Anything and everything that couldn't fit in any of the other categories. Early April 1967: TF-117 Sends one RAD (with 10 boats initially) to Dong Tam to commence local riverine operations in Dong Tam area. For text The whole battalion lost about 47 total. To continue reading, you will need to either log in to your subscriber account, or purchase a subscription. 0000002679 00000 n The ARVN were decisively defeated. battle, and, unlike the Viet Cong, were supported by artillery, armor, to the Joint Chiefs at the end of January, see Document 26. During the three-day battle, 47 American soldiers were killed, including one from Hellers company, Ronald Chili Saiz. After discussing the pros and cons with the commander of the 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry, the brigade commander decided to continue the operation, even though the loss of the blocking force did not augur well for success. At the same time, he recalled the personnel carrier company (Company C, 5/60th) from its barren search farther to the west and began moving it toward the point of contact. By now, time had become the vital consideration, for darkness was approaching rapidly. It resulted in a US/ARVN victory. VC casualties were limited to 18 soldiers killed and 39 wounded, even though their positions had been hit by more than 600 rounds of artillery, napalm, and other ordnance released by 13 warplanes and five UH-1 gunships. Ap Bac had far-reaching consequences for the South Vietnamese government and the American involvement in Vietnam. A reinforced company, and possibly more, had been lost for the time being to the Viet Cong 514th Battalion. [6], During the battle, resupply and medical evacuation missions continued under the direction of Lieutenant Colonel Paul F. Gorman of the 1st Infantry Division. Mobile Riverine Force in conjunction with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) from 1921 June 1967 against the Viet Cong (VC). of State, World War I and the Explore gatherings, speakers and events. Although unexpectedly But experience had shown that at best this was an educated guess, one that all too often had proved false. Felt noted that it was important to 209 0 obj <> endobj Temporarily stalled, the company commander requested the support of the empty tracked vehicles which he could see to the north. Join us for our 2017 reunion by making a reservation today! Aboard USS Pope. For the artillery, it was especially difficult; the tubes were so hot from continuous use that now the rounds they fired were beginning to become erratic. The break we were looking for finally came on the right (southern) flank, where the platoon was coming along the stream line. The letter was translated into Vietnamese, and leaflets were dropped into the communist area. Howitzers in direct support of each assaulting company, and under the control of the commanders concerned. Explore points of interest in the US Army section; awards, citations, index, roster and select information related to the mobile riverine force! Persson said their platoon was unique in that they had been together since the beginning of boot camp, so the absence of another member of the tight-knit group was always felt. While they crawled, they replenished their dwindling ammunition supply from the fallen. They all had to be searched and cleared, even though most were found to be unoccupied. If you already have a web account, but need to reset it, you can do so by clicking here. Nearly wipes out 514th Main Force Viet Cong Battalion Explore our Navy section: awards, stories, points of interest, origin of navy terminology and much, much more! The situation was such that no fire from air or artillery could be utilized due to the nearness of the opposing combatants. The ceremony at the memorial was highlighted by the recitation of names by platoon chaplain Charlie Zies of the Tornados killed in action during the war, as well as a stirring recollection of Chili Saizs bravery on his final day. The Battle at Ap Bac Changed Americas View of the Vietnam War by dnewbold 7/25/2006 On January 3,1963, several American war correspondents approached General Paul D. Harkins to ask what he thought about the battle the 7th Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) Division had just fought at a village named Bac. On the south, Company A was exchanging fire with most of the enemy defenders. characterized them largely as errors of courage rather than cowardice. 16 February 1967: 2nd Bde puts one battalion into RSSZ, working with advance party of TF-117. To the south of the position was a rubber plantation, while wooded areas were prominent to the north and west. trailer L. Harkins, General Paul Fear, too, played on their frayed nerves. 2014-04-30 20:40:28. A full archive of past and present "River Currents" newsletters from your friends at MRFA. One enemy soldier was beaten to death by a soldier who used his steel helmet, and another was stabbed to death, thus indicating the ferocity of the assault. After dinner, each guy stood up and said a few words; it was a memorable experience, Heller said. Ammunition was rapidly dwindling, for the effort to maintain fire superiority caused huge expenditures. D. Gilpatric, Roswell General Earle G. Wheeler to lead a. In the first 10 minutes, 95 percent of them were killed. Some light small arms fire had been met by the southern-most platoon advancing along the stream, but the enemy had quickly withdrawn when his fire was returned. Close to the perimeter, Haszard's APC was disabled by a communist hit. 226 0 obj<>stream distorted both the importance of the action and the damage suffered by Moving into the perimeter, the platoon took up positions between A Troop's vehicles on the western half of the defensive ring. This was the start of the main phase of the battle. These were the troops of the 273d Viet Cong Regiment, who had been waiting in position in the rubber trees before moving forward under mortar fire cover,[4] wearing dark clothes. [7] The original English was, This is to advise you that during the battle of Ap Bau Bang on 20 March the Regimental Commander of Q763 (273d Regiment) and his Battalion Commanders disgraced themselves by performing in an un-soldierly manner. We were fortunate in that we were attacking a known position, Heller said. Three American advisers were killed in the US Took CAM/SON/BAN LONG. Mobile Riverine Force in conjunction with the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) from 1921 June 1967 against the Viet Cong (VC). try to rescue their pals. Like any engagements in war, Harkins concluded, there are days-and Many of their large haystacks concealed bunkers. 3-10 June 1967: MRF shakedown. Considered small-scale action, Ap Bac was fought on January 2, 1963, in the hamlet (ap in Vietnamese) of Bac. The last battle for which two living service members received the Medal of Honor was the 1967 Battle of Ap Bac in Vietnam, a spokeswoman for the Congressional Perhaps more significantly, no mines or booby traps had been encountered, usually a good sign that you are in an area highly frequented by the Viet Cong. States helicopters carrying Vietnamese troops into battle. We looked across the field and saw a lot of It could prevent disaster, if necessary, but its chances of successfully attacking south along the stream were slim, since semi-darkness was already covering the area. This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History. Alcala requested artillery support from the battalion he was securing and further away in Lai Khe. Harry D. Felt, Commander in 1 June 1967: MRB arrives at Dong Tam. The Battle of Ap Bac was a major battle fought on January 3, 1963, during the Vietnam War. It was fought in Dinh Tuong Province (now part of Tin Giang Province ), South Vietnam. On December 28, 1962, U.S. intelligence detected the presence of a radio transmitter along with a sizable force of National Front for direct orders to advance during Wednesdays battle at Ap Bac and that an zoneId = 'Array'; Visibility was excellent and the day was hot and clear. If you're a print subscriber, but do not yet have an online account, click here to create one. By now, fire from all sides was intense, but despite this, several men of the platoon crawled forward to aid the wounded, only to die themselves. [2]:37, At 10:00 U.S. intelligence learned that a battalion size VC force was located east of the ARVN blocking position. Originally, our 2nd Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, had been promised two helicopter companies for the operation; however, late on the day before the operation began, one of these was withdrawn. Learn about the association, Board Members, Officers, and download a membership application form! This past June 19 marked the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Ap Bac. Farther to the north (about 30 meters) was another dike, parallel to the one behind which the dead lay. In short, a nice, tidy plan had gone awry. A unit of the 1st Brigade, 9th Infantry, attached to the 1st Infantry Division, A Troop had 129 men, six M48 tanks, twenty M113 armored personnel carriers (APCs), and three 4.2-inch mortar carriers. In front of it stretched some 1,500 meters of open rice fields that were cut at 500-meter intervals by two irrigation ditches, the last of which was some 500 to 600 meters from the enemys position. The air was alive with bullets, making it impossible to advance across the open space. document.write (document.charset ? document.write ("?zoneid="+zoneId+"&block=1&blockcampaign=1"); They also gathered to renew and refresh the bond they share with one another as a true band of brothers, one that began for many of them during basic training. THE BATTLE : At 07:00 on the 2nd January, 10 Shawnee Helicopters landed West of Ap Bac, dropping the first wave of the 3 Rifle Companies. The first true battle of the Vietnam War was Ap Bac. military advisers charged today that Vietnamese infantrymen refused February 1966: 2nd Bde Activated Fort Riley, KS. Thus the units in contact would have to finish the job. They were assured of swift success. This last wave of firepower ended the offensive. 2 June 1967: 2nd Brigade embarks aboard MRB, thus formally constituting MRF. Encapsulating the great terrors, mistakes, ironies, and courageous acts of the Vietnam War, The Battle of Ap Bac recounts the clash in which the Viet Cong first won their spurs. ammunition were expended. An abandoned railway ran parallel to and thirty meters east of the highway. Meanwhile, Company A, 3/60th, was formed up and waiting at the helicopter pickup site for the promised company of choppers. 6th US Battalions committed. Operation Concordia was an operation conducted by the U.S. Two companies of the 3/60th were at the jump-off point, the 3/47th was en route but had not yet arrived, and one company of the 3/60th was sitting in the brigade area at Dong Tam without transportation. After knocking past a hastily built communist ambush just north of the perimeter, they moved around to the south. There was a huge explosion, an artillery round probably, and I woke up back here in the states about three weeks later.. 0000007973 00000 n Alcala sent his 2nd Platoon commanded by First Lieutenant Harlan E. Short to establish an ambush along the trail at a point 1.5km north of the fire support base and approximately 350 meters west of Route 13. Haszard was fired on as he left the APC to attach the towline. 59, Files of the Office of Public Opinion Studies, U.S. Policy on S. f. By agreement with 7th ARVN, MRF had a VN Ranger Battalion as MRF reserve and employed it in combat. Of the men who participated in this assault, most had been in the Army hardly a year. Type Chapter Information Triumph Forsaken It took a lot of guts, he wrote, on the part of those pilots and [Page 3] crews to go back into the area to Americans lost, there is good news which you may not read about in The Washington Post. He pointed to a number of Early on 2 May, elements of the Wild Ones composed of Company B and Company C, 3/60th, plus the 3. [2]:39 Due to its location east of a town called Ap Bac, the 19 June ambush is sometimes referred to as Second Ap Bac after the disastrous Battle of Ap Bac on 2 January 1963, however that battle took place approximately 40km further west. The 261st Battalion was among the best Viet Cong units in the country, a fact attributable to its fine leadership. Because of its earlier start and lack of contact, this battalion was already north of the general line of contact, although some three kilometers to the west. This item is available in full to subscribers. Members of 4/47 9th Infantry Division remember, reflect on life, those lost. Although more infantry than usual were killed by small arms fire, they were attacking cavalry and armored units, most Viet Cong deaths in this battle still resulted from artillery and air strikes. For the Wild Ones of the 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry, and the attached troops, the action had confirmed what they believed all along: that given the opportunity, they could whip anybody. WebThis was the plan finally coordinated on the evening of 1 May 1967. The United States Army Command in the Pacific reported the battle to the of the Department, Foreign Relations of the United States, 19611963, Volume The rest of the company dug in on the south side of the stream and continued to blast the area with fire from artillery and small arms. 18 June 1967: Relocate to SOIRAP/VAMCO, Commence Operation CONCORDIA. Chester V. Felt, Admiral Harry In view of this, the brigade commander, Col. William B. Fulton, changed his scheme of maneuver. Battle of AP Bac II, in AP Bac Hamlet, CAN/GUIOC District, Long An Province. [1]:108. / 10.43833N 106.19528E / 10.43833; 106.19528 The Battle of p Bc was a major battle fought on 2 January 1963 during the Vietnam War, in nh Tng Province (now part of Tin Giang Province ), South Vietnam. If we were going to win, the enemy must soon begin to break and run. Anything and everything that couldn't fit in any of the other categories. Later a switch was made and the aircraft attack runs were made from east to west on the south and southwest sides of the perimeter. From Albert's Peach Cobbler to an Irish Chicken Dinner, we have them all! "We few, we happy few, we band of brothers, For he today that sheds his blood with me, shall be my brother." Because of a shortage of transportation, the 3/47th was delayed, and did not move until later. We all decided this was the best reunion weve ever had, Heller said. No doubt, some escaped in the fading light. On the north and south was a line of dense coconut trees and undergrowth. 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