Geronimo Troopers Zap 13 Reds
In 2 Small Unit Surprise Actions

   FSB PEGGY - Six enemy soldiers made the mistake of firing on a helicopter extracting a 173d Airborne Brigade Recon Team. The seven-man team dropped back down to the ground and killed all six of the VC/NVA.
   The Recon Element of E Co, 4th Bn, 503d Inf, was on the way back to their BaseCamp at LZ North English on November 8 after an extended surveillance operation in the An Do Valley, 50 miles north of Qui Nhon, when the enemy opened fire on the Huey helicopter of the 61st Assault Helicopter Co.
   The Door Gunner opened fire and the Pilot, CWO Larry Parker, Franklinton NC, quickly re-deposited the Paratroopers into the site of the action. Pfc Timothy J. Farmer of Brighton Colorado, who was the lead man for the element, silenced three of the enemy while Pfc Lannis H. McAlpen, Chicago, Il, zapped another enemy soldier.
   Brig Gen Ochs, 173d Airborne Brigade Commander, presented two members of the Recon Team with the Bronze Star Medals with 'V' Device. The Pilot and his assistant WO1 Francis K. Carver, Awacoco, La, were awarded Air Medals with 'V' Device during a ceremony here Nov 11.

   LZ NORTH ENGLISH - Paratroopers of the 173d Abn Bde smashed a North Vietnamese Army re-supply mission, killing seven communists on an obscure trail that led out of a mountain encampment into Tuong Son hamlet about 60 miles north of Qui Nhon.
   1st Lt Michael B. Kunzig, Platoon Leader, described the early, moonless night engagement of Nov 19, saying, "We first heard a three-man element moving swiftly down the trail toward Tuong Son. Deciding that this was only the point team, I directed the patrol to hold up with the claymore mines until the main body (50 meters behind) was abreast of our position." "The enemy main body was simultaneously hit by our claymores and weapons' fire," said Kunzig, from Cupertino Calif.
  The Reds, armed with automatic weapons, were carrying empty rice containers toward the hamlet in hopes of stealing supplies from the Tuong Son farmers. In a search of the NVA bodies, the 4th Bn, 503d Inf, the 'Geronimos' identified one as an NVA officer.

   LZ UPLIFT - The men weren't grumbling for once. They were actually happy to be moving out this time. The quick flight back to Uplift; a hurried formation; make sure everyone knows what they have to do. Repack the rucksacks. Make sure they have a basic load of food, water, ammo, and grenades. Stack the rucks in the hooch. They have to be ready to move out anytime.
   Tell those men that are going to be on guard, they won't be able to celebrate as much as their buddies. "You people that have guard show up here at five o'clock. If not, I'll have your hide", is the Platoon Sergeant's last words to the Troops.
   PX, laundry, steak house, or the coffee hooch; everybody has some place they want to go. They quickly spread out to their respective destinations. Whether they've been in the field 15 days or a whoppin' 62, they're all hungry, thirsty, and restless.
   Buddies tackle the problems of getting clean clothes, getting fed and having a drink together. This is their chance to relax. For once they don't have to be 100 percent alert. A good meal, and some music takes their mind off the war. This could go on for the entire five days they are allowed in the rear, usually it doesn't.
   "Everybody in Bravo Company, 3rd Battalion; get outta here and report to your Company Area. Charley Company is in contact. You guys have a heliborne assault in 30 minutes!" shouts a runner as he bursts into the steak house.
   Cokes are left unfinished, half-eaten steaks litter the now empty tables, the men are gone. As they run to their areas they quickly pass the word.
  "Anyone from Bravo Company in there? Come on dammit.. We're going out again. I don't know why, someone says Charlie Company's in contact."
   In a matter of minutes the Company is assembling. Men are putting on their equipment. Squad Leaders and Platoon Sergeants are checking their men, sending for stragglers, and making sure everybody is ready. "Second Platoon is ready", a Sergeant shouts out of the dark. "So is first Platoon" screams another.
   "Why always us", grumbles an irritated Paratrooper. "I think we're the only people in the 173d that ever do anything." "Be serious", says his buddy... with a punch in his ribs. "When we were in the An Lao Valley, you were happy fo see Alpha and Delta Companies." "Yea," he admits, "but I never finished my steak... first uncanned chunk of meat I've had in a month."
   The floodlights are on, the Huey's are landing on the helipad, and the Paratroopers are running for them. "I've never been on a night assault before," one new guy says. Nobody answers, nobody has to. Everyone knows that everyone is scared.
   "Is 'Baby Huey' sleeping?" asks one amazed GI. "Naw, he always closes his eyes when he rides in 'copters'", answers another. "He's scared of heights." "And he's Airborne??? We're doomed!!!"
   The LZ is lit with flares. The birds swoop in and deposit the troops on the lonely hill top. If they hit anything, they stay and fight. If they can't find Sir Charles, they'll load up another bird tomorrow and go in again. They'll go through the whole routine again. Quite possibly they'll go through it several times before their five days are up.
   "Stand downs are great", says one Paratrooper. "It's the only chance we have to relax"

   LZ UPLIFT - The Medics assigned to 3d Bn, 503d Inf, shot 167 men in one day.Some of the men were "shot three and four times."
   In an attempt to keep sickness down during the monsoon season, the Medics are grabbing entire Companies and "shooting 'em up." Sore arms are the by-word.
   One Medic, Sp4 Mike Mock of Hutchinson Kansas, kept up the spirits by pulling out a hypodermic with a six-inch needle and yelling

  The next guy in line would get bug-eyed and say, "You puttin' me on ???."

After the laughs had died down the shots didn't seem so bad.

   LZ UPLIFT - "I've been in country 14 days, and I can't say I like it", says Pfc Tom Fields of Ceres, Calif.
   "It was nice and sunny when I arrived here. I didn't see any swamps I heard so much about. But it only took about four hours to change my mind. It started raining and hasn't stopped since."
  Fields, assigned to D Btry, 3d Bn, 319th Arty claims that his luck just isn't doing him any good. In jungle school they didn't even get to finish a patrol because of the rain.
   He said, "I spent three extra days in Cha Rang Lake because of the floods."
  "You mean Cha Rang Valley?" asked the reporter. Getting facts straight from 'Newkes' is always difficult.
  "You mean that's a valley ???. When I was there it was a lake."

   LZ ENGLISH - The following interview was conducted by a Firebase reporter on Nov 17, 1970, with CSM Paul G. Hinkle of the 173d Airborne Support Battalion at Phu Tai. A 25-year enlisted veteran of the Army, Sgt Maj Hinkle voiced his opinion on some of the major questions and issues concerning the Army and military today.

FB: "Sgt Maj, do you feel that the U.S. has made many significant strides in the Vietnam conflict since becoming militarily involved in 1965."
HINKLE: "Yes, we have made important strides. Primarily, and most importantly, we have greatly lessened the hold the VC/NVA once had on the South Vietnamese people. We have improved their way of living and their military knowledge. The 173d, I think, has made tremendous contributions to this goal with their pacification program."
FB: "How do you view drug abuse in the Army as a whole?"
HINKLE: "As a very serious problem. I think it behooves every Commander to inform his personnel on the harmful effects of drugs. Marijuana seems to present the greatest problem at the present. It prohibits an individual from performing his tasks."
FB: "What are your feeling about the youth of today especially concerning their demonstrations against their war in Vietnam?"
HINKLE: When the majority of the Americans start voicing their opinions it will end."
FB: "Couid you compare today's Army with the one a decade ago?" Also do you feel that there is any gap between the older soldier and the new recruit of today?"
HINKLE: "The Army seems to have lost some of the strictness of former days. However, it seems to me that the soldier, given the right to do things more on his own accomplishes much more." "I don't believe there's any generation gap in the Army today. The young men coming onto the Army now have more education and ability than formerly- differences can be resolved more readily "
FB: "What are your thoughts on establising an all-volunteer Army?"
HINKLE: It's a good idea that should bring much more professionalism to the Army. I foresee the all volunteer Army in about five years.
FB: "How do you feel the 173d's Pacification Program is progressing?"
HINKLE: "Real fine. The individual soldier in the Brigade has especially contributed a lot toward its success. For example, in Qui Nhon, we have an orphanage that's operated through contributions that come out of the soldier's own pockets. This buys food and supplies for the kids that they otherwise would not have."
FB: "What do you think about todays trooper?"
HINKLE: "He's more educated than past- better motivated too. He's also in better physical condition probably this could be attributed to better living conditions than in the past."

   Phu Cat AFB - Whether you're a replacement or a weary short-timer, there's a conscientious trio of 173d Abn Bde Troopers who guarantee either a speedy airplane out or a "Poor Man's R & R" while waiting at Phu Cat Airbase.
   Staff Sgt Brian L. Yost, the Brigade liaison NC0 at Phu Cat, coordinates the air movement of more than 200 Paratroopers each week. It's here that replacements are initially briefed by the Brigade. Upon arrival from Cam Ranh Bay, Yost from Cambridge, Md, briefs the Troopers on their conduct and appearance and on what to expect at the Brigade Jungle School.
   Transients, mostly garbed in new-issue jungle fatigues, are sent to the manifest desk where second-tour Sgt Ward R. Palmer manifests them for air movement. The Binghamton, NY, resident answers hundreds of the troop's questions, some pertinent to their situation, others- rather pretentious. But the Airborne Ranger veteran patiently answers all queries.
   If the newcomer to the 'Herd' isn't shipping out that day, they are bussed to a transient barracks- 'Herd Hotel', with it's white sheets and hot showers.
  Sgt Randy Hollenbecic, Fowler Colorado, outlines the activities available to the Troopers at Phu Cat. A par three putt-putt golf course, a Stateside movie in an air conditioned theater are open to the troops. For the lonely, there's a telephone center where calls can be placed to the States. "This all wouldn't be possible if not for the support of Air Force Staff Sgt Melvin L. Hubbard, Terminal Passenger Service.
   A candid conversation with any replacement or short-timer at the terminal will reveal their appreciation of being treated with the extras, as Pfc William R. Connolly, a newly assigned rigger from Marysville Calif, attests, "Sgt Yost and his team made me feel like more than just a number. In my previous transient situations, it was just long hours of boring waiting, and then sleeping on hard benches in airport terminals."

   LZ ENGLISH - Would you pay to join the Army?
One individual did - actually hashed out $150 before he could sign up.
He's an MP in the 173d Abn Bde, so beware, he's very dedicated to the Army and his responsibilities as a Military Policeman.
   It took Sp4 Norman C. Labelle, Montreal Canada, six months of arduous paper work and $150 before he could sign his name across the dotted line. The money was spent on visa's, passports, and travel expenses to and from a NY induction center.
   Why did he do it? "Because the U.S. fights for the right of freedom everywhere," said Labelle, they are not afraid of getting involved in order to stop the spread of communism."
  Labelle looks down on Americans who come to Canada to avoid the draft. The majority of the people in Canada feel we should be helping the U.S. in their struggle to free South Vietnam of the Communists. Most don't like the idea of having draft dodgers in Canada and I'm sure most Americans don't want them back."

   LZ ENGLISH - The 4.2 mortar platoon of E Co, 2d Bn, 503d Inf, has been kept on the move since they left their 'Happy Home' at Fire Base Beaver.
   After the big pullout, in which they turned FB Beaver over to the 40th ARVN, the mortars moved to LZ English. There, a lot of shoveling, filling and stacking of sandbags took place. The structures finally started to look like the gun pits, ammo bunkers, and hootches it was intended to be. Their job was counter-mortar fire, firing defensive fires, and illuminating the perimeter with flare rounds. The Paratroopers were real happy. Their new home near 'Paragon Land' was comfortable.

   Then the Platoon Leader, Lt Paul Umpress of Atlanta Ga, came down with the bad news.... "Pack up, we're going to FB Tape."
   Although the crews can be ready to fire almost as soon as they finish unloading, the process of preparing normal gun positions is a four day job. These positions had taken much longer to build. Now they had to tear them down and start over. So the men packed up and moved to FB Tape. After all they are a mobile form of large caliber fire support. They have to be able to move out fast. The men gripe, but the next set of bunkers will be built as good and fast as the last. They have to be good... they have a big job.

   LZ ENGLISH - The element of surprise, intimidation of the populace, booby traps, stealth- have long obstructed U.S. Forces from destroying the enemy and ending the war in Vietnam. The trend is changing. The troops are tired of being ambushed and the people weary of harassment.
   The VC/NVA are suddenly confronted with a new and deadly foe. It rips away sanctuaries, unearths hiding places and uncovers booby traps. It provides security for the villagers. A big bulk of machinery called the 'Rome Plow' it levels everything in its path, stripping the landscape clear of any possible place Charlie can hide, set up an ambush, or conceal a land mine.
   The 173d Abn Bde is currently conducting such extensive land clearing operations with the ultimate objective of being able to vastly limit Charlie's greatest effectiveness- concealment. The 538th Engineer Co, which has been assigned to the 173d since August, has been given the important task of moving Charlie out. In the month of October, they cleared off 2,195 acres of land in 506 Valley, uncovering 229 VC tunnel complexes and bunkers. Anti-personnel mines were also discovered along with ammo cans filled with clothes and medical supplies.
   In their most recent mission, the 538th Engineers have cleared away 840 acres of the sloping terrain in the Bong Son Pass area. Working on both sides of Hwy 1, 200 to 300 meters back, the Engineers also cleared a 'trace' through the area, 200 meters wide and 6,000 meters long. The purpose of such 'route clearing', according to 2d Lt Larry Tropea of the 538th Engineers, is to "make the enemy come into an open area in order to obtain their food and supplies." "Booby traps will also be easier to detect," said Tropea. "We should be able to find five times as many of them."

The 538th Engineers has 126 men working on the project, utilizing 12 Rome plows and 'Bull Blades'. The Bull Blades are utilized on sloping terrain while the Rome plows are used on level terrain. Security for the operations has been provided by the 1st Bn, 503d Inf, which sends out daytime patrols and nightime ambushes. E Troop, 17th Cavalry's armored vehicles, secure the location while the Engineers cut through the vegetation.

    LZ UPLIFT - The 173d Abn Bde is conducting numerous 'Medcaps', a medical assistance team that goes from village to village treating the civilians, in Binh Dinh Province. This is one of the many programs incorporated in the Brigade's pacification effort. Giving the people medical help and at the same time training the Vietnamese themselves to run 'Medcaps'.
  However, the Vietnamese are also training the GI's. Many local customs are complex and, at times, very confusing. The Vietnamese counterparts explain what and why to the Americans. This keeps the Paratroopers from making social blunders that might irritate, the Vietnamese and erase any psychological benefits they scored with the medical aid.
   Pfc John 'Doc' Osterhout of Los Angeles, explained some of the customs. "Hand things to Vietnamese with two hands, it's a sign of respect." Squat down when sitting on the ground with the Vietnamese, it's insulting to point the soles of your feet at them."
  Customs like these may be strange to the typical GI, but they are necessary. Compare it with a guest in your country wearing tennis shoes and white socks to a formal affair, you'll see how the Vietnamese feel about us breaking their customs.

   LZ UPLIFT - An element of the 173d Abn Bde was checking an area out for possible ambush sites when they walked onto an occupied VC/NVA way station. The Paratroopers crept up, opened fire, and swept across the area, killing two and wounding one.
   The squad size element was operating from 3d Plt, A Co, 3d Bn, 503d Inf. Their mission was to saturate the Soui Ca Valley, 45 miles north of Qui Nhon, with ambushes to restrict VC/NVA movement.
   After hearing noise to their front, the squad sent four men to check the area out. The Team Leader, Sp4 John Thornburg of Hickory NC, had his men crawl right into the camp before opening up on the surprised Reds.
  After searching the area and confiscating what equipment, mostly medical supplies, the trio had, they called in Rome plows from the 538th Eng Bn. The big bladed Rome plows made short work of the area plowing under trees, bunkers and all vegetation.

   LZ ENGLISH - Staff Sgt Raymond Begin made a big change; from the snowy slopes of Alaska to the water covered paddies of Vietnam. Begin was with C Co (Airborne), 6 Bn, 9th Inf, in Alaska. The Paratrooper was a member of the Bi-Athelons (an army sponsored ski team in Alaska).
  This is the Staff Sergeants second tour in Vietnam. His first was spent with the 1st Air Cav in 1965-1966. His job is now that of a section leader in E Co, 2d Bn, 503d Inf.
   As soon as his tour is over in Vietnam, he is going to try to return to Alaska. "I guess I'm just a ski nut", he says. "I've been on skis for 2 years now. It's just too much fun to quit, and Alaska is a fine a place to ski."
   Begin's home is in Laconia, NH. "I don't know how long it'll be before I get home. I like to travel too much", he says. That's a different attitude. Most GI's know to the day when they'll be home.

   BONG SON - The monsoon-torn hootches in the Trung Luong village that house some 600 Montagnard people have been repaired and rebuilt to accomodate the people who fled their homes to save their lives.

   The village was recently severely damaged by the heavy northeast monsoon rains that swelled the Bong Son River over its banks and flooded the Montagnard community.
   The Montagnards moved back into their former homes thanks to the generosity of the Paratroopers of 2d Bn, 503d Inf, who came to their assistance.
   The Battalion provided the needy Montagnards with food, clothing and building material.

   The community, located two miles southwest of the city of Bong Son, originally came from the An Lao Valley, northwest of LZ English, where they were threatened by the Viet Cong terrorists, and then had moved to the outskirts of Bong Son. They live mostly off the land as farmers by raising a few head of cattle and chickens.

  LZ UPLIFT - When a patrol of the 173d Abn Bde, saw a pair of pants flapping from a bush like laundry they decided to investigate... and came up with a blissfully snoozing Red. He was rudely awakened to find himself staring down the barrels of the Paratroopers M-16's.
   A squad of 1st Plt, C Co, 503d Inf, was patrolling the area near a Rome Plow operation 45 miles north of Qui Nhon when the drying laundry was sighted.
  Two Sergeants detached themselves from the patrol and went to have a looksee. Staff Sgt Marvin Vebeleor of St Croix Ind, circled one side of the Red position, and Sgt Russell Hoch of Fairlass Hill Pa, took the other side. Once they were in position and had checked out the area, they just walked up and looked at him.
  "I don't believe this... no one is this dumb," said Hoch.
The startled Red woke up and announced his decision to rally to the side of the GVN.

9/13/2001

Many Thanks to Larry Tester, E/17th Cav, November Rangers, who Contributed This Issue

FIRE BASE 173 is an authorized Army newspaper published biweekly by the 173d Airborne Brigade for military personnel.

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