TUY HOA- "It was a real holocaust," said 1st Lt Michael Jones describing the battlefield after his Platoon of D Company / 16th Armor decimated an NVA Company in a rice paddy near Tuy Hoa.
   After a six hour night battle, 20 enemy bodies were recovered and many more sank into the muddy irrigation canals. Eight enemy rifles and two B-40 rocket launchers were found in the water covered rice fields.
   "We were called at 2200 hours and asked to react to contact made by a small Regional Force," said Lieutenant Jones of Huntington Beach, Calif. "No sooner had we left our positions than recoiless rifle fire began to hit our former laager site."

Open Fire

   Sp5 William Miller of Philadelphia said, "As we were moving down the road, some NVA opened up on us with B40 rockets. We just floored it until we reached the point were the RF's had made contact."
   The five Armored Personnel Carriers (APC's) of 1st Platoon, D Company, 16th Armor immediately took a ridge occupied by an NVA squad with AK-47's. Then, using his 'Starlight Scope', Lieutenant Jones spotted a large movement of enemy forces in an open rice paddy. The tracks moved in for the kill. The NVA responded with B40 and recoiless rifle fire as they retreated through the muck-laden paddies.
   Point Track Commander, Sgt Gary Shields of Franklin, N. C., "Rounds were exploding within 20 feet of my track as we pushed in. We spotted six enemy about 15 meters from us, trying to get away through the mud. I opened up with my 'fifty' and got all six of them." With both sides fighting fiercely, Sgt Arthur Mandaquit's track took a recoiless rifle round and was put out of action. SGT Mandaquit, of Honolulu, said "When we got hit, Lieutenant Jones' track came to my aid and knocked out the recoiless crew as they were trying to escape."

Escape Thwarted

   With the enemy withdrawing, Spooky gunships were called in to block their routes of escape.
   In the morning, Regional Forces swept the area and found 20 dead NVA. However, many bodies had sunk below the muck of the rice paddies. "We didn't get credit for half the kills we actually got," complained Platoon Sgt Andrew J. Wieand, of Stevensville, Mich.
   Individuals in the Platoon received seven impact awards, including four Bronze Stars. On the morning after the battle, Lt. Jones received his Bronze Star directly from General William R. Peers, Commanding General, I Field Force. Nine Vietnamese Crosses of Gallantry were also Awarded to the Platoon.

   BONG SON- It didn't start out too bad. The sun rose as usual for Sp4 Raymond "Pop" Edwards on his last day in the field with Delta Company, 2nd Battalion.
   It wasn't until about mid-morning when "Pop", a hardened veteran who rejoined the Army at age 33 and has since been awarded two Bronze Stars for Valor, began to sense it wouldn't be an ordinary day at all. Pop's point platoon had taken a short break, and as he sat having a smoke, a bamboo viper appeared beside his leg. For several moments, Pop watched as the highly poisonous reptile slithered around and over his foot and then off into the brush.

Bad on Nerves

   BONG SON- The American foot soldier in Vietnam undoubtedly has a much more diversified diet than any of his predecessors in other wars.
   There are two basic types of rations now offered to Infantry in the field, the C Ration, or standard canned meal, and the relatively new dehydrated Long Range Patrol (LRP) ration fondly called "lurp" and when mixed with water almost tastes like the real thing.
   When the rations are passed out in the 173d Airborne Brigade, it is always a big question who will get what. Many meals and desserts are in strong favor, but others are not quite so popular. Meals, like hash and desserts like apricots are seldom in demand.
   A trooper who enjoys apricots usually gets his fill. SP4 James Gavin of Wilkes Barre, Pa., says, "I'm sure glad my Mom brought me up liking those things."
   As far as favorite meals go spaghetti seems to be the most popular dehydrated meal with beef and rice running a close second. Beans and franks ranks high among the canned meals.
   Since the C-Rations have been changed (unpopular meals have been phased out of production), and lurps added, the food complaints have sharply declined among the Infantrymen. Together the C's and lurps make for a total of 20 different meals. Hot sauce is often added as seasoning.
   As one Paratrooper succinctly summed up his diet, "it ain't too good, but it ain't too bad either."

   BONG SON- Lieutenant Colonel Anthony B. Herbert assumed command of the 2nd Battalion, 503d Infantry during recent ceremonies at LZ English.
   Colonel Herbert takes over from LTC John W. Nicholson, who commanded the Battalion since August. Prior to his new assignment, Colonel Herbert served as the Brigade's Inspector General (IG). He came to Vietnam in August.
   Born in Herminie, Pa., Colonel Herbert joined the Army in 1947 and went on to distinguish himself heroically in the Korean War as a Master Sergeant, where he was wounded four times, he came out of the war as the U.S. Army's most decorated enlisted man. In addition to the Purple Heart with 3 Oak Leaf clusters, Colonel Herbert has been decorated with the Silver Star, two Oak Leaf clusters, the Bronze Star with V, Soldier's Medal, Army Commendation Medal with 2 Oak Leaf clusters and and he is the only non-Turk in the world to receive the coveted Turkish Ozanu. He has also earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Jump Wings from the German and British Armies, Pathfinder's Badge and Ranger Tab.
   Commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in 1957, Colonel Herbert's colorful career has taken him to Japan,. Korea, Alaska, Iceland, the Azores, Canada, Saudi Arabia, 51 African Nations and across Europe. He is a qualified interpreter in Portuguese. After graduating from the University of Pittsburgh in 1956, the 38-year old Lieutenant Colonel went on to earn a Masters Degree and PHD from the University of Georgia in Psychology.

   AN KHE- Crossing a 60-meter open area five times through intense enemy fire to get ammunition for his beleagured men completely disregarding his own wounds, has earned a 173d Airborne Brigade Paratrooper the Silver Star.
   Staff Sergeant Billy Joe Caton of Porterville, Ca., was presented the nation's third highest award for Valor by Brigadier General John W. Barnes, Brigade Commander, during recent ceremonies at the 173d Jungle School.
   The 26 year old Sergeant was a Weapons Squad Leader with Company A, 3d Battalion, 503d Infantry, when the action occurred some 80 miles north of Saigon last August.
   At that time his Company was occupying a position near the town of Di Linh when it came under attack from a large enemy force. Heavy rocket, mortar and automatic weapons and small arms fire pounded the Company's perimeter. Seeing that his Squad was taking the brunt of the attack, Sergeant Caton crossed the 60 meter open stretch from his Company CP to his men while under intense enemy fire. An enemy grenade exploded near him and pelted his leg with shrapnel but he refused medical aid.

Manned the Gun

   When he reached his men's positions he found that the machine gunner and his assistant had been wounded so he took over the gun and blasted four enemy bearing satchel charges who were preparing to overrun the gun emplacement. Low on ammunition, Caton returned to the CP through a hail of enemy fire, grabbed the supplies and returned to his troops. After distributing the ammunition he fired on the enemy with an M-16. Suddenly he spotted an enemy rocket emplacement. But without the necessary equipment to destroy it and getting low on ammunition, Caton again braved the open field to return to the CP for supplies. He brought back the ammo and a grenade launcher which he used to destroy the enemy rocket emplacement.
   SSgt Caton is now an instructor with the Brigade Jungle School

   BONG SON- Unaware he was centered in the cross hairs of a high powered Sniper's scope, a lone NVA soldier knelt beside a stream to fill his canteen. The crack of an M-14 rifle suddenly broke the jungle silence and then all was quiet except for the rushing water of the stream.
   "Crossbow", a six man reconnaissance team, whose primary mission is to report on the location and activities of enemy forces, emerged from the dense jungle foliage to check their first kill in operation Dung Cam/Lee, 40 miles northwest of Bong Son.
   Composed of men from Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade, Crossbow is unlike a hawk team in that that its members are completely independent of any Platoon and have no base of operation.

Skilled Men

   Dressed in camouflaged fatigues, the men were specially selected for their knowledge of the enemy, experience with weapons and past performance in the field.
   The idea to form the team began with Captain Lewis C. Cording of Van Nuys, Ca. after he assumed command in December. "Having a Reconnaissance team in the area is like having a direct line with the enemy," said Cpt Cording. "From their reports we have a better idea of where Charlie is and where he is going."
   "Although the main mission of Crossbow is to observe the enemy, the team also conducts ambushes and works as a Sniper squad said 1Lt Ismael Noriega of Queens, NY. "The M-14 rifle with an M-80, 22 power snipers scope is employed as part of the team's arsenal." "We travel light, carrying only essential items which enables us to travel faster and cover more distance than the rest of the Company," said Sgt Sidney P. Roberts of New Road La., the team leader. "I guess our biggest advantage is that we know that we have the rest of the Company to back us up so we are ready to lock horns with Charlie at any time."

   BONG SON- A U.S. Army photographer with the 173d Airborne Brigade recently learned that quick shooting pays off in more than just good photos.
   The stern lesson was learned by Specialist 5 Ralph J. Dixon of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia while on an ambush mission with a reconnaissance team from the 74th Infantry Long Range Patrol.
   The ambush had been executed only moments before against four Viet Cong moving along a jungle trail, and Dixon volunteered to go forward and check the results with team leader Patrick Tadina of Honolulu.
   "When we got there," said Dixon, "there were two bodies and heavy blood trails leading into the bush. Then, as we started to check out one body I saw the other moving slowly and pointing a weapon." Wheeling quickly, Dixon shot a burst with his M-16 rifle and fired up the Viet Cong. "It was just instinct," said Dixon modestly. "Anyone else would have done the same thing."
   When the patrol returned to base camp, Dixon was presented an on-the-spot Army Commendation Medal for Valor by the Brigade Commanding General, Brigadier General John W. Barnes.
   However, for the 23-year-old veteran photographer working on his 22d month in Vietnam it wasn't anything new. Less than a year ago in the central highlands near Kontum, he was awarded another ARCOM with "V" after volunteering to move out in front of a firefight and rescue a wounded comrade.
   "I guess I just like to be where the action is," said Dixon, who plans on extending in Vietnam. I'm from Malaysia and familiar with the jungle. I think I can be of help out there."

   BONG SON- "Hey, what is that Marine doing out here with our Company?" asked one puzzled Paratrooper of the 1st Battalion. His buddy quickly informed him, "You better be glad he is here. That guy calls in the big Navy guns."
   A little heard of but highly effective team of naval gunfire experts are currently supporting the 173d Airborne Brigade along the coastal regions of Binh Dinh Province.

   The three men of Detachment 21, Sub Unit 1, 1st Air Naval Gunfire Liason Company (ANGLICO), includes one Navy Lieutenant and two Marine enlisted men and are located at LZ English, the 173d Command Post. "Our job is to provide Naval gunfire for any 173d Troops or attached units that are within our guns' range," explained Lt.(j.g.) Robert M. Chiado of Chicago. "The Navy's guns have been especially effective along the coast where the 173d's Artillery can't reach."
   Although a Naval fire mission can be initiated in less than 15 minutes, it requires a great deal of precision and communication both on the part of the Navy and the Army.

Clear to Fire

   "We will receive coordinates of a specific target from a line unit," said Lance Corporal Arnold Tripp of Jackson, Ohio, "and we immediately contact the 173d Fire Support Coordinator (FSC) to clear the area for firing." According to Tripp, the ship is then contacted and will prepare an air advisory to clear the air ways of all aircraft. One of the team members then boards an Army "Hawkeye" aircraft and flies to the target area, keeping constant communication with team members in the Brigade's Tactical Operations Center. Once the target area is cleared, the air spotter will give the ship the 'go ahead' and firing commences. All rounds are then adjusted by the spotter in the aircraft.
   Recalling his first spotter mission, Tripp remarked, "I called the fire mission and the first round was slightly off. I made one adjustment and they were right on target."
   All coordinate data is processed on the ships by computers and the accuracy of the guns is amazing.
   "One day I was flying a spotter mission just a couple miles inland and not only could see my target but also the ship," recalled PFC Tim Butts of San Carlos, Calif. "The pilot fired smoke rockets on the target and the ship in turn fired on the location of the smoke. They were on target with the first round. I knew they were good, but that was hard to believe."
   The procedures for calling Naval gunfire are involved but the team at LZ English has it down to a science and can have the ship on target in minutes. In December of 1968, LZ English, 40 miles north of Qui Nhon, came under an enemy mortar attack and Naval gunfire was summoned immediately. In less than 15 minutes, the first rounds were on the way and the enemy mortar position was destroyed.
   Lt Chiado of Des Moines Iowa, points out the advantages of Naval gunfire, "The ship can be positioned to best support a particular area and is on standby 24 hours a day. Inland targets are easily reached and the big Navy guns are accurate. More rounds per minute can be fired than with Artillery and often times faster than Artillery."
   Yet with these obvious advantages, Naval support is sometimes overlooked by the Infantry units. "I think this is mainly because they don't even know we're here and if they do, they think it is too complicated to use," replied Cpl Tripp. "We have a ship on station 20 out of 30 days each month. All the Infantry has to do is contact us in the TOC and give us the coordinates, we'll take it from there."
   The young Marine added, "If they want us to go to the field with them all they have to do is ask. We're always ready to go and we can call Naval gunfire from the field as well as the air."

   Some of the ships that have supported the Brigade since April 1968 are the USS Mason, USS Jenkins and the USS Knox, all Destroyers. The big Battleship, USS New Jersey has fired for the 173d several times in the last few months and is scheduled to return soon. Her 16-inch guns have a killing radius of 150 yards from as far away as 20 miles.

   In addition to calling Naval gunfire on known enemy targets, the ANGLICO Detachment also calls nightly harassing fire mission and preps certain areas where line units will be operating.

   Although they are not kept as busy as they would like, the three men of Detachment 21 concur that their job is a good experience.

   "Not only have we had the opportunity to see the war from the air, land and sea, we have also established a good working relationship with the Army," said Lt. Chiado.