Merry XMas - CG

   LZ UPLIFT - A Combat Assault on on Hill 829, in the Soui Ca Valley Complex, was made by D Co, 3d Bn, 503d Inf. The action, 40 miles north of Qui Nhon, was a another step in the 173d's plan to clear out the VC/NVA strongholds in the area.
  The tactics involved a Combat Assault, by helicopter, by C Co. They would sweep to the bottom of the hill. Counting on the VC/NVA to move in behind C Co, into the area already cleared, the Company would be moved to the base of the hill. This would be an ideal blocking position for the operation.
  D Co was then to be inserted onto a ridgeline of Hill 829. If the VC/NVA had moved into the 'Vacuum' behind Charley Company, Delta company would trap them. When D Co made the Combat Assault, it was into a tiny one ship hover LZ (Landing Zone). The men had an eight to ten foot drop to reach the ground.
   Quickly organized and set up, the first elements were providing security for the Paratroopers following. Once the Company was on the ground, it wasted no time in moving out. The Company swept through a medium sized base area and cave complex. They wounded one VC, burned up the base camp and destroyed the caves. After destroying the enemy structures, Delta Company moved on into the valley to conduct further operations in the Red infested area.

   LZ NORTH ENGLISH - Charlie Co, 299th Engineer Battalion, the road builders of II Corps, lay claim to a share of the success of pacification efforts in northern Binh Dinh Province... and they have good reason to.
  The Combat Engineers of the 18th Engineering Brigade have provided the 173d Abn Bde with every type of engineering support required in Vietnam, but their main responsibility is to look after Vietnam's major north-south highway QL1 from I Corps-II Corps border to Phu Cat, a total of about 50 miles.
  "The Engineer support provided by 'Combat Charlie' is an essential ingredient in the support of the Vietnamese pacification program," said Maj Robert G. Totten, Brigade Engineer for the 173d. "Already we have seen major advances in the Vietnamese economy in Phu My District, where they built the An Do Road. Without the excellent support of 'Combat Charlie' the 173d's pacification efforts would only be partially effective. These roads play a major factor in assisting the people to be free of enemy control and terrorism."

  Aside from providing repairs and construction jobs on QL1 they also have a wide variety of tasks in the 173d Abn Bde area including the care of Route 514 which stretches 10 kilometers from Bong Son to LZ Beaver and providing repairs for Route 3A that connects LZ Pony with highway QL1 south of Bong Son.
  The Company, commanded by 1st Lt Daniel L. Wiggins, of Cincinnati Ohio, recently completed the 15 kilometer An Do Pacification Road which connects QL1 north of here with the upper reaches of the An Do Valley, formerly a totally VC controlled area.
  Construction of seven culverts to improve road conditions during monsoon rains and a new Army Post Office have just been completed at LZ English. Recently the engineers built a soccer field near here to be used by the local and regional forces. They also build and repair bridges, bunkers and accomplish a wide variety of engineering tasks. Their help is an essential ingredient for the 173d Airborne Brigade's pacification program in northern Binh Dinh

   LZ UPLIFT - A member of the 3d NVA Division's Political Staff Section was killed in ambush by 3d Bn Recon. The NVA, two EM and a Captain, died when they walked into one of the well planned ambushes for which 3d Bn is noted.
   The NVA troopers were to operate a program on general indoctrination on communism in Binh Dinh Province. The documents they carried further indicated that the NVA were suffering from a morale problem. The NVA brass has decided on a course of re-training and re-indoctrination for the disgrunted Reds.
  The Recon Team, led by Clifford E. Adams of Anaheim Calif, captured 10 pounds of documents, one AK47, one AK-50, and one K-54 pistol.

   LZ UPLIFT - Paratroopers from the 173d Abn Bde have been conducting a Battalion sized operation in the Soui Ca Valley, 40 miles north of Qui Nhon. The operation was triggered when a LOH (Light Observation Helicopter) from 'Yellow Scarf', C Troop, 7th Bn, 17th Air Cav, was downed by Red Fire.
  Immediately B Co, 3d Bn, 503d Inf made a CA (Combat Assault) into the area. The Airborne Troopers stormed off the helicopters into a little jungle LZ (Landing Zone) and swept the area in an attempt to catch the VC/NVA forces. The next day C Co was lifted into the Soui Ca Valley complex by helicopter. The next three days were hectic for C Co. The Sky Soldiers seemed to be in contact almost constantly.
  On the 22d of Nov the Paratroopers located and destroyed two large base camps. They captured 1900 pounds of rice, 48 B-40 rockets, 4 mortar rounds, and a large quantity of medical supplies. In the sweep through the base camps a team from N Co, 75th Rangers pulled point for C Co. These tactics turned up three NVA kills. Relying on the blood trails, they wounded several more. The Paratroopers had called in air strikes earlier. They had found six bodies that the jets racked up for the body count.

   LZ UPLIFT - In a Change of Command ceremony held at LZ Uplift the 3d Bn, 503d Inf, lost its 'Old Man.' Lt Col Jack Farris of Charlotte NC, turned his Command over to Lt Col George J. Stapleton of Detroit. Following long standing Army tradition, Farris turned the Battalion Colors over to General Ochs, who in turn presented them to Stapleton.
  Lt Col Farris was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Bronze Star with First Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Air Medal first through eleventh awards.
  Farris thanked the Commanders, Staff and Men of the 3d Bn for the tremendous support they had given him during his tour as Commander. He stated that this was the "Best Unit I've Served With".
  Gen Ochs' speech praised the drive, fighting ability, and professionalism that the 3d Bn constantly displayed. He emphasized the excellent leadership of Farris and the participation in many successful combat operations by the 'Rock Ready' Paratroopers. Gen Ochs charges Stapleton with the responsibility to continue the fine job and excellent results for which the 3d Bn is noted.
  Lt Col Stapleton stated that he has heard much about the 3d Bn, 503d Inf. The Battalion's espirit has been spread far and wide as a hard-core, drive-on unit. He said that this was the proudest moment of his career and that he would certainly continue along the road to success that 3d Battalion has known so well.
  Farris is taking his R&R, then he is to attend a seminar in Da Lat, after that he will return and take over as Executive Officer for the 173d Abn Bde.
  Stapleton came to the 173d from his position as assistant Chief of Staff for the Saigon Support Command. His duties were security, plans and operations. The work was mostly logistical for MR 3 and MR 4. This is the second Vietnam tour for the West Point graduate (Class of '56). His first tour was spent as an Advisor for the 42d Regiment, 22d Division (ARVN). At that time the 42d Reg was operating in Kontum Province. Stapleton has served with the 82d Airborne Division, Special Forces, the JFK Special Warfare Center, the old 504th Airborne Bn- (now the 509th Bn (Abn), 8th Inf Div and as TAC officer for the First Regiment (West Point).

   Editor's Note: in times of war men have to become self-sufficient, reliable, and hard. They learn to take care of themselves and their buddies. They rely on and trust each other because that's the best chance of surviving.
  Built up around this trust is an unspoken code. A man will never leave another GI. He'll go anywhere, anytime, any cost... to save another GI. There are soldiers that believe in his so much that they'll die rather than betray that trust. That's a true "fighting man."

   LZ ENGLISH - A former VC guerrilla hamlet chief, who stayed in hiding from the Viet Cong and allied forces for four years, recently rallied to the 173d Abn Bde. The former VC guerrilla chief, who had become discouraged with the Communist cause, escaped one night while pulling guard over his comrades.
  Wounded on both thighs by an allied airstrike in Sep 1965, the Chieu Hoi was unable to receive any medical attention from the VC. As a result, he went into hiding in the mountains until Dec 1969, when the VC made another attempt to regain his services.
  Twice he refused to join them. However in March 1970, under pressure from the Viet Cong, he capitulated and rejoined their forces again as a guerrilla hamlet chief. Unsatisfied with his job and remembering the gratitude they had shown him before, the hamlet chief looked for an opportunity to rid himself of the Viet Cong for good.
  It came on the night of November 21, as one more 'Chieu Hoi' sought to preserve his dignity and freedom by rallying to the side of the U.S. and South Vietnamese government.

   LZ English - Thanksgiving Day, while walking slack for a three man 'reach-out team', a 173d Abn Bde Reconnaissance Sergeant saw some turkeys, namely 10 Viet Cong. But the hunted saw the Sarge first, spraying Sgt Charles G. Rolon with a burst of M-16 fire that slammed five rounds into his rifle but none into Rolon.
  "We were walking up a mountain stream, cluttered with gigantic rocks that cut visibility down to about six feet" said the 25 year old Co E, 2nd Bn, 503d Inf Trooper. "Just as we made a turn up the winding stream, we met the VC Regulars, but as I raised my M-16 to fire, I saw the Red take aim and next my weapon was kicked out of my hands by his fire. I just happened to be carrying my .45 caliber pistol that day and I shot the surprised communist before he had time to reload."  The contact occurred at extremely close range, the boulders and the twists in the stream concealing friendly and enemy movement.
  Rolon, from Jersey City NJ, and his team gave the enemy a goodbye burst of lead and feet, back to their parent unit, known as a six-man Cat team. The entire team, augmented with additional reinforcements, returned to the scene later in the day, but the Reds had dragged their dead and wounded away. Rolon and his reach-out team were credited with two enemy kills. He himself is mighty greatful to his weapon- it took two rounds through the magazine, one in the barrel and two that penetrated the rifle barrel.

   LZ ENGLISH - DustOff '10' crew, commanded by CW2 Charles M. Clapp, recently rescued three injured men of Echo Team, N Co, 75th Rangers.
  The crew members of the 498th (AA) Company, flying out of Co B (Med), 173d Support Battlion, brought with them a hoist and jungle penetrator for their mission. Within five minutes, the crew, including Pilot WO1 John M. Souther, Crew Chief Sgt William F. Adamec, and Medic Sp5 Robert L. Rice, were enroute to the pickup site.
  After reaching the approximate area of the pickup site, the visibility severely hampered their urgent mission. Without hesitation, the men flew close to the mountains and through the clouds trying to find the injured personnel.
  Dustoff '10' went in and hovered at a tree top level along a ridge where the injured men were believed to be waiting. Spotting the team, the ship lowered the hoist and rescued the injured men, taking them for immediate treatment to Co B (Med).

   Company C (S&S) 173d Support Bn Abn, celebrated Thanksgiving with 65 young children of the Qui Nhon Catholic Orphanage as its guests. Two 2 1/2 ton trucks were dispached from Charley Company to transport the kids from Qui Nhon to Compound Lifeline at 1300 hours on Thanksgiving Day.
  Sp5 Willie Brown and Sp4 Edward Giainnie dismounted their truck at the orphanage and were greeted by a rush of 40 or more of the orphans who crowded around them seeking the attention and affection of the G.I.'s. Some of the kids held outstretched arms beckoning to be picked up- others clung fast to the legs of the drivers. Within a few minutes both trucks were back on the road to C Company loaded with a corps of young orphans and two Catholic Nuns as their escort.
  The trucks pulled up in front of the C (S&S) Mess Hall where Cpt Mortis, 1st Sgt Pulvis and several office Company's Troops greeted the orphans and helped them from the trucks.
  The kids were brought into the mess hall and treated to a traditional Thanksgiving dinner. Spirits were high and a little happiness in many unhappy lives was apparent. After dinner the orphans were helped back on the two 2 1/2 tons and bid farewell by the Troops of C Company.

   LZ ENGLISH - A bloodtrail, footprints, discarded clothing, a scent... these are signs that put the 75th Combat Tracker Team on the trail of the enemy. On a round the clock readiness, the 75th Combat Tracker Team is called upon by elements of the 173rd Abn Bde to re-establish lost contact with the enemy. Operating in five-man teams, a Tracker Squad consists of a Team Leader, Visual Tracker, two Cover Men, a Dog and a Dog Handler.
  The Dog, a Laborador Retriever, is trained only to follow a scent on the ground. The Laborador can scent up to an 18 hour old trail as long as wind and rain, his chief adversaries, stay away. A heavily populated area such as a village will also render the dog's senses useless.
  SSgt William E. Eaton, Team Leader for the 75th Combat Trackers distinguished between the Tracker Team and the 39th Infantry Platoon Scout Dogs also attached to the 173d.
  "Our primary function," said Eaton, "is to re-establish contact and evaluate enemy movement. The unit we work with provides the security. Once we have re-established contact for the unit or determined that the enemy has eluded us, our job is completed," said Eaton.
  "In contrast, the Scout Dog Platoon seeks to establish initial contact," said Eaton. Their dog usually a German Shepard, walks point to establish contact, while our dog is trained only to follow a scent on the ground after the contact has already been made."
  Combat Tracker Team personnel are trained in a six week intensive course at Ft Gordon Ga. Each individual is taught to be a Visual Tracker and Cover Man first. Instructed in simulated combat situations, personnel are taught to track through brush, flatlands, mountains, and swamps. Dogs are also trained at Ft Gordon, with major emphasis on basic obedience.

   LZ ENGLISH - A sharpshooting Medic can be a definite asset when you're standing in line for shots. A former National Rifle Association (NRA) instructor, he captured the 1967-68 North Dakota Jr. Rifle Championship, in the small-bore category. When he was drafted in the summer of 1969, he didn't expect to go from a rifle expert to a serum shooter, courtesy of the needs of the Green Machine.
   Sp4 Gary A. Allen, medical records clerk with the 173rd Abn Bde's Surgeon Office achieved top honors in Military Rifle Marksmanship while at basic Infantry training at Ft Lewis Wa. He espected to be further trained in his civilian specialty, maybe even assigned to the Army Rifle Team or as an Infantry Rifleman.
  Allen, 21, from Cando ND, liked the Infantry, with all its weapons, but Uncle Sam sent him to Ft Sam Houston Tex, for medical training. A graduate in Electrical Technology at North Dakota State School of Science, Allen plans to continue with competitive shooting when he returns home and that's bullseyes, not tender triceps.

9/15/2001

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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