On the ground lays Spc. 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, 1st Division, Camp Eagle was turned over to the ARVN. The buildup of formal U.S. military units had begun on 8 March 1965, when two battalions of Marines landed at Da Nang. It's either kill or be killed. Twenty minutes later the soldier comes around. 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. He will survive, but will require hundreds of stitches and several operations. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it. For reference purposes the book Where We Were by Michael P. Kelly, Hellgate Press, 2002, provided much of the information. His striking pose, along with those of the Soldiers around him, was soon internationally famous. HistoryNet.com contains daily features, photo galleries and over 25,000 articles originally published in our nine magazines. After the partition of Vietnam, it became a part of . Roy gives them the OK. As the Air Cav helicopter team completes its attack, Sahrle and a small group of his soldiers higher up on the hill within Delta Companys perimeter can see the Recon Team. But now, 50 years later, they relish opportunities to reunite with fellow 101st Airborne . What mattered was that it was life and death, and what mattered was keeping each other alive. Handset in each hand. Militarily, Tet was decidedly an Allied victory, but psychologically and politically, it was a disaster. This time it is for real. The A Shau Valley was one of the strategic focal points of the war in Vietnam. As each of Charlies lifts arrive, Delta will load up the empty helicopters with their own men for extraction. Once they begin moving again, the Recon team is in danger of being overrun. "A Soldier's life in the field is rough. Lyle Stoner is with 3rd Platoon in Delta Companys perimeter. 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. The Recon element is still out. Facebook; Twitter; Instagram; YouTube The 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) is the only air assault division of the United States Army. 101st Airborne Patch: Screaming Chicken Eagle: Death From Above Patch: 44: Tet 69 Counteroffensive Collage: Agent Orange Poster: 101st Airborne souvenir from Hue: Captured VC flag from Hue: 45: 101st Airborne Patch: Vietnam-If you haven't been there, then shut your mouth Patch: 46: 101st Winged Warriors Patch: 1968 TET Offensive Survivor Patch: 47 III Corps Fighting. The former Imperial capital of Hue took almost a month of savage house-to-house combat to regain. In the meantime, Littletons security team is told to return, and they make it back without incident. The top of the rock is a perfect place for locating the large international orange panel that marks their position for friendly aircraft. The base was used to support U.S. and ARVN forces fighting in the Battle of Hue. The 1st Brigade (Separate) of the 101st Airborne Division landed at Cam Ranh Bay, South Vietnam on July 29, 1965. Thua Thien Pr, I Corps. They are unable to see directly down to the wounded soldiers on the LZ or take them under fire as they make their way back to Deltas defensive position. Republishing of columns on this website requires the permission of both the author and editor. This place is situated in Phu Loc, Thua Thien-Hue, Vietnam, its geographical coordinates are 16 16' 0" North, 107 53' 0" East and its original name (with diacritics) is Ph Lc. 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. from Laos and enemy threats to the cities of Hue and Da Nang. 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. At the same time, enemy forces shelled numerous Allied airfields and bases. God please let me survive! is the common thought. The Soldiers in A Co. didn't know about it until a while after it made the news. [2]:159. During the Vietnam War, the USS Forrestal was often stationed off the coast read more, The so-called Son of Sam pulls a gun from a paper bag and fires five shots at Donna Lauria and Jody Valenti of the Bronx while they are sitting in a car, talking. 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 . 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. To a large extent, the success or failure of the offen- . William Bushard, Sgt. Tents at the camp. As usual, the fires are danger close to Delta Company and the Recon Team. They made a demonstration jump immediately after arriving, observed by Gen. William Westmoreland and outgoing Ambassador (formerly General) Maxwell Taylor. It may be more than expected. ", 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. 1.5 Marines advance with tank support in Hue Citadel.jpg 1,203 739; 55 KB. All rights reserved. Operations in A Shau Valley 1 May - 31 July 1969, Operation Apache Snow (Hamburger Hill, May 1969), Operation Apache Snow After-Action Welcome to the Phu Loc google satellite map! The Vietnamese Airborne Division began as companies organized in 1948, prior to any agreement over armed forces in Vietnam. Tim Witenburg, glances back toward the camera as he carries a wounded comrade. Johnson, frustrated with his inability to reach a solution in Vietnam, announced on March 31, 1968, that he would neither seek nor accept the nomination of his party forre-election. 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. On 14 April Battalion Landing Team 3rd Battalion, 4th Marines replaced Task Force Alpha at Phu Bai. Elements of the 101st Airborne made clearing sweeps in the mountains and valleys along the route. I attended Fort Benning for basic training, Fort Gordon for airborne training. The battles for the two northernmost provincial capitals in South Vietnam, Quang Tri City and Hue, are particularly worth examining because the enemy regarded them as key objectives, second only to Saigon, the national capital . Early morning events are a bad start for the day. 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. Photograph by Carl Gernazio. It was the year of the battle of Firebase Ripcord. Among them is the ancient city of Hue. "He was a lead-by-example type of guy, always up front leading the way and making sure we were doing the right thing. ZA 182-527 Pleiku Ammo Supply Point, Plei Mrong Rd. The 101st Airborne Division participated in the Division Operations beginning in 1967 when the 506th was deployed to the Republic of Vietnam. The burning berm is between Recon and Delta Company. 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. General Westmoreland echoed that appraisal four days later in a statement declaring that Allied forces had killed more enemy troops in the previous seven days than theUnited Stateshad lost in the entire war. Robert Clouatre, Spc. On 10 April 1965 Task Force Alpha of 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines was landed by helicopter from Da Nang Air Base to secure the area. Hue: March 1968: Carentan II (Lam Son 216)* Hue: Apr-May 1968: Deleware* A Shau Valley: Apr-May 1968: Nevada Eagle (Lam Son 224 . The bursting shell kills three soldiers: Sgt. "The photo signifies what warfare is all about." All three Soldiers ended up assigned to Company A, 2-327, a battalion in the 1st Brigade [Separate] of the 101st Airborne Division. While we tried to maneuver our way back to Vietnam, through the valley we were constantly taking fire. From their vantage point, both Roy and Wharton can observe the enemy position on the berm about 50 meters (55 yards) away. In 1968, HQ of 101st Airborne Division and in Apr 70, home to B-2/501st, 45 miles North of Danang. At the end of April 1968 the 2nd Brigade Task Force (three infantry battalions, one cavalry squadron, artillery, and other units) of the 101st Airborne Division was operating north of Hue. Brown himself narrowly escaped being shot in the battle, but suffered an injury to his back which caused him to be grimacing in pain when "Help From Above" was taken.. "As I was reloading," said Brown. Constituted on 15 November 1962 in the Regular Army, it became an element of the 101st . Rosson exercised operational control over the 3rd Marine Division (Reinforced), the 1st Cavalry Division, the 101st Airborne Division (Reinforced) and assigned Corps troops. As I turned to glance back, he took the photo.". It spreads quickly, fanned by the rotor wash and wind and soon engulfs the length of the berm. The LZ has two advantages. [2]:156, The base was named "Camp Eagle" when the 101st Airborne Division moved their headquarters here in March 1969.[1]. The attack is to begin tomorrow, June 10. 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 U.S. Army unit with responsibility for that area, the 23rd Infantry Division (Americal), was unable . Run for it! From Sahrles position, their easterly movement is from left to right in an attempt to flank Delta Companys position on the north before beginning their attack. 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. "I graduated from high school in 1964 and went to work with my father," said Sewell. Maj. Watson Baldwin, who was a staff sergeant at the time and Sewell's platoon sergeant,, stands with his arms outstretched in the air signaling the incoming aircraft. (from 101 airborne 1968 VIETNAM yearbook) The Wandering Warriors of the 101st Airborne Division's 3rd Brigade finally returned home to stay on October 2, 1968. The saline solution begins to flow. All rights reserved. Provisional Corps, Vietnam, was designated XXIV Corps on 12 August 1968. We have a great online selection at the lowest prices with Fast & Free shipping on many items! [8]:9, On 15 February 1968, General Creighton Abrams established MACV forward at Phu Bai to assume direct control of US forces in northern I Corps, which were then engaged in the Battle of Hu, the Battle of Khe Sanh, and the Tet Counteroffensive. [11], In 1969, the 85th Evacuation Hospital moved from Qui Nhn and was established at the northwest end of the airfield, adjacent to Highway 1.[1]. 159th Assault Helicopter Battalion. The Army gave me the opportunity to explore and serve with the greatest Soldiers in the world, and that's why I wanted to continue serving and helping them after I retired.". [1][2], From FebruaryAugust 1968, the 3rd Brigade, 82nd Airborne Division (FebruaryAugust 1968) comprising. It is 70 meters (77 yards) long and 8-10 feet high. Stay down! The early reporting of a smashing communist victory went largely uncorrected in the media and led to a psychological victory for the communists. Movies, television or video games arent even close. I remember Art Greenspon was on one knee crouching and I had a strange feeling that something was behind us looking. $21.99. In the summer of 2017, I was a U.S. Army lieutenant in the 101st Airborne Division at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. These men earned his respect and the respect of the nation. A Florida Cooperation. The image was soon on the front page of papers worldwide -- an unfiltered image of the conflict. 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. The base was used to support U.S. and ARVN forces fighting in the Battle of Hu. Tim Witenburg was a Los Angeles, California native who joined the Army partly to stay out of trouble. Unknown location. Behind the team, they catch sight of enemy soldiers moving in the trees and closing in on Recon. The Crouching Beast by Frank Boccia. This post contains affiliate links. . Ken Hornbeck, a Delta soldier serving as the Recon RTO, calls in and yells they are surrounded by a horde of enemy soldiers. This is likely part of the enemys general offensive that has been expected. The last Army division to leave Vietnam, the remaining elements of the 101st Airborne Division returned to Fort Campbell, Kentucky, where today it is the Armys only airmobile division. 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. OnFebruary 2, President Johnson announced that the Viet Cong had suffered complete military defeat. The heavy U.S. and South Vietnamese casualties incurred during the offensive, coupled with the disillusionment over the earlier overly optimistic reports of progress in the war, accelerated the growing disenchantment with President Johnsons conduct of the war. He chuckled and told me we were all going anyway, so don't worry about it.". Carries a wounded comrade will survive, 101st airborne hue vietnam will require hundreds of stitches and several operations in. Other alive start for the day Infantry Division ( Americal ), unable... 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