate provided medical treatment to Sgt. Decker. He had been hit in the arm and after I patched him up, we evacuated him back to the medical facility at LZ Betty. Several hours later, as our 2nd Platoon continued its search and destroy mission, our platoon made contact again with an unknown-size enemy element, engaging the enemy with small arms fire. A brief firefight ensued with the enemy responding with small arms fire and B-40 rocket-propelled grenades. It was during this engagement that I was wounded. For a brief time, we were in heavy contact. The enemy returned lots small arms fire as it got heavier, we began receiving B-40 rocket propelled grenade with explosions three or four in a row. I was with another soldier crouching very low with my left knee angling outward away from my body. We could feel the bullets whizzing by us. I was positioned to spring into action should anyone needed me. An explosion from one of the B-40 rockets occurred very close to my position, sending dirt and shrapnel in my

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direction. I felt a searing pain in the knee area of my left leg. The soldier I was with at the time, named Archfield yelled “doc is hit!”. With our platoon senior medic wounded and now me, we had no available medic.

Battalion Commander LTC Manuel Alves (far right) lands his C&C Ship to evacuate Medic Bruce Nied. Battalion and Task Force Commander, LTC Manuel Alves, who had remained overhead in his C & C Helicopter, landed immediately following the enemy contact and evacuated me aboard his C & C helicopter. Another member of my platoon took the above photo of me and my medic bag being carried to LTC Alves' helicopter. Back at the medical facility on LZ Betty, our battalion surgeon, Captain William Hyland informed me that if the frag was in the knee joint I would have to be evacuated; but that was not the case, and I ended up on crutches for several weeks in the rear area. Then it was back to the field with my platoon. Operation Double Eagles IV proved to be the most successful al all the Double Eagles operations in terms of enemy body counts, base camps and bunker complexes destroyed, and enemy caches seized. Our battalion sustained one loss during the operation. Specialist Four Kenneth William Measell, a 20-year-old native of Gaylord, Michigan was a rifleman in 1Lt. Francis Doherty’s 2nd Platoon, Delta Company was killed on January 17. SP4 Measell was serving as a grenadier in our 2nd Platoon, Delta Company for the battalion-size operation. Delta Company had combat assaulted into our assigned area along some railroad tracks to act as a blocking force. Late in the afternoon, 2nd Platoon was on the move; and the point section of the platoon had just crossed a dry tree-covered creek bed and entered an open area of dry rice paddies. No sooner had the point section entered the open area, when we found a wounded ARVN soldier shot in the head, but still alive. He was attempting to tell us something in Vietnamese, but we could not understand the language. About that time, an unknown-size enemy force sprang their ambush from a nearby tree line in front of us. The intense enemy fire wounded the pointman, Pfc. Tom Burks, and Lt. Doherty’s RTO, Pfc. Earnest England, in the initial contact.

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As the battle ensued, SP4 Measell came forward to fire his grenades into the enemy’s concealed positions. While firing at the enemy, he was hit and killed by enemy small arms fire. His platoon medic, Medic Steve Williams of Delta Company reported, "We had gone to support an ARVN unit that had been pinned down by an enemy ambush. As we neared the location, we began to see wounded ARVN troops. Shortly thereafter, the enemy unleashed a barrage of small arms, automatic weapons, and rocket-propelled grenades against us, wounding several of our guys. Ken began to lay down some fire so that we could get back to cover. I was beside him when he got hit; he died within a couple of minutes.” In the later part of January, I received my R&R leave for seven days in Hong Kong, China. You never forget your R&R adventure! Everyone serving in Vietnam is permitted one R&R during their one-year tour of duty. You had to complete 30 days in-country to be eligible. We had a choice of the following destinations: Hawaii (if married), Sydney, Australia, Bangkok, Thailand, Hong Kong, Kuala Lampur, Malaysia, Manila, Philippines, Singapore, Taipei, Taiwan, and Tokyo, Japan. Normally for an enlisted man, your first R&R is seven days. Once you put in for R&R, you would be assigned to the next available slot. If you picked a popular destination, like Australia, you might have to wait longer. You would receive orders, as for any other military assignment and this was done through the command structure and not your unit (nor could your unit disapprove it). Your R&R could come at most any time and during any phase of an operation, sent on R&R and came back to where you left off. I headed for Hong Kong, China for seven days. I was pulled out of the field, sent back to LZ Betty to turn in my weapons and gear, shower, get some sleep and then flown to Tan Son Nhut. There, after about a day, I changed into my khakis and board my "freedom bird"--a chartered commercial airliner--with stewardesses and all, and flown to my R&R destination, Hong Kong, China.

We were not allowed to take military clothing and my baggage was inspected. My jungle fatigues were checked at Tan Son Nhut. I changed your MPCs and piasters for US dollars.

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Once our flight had cleared customs, we were bused to the R&R center in Hong Kong. There I and others attended about a two hour series of lectures as to what you could, or could not do. We also again exchanged our dollars for the local currency was. We were required to rent civilian clothing from a local service (and leave a hefty deposit, which you got back when you left.). We also were required to rent either a hotel room or an approved transient apartment before you were allowed to leave the R&R center. You were also given a list of contact numbers. Then a bus dropped us off at our residence quarters and we paid for our room in advance when we checked in. Then we were on our own until our flight back. If we wished, we could book sightseeing trips or other activities via the R&R center at nominal rates. While on R&R, we were subject to the authority of the local civilian police, as you would have been in a US city. If you got in serious trouble, the military would try to recover custody of you if they could. You were required to have your ID card and your orders on you at all times. While in Hong Kong, I purchased a camera, stereo equipment and a nice ivory chess set; and I bought watches for my mom and dad. I ate lobster at the famous floating restaurant on Aberdeen Island. Aberdeen is an area and town on Hong Kong Island in Hong Kong. Aberdeen is famous not only to tourists and Vietnam veterans, but also to Hong Kong locals for its floating village and floating seafood restaurants located in the Aberdeen Harbor. The Tanka people, who are generally associated with the fishing industry live on boats in the harbor. To soon, however, it was back to combat in Vietnam. On my departure date, I put on my khakis, a bus picked me up to go back to the R&R center, and then I caught another commercial flight back to Vietnam. There I got your jungle fatigues back and caught a flight back to LZ Betty. If you missed your flight, you were considered AWOL. I arrived back at LZ Betty in the aftermath of an attack on LZ Betty.

* * *

Operation Double Eagles IV ended on January 25. The final Double Eagles operation began on January 26, as combined TF 3-506 and ARVN forces conducted small unit operations in the hills northwest of Phan Thiet. Specialist Four Lawrence Lee Keister, a 21-year-old native of Sacramento, California, was a machinegunner in 2Lt. John Steven’s 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company was killed on the first day of Operation Double Eagles V. The 2nd Platoon was following some blood trails left by Viet Cong that the platoon had wounded the day before. Sgt. Donald Baker, a squad leader in 2nd Platoon recalls, “Lt. Stevens had third squad take the point. That was the only time I can ever remember going out of sequence. Usually, when we were following a blood trail, I would pull point, along with our Kit Carson Scout, Hein.” The platoon had only been on the move for about an hour, when the point squad—which included SP4 Keister and the Kit Carson Scout, Hein—came upon a sign in Vietnamese. Hein, the Scout, translated that the sign indicated the direction to a food cache. The sign pointed toward a small ravine and a small hut. As the point element moved off the main trail to further investigate the hut, there was an explosion followed by enemy small arms fire. The first four members in the point squad were in the range of what was determined to be a booby-trapped U. S. claymore mine. Shrapnel from the explosion wounded the first and fourth men in the squad line, but killed the two men in the

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middle—SP4 Keister and the Kit Carson Scout, Hein. The unknown-size enemy force protecting the food cache broke contact after a brief firefight and fled. Another member, SP4 Victor Perez, would recall years later, “The day that Larry died, I was walking point. I remember very clearly that he was walking not too far behind me. Larry and I were pretty good friends since we were both from California. After I got back to the States, I went to meet his father, mother, and his two brothers who were in the Army at the same time. That was the hardest thing I ever had to do.” The operation terminated on January 31, simultaneously with the close of Operation McLain, which had commenced on January 20, 1968. The Double Eagles operations created enormous respect between the U. S. and ARVN forces as they learned to work closely together, exchange ideas, and support each other in combat. These combined operations strengthened the tactical effectiveness of the ARVN forces and gave credence to the policy of “Vietnamization”. February 1969 The 3-506 began the month of February by initiating Operation Sheridan on February 1. The three-day operation was launched in response to intelligence information indicating that a suspected enemy offensive was being staged against the city of Phan Thiet and LZ Betty. Extensive patrolling and “Bushmaster” operations were conducted along anticipated avenues of approach in Binh Thuan Province, a portion of Ninh Thuan Province to the north, and a portion of Binh Tuy Province to the southwest in northern III Corps Tactical Zone to thwart enemy aggression. On February 4, our battalion commenced the first of three phases for Operation Hancock Eagle and would encounter some of our fiercest fighting thus far for the year. The three phases of the new operation would consume the months of February and March, with a three-fold purpose for our battalion. Our mission was to locate and destroy all enemy forces within the AO, conduct combined operations with its ARVN counterpart, and provide combat support for the Revolutionary Development/Pacification Program in Binh Thuan Province.

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Article from the Screaming Eagle Newspaper

The first significant enemy contact during Phase I of Operation Hancock Eagle occurred on February 5, when 1st Platoon, Charlie Company killed a lone Viet Cong and captured some documents. Another lone Viet Cong was killed later that same day, and more captured documents led the Currahees to a large Viet Cong supply point along Highway 8B. A night ambush was subsequently established along the enemy supply route and caught an NVA caravan in the early morning hours. These incidents, together with information gathered from captured documents, revealed a large enemy build-up in the area.

Battle at Outpost (FSB) Sara In the early morning hours of February 12, elements of the Viet Cong 450th Local Force Company guided the Sapper Companies of the Viet Cong 186th Main Force Battalion, the 240th NVA Battalion, and the 840th Main Force Battalion in an attack on our FSB Outpost SARA, located on Highway QL-1 northeast of Phan Thiet. As the Currahees scrambled to reinforce the outpost, they met stiff resistance on the landing zone and were pinned down by heavy fire from the well-entrenched enemy. The battle raged on throughout the day, and contact with the enemy was finally broken by nightfall. Artillery and “Spooky” (C-47 gunship) were employed through the night. A sweep of the contact area at daylight the following morning revealed that the enemy had fled under the cover of darkness. Two POWs carrying important documents were captured in the incident--one from the C-5 (Sapper) Company of the 240th NVA Battalion and the other from C-1 Company of the 186th Main Force Viet Cong Battalion. The “Battle at Outpost SARA” claimed the lives of three Currahees--Corporal Billy Frank Harper, 19, from Cleveland, Mississippi; Sgt. Robert W. Hook, 20, from Dallas, Texas; and Sgt. Salvador DeLos S. Rios, 20, of Runge, Texas.

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Third Platoon Leader, 1Lt. James Magouyrk

The Currahees from 1Lt. James Magouyrk's 3rd Platoon responded quickly to the attack, rushing to defend the beleaguered outpost; but they were immediately pinned down by heavy enemy fire as they attempted to land in nearby LZs. The “Battle for Outpost Sara” continued throughout the day, and the enemy fled the battle scene that night under cover of darkness. The loss of the three members from 3rd Platoon was quite significant for all of us. SP4 Hook, a member of Alpha Company was at LZ Betty preparing for a leave home to the States, when word came that Charlie Company was to be combat assaulted to Outpost SARA to defend against the VC/NVA attack. Since his best friend was a member of Charlie Company, SP4 Hook volunteered to go along. Sgt. Charles Scott, squad leader in 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company, recalls, “Hook was in Alpha Company, but got permission to go with my squad. I was squad leader, and he had a good buddy in my squad. Since we only had five guys in our squad, he became our point man for the day.” As 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company was being inserted into their “hot” LZ west of Highway 1, 1st and 2nd Platoons were already pinned down under intense enemy fire on the opposite side of the highway. Continued attempts by 3rd Platoon to link up with the rest of the company were met by a constant barrages of enemy small arms and rocket fire. In the midst of furious crossfire, SP4 Hook bravely charged forward, running to the other side of the highway, where he took position and began to provide suppressive fire so that 3rd Platoon could advance. As he continued to provide covering fire for his fellow Currahees, SP4 Hook was mortally wounded. For his extraordinary heroism at the cost of his own safety and eventually his life, SP4 Hook was awarded our country’s third highest decoration, the Silver Star Medal, (Posthumously) for his heroic actions on the day of his death. Platoon leader, Lt. Magouyrk, was also wounded during battle; and after recovering from his wounds, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his valorous actions during the “Battle at Outpost Sara” on February 12. Lt. General Frank Mildren, deputy commander of the United States Armed Forces in Vietnam, presented the award to him during award ceremonies at Phan Thiet on September 26. After receiving his award, he said, “All of the troopers in my platoon contributed to the fight, and we couldn’t have been

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as successful as we were without a total team effort. Because of the nature of the fight, I did not see everyone’s specific contribution to the effort; and I only have the vivid memories of my part in it. I do know that without the effort of everyone there, I would not have been in a position for an individual award. I have always believed that the entire platoon won that award on that day—I was just the one chosen to wear it.”

1Lt. James Magouyrk receiving his DSC from deputy commander of US Arm Forces in Vietnam at LZ Betty

Article appearing in the 101st Airborne "Screaming Eagle"

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On February 14--two days following the Battle at Outpost SARA--Battalion Intelligence (S-2) had information that an NVA unit had been spotted north of Phan Thiet. The 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company was ordered to conduct a CA to the area to locate and destroy any such unit. First Lieutenant John Steven CA'ed to their LZ, traveling with ammo and water only, no rucks. The Lieutenant had two bandoliers strapped over his shoulders and two canteens of water on his pistol belt as did the rest of his platoon. The second platoon was choppered into the area on a Search and Destroy mission. They conducted a cloverleaf search pattern once on the ground. Nothing was found, so they returned to the LZ to be extracted. Soon after arriving at their PZ, the 2nd Platoon began loading onto helicopter slicks from the 192nd Assault Helicopter Company. Unknowingly, an unknown-size enemy element had followed their platoon to the PZ. The hidden enemy waited for their helicopters to land and begin lifting out of the PZ before opening fire--an enemy tactic well known by the Currahees. A previous incident in which the same enemy tactic was employed had taken the life of Squad Leader, Sgt. Keith Rowell, back on August 25, 1968. Sgt. Rowell was among the first group of paratroopers assigned to the 3-506 after the battalion was activated on April 1, 1967. He had been in country 301 days when his 1st Platoon, Alpha Company was awaiting the arrival of helicopter slicks to extract his company. Also unknown at the time, the enemy had been watching the Currahees as they gathered at the PZ to board the incoming helicopters. When Lt. Stevens' men began loading their helicopters, the enemy opened fire on second platoon and the awaiting helicopter slicks. As members started loading up, all hell broke loose. Cobra gunships were called in to protect the LZ perimeter. As Lt. Stevens and his RTO were leaving our PZ, they once again received heavy small arms fire from the nearby tree line. The firefight lasted maybe five minutes or whatever time it took for their birds to be airborne. As his chopper lifted off the PZ, enemy ground fire struck our aircraft, wounding Lt. Stevens and one of the aircraft crewmembers. Lieutenant Stevens recalls, "I felt a sharp thump in the middle of my chest and also something like a slap on my throat. To my knowledge, only one of the doorgunners was wounded in our chopper. My RTO recognized that I was wounded, because I had blood on my hands and throat. He notified the pilot and put a bandage on my throat, applying pressure." The chopper headed back to LZ Betty and landed outside the Battalion Aide Station."

Members of 2nd Platoon (L-R:) PSG Leo M. Schmidt,

SP4 George Zenni, Jr., and RTO SP4 Gary Kloss

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Lieutenant Stevens continues, "Once our helicopter had landed at the aide station, I was quickly littered into the station, where my bandoliers were cut off and my pistol belt removed, along with my shirt. The Battalion Surgeon, Captain William Hyland looked me over and dressed my neck wound. Afterwards, I was littered back to the helicopter pad, where a medivac chopper was waiting to take me to the mash unit down south at Xuan Loc, where many other wounded Currahees had been medevaced for medical treatment. Upon arrival at the 7th Surgery Hospital at Xuan Loc, I was littered into surgery and remained at the hospital for a week before asking for release to return to LZ Betty and rejoin my platoon."

7th Surgery Hospital at Xuan Loc

Strange things happen in combat. Upon arriving back at LZ Betty, Lt. Stevens returned to his hooch. The bandoliers that he had been wearing at the time he was wounded were on his cot. As he picked them up, he heard a rattle and saw a hole in one of the middle magazine pockets. He removed the magazine and saw a hole in one side and a bulge on the other. When he emptied the rounds from the magazine, this was what fell out (see picture). "I guess I was a pretty lucky guy," recalls Lt. Stevens. "After a day in the rear, I was choppered out to rejoin my men in the boonies. About a week after that, a medic was sent out to remove the stitches. Someone in the platoon took a picture of the stitches being removed."

Rounds from Lt. Stevens bandolier

On February 15, a Hoi Chanh rallied from the ranks of the Viet Cong C-4 Company, 186th Main Force Battalion. During his interrogation at Hai Long District

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Headquarters in Binh Thuan Province, the former Viet Cong divulged that he had been a 82mm mortar ammunition bearer during the attack on Outpost SARA. Phase I of Operation Hancock Eagle terminated on February 21, and several small, unnamed combined U. S. and ARVN operations were conducted from February 22 through February 27.

Safe Conduct Pass (Front) - Text in English, Vietnamese translation above and Korean translation below English message.

Safe Conduct Pass (Back) - English translation at top, Korean at bottom and Vietnamese in beside pictures center. The passport was valid and could be turned in through all government agencies and allied forces.

* * * An all out attack on LZ Betty

Enemy sappers had breached the defensive perimeter of the base camp and detonated an ammunition bunker inside the mortar section with B-40 rockets. The extensive explosion resulted in several casualties--two Currahees were killed and 29 others were wounded. The attack on LZ Betty claimed the lives of our Delta Company Commander Captain Gerald Wrazen, 27, of Buffalo, New York and Sgt. William John Allen, 22, of Greenville, Michigan. Elsewhere within the AO, another Currahee, Pfc. Kevin Edward Tweedle, 19, from Bay City, Texas from Bravo Company was killed while conducting a reconnaissance-in-force operation north of Phan Thiet at Thien Giao village. Early on February 22, the large enemy force attacked LZ Betty with mortar, rocket, and sapper strikes. Enemy sappers breached the defensive perimeter of the base camp at several locations, severely damaging personnel, aircraft and facilities. Sappers breached the defensive perimeter in the area of Headquarters and Headquarters Company on the ocean side of the base camp and the Echo Company mortar section, located on the west side of the base camp. A sapper penetrating the western portion of the base camp perimeter detonated an ammunition bunker inside the 4.2" mortar section, causing the death of Sgt. William John Allen. Another sapper attack on the ocean side of the LZ Betty defensive

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perimeter claimed the life of Delta Company Commander Captain Wrazen. Twenty-nine others were wounded in the attack on the base camp. The attack on LZ Betty claimed the life of still another Currahee, one of the wounded, Pfc. Richard Allen Burns of Bravo Company. 1Lt. Jerry Durre's 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company was on standdown at the base camp when the attack occurred. The 3rd Platoon was pulling perimeter guard on the south end of LZ Betty when the enemy launched its all-out attack. An enemy mortar round landed on the bunker that Pfc. Burns was occupying, seriously wounding him. Pfc. Burns died of his wounds six days later on February 28, at the 7th Surgical Hospital near Saigon. Captain Jerry Durre, Bravo Company Commander, recalls, “Bravo Company had returned to our base camp at LZ Betty for a brief standdown, having come out of the ‘boonies’ the day before. At dusk, I heard several mortar rounds explode on the perimeter that part of my company was occupying. As I grabbed my fighting gear, I heard the ambulance siren and dashed for the battalion aid station. My troops were on the perimeter. Shortly after reaching the aide-station, the ambulance rolled up. Three wounded soldiers were brought in. Two had suffered only minor wounds, but one was in great pain. It was Pfc. Burns. I went immediately to his side. Doctors put tourniquets on his mangled legs, and he was given morphine; but it was slow to take effect. I held his hand as we talked. He was apparently unhurt except for his legs, which were obviously lost. I remember thinking that his surfing days were over but that he would live.” In another small unit operation conducted three days later on February 25, an enemy “booby-trap” wounded four members from 1Lt. Steve Huppert's 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company. Pfc. Jim Lee Dickson, 19, of Unity, Oregon died later as a result of wounds he received from the “booby-trap” explosion. Pfc. Dickson’s unit was conducting a reconnaissance-in-force operation north of Phan Thiet near the hamlet of Thien Long, when a member of the platoon accidentally detonated an artillery shell booby-trapped by the enemy. It seriously wounded four platoon members, including Pfc. Dickson, who died the following day from his wounds. 1Lt. Huppert recalls, “The entire platoon was on this operation. During a two-week period, our platoon was hit numerous times by booby-traps. On this particular day, we were sweeping an area northeast of Phan Thiet. Pfc. Dickson was carrying the M-60 machinegun when we hit the booby-trap in the middle of a field. It was the second time he had been injured in ten days. The medevac picked him up within fifteen minutes. We got word the next day that he had died. Jim was a nice person, not much of a talker. After his death, I wrote his mother in Oregon.” As combined pair-off operations continued, enemy “booby traps” claimed the lives of two more Currahees. During a reconnaissance-in-force operation in the mountains north of Phan Thiet on February 27, seven Currahees from Alpha Company were wounded when two “booby-traps” were detonated.

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Map showing the Le Hong Phong Forest (from the book "The Stand Alone Battalion"

The 3-506 began Phase II of Operation Hancock Eagle on February 28. The Area of Operation was known as the Le Hong Phong Forest northeast of Phan Thiet. While making their combat assault in preparation for the operation, the 1st Platoon of Charlie Company was inserted into a “hot” LZ, landing under steady fire from a squad-size enemy. The Currahees returned fire and maneuvered off the LZ, overrunning the enemy positions and killing three Viet Cong. Later in the afternoon, 1LT David Rivers' 1st Platoon, Charlie Company was establishing a Night Defensive Perimeter in the Le Hong Phong Forest, north of Phan Thiet, when the enemy attacked them. The enemy force was believed to be the same squad-size element that had engaged the 1st Platoon the previous day. The Currahees returned fire, and SP4 Donlan was killed during the brief firefight with the enemy. Phase II of Operation Hancock Eagle commenced on February 28 and would continue into March. Enemy contact during this phase was moderate, with no significant engagements or friendly casualties. Enemy activity within Binh Thuan Province decreased slightly during the early part of March, compared to the level of intense enemy contact during February. This period of relative tranquility allowed the enemy to prepare for a planned assault against the Thien Giao District Headquarters later in the month.

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March 1969 Immediately after ending Phase II of Operation Hancock Eagle, our battalion commenced Operation Hancock Queen on March 3 in reaction to new intelligence on enemy activity. The Currahees combat assaulted into the mountainous regions north of Phan Thiet to locate and destroy the enemy Military Region Six (MR-6), as well as all other enemy forces operating within the designated AO. For the next few days, our companies and the 5th Mobile Strike Force (CDIG) conducted search and destroy operations throughout the AO, meeting heavy resistance from the enemy. Operations succeeded in destroying five company-sized enemy base camps and bunker complexes, as well as four platoon-size bunker complexes within the heavily vegetated ravines and bunker-lined slopes of the mountains. The main base camp of the Viet Cong Political Section of Binh Thuan Province was also located and destroyed. SP4 Dean Leroy Moon was killed during the Operation by an enemy sniper on March 19. Specialist Four Moon, a 21-year-old native of Sterling, Idaho, was a rifleman in 1Lt. Lawrence "Larry" Collin’s 3rd Platoon, Delta Company. On March 19, SP4 Moon’s 3rd Platoon, Delta Company had stopped for a brief rest break and sent out outposts (OP). An enemy sniper watched SP4 Moon as he set up in his OP, then shot and killed him. Lieutenant Larry Collins would recall many years later. " Dean was a member of my platoon, and I think of him often and will miss him always. I’ve cried and touched his name on panel 29W, Line 81, etched in the polished black granite of that long black wall in Washington, D.C. I never knew any of Dean’s relatives or friends back in Idaho, but I want them and all the people who read this to know that he is remembered. Dean and the over 58,000 of his brothers and sisters who made the supreme sacrifice of dying for their country in Southeast Asia must always be remembered.” Operation Hancock Queen terminated on March 20, and we made preparations for the initiation of the final phase of Operation Hancock Eagle. Phase III of Operation Hancock Eagle commenced on March 23 and continued through the end of the month with no Currahee casualties. With the termination of Phase III of Operation Hancock Eagle, the 3-506 had succeeded in diminishing enemy activity within Binh Thuan Province. The Currahee effort contributed greatly to the destruction of the Viet Cong infrastructure and paved the way for successful pacification throughout the province. In late March, I was faced with a big decision. My tour of duty in Vietnam would end in September and once I returned to the U.S., I still would have six months remaining in active status; and would probably be reassigned to some state side hospital where I

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would be an orderly in some hospital and change bedpans and deal with all of that formality, not to mention the troopers I would see every day with serious wounds. I had been wounded on January 10 and I had lost close friends. We had more wounded but none serious. the boonies were starting to get to me--as with all of us--and I started thinking how could I go back to the states and be an orderly in some hospital and change bedpans and deal with all of that formality, not to mention the troopers I would see every day with serious wounds. I only knew Phan Thiet, so when Company A stood down, I walked over to the 198th Medical detachment compound and met with Captain Howard, the flight surgeon, and he informed me that they were going to need a medic. I then made the decision to re-up with the 198th Medical Company, an attachment of the 192nd Assault Helicopter Company and one of the primarily Task Force 3-506th units. April 1969

LRRP Team Members (L-R): Pfc. Jim Wyatt (left) and SP4 Larry Collins

During the month of April, the enemy virtually withdrew from their normal operating areas in Binh Thuan Province and retreated to secret base areas in the mountains. On April l, our battalion commenced small pair-off operations with ARVN and Regional Forces elements. Our reconnaissance units (LRRP Teams) and elements of the 44th ARVN Regiment also conducted combined US/ARVN pair-off operations. These pair-off teams were designated as Combined Reconnaissance American-ARVN (COBRAA) and proved to be the most successful of the combined operations because of the added professionalism of the recon units and the detailed ARVN knowledge of the enemy and the terrain. On April l, 3-506 had commenced small pair-off operations with ARVN and Regional Forces elements. Our reconnaissance units (LRRP Teams) and elements of the 44th ARVN Regiment also conducted combined US/ARVN pair-off operations. These pair-off teams were designated as Combined Reconnaissance American-ARVN or (COBRAA) and proved to be the most successful of the combined operations because of the added professionalism of the recon units and the detailed ARVN knowledge of the enemy and the terrain.

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Alpha Company Compound located lower far left in photo

On April 7, just twelve days prior to my arrival at LZ Betty, 1Lt. Wayne Thompson’s 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company engaged a small group of Viet Cong in the mountainous area northwest of Phan Thiet. Sgt. Richard George May from 3rd Platoon was killed during the enemy contact. The 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company was conducting a routine reconnaissance-in-force and Bushmaster operation in the AO, when the Platoon engaged a small group of Viet Cong in the mountainous area northwest of Phan Thiet. The contact was brief, but intense, resulting in SP4 May’s death. Sgt. Charles “Scotty” Scott, Squad Leader, 3rd Platoon recalls, “I was Platoon Sergeant of 3rd Platoon at the time of this incident. SP4 May was a new trooper to go out with us. He was not in my platoon very long, and I remember that he had very little of the basic combat training that most all the men coming into the rifle companies had at that time. SP4 May had been stationed in Washington D.C. as part of the Honor Guard, prior to arriving in Vietnam. When we engaged the Viet Cong that day, it was May’s first combat. As rounds were flying all around us, he raised his head to see what was going on and was hit and killed instantly. He was with us for such a short time that he had not had time to make many friends.” On April 19, the day I arrived at Delta Company, another incident claimed the life of a second Currahee--SP4 Carl Phillip Morrison from 1Lt. Irvin C. Porter's 1st Platoon--the company I was just assigned to. Specialist Four Carl Phillip Morrison, a 19-year-old native of Bonita, Louisiana, a rifleman in 1st Platoon was serving in a machinegun squad of his platoon. Shortly after daylight, the platoon was preparing to begin another day of reconnaissance-in-force and Bushmaster operations within their assigned AO. Platoon members were beginning to move around inside their position from the previous night; preparing and eating their morning C-rations, cleaning their weapons, and arranging their rucksacks before moving out on this day’s mission. Abruptly, a single gunshot rang out. The bullet fired by an enemy sniper hit SP4 Morrison in the leg. He was successfully medevaced from the field, but went into shock and died enroute to the battalion aid station. Sergeant James Wheeler, Squad Leader, 1st Platoon, Delta Company, recalls, “Carl was not only in my platoon, he was also in my squad, the weapons squad. I spent

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about eight months humping the M-60 before becoming squad leader, and Carl was an ammo bearer for the other gunner in our squad. I knew him from the time he came in country. He was a great guy, kind of quiet and very easy to be friends with. I was there the morning he was shot. We were just starting to move around in the perimeter of our NDP (Night Defensive Position), when a sniper fired one shot hitting Carl in the leg somewhere in his thigh. We medevaced him, and we were telling him he was going to be okay. I know he was really afraid of being shot, but he seemed to be staying with it. We couldn’t believe it when we heard he had died in the medevac chopper.” The lost of life is never an easy thing to accept. On April 25, an enemy ambush claimed the life of another Currahee, SP4 Larry G. Leopoldino of Echo Company. He was killed during an operation near the area we call “Disneyland” northwest of Phan Thiet (see the below map). Specialist Four Larry Leopoldino, a 22 year-old native of Hilo, Hawaii, was a rifleman in 1Lt. Robert L. Roos’s Reconnaissance Platoon, Echo Company.

Location Map (From Battle at Phan Thiet)

On that day, SP4 Leopoldino’s LRRP team was conducting a reconnaissance mission northwest of Phan Thiet. He was a member of a heavy (18-man) recon team that had been inserted into the AO to check on reports of enemy activity there. Their mission was to locate the enemy element so that battalion rifle companies could subsequently engage them. Late in the day, the LRRP team was approaching a woodline adjacent to a streambed, when they were engaged by the large enemy force they were attempting to locate. Artillery and helicopter gunships were deployed, along with TAC Air support. SP4 Leopoldino was killed during the enemy firefight.

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SP4 Jerry Wilson, LRRP Team member, recalls, “I was walking slack for the team when Larry was killed. Larry was walking right behind me, third in the column, as our team crossed an open area. The enemy had found us first. Our team’s left flank saw a piece of paper in the brush ahead of us about 20 to 30 yards and signaled. The brush was a tree line paralleling a riverbed, where the enemy was positioned. 1Lt. Roose signaled us to get down, and then we became pinned down. After the gunships came in, we pulled back. A short time later, two other Currahees and I went back up to get Larry. I pulled cover as the other two troopers carried him back. He never had a chance to fire his weapon, and I am sure that more of us would have been killed or wounded if the left flank had not seen that little bit of movement in the tree line.” Beginning on April 27, our battalion commenced pacification efforts together with Regional Forces in support of the Binh Thuan Province Redevelopment Program. The pacification operations involved searching target hamlets and conducting small unit pair-off operations in and around the hamlet. MEDCAP missions were also conducted in conjunction with cordon operations in target hamlets by medics assigned to each company. May 1969 As the month of May began, our "Bastard Battalion” took its new challenge head-on. “Pacification and Pair-Off” operations within AO Sheridan went into full swing, as combined U. S. and Regional Forces subjected targeted hamlets throughout the Thien Giao District of Binh Thuan Province to cordons and searches. According to previously captured enemy documents and intelligence reports, it was anticipated that the enemy would increase its activities, especially in the eastern portion of AO Sheridan. On May 5, Bravo and Charlie Company commenced combined operations with the ARVN 283rd and 164th Regional Forces Companies in a cordon and search of Hoa Tan and Hoa Dong Hamlets north of Phan Thiet.

Hoa Dong Hamlet north of Phan Thiet with Whiskey Mountain in background

Once the hamlets were secured and cordoned, U.S. intelligence teams and members of the Vietnamese National Police Field Force began the interrogation of the inhabitants. Like previous Cordon and search efforts, these were designed to seek out and uncover the Viet Cong Infrastructures (VCI) within the hamlets that supplied the active Viet Cong units and provided revenue and intelligence information for them. The destruction of the VCI

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would also destroy Viet Cong efforts within the area by denying them access to supplies and safe harbor within the villages. In the early morning of May 15, the enemy launched a mortar attack on our base camp at LZ Betty. Pfc. Luis Carlos Borrego and SP4 Floyd Charles Nevins of Bravo Company were killed in the incident. Private First Class Luis Carlos Borrego, Jr., a 22- year-old native of El Paso, Texas, and Specialist Four Floyd Charles Nevins, a 21-year-old native of Valley Falls, Kansas, were riflemen in 2Lt. Hoffman’s 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company. Lieutenant Hoffman's 3rd Platoon was on standdown at LZ Betty, after spending ten-days on a cordon and search operation north of Phan Thiet at Hoa Tan and Hoa Dong Hamlets. Whenever a rifle company or platoon conducted a standdown at LZ Betty, they also manned perimeter bunkers at the TF 3-506 base camp. While on bunker guard duty, Pfc. Borrego and SP4 Nevins died when the unknown-size enemy force attacked the base camp. LZ Betty received an estimated fifteen 82mm mortar rounds. Counter mortar and artillery fire was fired against the enemy force in support of the base camp. Two other soldiers were also wounded in the attack. Lieutenant Hoffman, recalls, “We had just returned from the field and as standard operating procedure, we had perimeter guard duty. Sgt. Nevins and Pfc. Borrego were on bunker duty in the south end of the base camp and were killed during a mortar attack on LZ Betty. These two brave troopers were my first KIAs after assuming command of 3rd Platoon.” As cordon and search operations continued through the month of May, combined US/ARVN forces diligently weeded out the VCI in villages and hamlets throughout the Thien Giao District of Binh Thuan Province (AO Sheridan). Precise cordoning of the villages, followed immediately by search operations, was critical to the success of the pacification process. Any delays between completing the cordon and the initiation of the interrogation procedure allowed time for the inhabitants of the villages to hide weapons and supplies, as well as Viet Cong suspects from search teams. The overall aim of the pacification program in Binh Thuan Province was to convince the people in the hamlets and villages that the South Vietnamese Government was firmly established within their country. Promises made by the Government would be realized later, when the people of the targeted hamlets elected their own village and local officials in June. June 1969 Throughout the month of June, our battalion continued to conduct combined pacification and pair-off operations with Regional Forces elements at key villages and hamlets within AO Sheridan. Enemy contact during the combined operations primarily consisted of small encounters with brief firefights. Sniper fire was a common occurrence in targeted hamlets, inflicting several friendly casualties. Night ambush patrols positioned around targeted hamlets were successful in snaring the enemy during their usual movement under cover of darkness. The intense cordon and search operations of hamlets and villages resulted in considerable disruption of the Viet Cont Infrastructure. Intelligence sources also indicated that obtaining food and supplies was becoming an increasingly difficult task for the Viet Cong and NVA. As a result of the combined US/ARVN pair-off operations, fewer contacts were made with the enemy.

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After a relatively light period of enemy contact during the previous month, sporadic brief encounters with the enemy claimed the lives of two Currahees in June. On June 6, an unknown-sized enemy force attacked Hoa Tan Hamlet north of Phan Thiet, where Charlie Company and the ARVN 164th Regional Force Company were conducting cordon and search operations. In the early morning hours, enemy mortar fire, rockets, grenades, and small arms fire besieged the hamlet. Corporal Terry Dean Miller, 20, a native of Montrose, Illinois was killed in the incident, and two other Currahees were wounded. Private Miller was a machinegunner in 1Lt. Larry G. Terbush’s 1st Platoon, Charlie Company. During the first week of June, 1Lt. Josef Choc’s Charlie Company was conducting cordon and ambush operations at nearby Hoa Tan Hamlet north of Phan Thiet. Lieutenant Choc’s CP was set up inside the hamlet along with 1Lt. Larry G. Terbush’s 1st Platoon. First Lieutenant James R. Magouyrk’s 2nd Platoon and 1Lt. Wayne Thompson’s 3rd Platoon were located in a perimeter around the hamlet that night, awaiting daylight and the arrival of the Vietnamese police, who were to conduct their search and interrogation of the hamlet. Shortly after midnight, on June 6, the enemy attacked the hamlet and Charlie Company positions with mortar fire, B-40 rockets, and grenades, as well as small arms and automatic weapons fire. Pfc. Miller was killed in the enemy attack, and two other Currahees were wounded. First Lieutenant Magouyrk recalls, “Charlie Company had been in the area for several days. On the night of June 6, Cpt. Choc’s CP had set up inside the hamlet with 1Lt. Larry Terbush’s 1st Platoon. My 2nd Platoon and 1Lt. Wayne Thompson’s 3rd Platoon were on the perimeter outside the hamlet. It was pretty much a regular night for us, until shortly after midnight when we were attacked.” Several days later, the 2nd Platoon, Bravo Company received small arms fire while in a night ambush position in the vicinity of Hoa Tan Hamlet. Platoon medic, SP4 Clarence Moody Stoner, Jr., 21, of Cleburne, Texas was killed during incident that occurred the evening of June 13. During the late afternoon, 2nd Platoon was moving into their predetermined night ambush position in the vicinity of Hoa Tan Hamlet north of Phan Thiet, when they came under fire from a local Regional Force unit positioned in the area. The Vietnamese interpreter and Kit Carson Scout attached to 2nd Platoon both rushed forward yelling to the RF unit that they were “friendlies” and to cease firing. The RF soldiers assumed that 2nd Platoon was a Viet Cong unit and that the interpreter and scout were attempting to trick them. In response, the Vietnamese Regional Forces unit opened fire on 2nd Platoon, killing the interpreter and wounding the Kit Carson Scout. Medic Stoner rushed to the aid of the interpreter and Kit Carson Scout and was killed while providing first aid to the two wounded soldiers.

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Map showing Le Hong Phong Forest (Map from Battle for Phan Thiet)

Lieutenant Fred Hoffman, Platoon Leader, 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, reported that Bravo Company was pulling village duty and his 3rd Platoon was on sand dunes near the Le Hong Phong Forest. Medic Stoner’s platoon was near a Vietnamese hamlet and was moving to setup their ambush position for the night. As the platoon approached the local Regional Forces (RF) unit located in the vicinity, the RF unit fired on the approaching platoon. The Vietnamese interpreter and Kit Carson Scout attached to 2nd Platoon went forward and yelled in Vietnamese to stop firing and identified the platoon, but the RF soldiers opened up on them anyway. Pacification efforts continued in targeted hamlets, as psychological teams attempted to convince the wives and mothers of suspected Viet Cong that their husbands and sons should rally to the South Vietnamese Government. Propaganda leaflet drops were made over some hamlets, emphasizing the Voluntary Informant Program. Revolutionary Development cadre operations were also directed toward convincing the people that the South Vietnamese Government would guarantee them self-rule and self-determination within their hamlets. To reinforce the promise of self-rule by the people, local hamlet and village elections were held on June 12 and June 15. July 1969 The month of July was an active period in respect to enemy attacks over the past several months. Enemy sappers were quite insidious, and stand off mortar attacks increased sharply during the month. Booby traps were also a major problem. The Currahees made almost daily contact with the enemy while conducting search and destroy operations. On July 3, LTC James M. Bowers assumed command of the 3-506 after the tragic death of LTC Manuel A. Alves, who was killed in an automobile accident while home on emergency leave.

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LTC Alves LTC Bowers

During the first part of July, Alpha Company and the ARVN 300th Regional Forces Company continued pacification and pair-off operations, while Bravo Company conducted screening operations along the Thien Giao District border of Binh Thuan Province. Charlie and Delta Companies continued reconnaissance-in-force operations in the northern part of Binh Thuan Province, destroying enemy bunker complexes and base camps. By mid-July, however, pacification efforts by the Currahees in Binh Thuan Province were de-emphasized, and more emphasis was given to offensive operations designed to increase pressure on enemy forces in the outlying areas. The overall effect of these operations relieved enemy influence in population centers, and stand off attacks with the enemy ceased. In July, the decision was made to employ the rifle platoons of the 3-506 differently than in the past few months. Enemy contacts in previous months indicated that company- and platoon-sized elements were not as successful in making significant enemy contact, because the Viet Cong could detect the movement of large elements and evade these approaching units. The platoons in the Battalion were subsequently divided into two smaller elements, with each element remaining sufficiently close enough to aid one another should a major contact occur. While operating in this new configuration, the Currahees succeeded in sighting and engaging more of the enemy by covering a larger area. During the early morning hours of July 10, an unknown-sized enemy force attacked the Night Defensive Position of 1st Platoon, Charlie Company with mortars, B-40 rockets, and small arms fire. Private First Class Kenneth Julian Cymbalski, 21, of Rockville, Maryland was killed during the enemy attack. PFC Cymbalski was a rifleman in 1Lt. Larry Gene Terbush’s 1st Platoon, Charlie Company. During the previous afternoon, Lieutenant Terbush’s 1st Platoon, had set up their night defensive perimeter next to the small village of Ap Binh An, north of Phan Thiet. Shortly after 3:00 a.m, an unknown-size enemy force approached the village and attacked the platoon position with mortars, B-40 rockets, small arms and automatic weapons fire. Pfc. Cymbalski was killed, and three other Currahees were wounded during the enemy attack. During the late afternoon of July 13, 1Lt. Robert Moore’s 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, while on a search and destroy mission north of Phan Thiet, activated an enemy booby-trapped 175mm artillery round, resulting in the death of Pfc. Byron Hall, 22-year-old native of Henagar, Alabama. Seven other Currahees in the platoon were wounded in the incident. Lieutenant Moore, recalls, “Pfc. Hall was an excellent soldier - it was a terrible loss. We were on a search and destroy mission that day and had just engaged the enemy. It was a small firefight. After the engagement, we conducted a recon of the area about 5:00 p.m. and found nothing. We were ordered to form up and resume our mission. Our Company Commander, Cpt. Robert Catchings, was on the ground with us. We knew

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the area was dangerous, based on previous contact and the knowledge of mines and booby traps. I had just started putting the men in place to move out. Cpt. Catchings, Platoon Sergeant (PSG) Cunningham, and I were checking the map and squad assignments. Pfc. Byron’s squad was taking the front right column, with him as right point. As PSG Cunningham was walking over to talk to one of the squad leaders, his boot tripped a wire. At that point, we all knew what would happen next. The explosion took the life of Pfc. Hall and seriously wounded seven others.” SP4 Charles Montalbano, a close friend and teammate of Pfc. Hall, also recalls, “When a new trooper was sent to our company, he was assigned to someone to show him around. Byron Hall was assigned to me. They called us Mutt and Jeff, because he was about 6’ 4" and I was 5’ 4". He was a really friendly individual and a good trooper.” On July 18, enemy mortar fire claimed the life of another Currahee from 1st Platoon, Bravo Company. Sgt. Roger Earl Foreman, 21, of New Town, South Dakota was killed during the enemy engagement. Sergeant Foreman was a rifleman in 1Lt. David Palmer’s 1st Platoon, Bravo Company. Like so many members killed from our battalion with their tour of duty almost up, Sgt. Foreman had been in country 316 days, when he died of multiple fragmentation wounds. On July 18, Bravo Company was operating within its assigned AO and conducting usual search and destroy missions. Sgt. Foreman and his squad from 1st Platoon, were awaiting a resupply by helicopter. As the resupply chopper neared the small LZ near the company position, it came under fire from an unknown-sized enemy force. Sgt. Foreman and his squad were sent to find and destroy the enemy. As he and his squad crossed an open area, the enemy attacked with mortar. The resulting explosion killed Sgt. Foreman and wounded the other Currahees in his squad.

Second Lieutenant Fred Hoffman, Platoon Leader, 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, recalls, “My platoon was separated from the company commander’s group, and the company still had troops hacking out an LZ for the choppers in an area with a lot of open areas. We could hear them a click away. I had called in coordinates of an open area one-half click from where we were sitting. Anyway, we saw the supply chopper go into Sgt. Foreman’s area; then it was fired up. We heard gunfire and mortar rounds exploding. The company commander had Sgt. Foreman and several of his men investigate the area where the firing came from. As Sgt. Foreman and his men crossed the open ground, the Viet Cong fired a 60mm mortar round, killing Sgt. Foreman and wounding the others accompanying him. Sgt. Foreman was a real soldier and a great guy.” As the month of July ended, our battalion had twenty-two months of combat in South Vietnam. The 3-506 would be still taking the fight to the enemy, keeping him on the run and destroying his efforts to regroup and resupply. During the month of July, sizeable amounts of enemy rice and food supplies were captured and/or destroyed. There was also a marked increase in the numbers of Hoi Chanh ralliers, who often reported that the Viet Cong were suffering from lack of food and supplies. By keeping the enemy off balance and denying him access to food and supplies, the Currahees were able to thwart a planned enemy offensive on July 20. Our battalion continued to train and support the ARVN units of Binh Thuan Province, in addition to standing ready for assistance as needed to the allied units of TF SOUTH. The 3-506 remained steadfast in its dedication to duty, accomplishing its mission with true Airborne Spirit.

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August brought an increase in enemy activity, as we continued our search and destroy operations in direct support of the Revolutionary Development Program and pacification efforts in the Thien Giao District of Binh Thuan Province. On August 1, the 840th Main Force Viet Cong Battalion was identified in a contact with a Ranger team east/northeast of Song Mao. A large quantity of fresh rice found in the contact area indicated that the enemy was being supplied with food from the rice paddies north of Song Mao. Enemy forces, particularly those along the Binh Tuy-Lam Dong Province border, had extensive areas under cultivation for crops. Subsequently, the discovery and destruction of these areas became a secondary mission of TF 3-506. The majority of our contacts with enemy forces took place in the Thien Giao District “Triangle Area” and the Le Hong Phong Forest. Fire Support Bases Sherry and Sandy were attractive targets for the enemy and received mortar attacks on several occasions. Enemy emphasis continued to be focused on the disruption of the South Vietnamese Government pacification program through terrorist activities and the infiltration of villages to press civilians into the Viet Cong labor force. Viet Cong mines and “booby traps” heavily inhibited main roads, particularly Highway QL-1 and 8B.

40mm M42 "Duster" at FSB Sherry

On August 20, a civilian bus traveling northeast of Phan Thiet hit a road mine, killing ten of the 37 passengers and wounding 22 others. Contacts with Viet Cong Main Force units were only occurring during Currahee reconnaissance-in-force operations. Viet Cong Local Force and Arrow Action Teams were the usual enemy units to initiate contact. We continued to seek out and destroy enemy bunkers and cultivated areas. Our small unit operations against enemy base areas proved to be the most effective way to combat Viet Cong units that also operated in small, squad-sized elements. On August 10, COBRAA Team 43 engaged four Viet Cong with small arms fire while on a reconnaissance mission. One Viet Cong was killed, two more were wounded, and the fourth escaped. A small infant was found among the Viet Cong casualties, together with assorted military equipment and documents. The infant, along with the captured weapons and documents, was transported to LZ BETTY.

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COBRAA Team members Pfc. Jim Wyatt (left) and SP4 Larry Collins

Around August 11, I was approached by a member of the assault platoon with the 10th Aviation Battalion at LZ Betty to go on a search and destroy mission with them. Their medic was unavailable at the time. My platoon leader, 1Lt. Steve Huppert asked me if I wanted to go and I told him I would. Our mission was without incident and I thank the Lord for that, since I had such a short time left in country. On August 19, TF 3-506 began Rome Plow Security Operations to protect Rome Plow operators of the 687th Engineer Company, as they cleared large areas of the Le Hong Phong Forest. Land clearing operations cut large swaths of jungle throughout the forest, enabling mechanized armored units to move into areas previously accessible to only airmobile infantry. These 400-meter-wide swaths greatly improved aerial surveillance of enemy activity and made Viet Cong food production areas easily accessible to the tracked vehicles that intentionally destroyed any crops in their path. Rome plow Operations would terminate on September 26, 1969

Rome Plows cut into the thick jungle sanctuary of the VC

north of Phan Thiet in the Le Hong Phong Forest

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Our battalion had completed a month of combat actions without sustaining any fatalities. This had not happened but once before and that was the first month our battalion entered combat back in November 1967. September was a busy month for the 3-506 rifle companies as they continued to operate on multi-fronts. They continued to conduct search and destroy operations, as well as reconnaissance-in-force missions against VC/NVA forces in Binh Thuan Province. Emphasis was primarily on destroying enemy bunkers and cultivated areas. Pacification operations within Thien Giao District also continued in support of Revolutionary Development with Binh Thuan Province. The VC/NVA Main Forces generally avoided contact and relied on Local Force guerrillas to harass and terrorize hamlets and villages. Within Binh Thuan Province, Ham Thuan District appeared to be the prime target of Viet Cong forces for small unit operations designed to disrupt South Vietnamese Government pacification efforts. The active involvement of the 3-506 in pacification efforts had slowly decreased in August and Battalion efforts had turned to more offensive operations on the outskirts of populated areas. September 8, marked the end of fixed pacification and pair-off operations by the 3-506. September 1969 I had gone home on leave for 30 days the first week of August and arrived back in Vietnam at Bien Hoa the first week of September. I spent next two-and-half weeks at the 101st compound in Bien Hoa awaiting instructions on when to go to Phan Thiet. I was naïve and didn’t realize that was to have directly reported to the 198 Medical detachment. Anyway to make a long story short I was going to receive an Article 15 for reporting late but, they called the 101st to verify my story and found out I assisted with sick call during that time so the issue was dropped. In early September, our intelligence sources indicated that an enemy regiment had been located in the mountains northwest of Phan Thiet and that a POW camp containing approximately one hundred U. S. and Vietnamese prisoners was also in the same area. Our Task Force 3-506 Commander, LTC Bowers, quickly initiated a large combined airmobile operation consisting of our four rifle companies of the 3-506 and three ARVN companies to find and destroy the suspected large enemy force, as well as locate the reported POW camp. Our search for the enemy took us into the mountainous area northwest of Phan Thiet known as “The Toilet Bowl,” a thickly vegetated region with deep ravines and three-story forest canopy. On September 3, 2nd Platoon, Company D found the first evidence of enemy occupation within the area. The Currahees discovered a large fortified bunker complex and Viet Cong hospital complex containing numerous medical items and documents. The following day, my Delta Company's 3rd Platoon made contact with a platoon sized enemy element in Le Hong Phong Forest. While in pursuit, the Currahees found another large bunker hospital complex, a large quantity of medical supplies, ammunition, clothing, and enemy documents. Information gathered from the captured documents

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identified the enemy complex as the Le Hong Phong Dispensary, which served enemy units throughout Binh Thuan Province. Other documents indicated that the Viet Cong used the area as a medical training center and a political indoctrination site.

The infamous "Toilet Bowl" area in the mountainous areas west of Phan Thiet

As we continued our probe of the area for the reported POW camp, the enemy began retaliatory attacks against our TF 3-506 installations and our maneuver units (rifle companies) in an attempt to divert us away from their base camps. On September 5, an unknown-sized enemy force again attacked LZ Betty with mortars for the coastal side of the base. Fire Support Base Sherry, located north of Phan Thiet near Whiskey Mountain, was simultaneously attacked with mortars and rockets. Elsewhere, the enemy surrounded 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company north of Phan Thiet and attacked the Currahees with rockets and automatic weapons fire. Corporal Barry Robert Clark, a 19-year-old native of Maple Heights, Ohio was killed in the firefight, and several other were wounded. On the night of September 5, 1Lt. William Easton’s 3rd Platoon, Charlie Company had set up a night ambush near the small hamlet of Ap Phu Dien, northwest of Phan Thiet in Thien Giao District of Binh Thuan Province. It began to rain as Sgt. Marvin Dunn’s squad settled in for another night conducting ambush patrols. Platoon Leader Easton, his RTO, and the platoon sergeant accompanied Sgt. Dunn’s squad this particular night. Before the night was over, a platoon-size enemy force engaged the 3rd Platoon with small arms, automatic weapons and B-40 rockets. Sgt. Dunn recalls, “My squad had set up a night ambush in one of the small villages north of Phan Thiet on the night of September 5, 1969. I had setup four ‘holes’ or positions to watch an open area on the edge of the village. Pfc. Barry Clark, Platoon Sergeant Saunders, a new young black recruit, and our Kit Carson scout, Mien, occupied my 9 o’clock position—four men in each position, each located to cover each other. I occupied the 12:00 O’clock position, along with three other squad members. Shortly after darkness had settled in, one of our artillery fire support bases began firing illumination over the area to allow us to observe the surrounding nearby rice paddies.“

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As the night progressed and the rain continued to come down, the Currahees watched under the illumination provided by the artillery battery at FSB Sherry. Suddenly, Sgt. Dunn’s squad was alerted by what appeared to be movement at the front of their position. Further illumination revealed that four surprised Viet Cong had walked within 100 yards of their position. The platoon opened fire on the enemy soldiers. The four Viet Cong were the point element of a much larger enemy element approaching the hamlet. When Sgt. Dunn’s squad engaged the enemy point element, the larger enemy force attacked with B-40 rockets, small arms and automatic weapons fire. Pfc. Barry Clark was killed during the intense firefight, along with the platoon Kit Carson Scout. Two other platoon members were wounded, as were several Vietnamese civilians in the hamlet. Enemy coordinated attacks on LZ Betty and our other TF 3-506 installations continued for several weeks, when we finally suspended our search for the POW camp and moved to Song Mao in search of another large enemy force. On September 15, 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company found and destroyed a garden plot and an observation bunker in the vicinity of Hoa Da Village. Elements of Charlie Company and Team 23 of the 75th Rangers were airlifted into the area to locate the enemy and ultimately make contact with an NVA Battalion south of Song Mao. The ensuing “Battle at Hoa Da Village” inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy. Our battalion initiated Operation Hancock Flame on September 27 northeast of Song Mao. The combined operation involved our four rifle companies, as well as five ARVN companies. COBRAA Teams also accompanied the combined US/ARVN companies to penetrate the stronghold of the Viet Cong 840th Main Force Battalion and Viet Cong Local Force units. Operation Hancock Flame was a brief operation with light enemy contact that focused on destroying enemy garden plots and bunker complexes.

Leaving the 3-506 for 192nd AHC & the 198th Medical Co.

I volunteered for another tour in Viet Nam, this time with the 192nd AHC. The 192nd's support of the 3-506 was exemplary, they pulled our chestnuts out of the fire more than once. I would leave this proud battalion for and spend the next six-months with the 198th Medical Company here at Phan Thiet, an attached support unit to the 192nd Assault Helicopter Company--one of our Task Force 3-506th Support Units. It is difficult for me to leave my friends and teammates in Alpha Company; and I do plan to keep track of my former battalion and its members who remain my family.

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So, on September 25, I left the 3-506 and went over to the 198th Medical Company as an administration senior medic and was shorting promoted to Specialist E-5 then immediately to Sergeant E-5 NCOIC (Non Commission Officer In Charge) by Doctor Harvey. By staying in Vietnam a while longer, I felt I could do more to help our troops. I volunteered for another tour in Phan Thiet, Viet Nam, this time with the 192nd AHC. The 192nd's support of the 3/506th was exemplary, they pulled our chestnuts out of the fire more than once. I did not want to return to the states from my tour with the 3/506th (101st Airborne) to be an orderly in a hospital somewhere. It was a young man's decision with a sense of fatalism but, I had the knowledge that my acquired skills and experience would serve the 192nd well. In retrospect, it was the right decision. In the 192nd in addition to being NCOIC of the 198th Medical dispensary, I learned crew duties on the Huey's. Our team assisted the flight surgeon with pilot physicals, sutured lacerations, treated infections, wrapped sprains, removed ingrown toenails, gave injections, and provided monthly statistical reports to the Department of the Army though the 10th Aviation Battalion. I also acquired expertise in the art of "midnight requisition" (thief). We needed to make the dispensary a more sterile environment so paneling was the answer. P.A.&E had the material so, they generously donated it to the 192nd late 2 evenings in a row under cover of darkness. The helicopter mechanics were frequently nicked up on the job. I also assisted at the evacuation hospital when T/F 506 had many casualties. Now with the 192nd AHC and in addition to being NCOIC (Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge) of the 198th Medical dispensary, I learned crew duties on the Huey's. Our team assisted the flight surgeon with pilot physicals, sutured lacerations, treated infections, wrapped sprains, removed ingrown toenails, gave injections, and provided monthly statistical reports to the Department of the Army though the 10th Aviation Battalion. I also acquired expertise in the art of "midnight requisition" (thief). We needed to make the dispensary a more sterile environment, so paneling was the answer. PA&E (Pacific Architecture and Engineering) had the material so, they generously donated it to the 192nd late two evenings in a row under cover of darkness. The helicopter mechanics were frequently nicked up on the job. I also assisted at the evacuation hospital when TF 506 had casualties. October 1969 until I departed Vietnam in March 1970 It was nearly impossible for me to separate my concern for my former unit and especially my former Currahee family. The following are what actions and locations the 3-506th took while I remained behind at the 198th Medical Company. During October, enemy activity increased as a result of aggressive efforts to search out enemy units. The 186th Main Force Viet Cong Battalion continued to avoid contact, but was reported to be operating in Binh Thuan Province north of Song Mao. Reports of recent Hoi Chanh ralliers indicated that the 840th Viet Cong Battalion was in transition from northern Binh Thuan Province to a new area northeast of Phan Thiet. Operation Hancock Flame, which began in late September, terminated on October 4. Throughout the remainder of the month, the 3-506 continued to operate in company- and platoon-sized strength in search of enemy cultivated areas within the Le Hong Phong Forest.

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The enemy maintained numerous large garden plots containing vast quantities of staple food crops that were essential to VC/NVA existence. The request for defoliation of discovered cultivated areas was a slow process, and crops were usually ready for harvest by the time requests for defoliation were approved and scheduled. Maneuver elements of the 3-506 usually destroyed enemy crops manually, using machetes and other simple hand implements. Following a well-deserved stand down, TF 3-506 commenced Operation Southern Free Strike on October 9. The mission is to hunt down and kill the enemy within the vast stretch of territory along the border of II and III Corps, known as the Free Strike Zone. On October 10, the 3-506 conducted the Battalion’s first amphibious combat assault as part of the operation. The amphibious assault provided an excellent means to insert troops clandestinely into enemy territory without the usually expected helicopter assault. Delta Company was shuttled from the LZ Betty port facilities on a LARC (Light Amphibious Resupply Craft) to another offshore watercraft called an LCU (Army Landing Craft Utility), which ultimately delivered the Currahees to their beachhead assault.

The LARC (Light Amphibious Resupply Craft)

LCU (Army Landing Craft Utility)

On October 20, we lost another Currahee to friendly fire. The Currahees are still as much of my family now as they were when I was still assigned to the Battalion; and when

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anyone from the battalion is wounded or killed, it hurts. The 3-506 is in its eleventh day of Operation Southern Free Strike. I have heard the details and name of the Currahee killed. The Currahees had been searching for the enemy in a thickly vegetated valley bottom into the afternoon. Captain Robert L. Atkins’s Bravo Company had proceeded along the valley floor in search of the enemy, Bravo's three platoons were unable to stay on line while maneuvering through the thick triple canopy. As a result, 2Lt. John Shaffer’s 3rd Platoon moved ahead of the other two platoons and drifted into the path being traveled by 2Lt. David O’Steen’s 2nd Platoon, then stopped for a rest break. As the Currahees of 2nd Platoon came up on the rear element of 3rd Platoon, the point man of 2nd Platoon saw movement in front of him and fired, unaware that 3rd Platoon had managed to maneuver into position in front of him. Sgt. Mike McDonough, 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, recalls, “Sgt. Grella was rear security for our 3rd Platoon. We were working in thick jungle and were taking a brief break; and I assume that Sgt. Grella was sitting. The pointman in 2nd Platoon walked upon the rear of our column and relayed to his platoon leader that he had movement to his front. The platoon leader radioed the Company commander that his point had movement in front and wanted to know if it was friendlies. In the length of time that it took to pass the information back to the rear of the platoon—man to man—to rear security, Sgt. Grella, we determined that the pointman from the other platoon had no choice but to fire. The message never made it back to Sgt. Grella, so he never had a chance to identify himself to the other platoon.” SP4 Douglas Lange, Squad Leader, 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, also says, “Bravo Company was sweeping a mountain valley that was heavily vegetated. It was a wide valley, and all three platoons were proceeding along the valley floor in a search and destroy mission, when one of the other platoons got in front of our platoon. One of my men was walking point that day and saw movement in front of him and fired. Sgt. Grella, who was the rear security of the 3rd Platoon in front, was accidentally killed; and one other soldier was wounded. My platoon is believed to have run into a more heavily vegetated area than Sgt. Grella’s that day and fell behind them as we got out of our line of march by accident.” 2Lt. Fred Hoffman, Platoon Leader, 3rd Platoon, Bravo Company, gave his comments, “Sgt. Grella was a fine soldier, and his death was one of those sad, but sometimes unpreventable accidents in combat. Our entire company was on the move. One of our platoons had stayed behind to cover our movement. As the last platoon was moving forward, the pointman spotted movement in front and opened fire, accidentally hitting Sgt. Grella, who was providing the rear security for my platoon.” On October 28, tragedy struck Delta Company once again. It was the nineteenth day of Operation Southern Free Strike, a mission to hunt down and kill the enemy within the vast stretch of territory along the border of II and III Corps known as the Free Strike Zone. During the early afternoon, Delta Company's 2nd platoon, commanded by 1Lt. Walter Gibson was following a well-traveled trail, which lead into a small isolated village. As Delta troopers made their way cautiously toward the village, they came to a junction in the trail and spotted a Viet Cong trail watcher. At his discovery, the Viet Cong immediately ran away down another trail leading away from the village. Lieutenant Gibson radioed Delta Company Commander, Captain John T. Rothman, for instructions. The Battalion Commander, LTC James Bowers, flying overhead in the C&C (Command

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and Control) helicopter, heard the radio transmission and ordered the lieutenant to pursue the fleeing enemy soldier.

Rifleman, Platoon RTO & Squad Leader, 2nd Platoon, Delta Company

Photo (L-R): Rifleman Bill Hustad, Angelo, and Taylor.

Orders were to follow the VC, and Lt. Gibson instructed Roger Leonnig's squad to carry out the mission. The squad was shorthanded and had a lot of new guys, so Bill Hustad, Squad Leader of 1st Squad volunteered to go along. Lieutenant Gibson, PSG Thompson, and the platoon medic also went along. The rest of Sgt. Hustad's 1st Squad stayed behind to maintain a perimeter in the small village. As the small patrol headed out, SP4 Roger Leonnig was walking point, Sergeant Hustad was walking slack, followed by Lt. Gibson and his RTO. The Currahees were slowly making their way down the well-used trail, when suddenly the enemy sprung their ambush. The deadly barrage of enemy bullets immediately wounded Leonnig, Lt. Gibson and Sgt. Hustad. Specialist Four Leonnig was hit in the chest, puncturing a lung. Sergeant Hustad was hit three times in the chest, right arm, and below his left knee. Lt. Gibson was hit in the chest and died very quickly. Those in the patrol able to do so, returned fire immediately, but the enemy broke contact and fled. A Medevac was called in, but the triple canopy jungle made it necessary to put out smoke for the chopper to find us. SP4 Harry Enoch, 3rd Squad, 2nd Platoon, Delta Company, a close friend and teammate of both Bill Hustad and Roger Leonnig was in the beginning serving as Lt. Gibson's RTO recalled having been sent to Song Mao, which is about 40 kilometers northeast of Phan Thiet. Their position was about 5 to 10 kilometers west of "The Bowl",

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and had been there for a few days. SP4 Enoch recalls, "Pfc. Wright of 3rd squad spotted a VC and opened up with his M-60, but only got off two rounds before his gun jammed. They chased him a little ways and returned without finding anything. Pfc. Wright thought he had hit the Viet Cong. They called Canyon 26, the call sign for Lt. Gibson and reported what happened. Lt. Gibson took SP4 Bill Hustad's 1st Squad down to help out 3rd squad. About the time they joined up, Battalion Commander LTC James Bowers, come overhead in his chopper and ordered Lt. Gibson to pursue the VC. As the patrol trailed the VC, they walked into an ambush set up across the trail in front of them. The enemy opened up with a machine gun and automatic weapons. Before anyone could react, they had three wounded--SP4 Leonnig, who was walking point, SP4 Hustad, who was walking slack, and Lt. Gibson, who was walking fifth in formation. We returned fire immediately, but the enemy broke contact and fled. Lt. Gibson died shortly after he was wounded. Leonnig and Hustad were evacuated using a jungle penetrator. Lt. Gibson was not evacuated until much later that day. Members of our 2nd and 3rd Squads struggled for almost two hours using ponchos and bamboo poles fashioned into a litter to carry him back to the platoon perimeter. When we finally returned for our lieutenant, we had to cut down enough trees to make a place for the chopper to land. Minutes after we finished clearing the area, the chopper came in and picked up the lieutenants body and Canyon 26 took his last ride back to Betty. I was his RTO, and we had spent many hours talking as the night perimeter was being set up. Lieutenant Gibson was an ROTC graduate in Armor and was fairly new in country. He was a fine platoon leader and well respected by his men."

Lieutenant Walter M. Gibson

First Lieutenant Walter Murrah Gibson, was a 23-year old native of College Park, Georgia, and had been in country 103 days, when he was killed by enemy small arms fire. November & December 1969

I have learned that my former 3-506 was released from OPCON to the 23rd ARVN Division on November 11 and became OPCON to the 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division to conduct Phase II of the Road clearing and security operations along Highway QL-21. Operation Road Runner would continue into December. The Currahees welcomed their sixth Battalion Commander on November 15. In a ceremony here at LZ Betty, LTC James M. Bowers passed the command of the 3-506 to LTC Joseph N. Jaggers, Jr., who would lead the Currahees ever forward in their “Rendezvous with Destiny.” I attended the ceremony.

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During the month of December, the battalion maneuver units continued to operate from Fire Support Base Chu Kuk, as our rifle companies conducted Road clearing and security operations along Highway QL-21 in the Ban Me Thuot area.

* * * With the 4th Infantry Division

After spending forty-five days keeping Highway QL-21 open, the 3-506 received orders on December 20 to move operations farther north into Binh Dinh Province for a new mission, this time OPCON to the 4th Infantry Division. Beginning in late November, enemy activity had accelerated in Binh Dinh province, and the 22nd NVA (North Vietnamese Army) Regiment had moved into the An Lao Valley. NVA presence in the area threatened to disrupt pacification efforts within two districts of the province, which fell under the protection of the 4th Infantry Division and its attached units. Consequently, our battalion deployed to An Khe, the provincial capital of Binh Dinh province, on December 21 to support the 173rd Airborne Brigade.

* * * With the 173rd Airborne Brigade & Hill 474

On December 23, my former battalion was released from OPCON to the 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, and became OPCON to the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Our new mission was to conduct combat operations in support of Operation Washington Green, a pacification operation in the An Lao Valley of Binh Dinh Province in northern II Corps. The mission required the movement of all 3-506 troops to LZ North English along Highway QL-1, a short distance from the 173rd Airborne Brigade combat base at LZ ENGLISH. The 3-506 forward TOC (Tactical Operation Center) was established at Fire Support Base Abby, while the rear remained at LZ Betty outside Phan Thiet.

The 3-506 rifle companies moved into Fire Support Base Uplift in Combat Alley to the west of North English and into the An Lo Valley. It was at the mouth of Combat Alley that our battalion would fight the battle of Hill 474 in the coming weeks.

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During the remainder of December, the rifle companies and recon teams conducted reconnaissance-in-force operations in the southern Vinh Thanh mountains from Fire Support Base Uplift, making small contacts with the enemy and finding numerous weapons and food caches. At the time, our intelligence confirmed that the 2nd, 18th, and 22nd Regiments of the 3rd NVA Division were the main force enemy elements opposing the 173rd Airborne Brigade. The 3rd NVA Division Headquarters and the 2nd NVA Regiment had deployed to Binh Dinh Province in late September and late October respectively. The 22nd NVA Regiment was located later in December along the northern boundary of AO LEE - the 173rd Brigade’s Area of Operation - in the vicinity of the Binh Dinh-Quang Ngai Province border and the upper An Lao Valley. The 18th and 2nd NVA Regiments currently occupied locations in the Vinh Thanh Mountains, and numerous local force units operated in the mountainous areas adjacent to the populated areas. The 3rd NVA Division had an estimated strength of 6,000 personnel and was well armed.

Fire Support Base Uplift

* * *

January 1970 also marked the beginning of the 3-506's third year in South Vietnam and its twenty-seventh month of active combat against the most skillful, tenacious, and ruthless enemy ever faced by U. S. combat troops in Vietnam. During the coming months, our battalion and its attached support units would participate in a variety of actions, as we conducted operations from southern II Corp to northern I Corp and west into Cambodia. On January 16, our Task Force 3-506--Delta Battery 2-320 Artillery and the 326th Combat Engineers platoon—embarked on a new mission in the Crow’s Foot mountain area of northern Binh Dinh Province. Our rifle companies operated from Fire Support Bases

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Tape and Challenge, as they moved to interdict and thwart enemy plans to destroy the pacification effort within Hoai Nhon and Tam Quan District. Our mission was to seek out the enemy units and spoil their plans for the Tet New Year. Sources from 173rd Brigade Intelligence indicated that Viet Cong Local Forces in the area were planning to conduct pre-Tet standoff attacks to cover NVA units as they moved into their Tet attack positions at Hill 474. Evidence gathered throughout December 1969 indicated that the 22nd Regiment of the 3rd NVA Division had moved into the southern part of Binh Dinh Province. A POW from the 9th Battalion, 22nd Regiment that we captured on January 2 in the upper An Loa Valley also verified the intelligence reports. Another memorable day for former Alpha Company. Company A made the first enemy contact, when 1Lt. Philip Peters' 3rd Platoon engaged a small group of NVA in the rocky draws that surrounded Hill 474. The NVA took maximum advantage of the dense cover to withdraw to the many caves in the area after the brief firefight. The openings of the caves were concealed by dense undergrowth, and poor visibility made it quite difficult to locate their entrances. Currahees managed to kill one of the NVA soldiers and found a diary on him that indicated he was from the 7th Battalion, 22nd NVA Regiment.

Hill 474

The following day, Company A continued its sweep of the craggy, boulder-strewn Hill 474. As the company moved cautiously through the heavy underbrush and large rocks, an estimated squad of NVA engaged the point element of the platoon, killing the point man, Pfc. Robert Mitcheltree, Jr., of Longview, Texas. Pfc. Mitcheltree was the point man for 3rd Platoon, Alpha Company when he walked upon a well-used trail. As he moved forward cautiously along the trail it faded into heavy underbrush and large boulders at the base of Hill 474. Moving further into the rocky outcroppings of the hill, Pfc. Mitcheltree and his squad encountered a group of NVA hidden among the boulders. The initial burst of enemy automatic weapons fire from a distance of approximately 25 meters, killed Pfc. Mitcheltree instantly. The NVA threw Chicom fragmentation grenades from the rocky area into the hastily formed defensive position set up by 3rd Platoon, causing more casualties. For over two hours, 3rd Platoon remained pinned down by enemy small arms and automatic weapons fire. Members of 3rd Platoon made several attempts to recover the

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body of Pfc. Mitcheltree; but each rescue attempt was met by heavy enemy fire from hidden caves among the large boulders. The firefight became quite fierce, and a barrage of automatic weapons fire and grenades pinned down 3rd Platoon. Companies B and D made combat assaults into the area to support our Company A and also met heavy enemy fire. The battle raged on throughout the day, and LTC Jaggers ultimately deployed Company C into the contact area as well. Elements of all four of our rifle companies were now in contact near Hill 474, as the Currahees fought the NVA entrenched in the many concealed caves of the area. As darkness descended, 3-506 elements were forced to withdraw into a Night Defensive Perimeter, unable to recover Pfc. Mitcheltree’s body. The fighting among the boulders of Hill 474 was so intense that it took two more brutal days to sufficiently maneuver elements of the battalion to recover the body of our fallen comrade. The “Battle for Hill 474” began in earnest on January 25, as 1Lt. Michael Mitchell's 1st Platoon of Delta Company continued their search of the area from the base of the hill along the southeastern slope. After checking out an unoccupied cave, the platoon halted for further orders and settled into position for a lunch break. At that time, the enemy attacked with small arms fire, resulting in one wounded Currahee. First Platoon Medic Mike Dingman said. “I remember that it was a beautiful sunny day, and I was opening a can of fruit cocktail for dessert when all of a sudden, all hell broke loose. There was a barrage of small arms fire, and the cry ‘Medic’ came from one of the positions. I grabbed my aid bag and climbed over some rocks to find Victor San Nicholas (Guam, as we called him) lying on a large flat bolder, where he apparently had fallen when he was shot. After bandaging his wound, I carried Guam to a safe location and then reported to Lt. Mitchell that Guam would need to be evacuated as soon as possible.” A squad of 1st Platoon was sent to secure an LZ for the medevac in an open meadow below the hill. Meanwhile, Medic Dingman and three other Currahees placed San Nicholas on a blanket and began to make their way down the hill with the wounded trooper. Pfc. Benjamin Garcia was opposite Medic Dingman at the front of the blanket as they moved on their knees to avoid enemy fire. The small group had not gone very far when Pfc. Garcia was suddenly hit by an enemy bullet and tumbled down the hill into the meadow below. Medic Dingman, further recalls, “I crawled off into the tall grass of the meadow to look for Garcia. By this time, the dry grass was on fire from the smoke grenades that had been popped for the medevac choppers. When I found Benjamin, he wasn’t breathing so I administered CPR, but to no avail. After checking his body, I determined that he most likely was killed instantly.” Before the day was over, 1st Platoon, Delta Company had lost four members in the action. Several Currahees were also wounded in the firefight, as efforts to dislodge the deeply-entrenched NVA continued. The three litter bearers, as well as the wounded trooper, were killed. Corporal Benjamin Garcia, 20, from New York, New York; Pfc. Oscar Cruz Gonzales, 21, of Hidalgo, Texas; SP4 Jeff Miller, 21, from Todd, North Carolina; and SP4 Victor P. San Nicolas, 20, of Inarajan, Guam died in the incident. Elsewhere on Hill 474, another Currahee from Company C died from his wounds. Sergeant George Thomas Spillers, 25, from Chuta, Georgia died before he could be medevaced. Attempts to get wounded troops to medevac helicopters were met with stiff resistance from the enemy, and the beleaguered 1st Platoon was forced to wait until the following day for a successful medevac of all the wounded. Once the wounded were

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extracted, the platoon spent the next two days making their way down the hill. They were forced to leave their four fallen comrades behind; their bodies could not be recovered until several days later. Massive airstrikes were placed on Hill 474 the last few days of January, as the 3-506 continued our attempt to drive the enemy from his well-fortified positions. As the battle for Hill 474 waged on, our battalion continued to meet heavy enemy resistance. January 28 Four more Currahees from Company B died today, as they attempted to recover the KIAs from Company D that had been killed back on January 25. First Lieutenant Alan Paul Johnson, Platoon Leader of 3rd Platoon, Company B, 23, from Medford Massachusetts; Sergeant Steven Orland Dile, 21, of Chambersburg, Pennsylvania; SP4 Peter D. Guzman, 20, Los Angeles, California; and SP4 Frank Dodge Madrid, 25, Puerto De Luna, New Mexico were killed trying to recover the bodies of their fallen comrades. The incident happened when 3rd Platoon had orders to evacuate the bodies of the four Currahees from 1st Platoon, Delta Company who had been killed in action three days earlier. As the point element of the platoon, which included the point man, SP4 Frank Madrid, slack man, SP4 Peter Guzman, and platoon leader, 1Lt. John Shaffer moved down a brushy ravine filled with large boulders, an NVA force ambushed them. The enemy allowed the troopers to get within a few feet of them, before springing their ambush. 1Lt. Shaffer, SP4 Madrid and SP4 Guzman were killed instantly in the initial contact. Sergeant Dile reacted immediately by moving to the front of the platoon and laying down a base of rifle fire to cover the platoon medic, who was attempting to reach the wounded. Sergeant Dile was wounded by enemy gunfire as he continually exposed himself in defense of his comrades. Despite his initial wound, Sergeant Dile moved to help the medic bring the wounded to safety. In doing so, he was mortally wounded. Sergeant Dile was posthumously awarded our country’s third highest decoration, the Silver Star Medal, for his heroic actions on the day of his death. Due to the heavy gunfire from the deeply entrenched enemy forces, numerous attempts that day and on the following days to recover the bodies of the Company B men killed were unsuccessful. The bodies of the Delta Company and Company B troopers were not successfully recovered until several days later, when heavy artillery bombardment of Hill 474 aided rescuers. As February began, our battalion remained in a defensive position around Hill 474. After the initial contacts in January, TAC Air, gunships, and artillery pounded suspected enemy positions on the mountain. Maximum combat power was brought to bear on the hill in an attempt to dislodge the enemy from the many caves and tunnels. It was established that the Currahees were battling the 8th Battalion of the 3rd NVA Division, a formidable enemy that would not easily give up their stronghold. After artillery and airstrikes were applied, they were moved into position and began to sweep the ravines from the top of the Hill to seal off the area. CH-47 Assault Support Helicopters also dropped "Foogasse" from sling loads into the rocky vegetated areas, which burned off the vegetation and demoralized the NVA operating in the ravines. As our rifle platoons penetrated the area and secured the Hill one cave at a time, an attempt was made to neutralize the caves to prevent future use by the NVA. Subsequently, cave

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entrances were painted to make them readily identifiable from the ground or air. Some caves were seeded with CS gas to temporarily neutralize their use by the NVA. To significantly reduce the night movement of the enemy, our attached engineers employed artificial lighting at vantage points surrounding Hill 474. Four searchlights at fixed locations around the sealed area enabled our company commanders to monitor the enemy. Artillery units also provided artificial lighting by firing illumination rounds at intervals during the night to assist the ground troops in containing the NVA within the Hill 474 area. Maximum ambushes were established along the perimeter to prevent the NVA from escaping the Hill and contain them within the killing zone. Ambushes were also successful in preventing the local villagers of the My Dinh area from providing food and medical support to the NVA at Hill 474. Villagers would often leave food packets near the base of the Hill as they worked in their fields during the day, and the NVA would recover the food and supplies at night. Saturation ambushes were employed along the entire perimeter, and sensors were used to provide additional warning to the Currahees. Many civilians in the area were periodically detained and interrogated in an attempt to stop the flow of supplies to the enemy on Hill 474.

* * *

Throughout the month of February, our rifle companies continued their search of the caves and tunnel complexes of Hill 474. Significant contact was made with the enemy, and three more Currahees lost their lives in the “Battle of Hill 474.” By the middle of February and almost one month into operations around Hill 474, the Currahees continued our attempt to dislodge the 8th Battalion of the 3rd NVA Division. Supported by massive artillery and air strikes, the our rifle companies were sweeping the hillsides and ravines to seal off the area and destroy the enemy. The Currahees discovered just how extensive the enemy fortifications were. The process of searching out these hiding places of the enemy was a painstaking and hazardous process, with the ever-present danger of enemy ambush. The 3-506 was in its 26th day of operations in Binh Dinh Province, as the Currahees continued our search and destroy mission to dislodge the 8th Battalion of the 3rd NVA Division from the many caves and tunnels on Hill 474. With massive artillery and air strike support, the rifle platoons were sweeping the hillside and ravines from the top of Hill 474 to seal off the area then find, fix, and kill the enemy. As the Currahees penetrated the area and secured the Hill one cave at a time, CS Gas was used to neutralize the caves and render them unusable by the NVA for up to six months. Shortly after noon, while searching the boulder-strewn ravines, caves, and tunnels, 1Lt. Francis F. Patalano’s 1st Platoon, Charlie Company was ambushed by a squad sized NVA force at close range—10-15 meters distance with AK-47s and ChiCom fragmentation grenades; SP4 Trinidad Prieto a 20-year-old from Azusa, California was critically wounded. The 1st Platoon was pinned down by intense enemy fire; yet through the heroic efforts of the platoon leader and his men, the Currahees managed to regroup, return effective fire, and drive off the enemy force. The medevac helicopter attempting to evacuate SP4 Prieto took enemy ground fire, causing the aircraft to crash land in Combat Alley. The crew of the downed helicopter and the wounded Prieto were picked up by another helicopter crew and flown to the medical facility at LZ ENGLISH. SP4 Trinidad

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Prieto died later of his wounds. Two more Currahees killed in action today. 1Lt Alan Paul Johnson's 2nd Platoon, Company B was continuing to search the boulder-strewn terrain of Hill 474 in search of the entrenched enemy. During the afternoon, 1Lt. Johnson’s 2nd Platoon engaged an unknown-size NVA force and killed two enemy soldiers with small arms fire on the hillside. The platoon members had previously dropped their rucksacks to better maneuver against the enemy in the brushy and rocky terrain. When they returned to the location where they had left their rucksacks, they were surprised to find three NVA soldiers rummaging through their packs. They immediately fired on the enemy soldiers, killing two and wounding a third, who managed to escape. The Currahees pursued the wounded soldier into a heavily thicketed ravine with large boulders forming cave-like sanctuaries. Convinced that the wounded NVA had taken cover inside one of the cave-like rock formations, the soldiers tossed several grenades inside the opening. A short time later, 1Lt. Johnson and two other members from his platoon entered the cave to investigate. Once the Currahees entered the cave-like structure, the tunnel branched off in several directions. While two of the corridors terminated back outside some distance from the entrance, the corridor that 1Lt. Johnson decided to check out appeared to go deeper in. As the lieutenant moved cautiously forward along the corridor, the wounded enemy soldier opened fire and seriously wounded the platoon leader. Responding to the call for a medic, SP4 Honan, entered the cave to assist his wounded platoon leader and was immediately killed by enemy fire. Lt. Johnson was pulled from the cave, and a medevac was requested. The lieutenant died eight days later from his wounds. There was more bad news today for our 25th day of operations in Binh Dinh Province to find, fix, and destroy the 8th Battalion of the 3rd NVA Division. The Currahees got word that 1Lt. Ronald Faulkner's 3rd Platoon, Delta Company, while searching the rugged ravines and caves during the afternoon discovered NVA weapons and equipment. As they continued their search, they came under intense enemy fire from an unknown number of NVA hidden in another nearby cave area. SP4 Richard Burgess, a 19-year-old from Tower, Minnesota, reacted quickly, maneuvering through the constant barrage of small arms fire to the enemy location and throwing grenades in on the enemy. He then crawled down into the narrow cave to check out the results of the grenade explosions. As he entered the cave, the enemy engaged SP4 Burgess with small arms fire, mortally wounding him. His teammates succeeded in pulling him from the cave, but he died within a few minutes. SP4 Burgess no doubt prevented further casualties by his heroic actions on the day of his death. He would posthumously be awarded the Silver Star Medal for his actions against the enemy that day. Later the same day back on Fire Support Base TAPE, two more from our battalion died when an exploding grenade killed Pfc. Danny Eugene Blevins and seriously wounded SP4 Manuel Tomas Montoya, who died the following day of his wounds.

* * *

During the final days of February, the rifle companies conducted mop-up operations around Hill 474. Contact with the enemy gradually diminished after the

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Currahees had thoroughly searched the caves and tunnels that had been a longstanding haven for the enemy. It had taken us almost two months to annihilate the NVA of the 8th Battalion, 22nd Regiment and break their hold on Hill 474. The caves yielded numerous weapons, ammunition, explosives, clothing, medical supplies, documents, food, and miscellaneous equipment .

* * * March 1970 March brought a bit of relief for our battle-weary Currahees after successfully dislodging the NVA from the numerous caves and tunnel complexes on Hill 474. Contact with the enemy had been a daily occurrence, and the job of searching caves and conducting ambush operations was exhausting, filthy, miserable work for the troops of the 3-506.

Camp Evans Security Gate (circa 3/1970)

During the first two weeks of March, our battalion was primarily involved with the ongoing mop-up operations and the neutralization of caves on Hill 474. Currahee forces continued to saturate the area with ambushes to prevent the NVA from escaping the cordon that was in place around the northern side of the mountain. These ambushes proved highly effective in intercepting food and ammunition being brought to the remaining enemy troops on the Hill. Foogasse drops into cave entrances and on vegetated ravines continued on areas of known or suspected enemy occupation.

* * *

Tiger Mountain & The Crows Foot AO

By March 16, contact with the enemy had decreased significantly, which initiated a change of mission for our battalion. The 3-506 subsequently began redeployment from Hill 474 to the Tiger Mountain AO southeast of Bong Son in search of more enemy elements. This rugged, insect infested mountainous AO, located immediately south of the

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Song Lai Giang River and between Highway QL-1 to the West and the South China Sea, proved to be more inhospitable than the elusive enemy. After eleven days of finding no signs of the enemy in the steep terrain of multiple-canopied jungle, the Currahees moved back into the Crows Foot AO on March 27 to find, fix, and destroy elements of the 7th and 9th Battalions of the 22nd NVA Regiment. The remaining days of March saw little contact with the enemy, and the Currahees certainly weren’t complaining about it.

* * *

Last Day in Vietnam

March 1970

On March 30, 1970, the Currahees received orders to move yet again, this time to FSB Arsenal to immediately commence search and destroy operations in the surrounding area. Back at Phan Thiet, I was headed home. With a heavy heart and mixed emotions, I arrived at Bien Hoa to begin the final processing for my return to the US. My departure from Vietnam on March 30, 1969, was quick and without delay. I said farewell to Vietnam with a mixture of melancholy and jubilation. At the time, I was overjoyed about going home, but also experienced deep sorrow over leaving my fellow teammates, with no way of knowing their fate in my absence from them. My tour of duty had been eighteen months and 28 days with the 3rd Battalion (Airborne), 506th Infantry and the 198th Medical Company in combat in South Vietnam. When we did board our flight at Bien Hoa and were out over the South China Sea at cruising altitude, everyone breathed a deep sigh of relief. As a result of my trek through the war-torn landscape, I had been awarded and number of individual decorations--Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, the Air Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the most coveted of all for a medical Corpsman--the Combat Medic Badge (CMB). As a proud member of the 3-506, I also received three unit citations--the Valorous Unit Award--second only to the Presidential Unit Citation--awarded to the 3-506 for extraordinary heroism during the 1968 TET Offensive at Phan Thiet; the Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, and the Republic of Vietnam Civil Actions Unit

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Citation. Additional decorations received during initial combat training included several Marksmanship badges with rifle bars.

* * *

Home!

I departed Vietnam on March 30, 1970, and arrived at Seattle's SeaTac Airport. From there, I traveled the short distance to Fort Lewis, where we processed through the night and into the next day. I Departed Fort Lewis and decided to spend a couple of days at the VA hospital visiting my grandfather Harvey Nied. He was a pilot in World War I and was in the VA hospital with dementia. It was the right thing to do. After visiting my grandfather, I caught a flight to O'Hare International Airport in Chicago and from there a taxi to my parents home. I wanted to reflect and surprise my parents and brothers when I rang our door bell. My mom and dad gave me the biggest hug and we talked for 2-3 hours straight. Sleeping at home in my bed was wonderful and I slept like a rock. I was a little jittery to loud noises (car backfires etc.) for sometimes afterwards; and I had no desire to eat rice for a long time. I was blessed to have such a stable Christian family, which had helped me immensely upon returning home. Many of my fellow soldiers unfortunately did not have this available to them. My military service, especially my tour of duty in Vietnam with the 3-506, gave me a different perspective on life. As a result of my military training and combat experience in Vietnam, I strive to do the best job possible and be the best person I can be. I leave these pages of historical fact to my children, grandchildren, and all future descendants. It is for them to know my life path and decide whether or not I was worthy in deed and accomplishment to walk before them. I will forever be a proud CURRAHEE! I met my beautiful wife, Kathy in 1995 at a restaurant called the "Warhorse". We began dating and tied the knot that same year. It was the best thing that has ever happened to me. We have reared two wonderful children--Abbey and Dillon, who have brought much happiness into our lives.

Bruce and Kathy's Wedding Photograph

In Retrospect

As I look back on my tour of duty in Vietnam with the 3-506, I am very honored to have served with the famed Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne Division. While no one wants to go to war, my experience as a medic with the 3-506 was an unforgettable life experience. I served under wonderful and professional commanders and senior NCOs, and with many brave soldiers. I survived in difficult and treacherous conditions, that I never thought I would ever experience. Things that I shall always remember from my tour of duty in Vietnam include: I remember during the dry season in the bush that we went weeks (34-days) without a shower--only washing water from a few small streams with ankle deep water.

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I remember spending most of a day struggling to climb a really high mountain in unbelievable heat and humidity. I remember my first ride in a chopper with no doors and with our legs hanging outside, so we could get out quickly. When the pilot did a sharp turn, I thought I was going to fall out. After that, I really enjoyed the rides. I remember the history-making day on May 5, 1970 when our battalion spearheaded the 4th Infantry Division's incursion into Cambodia on our long chopper ride into heavily contested enemy territory. After the next 12 days, it was the only time we asked to go back to Vietnam! I remember the wounded and treating them the best of ability. Combat was fear, heightened adrenaline, and doing the job you were trained to do. The deep feelings you have for your fellow soldiers is the core of your being, which can’t be easily described. Maybe that was why I was designated to be a medic. Stop the bleeding, protect the wound, keep the soldier calm, following protocol, as you struggle to remain calm yourself and to protect the wounded from further exposure. You move to the action not away from it but, the focus always on the wounded. Thank God multiple severe casualties during contact was something I seldom had to experience. What sticks with you are the soldiers you did everything in your training to save; knowing they are alive and cogent through the evacuation, only to find out they died several days later. Those are still vivid in my memory. You look at the wounds, at their eyes, take vital signs, and worry about shock. You see these young men wounded, hurt, in pain, and after the contact ended sometimes anger would set in, sometimes remorse. You second guess yourself. Could I have done it better? Was the bleeding stopped well enough? Did we call for the Medivac soon enough? You are using every bit of your training and experience learned on the job. How do you cope? Through detachment, the soldier's name is not even in the thought process at the time of crisis, just the task-at-hand. Mental survival came through the grace of God, the strength of family, and personally taking responsibility for the well-being of every infantrymen I served with in the field. You did not get too close to anyone because of the job you had to do, and emotions were not part of the equation. Only after the fact, does it sink in what happened, and you play the scene over again in your mind to determine if you could have done anything different or better. Every evacuated wounded soldier took away a piece of you with him. Keep a cool head, and use all of the training and experience you could collect during those crisis situations - a fellow soldier's life might be in your hands. Were you scared - of course - just stay focused and remember what was required. Medics are required to be both a soldier and "care giver" during war. Fortunately, I returned home safely with a new appreciation of life and the minor things (like unlimited water). Today my military experience has allowed me to fully understand and appreciate the sacrifice that our brave men and women are making for their country. My military service, especially my tour of duty in Vietnam with the 3-506, gave me a different perspective on life. As a result of my military training and combat experience in Vietnam, I strive to do the best job possible and be the best person I can be. I leave these pages of historical fact to my children, grandchildren, and all future descendants. It

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is for them to know my life path and decide whether or not I was worthy in deed and accomplishment to walk before them. I will forever be a proud combat medic and a CURRAHEE!

Tom's Certificate of Service

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Combat Medical Badge

The Combat Medical Badge was conceived March 1, 1945 by the War Department. The Combat Medical Badge (CMB) is specifically awarded to Officers and Enlisted personnel of the Medical Department who were assigned to or attached to a medical detachment of the infantry. The CMB recognizes medical aidmen who shared the same hazards and hardships of ground combat on a daily basis with the infantry soldier. The CMB was never intended to be awarded to all medical personnel. Due to the uniqueness of ground combat in the infantry, it is intended to be awarded only to those Medics who served under direct fire with the infantry. To be awarded the Combat Medical Badge, the infantry unit to which the medical personnel was assigned or attached must have engaged the enemy in active ground combat. Medical personnel must have been personally present and under fire in order to be eligible for this award. During the Vietnam War, the requirements were so stringent that recommending officials were required to document the place (in six digit co-ordinates), the time, the type of engagement, and also the intensity of fire to which the medical personnel were exposed. The Combat Medical Badge could also be awarded to U.S. Navy and U.S. Air Force medical personnel as long as they met all the requirements of Army medical personnel. New Army Regulations in May 2004 have added additional units besides Infantry where medics may qualify for the CMB. There are 1,354 medics listed on the Vietnam Wall. Like all of the other names on the wall, these soldiers made the supreme sacrifice for their country. Some died while trying to help or save their fellow man. "Medic! Medic!" the wounded soldier calls. Chaos, darkness and smoke add confusion to the battlefield scene. There is only one medically trained individual present to render emergency care: the soldier-medic. How do you prepare a 20-year-old combat medic for the intensity and chaos of war? The U.S. Army has a soldier-medic training program that works to do just that, with the ultimate goal of saving the lives of American soldiers in combat. During the Vietnam War the medic looked like any other soldier. He wore no distinguishing marks on his uniform, or markings on his helmet, nor on his arms as did his WW II predecessors. He was just a regular guy like the rest of us. A combat veteran will tell you how much they appreciated the medic and what he was willing to do for "his teammates". In some veteran's opinion they think at times the medics cared too much for the soldiers they were called upon to take care of. Unfortunately in war, you have to do everything you can to control your feelings and distance yourself from the reality that people are going to die; and there's nothing you can do to prevent that fact.

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As in all the previous wars that we have experienced, there are countless stories of the bravery and sacrifice and courage displayed by the combat medic during the heat of battle. These brave and devoted soldiers would do anything to try to get to a wounded soldier. In some cases, they would have to be ordered to sit and wait because of the intense fighting that would be taking place. A wounded or dead medic could not help anyone. These boys were given many medals of valor for their courage on the battlefield. In our Battalion, Donald Evans Junior received the Medal of Honor posthumously, and there were many who received the Silver Star and Bronze Star for valor. We had wonderful support from all the medical teams who served in Vietnam and in all the remote camps in which they were deployed. There was the 45th surgical hospital in Tay Ninh, the 12th evacuation hospital in Cu Chi, and the main hospitals located in the Saigon area. The guys who flew the choppers running medevacs were a wonderful sight to behold. A wounded soldier could usually be picked up and placed in an emergency medical hospital within 20 to 25 minutes of being wounded. One of the great things about the Vietnam War was this ability to render aide to the wounded quickly and thus increase their survivability rate. The Medal of Honor is the Nation's highest award for valor. Fifteen Army medics received the Medal of Honor during the Vietnam War. The names of 8 medics from the 3-506 are listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

PFC FLOYD PETER SKAGGS Paratrooper & Medic – Company C

Private First Class Floyd Peter Skaggs, a 19-yearold native of Springfield, Ohio, was a medic in 2Lt.

Ronald Newton’s 2nd Platoon, Charlie Company. He was among the first group of paratroopers assigned to the 3-506 after the battalion was

activated on April 1, 1967. He had been in country only sixty-nine days when he died from small arms fire in the Battle at the Knoll on January 2, 1968, in Lam Dong Province, South Vietnam, II Corps.

SP5 LARRY ISHMUEL BRIGGS

Paratrooper & Medical Corpsman – Company C Specialist Five Larry Ishmuel Briggs, a 24-yearold native of Los Angeles, California, was the senior

medic in Captain Nicholas Nahas’ Charlie Company. SP5 Briggs was among the first group

of paratroopers assigned to the 3-506 after the battalion was activated on April 1, 1967. He had been in country 72 days when he died as a result of an accidental grenade explosion on January 5, 1968 in Lam Dong Province, South Vietnam, II

Corps

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SP4 DONALD JAMES SMITH Paratrooper & Medic – Company B

Specialist Four Donald James Smith, a 19-yearold native of San Francisco, California, was a medic assigned to Captain William Knowlton’s Bravo

Company. He had been in country 215 days when he was killed by enemy small arms fire in The

Battle at Whiskey Mountain on July 17, 1968 in Binh Thuan Province, South Vietnam, II Corps.

PVT JAMES J. SHAUGHNESSY, Jr.

Rifleman & Paramedic Assistant – Company A Private James J. Shaughnessy, Jr., a 20-year-old

native of Sacramento, California, was assigned to 1Lt. Barry Myerson’s 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company.

He had been in country 134 days when he died of a heart attack in Saigon on September 1, 1968,

while recuperating from wounds suffered during the Battle at Whiskey Mountain on July 17, 1968, in Binh Thuan Province, South Vietnam, II Corps.

SP4 CLARENCE MOODY STONER, JR.

Medic, Company B Specialist Four Clarence Moody Stoner, Jr., a 21- year-old native of Keene, Texas, was a rifleman in 1Lt. Robert Everidge’s 2nd Platoon, Bravo

Company. He had been in country 101 days when he was killed by enemy small arms fire on June

13, 1969 in Binh Thuan Province, South Vietnam, II Corps.

PFC JOSEPH PAUL HONAN Medical Corpsman, Company B

Private First Class Joseph Paul Honan, a 20-yearold native of Scranton, Pennsylvania, was a medic in 2nd Platoon, Company B. He had been in

country 96 days when he was killed by enemy small arms fire on February 17, 1970, in Binh Dinh

Province, South Vietnam, II Corps.

SP4 ALAN JOSEPH KULTGEN Medical Corpsman, Headquarters Company

Specialist Four Alan Joseph Kultgen, a 19-yearold native of Cut Bank, Montana, was a medic

1Lt. James Stone’s Recon Platoon (LRRPs), Echo Company. He had been in country 120 days when he died from wounds sustained on April 17, 1970 from an exploding enemy booby-trap. He died on

April 22, 1970, in a hospital in Qui Nhon, Binh Dinh Province, South Vietnam, II Corps.

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PFC JEROME MICHAEL ROUSE Medical Corpsman, Company D

Private First Class Jerome Michael Rouse, a 19- year-old native of Coleman, Wisconsin, was a

medic in 1Lt. Richard Craig’s 1st Platoon, Delta Company. He had been in country 118 days when

he was killed by enemy small arms fire on November 2, 1970, in Thua Thien Province, South

Vietnam, I Corps.

The Soldiers Creed:

I am an American soldier, I am a warrior and a member of a team. I serve the people of the United States and live the Army values

I will always place the mission first I will never except defeat

I will not quit I will never leave a fallen comrade

I am disciplined, physically and mentally tough, trained and proficient in my warrior tasks and drills

I will always maintain my arms, my equipment and myself I am an expert and a professional

I stand ready to deploy, engage, and destroy the enemies of the United States in close combat.

I am a guardian of freedom and the American way of life I am an American soldier.

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