Published in R&R on the Beaches of South Vietnam. The base was originally established by the 1st Cavalry Division in January 1968, 7 km southeast of Hu and 9 km west of Phu Bai Combat Base. The enemy continues to fire sporadically. Phu Bai, South Vietnam, 1971. Forty-five years ago the 101st Airborne Division went into South Vietnam's A Shau Valley as part of Operation Apache Snow. It is an ominous, unwelcome sound. Camp Eagle was used to support the 101st Airborne's major operations in the A Shau Valley - Operation Apache Snow in 1969 and Operation Texas Star in 1970. I readied my M16 and NVA regulars began to emerge.". Nothing could be further from the truth. Hue was bisected by the Perfume River (Hng, in Vietnamese), which flowed from southwest to northeast out to the South China Sea.On the immediate northwest riverbank of the river was Old Hue, which consisted of the three-square-mile, high-walled, diamond-shaped "Citadel . The combat elements of the division consisted of 10 battalions of airmobile infantry, six battalions of artillery, an aerial rocket artillery unit armed with rocket-firing helicopters, and an air reconnaissance unit. In late 1965, The 3rd Marine Division established its headquarters at Phu Bai and would remain there until late 1967, when it was moved forward to ng H. 472.3.1 Records of the Office of the Secretary of the Joint Staff. Rada is sitting down for a short break. The Hueys can approach the LZ from the south and fly out on the same route. ", "My first duty station was Fort Bragg before Fort Campbell," said Wintenburg. After a short time at Fort Bragg, I was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell. The enemys location, numbers and direction of movement indicate they are likely massed for an attack on Delta Companys position. No need to register, buy now! Robert Clouatre, Spc. The operational unit was later re-designated as the 8th Radio . The decision was made to move the 101st Airborne Division to the Hue area. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. On January 31,1968, the North Vietnamese Army launches the surprise Tet Offensive, simultaneously attacking dozens of South Vietnamese cities. My written response to her was 'don't you even recognize your son?'". destruction of the Viet Cong elements in South Vietnam. From Arrival to Ripcord: The 101st Airborne in Vietnam, July 1965 to July 1970. Explore more . HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate. The LZ has two advantages. Probably taken at Camp Evans , 1970 . Elements of the 101st Airborne made clearing sweeps in the mountains and valleys along the route. U.S. spokesmen reported that leathernecks hauled down the North Vietnamese flag after seven days of fighting and recaptured the city. of the 101st Airborne Division . Hamburger Hill was the scene of an intense and controversial battle during the Vietnam War. This road trip began on January 31, 1968 and ended four weeks later at the Western wall of the ancient City of Hue, in the former South Vietnam. The 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne was based at Camp Eagle from December 1969 until December 1971,[2]:156 when the following units were detached and remained at the base: The 3rd Brigade, 101st Airborne was based at Camp Eagle from September 1970-February 1971 and finally from MayDecember 1971. We were not able to land until we got to the other side of the valley on an abandoned firebase (Fire Base Rendezvous?). He has not made it to the tree line with the others. Stoner looks at the bag, the soldier and then back to Doc. The U.S. Army unit with responsibility for that area, the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal), was unable to stem the enemy advance. Click here for a map of the A Shau Valley showing major battle areas. "Being in the Army helped give me an excellent work ethic," said Wintenburg. Located in western Thua Thien province, the narrow 25-mile long valley was an arm of the Ho Chi Minh Trail funneling troops and supplies toward Hu and Danang. For reference purposes the book Where We Were by Michael P. Kelly, Hellgate Press, 2002, provided much of the information. "The photo signifies what warfare is all about." Rain fell in a soft drizzle as a C-130 aircraft settled to the airstrip at Hue-Phu Bai, and the Screaming Eagle band struck up "Rendevous with Destiny." misinterpreted the 1968 Tet Offensive as being an overwhelming success for the Communist forces and a decided defeat for Among its major operations was the brutal fight for Ap Bia Mountain, known as the Hamburger Hill battle. $21.99. SOUTH VIETNAM FORCES: 22nd . Wharton uses the berm to direct their fires. In 1964 an Ohio woman took up the challenge that had led to Amelia Earharts disappearance. The air reverberates with ear-splitting sounds. The war was at its height with the constant contact between U.S., NVA, and VC forces. What mattered was that it was life and death, and what mattered was keeping each other alive. As a young "butter bar" forward observer attached to A Company, 2nd Battalion, 501st Infantry, 101st Airborne Division it was the beginning of my travels on the road to hell and beyond. Hill 618, 17 Km due S of Hue, prominent terrain feature in 1st/502d Inf AO; OP for 101st & scene of 1st/508th Inf, 3d Bde, 82d Abn (opcon 101st Div) Battle of Nui Ke 68 . $60.00 + $3.99 shipping. ZULU - GRIM REAPER - 101st Airborne - HUE, PHU BAI - VIETNAM WAR PATCH 230. Attempts by Hue Approach Control to reestablish contact were unsuccessful. Last Days in Vietnam paints a startling portrait of defeat snatched from the jaws of victory by Congress, Film a death blow to vicious lies about the Vietnam War -- 'Believe it or not, we were the good guys' - Dr. Rich Swier. Soon after first light, Roy adds several Delta Company soldiers to the attached Reconnaissance Platoon (now no bigger than a reinforced squad). They are a hundred or so meters from Delta Companys defensive position and safety. Aerial views of the U.S. 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division base camp in Phu Bai, Vietnam. Camp Eagle (also known as LZ El Paso and LZ Tombstone) is a former US Army base south-east of Hu in central Vietnam. Pfc. The Vietnamese Airborne Division (Binh chng Nhy d Vit Nam Cng ha) was one of the earliest components of the Republic of Vietnam Military Forces (Vietnamese: Qun lc Vit Nam Cng ha - QLVNCH). On June 8, it seemed that little progress had been made. "Considering that I came from a very small town in Maryland, I feel my career was very successful and I am proud to have served our country." In 1968, HQ of 101st Airborne Division and in Apr 70, home to B-2/501st, 45 miles North of Danang. I attended Fort Benning for basic training, Fort Gordon for airborne training. Rattan used the paratroopers to protect his brigade headquarters, freeinghis cavalry units to commence search-and-destroy missions. They are also now without their equipment and radio. Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; YouTube Let us never forget their shedding of blood, sweat and tears. I love the division and am extremely proud of my service during the war. B Med: B Company 326th Medical BN supported the 1st Brigade 101st Airborne Div. "That's who we were carrying when the photo was taken, and I had lost my helmet on the way to the landing zone due to all the action going on. After the war he went into trucking before he passed away.". Fifteen rounds are still a deadly barrage. 1.5 Marines advance with tank support in Hue Citadel.jpg 1,203 739; 55 KB. "During the Christmas holidays, 1965, I received a letter from Uncle Sam stating 'you have been selected to serve your Country' and entered the Army in January 1966. No friendly casualties occur. The burning berm is between Recon and Delta Company. ByFebruary 10, the offensive was largely crushed, but with heavy casualties on both sides. In June, Marine and army units began offensive unit operations"search and destroy" missions. That is what good soldiers do. [10], The 45th Engineer Group moved north to the Phu Bai area in February 1968, where it assumed general construction support missions for the I Corps Tactical Zone. All rights reserved. https://drrichswier.com/wp-content/uploads/101vietnam1969-e1622627268764.jpg, http://drrich.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/logo_264x69.png, In 1968, the Tet Offensive began in South Vietnam. In mountainous, forested terrain the lethal blast area is reduced. The two actors reportedly met on a blind date in 1998 and quickly became favorites of the tabloid read more, A fire on a United States Navy carrier stationed off the coast of Vietnam kills 134 service members on July 29, 1967. Reaching a position in the tree line near the eastern end of the berm, they can go no farther. On 28 July, Johnson announced that 50,000 U.S. troops would go to South Vietnam immediately. Gary Tepner, 3rd Platoons former platoon sergeant. It brought a tear to my eye when I saw that. Pfc. . Marine units based at Phu Bai during this period included: On 30/31 January 1968, the base was hit by Vietcong mortar and rocket fire as part of the Tet Offensive. Among other honors, the image inspired the poster for the Vietnam War Movie 'Platoon' and graces the covers books and front pages of newspapers. They collapse inside the perimeter. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. Constituted on 15 November 1962 in the Regular Army, it became an element of the 101st . Find the perfect d day battle image. ", As the battle raged, the men of Company A moved to a hasty LZ they set up in the jungle after the Soldiers hacked the foliage down so that a basket could be dropped from the air for the casualties. Yet another Communist atrocity in South Vietnam that the American press refused to report on was this massacre. It's either kill or be killed. Colonel Bui Tin Describes 3 Phases of TET. The Battle of Hue was one of the bloodiest and longest battles of the Vietnam War. The following narrative is courtesy of Special Forces Gear: At dawn on the first day of the TET holiday truce, Viet Cong forcessupported by large numbers of North Vietnamese troopslaunch the largest and best coordinated offensive of the war, driving into the center of South Vietnams seven largest cities and attacking 30 provincial capitals from the Delta to the DMZ. 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