As they moved out to reinforce their fellow Screaming Eagles, they made contact with the enemy. In the rush to pull back, no one sees that he is hit. The group then remained in the Da Nang area until departing Vietnam. All were and still are true leaders of men. He did two tours in Vietnam and retired as a sergeant major. Called the "valley of death" by troops fighting there, the fighting was some of toughest of the war at the time. When we spoke to the Soldiers at Fort Campbell, they basically rolled out the red carpet for us and told us how honored they were to continue the tradition. As soon as the Recon team is clear of the hill, Sahrle and several others open fire on the enemy force with their M16s. When asked about the photo and why it became internationally famous, each Soldier cites the fact of how it showed the day-to-day lives of Soldiers in conflict. That wont happen until the enemy contact has ended. Let us never forget their shedding of blood, sweat and tears. 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. Copyright 2021 DrRichSwier.com LLC. The decisive moment a favorable turn in a battles outcome occurs is often not recognized by those in the throes of fighting. . At least they remembered to twist the dials to make sure the enemy couldnt detect the radio frequencies being used. Click here for a map of the A Shau Valley showing major battle areas. Losses negatively affected the American public's perception of the war. ALL AMERICANS - Variant Patch - US 82nd . "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." 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) Screaming Eagles 101st Airborne Division Association ScreamingEagles A Company, 101st COMANCHEROS! Photograph by Carl Gernazio. 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." I attended Fort Benning for basic training, Fort Gordon for airborne training. (UPI photo). Hue: March 1968: Carentan II (Lam Son 216)* Hue: Apr-May 1968: Deleware* A Shau Valley: Apr-May 1968: Nevada Eagle (Lam Son 224 . Pfc. On 13 April a detachment of ten UH-34D helicopters from HMM-162 was established at Phu Bai. He decided he wanted to be a paratrooper. It was initially attached to the 101st Airborne and operated in the Hue/Phu Bai area of I Corps Tactical Zone. A fire started by minigun tracers breaks out on the berm. See Phu Loc photos and images from satellite below, explore the aerial . He points to a prostrate soldier and tells him to plug it into his arm. The Battle for Hue lasted from January 31st to February 26th. At 07:15 a.m., the mornings humid temperature is rising. The United States conducted 17 campaigns in the Republic of Vietnam. In late 1969, the 101st Administration Company (101st Airborne Division) was moved from Bien Hoa Army Base to Phu Bai. Ghost Riders B Co.158th Avn. Camp Eagle (also known as LZ El Paso and LZ Tombstone) is a former US Army base south-east of Hu in central Vietnam. . In the boat were a Vietnamese man and his very pregnant wife who was in labor. the primary military port in the old Vietnamese city of Hue As he and a detail of men drove a vehicle convoy through the . The approved LZ is small and cramped. Smoke and dust clouds along the berm are blown by the rotors and the wind. Run for it! Capt. This post contains affiliate links. This article was published in the February 2022 issue of Vietnam magazine. The A Shau Valley was one of the strategic focal points of the war in Vietnam. . Of course, no one knows it. III Corps Fighting. Patrick McGuire, the company commander, has his forward observer call for artillery in the area from where they suspect the mortars were fired. Republishing of columns on this website requires the permission of both the author and editor. 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. They quickly overrun Thurston and Winklers position and are closing in on Recons position. On the day "Help From Above" was taken, Company A was tasked to assist Company C of the 2-327. In it, the horrors - and futility - of the Vietnam War came brutally to life through the eyes of 14 American soldiers of 101st Airborne Division as they attempt to capture a heavily fortified Hill 937 under the PAVN control. ZA 195-350 C/7/15th 30 Nov. 68 OPCON 2/8th INF. They are still not wanting to disclose their position in the trees as they close in for the attack. The early reporting of a smashing communist victory went largely uncorrected in the media and led to a psychological victory for the communists. Jay Cope was also identified as the figure standing looking up with maps on his fatigues. Lets go! The Recon soldiers drop their rucks and sprint as hard as they can go the 100 meters (109 yards) to Deltas perimeter. The DrRichSwier.com is a not-for-profit news forum for intelligent Conservative commentary. They are a hundred or so meters from Delta Companys defensive position and safety. Thua Thien Province Base Camps/Firebases. The DrRichSwier.com is a not-for-profit news forum for intelligent Conservative commentary. The constant flow of adrenaline, lack of food, sleep and daily, at times hand-to-hand, combat took its toll on all the men of 2/501st. In 1964 an Ohio woman took up the challenge that had led to Amelia Earharts disappearance. Another unique feature of the division was its aviation group, which consisted of three aviation battalions of assault helicopters and gunships. Camp Evans, base of the 101st Airborne Division's First Brigade, 14 miles northwest of Hue, was struck by 10 mortar rounds. Capt. November 28, 2014. $48.00. Forty years after the end of the Vietnam War, a collection of 58 photographs taken by the AP is being exhibited for the first time. Wharton directs the Cav team to make several runs along the berm with miniguns from east to west. SUMMARY: 4,000 soldiers from the 1st Brigade of the 101st Airborne Division touched down at Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam on July 29, 1965. . The attack is to begin tomorrow, June 10. The most comprehensive and authoritative history site on the Internet. . EDITORS NOTE: The featured photo is of (Left to Right) 1LT Cleo Hogan, Commander A Company, 2/501 Infantry, 1LT Grimsley, Platoon Leader and 1LT Rich Swier, Forward Observer, in the A-Shau valley (the valley of death) during Tet of 1968. https://drrichswier.com/wp-content/uploads/20140204131608_00002-e1484070258938.jpg, http://drrich.wpengine.com/wp-content/uploads/logo_264x69.png, The Tet 68 Battle for Hue: The Road to Hell and Beyond. It spreads quickly, fanned by the rotor wash and wind and soon engulfs the length of the berm. Likely, the enemy mortar crews have already moved. I vividly recall that on the morning of February 26th a small boat pulled up to the A Company CP, located in a three story building along the Perfume River. Delta Company Commander LT Cleo Hogan recalls, During the night of 24 February, more than 500 rounds of 105MM, 155MM and 8-inch artillery were fired into the vicinity of YD728206 [near Hue]. For reference purposes the book Where We Were by Michael P. Kelly, Hellgate Press, 2002, provided much of the information. As Recon makes their way back, they are firing and moving. On 1 February 1972 in a ceremony attended by Brigadier General John G. Hill Jr., Assistant Division Commander, 101st Airborne Division and Major General Phm Vn Ph, Commanding General . Phu Bai Combat Base (also known as Phu Bai Airfield and Camp Hochmuth) is a former U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps base south of Hu in central Vietnam. Nothing in the last six days gives any hint that a breakthrough is about to occur. The Virginian-born Boyd read more. Just as they begin to withdraw, no more than 50 meters away they spot a large enemy force of undetermined size moving east among the trees. First and Finest . Sign up now to learn about This Day in History straight from your inbox. The base is abandoned and turned over to farmland, light industry and housing. The Recon element moves out of Deltas perimeter to see if a long ridgeline running southeast off Hill 376 may be a suitable LZ. In late 1969, the 101st Administration Company (101st Airborne Division) was moved from Bien Hoa Army Base to Phu Bai. Light casualties were reported by the command. "I graduated from high school in 1964 and went to work with my father," said Sewell. He was a great soldier, fondly remembered by all who knew him. In June or July 1968, U.S. Special Forces established Forward Operating Base 1 (FOB 1) at Phu Bai. The subject of the photograph, Sgt. We lined up by company and marched out of the city to our next mission. In April 1968, Associated Press photographer Art Greenspon took a photograph widely considered to be one of the most telling photos of the Vietnam War that is now titled "Help From Above." 2LT Rich Swier, Tet 1968 Battle for Hue, South Vietnam. They are heavily camouflaged with vegetation stuck in their helmets, web gear and packs, and practically invisible until they move. The weather was rainy and the temperature dropped as low 48 degrees. While we tried to maneuver our way back to Vietnam, through the valley we were constantly taking fire. Twenty minutes later the soldier comes around. Each of the former Soldiers is proud of their service and continue to be active with the 101st and the veterans' community. In the opinion of most Vietnam combat veterans, the movie was the most realistic depiction of deadly combat. Winkler stops and quickly decides to stay with Thurston. The enemy attack from the berm seems to have been a diversionary attack, a planned distraction to allow the larger enemy force to make a surprise attack from a different direction. Soldier from the 101st airborne division at Paneug Air base. It was the third unit to be shipped to the new war zone and was comprised of the 1st and 2nd Battalions, 327th Infantry and the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry. "When boots are needed to be put on the ground, the 101 is always called. On 30/31 January 1968, the base was hit by Vietcong mortar and rocket fire as part of the TET Offensive. Delta Companys enemy contact prevented their move south to the proposed pickup point. Brown, who has the photo hanging in his house, along with the Screaming Eagle flag, explained why it was so memorable in his eyes. On 30 August 1967 a People's Army of Vietnam mortar attack on the base damaged 13 helicopters, killing two Seebees and wounding 32 Marines and Seebees.[3]. Once within the perimeter, Doc treats Clouatre with Strands help. The Fall of the A Shau Special Forces Camp (March 1966), Operation Dewey Canyon (Base Area 611, February-March 1969), Click here for a detailed map of Base Area 611 (1:50,000), 101st Airborne Div. Delta had been fighting for control of the hill since June 3. Huge collection, amazing choice, 100+ million high quality, affordable RF and RM images. Doc enlists Stoner to help treat those who are in the worst condition. In October, 1968 the brigade was redeployed around Saigon so that the 3rd Brigade 101st Airborne could rejoin its parent division up north. . In case a Recon soldier is wounded, they can easily go forward to treat the soldier. Multiple helicopters can be seen on and around the launch pad area. 472.3.1 Records of the Office of the Secretary of the Joint Staff. misinterpreted the 1968 Tet Offensive as being an overwhelming success for the Communist forces and a decided defeat for Whatever it takes. 101st Airborne DIVISION The introduction of the 101st Airborne Division, 1st BDE Long Ranger Reconnaissance Platoon 1966-67 into Vietnam: The platoon's mission is that of penetrating enemy territory for route, point, and area surveillance. The Central Highlands area in South Vietnam, consisting of 12 provinces, and the largest of the four corps in size. The buildup of formal U.S. military units had begun on 8 March 1965, when two battalions of Marines landed at Da Nang. ft. 472.3 RECORDS OF HEADQUARTERS OF THE U.S. MILITARY ASSISTANCE COMMAND VIETNAM (MACV) 1958-73 2,270 lin. The needle is in. "Two of us got to go airborne. I vividly remember being in a makeshift bunker on a knoll when all hell broke loose on this very day forty-six years ago on January 30, 1968. I got up and started moving up the hill towards the command post. I remember Art Greenspon was on one knee crouching and I had a strange feeling that something was behind us looking. Smells of cordite, splintered and torn vegetation, and newly overturned earth permeate the air. Once bandaged, Strand is surprised when Doc tells him he will also go out on the next medevac. 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