After five and one half years in Vietnam with the 173d Airborne Brigade he's finally going home. Arriving in Vietnam, May 18th 1965 as a Pfc 11B (Infantryman) with the 2d Battalion, 503d Infantry this man has been everywhere the Brigade has been, and he's seen some tough fighting.
   Staff Sergeant Martin Sanchez is 27 years old from Ramondville Texas. He enlisted in the US Army in 1964 and after Basic Training, AIT (Advanced Infantry Training) and Airborne he was sent to Okinawa with the 173d. He currently is a Platoon Sgt with the 1st Platoon, C Company, 4th Bn, 503d Inf in the An Lao Valley. He has been wounded a total of three times, twice in the Battle of Dak To. He has the CIB (Combat Infantryman Badge), the Silver Star, three Bronze Stars with "V" and many others.
   When asked why he has spent so long in Vietnam, Sanchez replied, "I just wanted to do my job." He goes on to explain that he has been here with his friends and that for a long time he has felt more comfortable with his friends in Vietnam than back home. It's only understandable for that feeling to develop because soldiers in combat develop very close friendships.
   Sgt Sanchez has no respect for the NVA/VC soldier and relates that "Charlie's not as good as he used to be in Vietnam." The Sanchez answer to the conflict is to wipe out all the NVA/VC, and then we can all go home.
   The Army has been good to Staff Sgt Martin Sanchez. He has drawn only twenty dollars a month over these years. He has purchased a mobile home and two cars with the money he has saved. His wife won a third car in a lottery this last December.

   Recently Phil Brady, an NBC correspondent from Port Washington, NY and his camera man Vo Huynh, and Vi Giao were in the 173d area of operations. They found the story of Staff Sgt Martin Sanchez and soon his story will be broadcast across the United States as one of the unique individuals of the Vietnam conflict. The stories of Sanchez and the GI's who have served with him during these five and one half years-his friends as he calls them, and perhaps his only friends will become well known.

   LZ ENGLISH- Three members of the 4th Bn, 503d Inf, have been awarded the Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device for heroism against the communist terrorists in the Binh Dinh Province. They are Pfc Stuart G. Helfrich, Springfield Il, Sgt Jerry Chism, Danville Ark, and 1st Lt Robert J. Givin, Ringwood, NJ.
   On the morning of Dec 23 1970, Pfc Helfrich, a Medic with HHC, while treating several seriously wounded troopers under intense fire, received a serious wound in the right leg. Realizing that because of the heavy contact, medical examination at the time was impossible, Helfrich continued to administer first aid for three hours with disregard to his own injury and safety. His first aid treatment directly saved the lives of four of his comrades. When the intense fire ceased, a medical evacuation helicopter arrived, Helfrich assisted in the evacuation of the injured personnel.
   Sgt Chism, a Squad Leader with Bravo Co, while under enemy fire Dec 11, 1970 without hesitation and with disregard for his own personal safety, directed and returned effective fire on the enemy position. Chism exposed himself to enemy fire while he administered first aid treatment to his seriously wounded buddy. Having called for a medical evacuation helicopter, Chism continued to provide protective fire until the 'Copter' arrived, then loaded the wounded man for evacuation.
   1st Lt Givin, Bravo Co Platoon Leader, with his Platoon heard grenade and small arms fire about 700 meters north of the patrols location. Two Regional Forces personnel informed the Kit Carson Scout that enemy were in the area. The Kit Carson Scout then led two RF soldiers into the enemy area. A short time later the two RF's returned to inform the Platoon that the Scout was wounded. Givin obtained the permission to leave his area of operations to aid the Kit Carson Scout and eliminate the Reds. He called a MedEvac helicopter which extracted the wounded Scout. 1st Lt Givin organized the patrol and used fire and maneuver tactics to overcome the enemy. While sweeping through the village the patrol found enemy bunkers, into which Lt Givin's patrol crawled and uncovered a large amount of munitions and documents.

   LZ ENGLISH- Brigadier Gen Jack MacFarlane assumed command of the 173d Airborne Brigade Friday, Jan 15, during the Change of Command ceremony at the Brigade Headquarters. He replaces Brig Gen Ray Ochs, Brigade Commander since August, who will be Commanding General of the Combat Development Evaluation Command, Ft Ord Ca. He officially took command upon receiving the Brigade Colors from Lt Gen William J. McCaffrey, Deputy Commanding General, USARV.
   Many guests and dignitaries were present during the ceremony. They included Maj Gen Charles P. Brown, Commanding General, IFFV; Maj Gen Ngo Dzu, ARVN Commanding General, II Corps and MR2; Maj Gen Le Ngoc Trien, Commanding General 22nd ARVN Div and Mr Edward T. Long, II Corps Deputy for Civil Operations and Revolutionary Development Support (CORDS).
   Shortly before the passing of colors, the outgoing Commanding General was honored with three Republic of Vietnam medals. Maj Gen Dzu, Commanding General II Corps decorated Gen Ochs with the National Order of Vietnam (Knight or 5th Class), the Gallantry Cross (with Palm) and the Civic Actions Medal (1st, Class). Lt Gen McCaffrey presented Brig Gen Ochs with the Distinguished Service Medal.
   General MacFarlane has been honored with some two dozen medals and decorations. They include the Silver Star (with Oak Leaf Cluster), they Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Bronze Star (with Four Oak Leaf Clusters), the Meritorious Service Medal, the Air Medal (8 Oak Leaf Clusters}, the Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), the Purple Heart and the Good Conduct Medal.
   In December 1967 he became Commanding Officer, 11th Armored Cav Regiment in Vietnam. Wounded in action, he returned to the states for convalescence. His next assignment was as Chief of Staff, III Corps and Ft Ord Tx, and later assistant Division Commander of the 1st Armored Div.
   He returned to Vietnam in August 1969, where he became an assistant Division Commander of the 4th Inf Division. In July 1970, he was assigned as Deputy Senior Advisor to the Commanding General, II Corps Tactical Zone (ARVN), in August he became Chief of Staff, I Field Force, Vietnam.

   LZ ENGLISH - Around the AO in three easy moves, that seems to be the story with LTC George Stapleton's Rock Battalion. It all started on 19 December 1970 when the word came from Brigade Headquarters for the Third Battalion to move from LZ Uplift to LZ English. Their mission at Uplift had been that of interdicting NVA re-supply attempts during harvest season in addition to running six to seven man reconnaissance patrols. On 21 December 1970, the Third Battalion had deployed to LZ English and set up as a maneuver element while conducting operations in the An Lao Valley.
   With only eleven days of operation in their new AO, the Third Battalion was once again ordered to move. It was just 15 December 1970 when LTC Stapleton took command of the Rock Battalion and already he had moved twice and now was about to begin the third. It seemed as though he was a Commander with a new command and no home. But this was solved when the Third Battalion made their third move to An Khe. The move started on 31 December 1970 and was completed on the first day of the new year. On 2 January 1971 the Third Battalion had two Companies and three Recon teams conducting operations in their new AO. And so, after a few days of hop-scotch around the AO the Third Battalion has finally found a home, but for how long?

   Why be a glory hunter? The men of Company C (S&S) Supply Platoon find little or no glamor in their work, their mission is that of supplying the needs of 173d Abn Bde in the line of Class II and IV items.
   Because of their dedication to a fameless job, they consider themselves the 'Hardcore' and indeed they are. S&S convoys are prepared on an average of three time a week at the Class II and IV yard to meet the needs of the "Herd" at An Khe, LZ Uplift and LZ English. But just as there are supplies going out there are also supplies coming in, therefore it is not unusual to have a convoy interchanging a load right in the yard.
   All Brigade Class II and IV items are received, stored and issued by the 'Hardcore' Platoon that performs its work with dedication and with a great sense of urgency. In addition to keeping abreast of their mission, the Supply Platoon is continuously striving for physical and operational improvements of the Class II and IV yard. "173d II & IV, the 'Hard Core' of the best supply system in Vietnam."

   AN KHE (RVN)- You are a Paratrooper with the 173d Airborne Brigade. You've just returned from R&R. When you get on the plane at Da Nang you have no idea of what's ahead of you. Settling back in the red web Air Force seats you try to grab a little shut-eye before the flight ends. When you were newer in-country you might have spent most of the trip watching the jungles and rice paddies slip by. Now you no longer care, you are Infantry, you know those jungles first hand....they are no longer of interest.
   After landing at Qui Nhon you retrieve your duffle bag and dash back to the USO, this is your last chance to get real ice cream for who knows how long. After the second helping, you hike out to the gate. This is your lucky day you think. After only 15 minutes you catch a ride all the way to Phu Tai on a deuce-and-a-half. You report to Phu Tai to process in after R&R.
   There you are told that your unit has moved again. "Again" you ask? "Yep, now you're in An Khe" is the answer.
   With all the paperwork out of the way, you pick up your bag and head for the Cha Rang valley turnoff. Again you luck out. You watch the last convoy going through the An Khe Pass. Lucky, you said??? "Wait a minute...is this the An Khe Pass????", you ask. The driver of the big semi-rig just smiles and says, "Oh, you've heard of it then?" After staring at him a minute you pick up the rifle from the floorboard and grunt, "You drive, I'll play shotgun."
   You've heard about 'The Pass?' alright. How many times, twenty or thirty? How did the rumors go; slow winding road, cliffs, grenades dropped down on you, VC everywhere, how many Frenchmen were supposed to have died here? Hmmm, helluva way to end an R&R.
   After a few hours trip, that seems to have taken forever, you're through. You've passed the cliffs, the elephant grass growing high above the truck on each side, the Korean outposts, the GI tracks parked along the way, and the burned out hulks that were once trucks like yours.
   The sign says Camp Radcliff. Well, here you are...An Khe. As you walk into your unfamiliar orderly room a buddy looks up and asks "How was the trip?" "Usual," you say. "Not much going on."

   LZ ENGLISH (RVN)- "We never hesitate to help anyone in trouble--it keeps us from getting discouraged about the dangers of our job."
   Sp4's Raymond Steele, Dumas Texas, and Phillip Parker, Louisville Ky, are Crew Chiefs for Lucky Star, 1st Flight Platoon (Assault Helicopters) who perform one of the most difficult and important tasks of any Aviators in Vietnam. "Our primary responsibility," said Steele, "is to protect our ship and crew. We do this by knowing every aspect of the mission and function of the ship."
   A Crew Chief, according to Parker, watches for everything when the ship is on a mission to include instrumentation, blades, tail rotor, skids and movement on the ground. Anything that requires maintenance on the helicopter, a Crew Chief can do, including changing a transmission, engine, tail rotor, or main mask.
   "Before a mission, we preflight our ship," said Steele. "Every inch of the ship is checked over to make sure it will perform under all conditions." When the chopper is in the air, the Crew Chief is observing the entire situation. "You relay everything you observe to the Pilot," said Parker. "Your eyes, are constantly peeled to the instruments and movement on the ground."
   A Crew Chief's training begins at Ft Rucker, Ala, where he takes a six-week course in maintenance. From there it's to Door Gunner school where he learns to hit a moving target on the ground. "You've got to be able to judge everything just right," said Steele. "You learn not to aim, but to point by judging speed, height and movement of the object."
   How do you get to be a Crew Chief? After you've been a Door Gunner for awhile and learn everything about the ship there is to know, you ask for the assignment. If you're good enough you might get it.

3/3/2001

Many Thanks to CWO James Bradley, E/17th Cav '70-'72 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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Address all communications to: Editor, FIRE BASE 173, 173d Airborne Brigade, APO 96250.