25th Infantry Unit
kills 85 NVA in four days

Tiny Base stops NVA, kill 198

    G0 DA HAU- Soldiers of the 25th Infantry Division beat off a massive assault on their night defensive position by an estimated two NVA battalions and killed 198 of the enemy.
    The 2nd Brigade element had set up their position six miles south-southwest of here. At 03:15am, a barrage of enemy mortar fire began to fall within the perimeter. Within a half hour approximately 400 rounds landed in the tiny camp. "It was the worst mortar attack I've ever experienced," Lt. James J. Sullivan said. "The NVA came up on line, they would jump and move as soon as the illumination would die down. With a lull in the barrage the enemy charged the perimeter. They concentrated on the south-east sector of the base, while probing the southwest.
    The base defenders lowered their artillery tubes and flred directly at the on rushing NVA soldiers. Within minutes light fire teams, Air Force AC-119 and AC-47 Gunships were raining fire down on the enemy.
    Beside the 198 enemy dead, eight enemy were detained. US Casualties were 13 killed and 3 wounded.

    BINH KIEN BRIDGE- Redcatchers of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade's 4th Bn, 12th Inf, along with air support, recently defeated a Viet Cong force about 8 miles south of this strategic area on Highway 4, the "Gateway to the Delta."
    An Air Force jet, guided by Co A, killed five VC with 20mm cannon fire as Co B operating to the northeast, was diverted to act as a sealing force from the north. Companies A and D were already in blocking positions to the south and west.
    Co B swept on a line in heavy nipa palm growth, often reconning by fire. Third platoon leader Lt Kenneth Gonzalez led his men along a canal where the remaining enemy were believed hidden in bunkers. The Recon Platoon attached to Co B was on the west bank when a Kit Carson scout spotted two suspects. In addition to the enemy killed and the two suspects detained, the sweep netted Co B two AK47 rifles, a Russian-made machinegun and drum of ammunition, and a B40 rocket launcher.

Two NVA attacks broken as Cavalrymen take 'Break'

    LZ GRANT- The Soldiers, dirt-laden and fatigued, walked into this small landing zone near Tay Ninh with the prospect of a relatively easy stand down period after being in the field for 30 days. But the men of Co D, 2nd Bn, 12th Cav, 1st Air Cavalry Division were not going to get much rest.
    "We'd had contact in the field just before coming into the LZ," said Sp4 Richard Jordon, a Machine Gunner with the Company. "We thought we were going to get some rest, but it just didn't work out that way."
    The enemy's first assault on the base occurred just hours after the Cavalrymen had set up their base defense. But they were ready, and as a result 154 NVA lay dead on the Battlefield the following morning.
    Three days later, the NVA made another attempt to overrun the LZ, but again it was in vain. "They began their second attack just like the first one," said Sgt Joseph Bedgood, a Platoon Sergeant for the Company. "They first hit us with rockets and mortars and then they began walking up the road to the LZ." As the enemy forces pushed their way toward the LZ, aerial rocket artillery and Spooky gunships were called into the area to assist the Infantrymen. "The second time it didn't seem like there were as many," said Pfc Leonard Knight, an assistant Machine Gunner. "I guess we were a little more prepared for this one."
    As the Company made a sweep of the area surrounding the LZ, it found 62 NVA killed in action, thus bringing the total to 216 enemy dead in the two ground attacks.

Soldiers break into VC camp

    LZ CENTER- The Americal Division Soldiers knew there was an enemy base camp in the area. So, when Sp4 Terry Green, Point man for the 2nd Platoon, Co A, 3rd Bn, 21st Inf, heard running water he cut through the brush to lead the Platoon in that direction. They found the source of the noise, a large waterfall. And next to the stream was the enemy base camp. The camp was extremely well camouflaged and was ringed with fighting positions and lookout posts.
    As Green looked over the apparently abandoned enemy positions, he spotted movement in some bushes near a tunnel. A short burst of M16 fire brought down a VC who was attempting to escape. While reloading his weapon two more VC, their weapons drawn, came rushing towards Green. Platoon Leader, Lt Laurence McNamara spotted the enemy. He wheeled his M16 around and killed them before they got to Green. "This sent them scrambling everywhere," said Green. As they approached a tunnel a couple of Infantrymen heard a noise above the enemy position, threw a few grenades on top and killed two more VC.
    A separate element of the Platoon, in the meantime, was sent to follow the course of the stream. They ran into three more VC trying to escape. Two of the enemy were killed by a salvo of M16 fire. The remaining VC was captured and brought back to the rest of the Platoon.
    McNamara was searching for enemy positions when he found a large tunnel complex "I was reaching down and pulling out a VC when I saw he had a grenade with the pin pulled," said McNamara. "I shoved him back in the hole and hollered 'grenade'." The blast of the grenade in the tunnel killed three more of the enemy. After a thorough search of the camp the lead element of the Platoon began crawling back down the same path that had led them to the base camp.
    Suddenly, the sound of quick movement in the thick jungle in front of the Platoon was stopped with a quick Reconnaissance by fire. Checking the area the element discovered a dead VC Medic. Documents found in the dead Medic's shirt pocket listed the VC who were active in the area by name. From the action moments before, eleven names could already be scratched off the active list.

24 NVA killed on 'Heights'

    LZ D HANDLE- Enemy forces paid a stiff price as 24 of their Soldiers died recently trying to defend a hill against a 4th Infantry Division Company. The hill was a half mile north of here, where the Command Post of Co D, 3rd Bn, 12th Inf, 1st Bde, was located.
    The 3rd Platoon was chosen to spearhead a mission to find out what lay on the hill. They were halfway up when a lone NVA was spotted. Immediately, 81mm mortar fire from the landing zone was called in support. The Infantrymen had moved about 20 yards further up the hill when they were met by fierce resistance from an estimated NVA Company using machine guns, rocket launchers and mortars. Co D's 2nd Platoon was immediately sent to support the 3rd Platoon. Joining forces, the two units moved forward. When they were within 200 meters of the main enemy force, the Point man, Pfc Sal Giammona, spotted three NVA deployed as a blocking force. He killed one of them. While the 3rd Platoon engaged the two remaining NVA, the 2nd Platoon began circling around from the rear. Moving cautiously from tree to tree, they encountered six more NVA. Giammona killed all six with one long burst from his M16. Lt Richard Wiggin, 2nd Platoon leader, killed five more with his M79 grenade launcher.
    The 3rd Platoon, in addition to contact with the enemy blocking force, reported contact with an enemy Platoon on their left flank. Repeated enemy attempts to charge the US positions were repelled by devastating fires. After the action, Wiggin said, "Sgt Charles Fletcher, Squad Leader scrambled from position to position, checking each man and giving encouragement. Pfc Darrell Hardin, my Machine Gunner, stopped a couple of the charges. He was really blasting away with his M60 and he kept their heads down."
    Both Platoons were ordered to pull back to get out of the enemy's mortar impact area and also to give their own mortars more room to fire. Artillery, Mortars and several Airstrikes bombed the hill the next day. But when the three Platoons of Co D, along with the 1st Platoon of Co B, again tried to assault the hill they met heavy resistance. After five more days of Artillery and Airstrikes, the Infantrymen moved to the top of the hill under cover of Howitzer and Mortar fire.

Cav Soldiers Smash Attack

    QUAN LOI- Viet Cong troops came out second best after tackling a group of 1st Cavalry Division Skytroopers on Hill 54, an observation post near here.
    A Mortarman of the 1st Bn, 7th Cav, guarding the northern side of the perimeter spotted two figures moving towards him early in the morning. He had to hold his fire because of a listening post stationed to his front. Then the unbelievable happened- an NVA grenade bounced off his helmet, without going off.
    That signaled the start of a four-hour B40 rocket attack and raging gun battle. All of the above-ground bunkers were falling under the barrage of B40's, forcing the inhabitants to the mortar pits. As Cobra gunships arrived, the ammo dump began to blow adding to the confusion. The Cobras' fire was restricted as two listening posts were still outside the perimeter.
    An estimated force of two enemy Platoons positioned themselves on both sides of a ridgeline to the southeast of Hill 54. From there they fired B40's and threw Chicom grenades at the bunkers. Working around the ridge were several Cavmen from the listening post (LP). They were trapped in the middle of the two enemy Platoons and their muzzle flashes were drawing enemy grenades. The concussion from the frags knocked one of the Skytroopers out and he rolled to the bottom of the hill. When he came to he noticed trip flares going off to mark friendly positions. He started running up the hill, gnashing on a rock-hard piece of gum. As he reached the wire, two of his buddies came down and pulled him through the wire into a bunker.
    One of the two remaining from the LP could be heard yelling at the bottom of the hill. Six Cavalrymen broke from the bunker to get him, shooting an NVA on the way. When they were all back in the bunker, only one man from the LP was still outside the perimeter. He'd gone around the northern side of the ridge and crawled into a bomb crater where he passed out from wounds. When he came to, he heard two NVA talking next to him. He shot one of them and started up the hill. He shot another just outside the perimeter. When his buddies pulled him into the bunker, he wouldn't let go of his rifle. He said he was going to hold onto it until the day he went bome.
    With everybody from the LP accounted for, the 30 caliber was free to sweep the hillside. Contact broke at 05:30 a.m. Twelve enemy bodies and several hundred pounds of enemy equipment were found within a few yards of the perimeter.

Grass doesn't hide Charlie

    TAN AN- Third Brigade Infantrymen of the 9th Infantry Divisions 2nd Bn, 60th Inf, teamed up with Gunships of the 3rd Squadron, 17th Cavalry and Gunships of the 7th Squadron, 1st Cavalry to kill 33 enemy Soldiers during airmobile operations in the Plain of Reeds.
    At 09:35 am, a Capital Military Assistance Command helicopter reported strong sniffer indications in his area of operations approximately 16 miles northwest of here. One half hour later initial elements of the 2nd Bn, were inserted into the area.
    "A light observation helicopter had a Squad size element of VC under observation and radioed us to follow his ship to them," said Sp4 Chester Bailey, Co A rifleman. "As soon as we were in the area, two VC opened fire on us and then began running away, we killed them. A few minutes later, our Tiger Scout found another VC hiding in the bush."
    "That's how it went all day long," added Sgt. Richard Carter, a Squad leader. "It was mostly just a case of finding them hiding in the grass."
    Less than two hours after their insertion, Co A had racked up a total of five enemy dead and six detainees. By noon Companles B and C, as well as the Recon Platoon of 2nd Bn, had been inserted into the area which was believed to hold an enemy base camp.
    "We had just sat down and began our sweep," recalled Pfc Richard Jenkins, Co B Pointman. "When all of a sudden a VC popped up out of a concealed hole and cut loose with his AK47. He missed and luckily, I didn't."
    Action was sporadic throughout the afternoon. The instances of contact added up, however and as evening fell, the Battalion's troops had accounted for 16 enemy dead and nine detainees.

Cobras,Troops- trap and destroy Enemy Force

    SAIGON- Elements of the 2nd Bn, 505th Inf, 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division joined with Vietnamese troops to kill 15 Viet Cong, detain one person and capture seven AK47 rifles about 12 miles northwest of here.
    Brigade intelligence reported that elements of a VC Regiment were in the marshy lands bordering the Saigon river. Elements of Co D, 505th Inf, boarded helicopters from the 1st Aviation Brigades' 120th Assault Helicopter Company. Gunboats worked their way up the river with the remainder of the Company for a riverine assault. Meanwhile B Troop, 1st Squadron, 17th Cav was maneuvering Armored Personnel Carriers into blocking positions.
    As troopers were dropped into the area, Viet Cong were discovered hiding along the river bank. Gunships killed nine. Two more were seen running into a nearby hut which was destroyed by the Cobras. Following this contact, Co D made a sweep of the area, detaining a suspect.
    Through the night, action continued, as more Viet Cong were killed in firefights with 82nd Airborne Troopers. A bunker complex was uncovered and destroyed, and a tunnel complex was located with no sign of enemy activity.

Soldier hears VC laughter, moves fast, has last laugh

    BONG SON- A Paratrooper of the 173rd Airborne Brigade and his acute sense of hearing recently led to the death of three Viet Cong, the reception of a rallier to GVN and the liberation of three innocent civilians.
    While conducting a search and clear mission about 30 miles north of An Khe, Paratroopers of Co D, 1st Bn, 503rd Inf, had stopped for a brief rest near a rice paddy. "I had just settled back and lit a cigarette when I heard what sounded like laughter," recalled Sgt Roger Tramp. "I couldn't believe my ears so I decided to investigate." Looking across the rice paddy, Tramp spotted seven individuals, four which were carrying weapons and wearing green fatigues or black pajamas.
    Alerting his Platoon to the enemy, they watched as the VC moved toward their position. When they were close enough, Tramp yelled "Dung Lai". At once, the VC fled and the civilians hit the ground. The Paratroopers opened up on the fleeing enemy, dropping one in his tracks. The remaining VC disappeared into the surrounding treeline. "We had gone only about 50 meters when we found two more VC fatally wounded," said Sp4 Jim Schripsema. They continued their search for the one VC who had escaped, but the search was to no avail.
    That evening as the Troopers were cooking their chow, Tramp heard someone shouting. "I quieted the men and we heard someone shout 'Chieu Hoi' (open arms)," reported Tramp. "We searched the bushes and found the other VC." In addition to three VC dead and one rallier, the Paratroopers confiscated a carbine and a SKS rifle.

Red Devils smash Enemy Regiment

    CAM LO- Infantrymen from the 1st Bn, 11th Inf of the 1st Brigade 5th Infantry Division fought hard and moved fast on a recent operation three miles south of the DMZ. With the aid of Helicopter Gunships, numerous Airstrikes and heavy Artillery, the Battalion killed 227 North Vietnamese regulars of an NVA Regiment during the nine days of the operation.
    The battle began when the 3rd Squadron, 5th Cav sweeping west from here was hit with enemy fire four miles out. Heavy resistance and impassable terrain forced the Calvary unit to seek flat ground. At this time, the 1st Bn, 11th Inf, was called in to seek out the enemy in that area.
    According to Lt Col Thomas N. Britton Jr, 1st Bn, 11th Inf Commander, the initial Air Assault conducted by two Rifle Companies was unopposed the first day. That night the NVA tried to overrun the Red Devils' position but failed. The enemy fled leaving a number of NVA dead and a clue to their whereabouts. "This attack tipped us off as to the direction that the force would be found," Britton said.
    The next day the 1st Bn, 11th Inf, advanced north to Hill 240. The hill's bald, grassy summit towers over the surrounding hills and serves as all ideal vantage point for observation and fortification once captured from the enemy. One Company set out early the next morning to seize the hill. First contact was made as they passed through a ravine at the base of the summit, resulting in a seesaw battle that lasted throughout the day. The Infantymen gained ground inch by inch and at the close of the day the hill was theirs and the NVA were driven down into the valley. The hard fought battle gave the Red Devils Hill 240 and a total of 35 enemy killed that day.
    Britton, upon completion of the attack, said, "The NVA force was located north and northeast of Hill 240. At that time, another Company was Air Assaulted onto Hill 208 northeast of Hill 240. this gave us commanding terrain in the area." After an unusually quiet night, numerous mortar rounds hit friendly positions the next day. Heavy underbrush in the valley again prevented the observation of mortar locations. As maneuvers toward the valley floor began, Hill 300 to the east had to be taken to close off the enemy force. I Co, 3rd Bn, 9th Marines Air Assaulted the Hill with no opposition.
    The following day contact was made numerous times during the course of the Battalion operation between the three hills. NVA mortar locations and bunker complexes were hit with Airstrikes and heavy Artillery fire. The pounding silenced the enemy dug-in positions in the valley and flushed the enemy out of their secure locations killing an estimated 106 NVA in two days.
    After the action the Battalion swept the area, destroying enemy bunkers. A total of 227 NVA died in this operation with 17 individual and six crew-served weapons captured from the enemy.

Grenades Rain on 7 NVA in Ditch

    PLEI TOWER- A ditch that provided protection from Artillery turned into a deathtrap for six NVA when they were caught by a Reconnaissance Platoon of the 4th Infantry Division near here. Pfc Richard W. Tolbert of the 2nd Bn, 3rd Bde, 35th Inf, in an observation post for the Recon Platoon, sighted the enemy and reported their location to SFC James F.Tibbit, acting Platoon leader. While he prepared his men to pursue the enemy, Tibbit called for Artillery. In a half hour, the mortars expended 123 rounds and the 105mm cannon fired 91 rounds as the enemy tried to escape.
    "It seemed as if we had a round coming in every five seconds," said Pfc. David Peterson, a forward observer for the Platoon. "The guns pinned them down until we could move up and engage them," he added. As the Artillery was advanced in the direction of the enemy movement, Tibbit moved his men in squad sized elements to search for the NVA. The Squad led by Sp4 Robert L. Carson, spotted three or four of the enemy in a stream bed. "We threw some grenades in there and killed one." Carson said, "while two others there looked as if they had been killed by the Artillery." By this time the first Squad had found the main enemy element hiding in the ditch. Moving along a trail about ten meters from the ditch, Sp4 Dennis C. Johnson saw one of the enemy in the ditch and fired his M79 at him.
    "Sergeant Tibbit called a ceasefire and yelled to the NVA to Chieu Hoi," recalled Sp4 John S. Ryan, a Signal Corps photographer attached to the Platoon. "The only answer we received was a burst of automatic fire so we resumed fighting," Ryan said. "I hit the ground and tried to get as low as possible. The next thing I knew, Chicom grenades started popping up out of the ditch," Ryan continued. At one point, Sp4 Timothy V. Marrick went into the ditch and emptied his magazine, killing an enemy soldier. While getting back to cover, a bullet ruined his hat and cut his head.
    In addition to moving along the ditch to avoid the Americans' grenades, the NVA were throwing many of them back. So the Amerlcans started pulling the pins and holding the grenades for several seconds before throwing. To prevent enemy evasion of the grenades by moving up and down the ditch, Tibbit had all his men throw grenades at one time, covering the entire length of the ditch. The fight ended with all seven of the enemy dead in the ditch, bringing the total for the day to 10 dead NVA.

Night Fight Beats Daylight out of VC

    TIGER'S LAIR- In a fierce five hour battle, a 9th Infantry Division Platoon recently killed 10 Viet Cong in house to house fighting in a small village eight miles southeast of Ben Tre.
    Fighting under illumination from friendly Artillery and mortar flares, the men of Co D, 3rd Bn, 47th Inf fought their way through the village under heavy fire, recovering numerous documents, a VC medical aid bag and a 105mm booby trap.
    Action began almost immediately after dusk when the Soldiers began their night ambush patrol along a known VC liaison route. "We were just moving into our night position when my lead element spotted the VC coming down the trail" said Lt William A.Cugno, Platoon Leader. The VC opened up on the night position with heavy automatic weapons fire. "Green tracers were bouncing two feet over our heads," Cugno said.
    The Platoon returned fire under illumination called in by Cugno and then pursued the VC who were fleeing toward the safety of a known VC village. "We had to dig them out house by house," said Sp4 Robert H. Green, a Rifleman. VC bodies were found strewn alongside the houses and several secondary explosions came out of burning haystacks where the VC had attempted to hide their weapons and ammunition. Btry C, 3d Bn, 34th Arty provided support for the Infantrymen hitting the area around the village to cut off VC escape routes.