Days of Valor
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CHAPTER 6: THE GATHERING STORM
General background information on the VC/NVA preparations for the Tet Offensive was found in Don Oberdorfer’s book, Tet.
Official documents used in preparing this chapter included the II Field Force Combat After Action Report-Tet Offensive, 31 January-18 February 1968, the199TH Infantry Brigade Combat After Action Report for Operations MANCHESTER, UNIONTOWN/STRIKE AND UNIONTOWN I covering the period 1 December 1967-2February 1968, and the 199th Infantry Brigade After Action Report, Long Binh/Saigon, TET CAMPAIGN, 12 January-19 February 1968.
The author was also provided critical information on intelligence gathering during this period by Dave Parks and Major Retired Ken Welch.
CHAPTER 7: A BATTLE JOINED
CHAPTER 8: FIGHTING ON ALL SIDES
All sources for Chapter Six are also applicable to this chapter.
Keith Nolan’s book, The Battle for Saigon-Tet 1968, was also a valuable source of information in writing this chapter. Shelby Stanton’s book, The Rise and Fall of an American Army—U.S. Ground Forces in Vietnam, 1965–1973, provides a summary of the fighting in the Long Binh/Bien Hoa and Saigon areas (pages 215–229), but lacks the detail and first person accounts found in Nolan’s book.
Additional documents used in writing this chapter include the following:
4/12 Infantry Combat After Action Report (OPERATION UNIONTOWN) 14 January-17 February 1968.
Daily Staff Journals of the 199th Infantry Brigade, 30 January through 2 February 1968.
Daily Staff Journals of the 4/12 Infantry, 30 January through 2 February 1968.
Daily Staff Journals of the 2/47 Infantry 31 January through 2 February 1968.
199th Infantry Brigade Operational Report-Lessons Learned for the quarterly period ending 30 April 1968.
3d Ordnance Battalion Operational Reports-Lessons Learned for the quarterly periods ending 31 January and 30 April 1968.
Valorous Unit Award, 199th Infantry Brigade.
The following periodicals were also sources of information for this chapter:
The Hurricane: A Publication of II Field Force Vietnam, April 1968 issue.
Octofoil, 9th Infantry Division in Vietnam, article by Arnauld Fleming, “Widows Village: VC Graveyard,” Vol. 1, No. 2.
Redcatcher, 199th Light Infantry Brigade, article by Michael Swearingen, “Redcatchers Smashed Enemy’s Tet Attacks,” December 15, 1968.
Vietnam magazine, article by LTC (Ret), “The Tet battles of Bien Hoa and Long Binh,” February 2006.
Individual recollections and descriptions of the combat actions described in this chapter were provided by the following individuals: Colonel Retired William Mastoris, Lieutenant Colonel Retired Jim Dabney, Major Ken Welch Retired, First Sergeant Retired George Holmes, Larry Abel, Robert Archibald, Nick Schneider, Jim Choquette, Cliff Kaylor, Mike Raugh, and Gary Coufal.
CHAPTER 9: ASSAULT ON SAIGON
CHAPTER 10: A DAY AT THE RACES
General background on the fighting in Saigon and Cholon was found in Don Oberdorfer’s book, Tet. Keith Nolan’s book, The Battle for Saigon—Tet 1968, was also a useful reference particularly in regard to the enemy attack on Tan Son Nhut and the firefight at the U.S. Embassy, and other key targets in Saigon. Nolan’s book also documents the initial response to these attacks by the 716th MP Battalion, as well as the deployment of the 3/7 Infantry to Cholon, and the establishment of Task Force Ware.
John C. McManus’ article, “Battleground Saigon”, in the periodical Vietnam, February 2004, was also a useful reference. Major R.E. Funderburk’s article, “Delta Unit Fought in Saigon” in the 9th Infantry Division’s publication, The Old Reliable, February 1968, was also used as a reference in describing the role of the 5/60 Infantry in the battle to secure Cholon.
Official US Army documents used as references for these chapters included:
Combat After Action Report—TET OFFENSIVE, Headquarters, II Field Force Vietnam, 31 January–18 February 1968.
After Action Report, Long Binh/Saigon, TET CAMPAIGN, 199th Infantry Brigade (Separate) (Light), 12 January–19 February 1968.
Daily Staff Journals of the 3d Battalion, 7 th Infantry, 31 January-4 February 1968.
Task Force Ware Combat After Action Report, 31 January–18 February 1968.
Task Force Ware Briefing Notes, Battle of Tan Son Nhut (VC Tet Offensive).
Lieutenant Colonel MacGill, US Army Retired, provided the author with an eyewitness account of the 3/7 Infantry’s attack to recapture the Phu Tho Racetrack and secure Cholon. MacGill was the S3 Operations officer of the 3/7 Infantry and as such directed and controlled and directed the deployment of the battalion’s ground units during the fighting including the reinforcements from the 5-60th Infantry. Doug McCabe provided a detailed account of the fighting from the perspective of a frontline infantryman.
Colonel William Schroeder, US Army, Retired, provided a detailed account of the establishment and deployment of Task Force Ware. As G3 of the Task Force, Schroeder was a key player in controlling the deployment of US combat units into Saigon/Cholon and assignment of missions to US forces.
CHAPTER 11: NIGHT OF FIRE:
US Army documents pertaining to the 4/12 Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade listed in Chapter 7 are applicable to this chapter.
The author’s own recollections and notes on this phase of the Tet fighting near Long Binh was the basis for this chapter. Several members of C Company 4/12 Infantry shared their own memories including First Sergeant George Holmes, Robert Archibald, Cliff Kaylor, and Gary Coufal.
CHAPTER 12: COTTONBALER HOT LZ
The 3/7 Infantry Daily Staff Journal for 4–5 February 1968, provided the framework for this chapter in regard to the sequence of events and time frames for the airmobile assault and subsequent ground actions. Award citations for heroism were useful in documenting individual actions in the air and on the ground.
Lieutenant Colonel Jim MacGill, US Army Retired, was the planner for the airmobile assault, and was overhead controlling the assault from the battalion C&C ship.
His recollections and perspectives on the airmobile assault were essential in the preparation of this chapter. Bill Trotter, one of two platoon leaders, on the initial assault provided a detailed account of the assault and subsequent defense of the landing zone. Ron Whelan’s memorable account of airmobile assault was essential to the chapter. Whelan was a Sergeant in the first platoon to land on the hot LZ.
CHAPTER 13: TO SNARE A GENERAL
US Army Documents cited as references in Chapters 8–10 are also applicable to this chapter.
Colonel William Schroeder who was G3 for Task Force Ware provided the author an account of how this operation was conceived and assigned to the 3/7 Infantry, rather than to ARVN forces. Lieutenant Colonel MacGill’s input was vital since he controlled the execution phase of the operation initially from the air and later on the ground during the mop-up phase. Retired Lieutenant Colonel Trotter, who was a platoon leader in Bravo Company, observations on the operation and his newly assigned company commander was also helpful. Chester Porter, Brad Huffman, Ron Whelan, and Bill Plains all provided unique descriptions of the fighting through the eyes of the combat infantryman.
CHAPTER 14: APRIL 1968—A CRUEL MONTH
Annex B (Intelligence) and Annex C (Operations) to the 199th Infantry Brigade Operational Report-Lessons Learned for the period ending 30 April 1968, provided the best official summary for the operations described in this chapter. Daily Staff Journals for the 3/7 Infantry and 4/12 Infantry provided specific details on unit locations, engagements, and time frames. Individual award citations were used to describe individual acts of heroism.
As S3 for the 3/7 Infantry, retired Lieutenant Colonel MacGill provided the best input on the fighting from the battalion level. He was also able to provide valuable information on the personalities of his newly assigned battalion commander, Lieutenant Colonel Ken Hall, as well as the company commanders of the 3/7. Frank Auer, Doug McCabe, Ron
Whelan, Glen Pagano, Bill Plains, and Bob Himrod all provided vivid eye witness descriptions of the close combat on the ground. There are no apparent contradictions in their descriptions of the battles described in this chapter.
CHAPTER 15: THE MAY OFFENSIVE
Ronald Spector’s book, After Tet: The Bloodiest Year in Vietnam, was used as a general reference in writing this chapter. Chapters 7 and 8 of Spector’s book provide an overview of the May Offensive at the countrywide level. The amount of information and detail on the fighting in and around Saigon is limited.
US Army documents used as references in preparing this chapter included:
Daily Staff Journals of the 199th Infantry Brigade (SEP) (LIGHT), 4-31 May 1968.
Daily Staff Journals of the 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 4-31 May 1968.
Daily Staff Journals of the 3d Battalion, 7th Infantry, 4-31 May 1968.
Feeder Report for After Action Report. Company D, 4th Battalion, 12tth Infantry, May 1968.
INSUM 126–68. 05001 to 052400 May 1968. 199th Infantry Brigade (SEP) (LIGHT).
Operational Report-Lessons Learned for the quarterly period ending 31 July 1968. 199th Infantry Brigade (SEP) (LIGHT).
Presidential Unit Citation, Company D, 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th Infantry Brigade
Task Force Hay Combat After Action Report, 05–16 May 1968
Task Force Hay G3 Briefing Notes, VC Offensive, 5 May 1968
Air Liaison Report for TF HayAfter Action Report. Air Liaison Office, Headquarters II Field Force, 18 May 1968.
II Field Force and 199th Infantry Brigade General Orders for individual acts of heroism performed during May 1968 Offensive.
Colonel William Schroeder, US Army retired, contributed valuable input on the role played by TF Hay in directing the US units involved in countering the enemy offensive in the Saigon/Cholon area.
Colonel William Mastoris, US Army retired, provided important insight into the 4/12 Infantry’s role in the May Offensive from the battalion commander level. His insight on air and artillery support coordination issues was especially helpful.
Lieutenant Colonel Jim Dabney, US Army retired, was an invaluable source of information on Delta Company’s role in the May Offensive. Dabney’s description of the tactics he employed to defeat a numerically superior force is a credit to this brave officer.
Jim Dabney continues to identify men his company who deserved awards, but were overlooked when he left the company shortly after the May Offensive. He spends considerable time resubmitting award recommendations for these men. Pasqual Ramirez of Delta Company provided important information on the fighting before he was wounded and evacuated. Pasqual was also able to organize a reunion of 4/12 veterans in 2005, at Columbus, Georgia where the author was able interview a number of veterans who shared their experiences for this book. Gunter Bahlaq shared the journal he kept during the May Offensive during the reunion.
In addition to the Delta Company veterans interviewed at the 2005 reunion, the author was able to gather information from a number of Bravo Company veterans in attendance. Information provided by Roberto Eaton, First Sergeant (retired) Bobby Hill, Dan Nixon, William Hill, and Johnny Velasquez was essential to the preparation of this chapter.
Charlie Company’s role is the May Offensive is based on the author’s own recollections and those of several veterans of Charlie Company including Colonel retired Paul Viola, First Sergeant George Holmes, Bob Archibald, Mike Hinkley, and Dave Taylor. Taylor’s report from his night listening post on 9 May was of particular interest to the author, since Taylor recorded the event in a letter he wrote shortly thereafter. The report described an NVA column of some 1,000 men stretching for some 3,000 meters on the horizon north of Fire Base Stephanie. Taylor’s reported sighting never reached the author who was in command of Charlie Company at that time. Dave Taylor, who earned a PhD in Paleontology after the war, made a return visit to Vietnam in 2004 with his wife and daughter. He toured the areas north of Saigon where Charlie Company fought during December and January 1968, and the area where the company fought during the May Offensive. He was unable to identify the area where Fire Base Stephanie was located. Urban sprawl has overtaken most of areas where the battles described in this chapter were fought.
CHAPTER 16: THE OLD GUARD HOLDS ON
The following US Army documents were useful in preparing this chapter:
Operational Report-Lessons Learned for the quarterly period ending 31 July 1968. 199th Infantry Brigade (SEP) (LIGHT).
Daily Staff Journals of the 199th Infantry Brigade (SEP) (LIGHT), 4–31 May 1968.
Daily Staff Journals of the 2d Battalion, 3d Infantry, 4-31 May 1968.
II Field Force and 199th Infantry Brigade General Orders for individual acts of heroism performed during May 1968 Offensive, Medal of Honor Citation Specialist Kenneth Olson.
Chapter Sixteen was the most difficult chapter of this book to write. The existing documentation is limited in detail, and it was difficult to locate veterans who were willing to share their stories with the author. There are relatively few survivors of the attack on the seriously undermanned Fire Base Hun. Since it was such a traumatic event in their lives, a number of these men prefer to remain silent, or communicate solely with other survivors. Tim Moore of Charlie Company and Jim Clark of Alpha Company, who shared their experience with the author, are two exceptions. Their vivid recollections of what happened at Fire Base Hun are both chilling and disturbing. Both men fought valiantly with their comrades to defend the fire base and recapture the enemy-occupied bunkers. Bob Himrod, a scout dog handler, who observed the attack from an ambush position some distance from the fire base and was one of the first to enter it after the attack provided another unique perspective. Steve Perkins, who was on an Alpha Company ambush near Fire Base Hun, recalled that a large VC force passed nearby the ambush position headed in the general direction of Fire Base Hun. Speculation that this force was in fact the same enemy unit that attacked Fire Base Hun could not be substantiated by the author’s research. There was constant night movement of enemy troops throughout the 2/3d Infantry’s area of operation during this period.
SOURCES & BIBLIOGRAPHY
FIRST PERSON SOURCES
This book relies heavily on input provided by numerous Vietnam veteran who were willing to describe and share their personal stories and recollections of their combat experience. In addition to providing their eyewitness accounts in personal conversations, interviews, correspondence, and emails, many of those listed below also shared personal letters, diary entries, photographs, and web-site descriptions of their experiences that were relevant to the story. The following individuals, listed by unit, contributed details of the combat actions described in the book.
4/12th Infantry: Headquarters, Colonels William Mastoris and William Schroeder (Ret.); Alpha Company: Colonel Wayne Morris (Ret.), Dennis Castaldo, James Pius, Norman Reeves; Bravo Company: Roberto Eaton, First Sergeant Bobby Hill (Ret.), William Hill, Dan Nixon, Phil Tolvin, Johnny Velasquez; Charlie Company: Larry Abel, Robert Archibald, Gary Coufal, George Hauer, Michael Hinkley, First Sergeant George Holmes (Ret.), Cliff Kaylor, Larry Norris, Jim Pittman, Michael Raugh, Dave Taylor, Colonel Paul Viola (Ret.); Delta Company: Gunter Bahlaq, Lieutenant Colonel Jim Dabney (Ret.), Robert Fromme, Ken Kussy, Pasqual Ramirez.
3/7th Infantry: Headquarters, Lieutenant Colonel James MacGill (Ret.), William Starrett; Alpha Company: Fred Gentile, Douglas McCabe, Frank Paoicelli; Bravo Company: Glen Pagano, Bill Plains, William Trotter, Ron Whelan; Delta Company: Frank Auer, Brad Huffman, Chester Porter.
2/3d Infantry: Alpha Company: Jim Clark, Larry McDougal, Steve Perkins, Jay Vorhees, Charlie Company: Tim Moore
2/40th Artillery: Paul Lange, Wayne McKirdy, Marv Stiles. Delta Troop 17th Armored Cavalry, Jim Choquette. 179th MI Detachment, Major Ken Welch (Ret.).
856th Radio Research Detachment, Dave Parks. 40th Public Information Detachment, Mike Swearingen. 49th Infantry Platoon (Scout Dog), Bob Himrod.
BOOKS
Ambrose, Stephen E. D-Day June 6, 1944. New York: Simon and Schuster Inc., 1994.
Ebert, James R. A Life in a Year, The American Infantryman in Vietnam. New York: The Random House Publishing Group, 1993.
Gouge, Robert J. These are my Credentials. Bloomington, IN: Authorhouse, 2004.
Hall, Don and Annette. I Served. Bellevue, WA: A.D. Hall Publishing, 2001.
Nolan, Keith W. The Battle for Saigon—Tet 1968. New York: Pocket Books, 1996.
Lanning, Michael L. And Cragg, Dan. Inside the VC and NVA. New York: Ivy Books, 1992.
Oberdorfer, Don. Tet. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1971.
Palmer, General Bruce Jr. USA. The 25-Year War: America’s Military Role in Vietnam. New York: Simon & Schuster Inc., 1994.
Spector, Ronald H. After Tet-The Bloodiest Year in Vietnam. New York: Vintage Books, 1993.
Stanton, Shelby L. The Rise and Fall of an American Army, U.S. Ground Forces in Vietnam, 1965-1973. Novato, CA: Presidio Press, 1985.
Summers, Harry G. Jr. The Vietnam War Almanac. Novato, CA: Presidio Press, 1985.
Tonsetic, Robert L. Warriors. New York: The Random House Publishing Group, 2004.
Westmoreland, William C. A Soldier Reports. Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, 1976.
PERIODICALS
“Valorous Unit Award Given to 199th, The Full Account of the Redcatchers in the Tet Battles.” Redcatcher, 199th Light Infantry Brigade (bi-weekly newspaper of the 199th LIB), December 1, 1968, 1–7.
“Medal of Honor for Chaplain.” Redcatcher, 199th Light Infantry Brigade, December 15, 1968, 1.
“1Lt Morris Won DSC with 4/12.” Redcatcher, 199th Light Infantry Brigade, February 1, 1969.
Devitt, Lt. Col. J.W. ed. The Hurricane; A Publication of II Field Force Vietnam, April 1968.