After shelling for two days, approximately 600 People’s Army of Vietnam (PAVN) soldiers stormed the US base near Tây Ninh on 21 June 1969. The Tây Ninh Combat Base, 50 miles northwest of Saigon, had been in operation since April 1966, when it served as the base for the 196th Light Infantry Brigade, a US Army Reserve unit directed at military training.
PAVN forces launched six attacks on Tây Ninh city and the surrounding villages, displacing roughly 1,000 civilians as allied and communist troops fought in the city streets. Eventually, PAVN forces were repulsed, suffering 194 dead compared to only 10 US soldiers.
The US victory was an important one. In April 1970 Tây Ninh Combat Base was used as a staging area for US units participating in the Cambodian Campaign for attacks west into the Parrot’s Beak and north into the Fish Hook, areas on South Vietnam’s border with Cambodia.
The base was handed over to the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) in September 1970 and was used by the ARVN 25th Division.[
Looking for information regarding the time period around Augusta 6, 1969. Michael D. Kelly was killed on that date according to information provided by VirtualWall. His tour started 07/13/1969. He was in C CO, 2ND BN, 22ND INFANTRY, 25TH INF DIV, USARV with the rank of Staff Sergeant. It appears Tay Ninh Combat Base was under constant forms of attack. Not sure if he was in the base or out on patrol. He was 5 years older than me. I watched him play football in High School and his sister was in my grade. His death had an affect on me. It showed me how real the war was and did not discriminate as to who it took.
I was FDC E5 Section Chief C Bty 1st 27th that night. Mortor round knocked me out of my cot. Our generator was knocked out which meant not FDC computer. Center 105 mm started firing flares for light high over the wire , the other 5 started firing 0 timer right over the wire. I sent my men out to help where they could. I and our FDC officer stayed in our FDC shack to monitor the radio. I’m glad we did. A fire mission came from the 105 battery that was very close to the border. I believe it was battery CO that called it in. We pulled one gun . He wanted it right on his wire. The ADC officer and I computed the firing data and walked firecracker rounds all around his base.
I was at the 548 LEM Company in Tay Ninh from September 1968 thru August 1969. We were hit regularly the entire time I was there, but on February 22, 1969 we got a direct hit that blew up an ammo truck. It was just about midnight between Saturday and Sunday. Ronny Sanders and Bill Lawson were blown away. Also two truck drivers from a convoy that had stopped there.
Bob Kulpa
Stationed with 548th Light Maintenance from Jan 68 – Dec 68 at Tay Ninh, I was 17 and green as hell. Daytime wasn’t too bad but the night basically sucked. I remember when the Cav showed up and all their ammunition blew up, some show for local bad guys, probably pointing finger’s and asking “who done it”. Later on sappers came in next door and blew up multiple big guns, another all nighter. One night on bunker guard a K9 saved my life kicking up a bad guy at bunker 19 I believe, guy made it thru the wire but got buried closely afterwards. Met a lot of good people and a lot of sheer assholes, hope I was in the good guy category. Hey George Day, I’m glad you didn’t pull that trigger sooner, Ive had a good life since then.
After all said and done, retired 1991 as CW3, 25 years.
Sorry that should be December1968 till June 1969.
I was an air traffic controller at Tay Ninh from December1958 till June 1969 in the Army.
my cousin Jerry Klute 51804576 was 11 bravo, co. d 2/7th KIA 06/15/1969 TAY NINH three weeks before my 5th birthday.
Garryowen was aways special to us.
I pray to God that we, as humans, learn to live without wars born from the minds of politicians. I pray that all war-tormented souls, both living and deceased, find the peace and love that God intended for us.
Thank you all for your sacrifice.
I was an Infantry Dude 11 Bravo that got lucky. I worked at S-1 on a job that did not exist. I wrote all of the awards for our Battalion 4/23rd August 1969 to 1970. I also did many other communications for the KIA families and Graves Registrations. I found out many years later that one of the awards Medal of Honor was awarded to Spt 4 Danny Peterson that I had summitted. He really deserved it.
I hope all others are doing fine. i have lots of Medical issues but I am still alive. The army did award me a 60% disability but I would have not gone. I hope all is well with the rest of you that are still alive.
Dear Gene Jennings:
My Father was ALOFT and NONSTOP 22. He was stationed at Phu Loi but was in Tay Ninh often checking on Parrot Beak.
Thank you for your sacrifice.
MSG Hutch here. I was the Site Chief of the ICS (Integrated Communication Systems) USACC Detachments at Tay Ninh, RVN, in 1970, then at Cu Chi in 1971 after we gave Tay Ninh back to the enemy. Well, shucks, we wound up giving the whole place back, didn’t we. Roughly 70,000 dead young men earned the Kennedys and Johnson’s and their cronies trillions of dollars in war blood- money.
My higher headquarters was, I think, the 589 Signal Company in Long Bin. RVN. I admired and sincerely loved the Vietnamese people I got to know well. Especially “Old Papa-son” that me and my troops divided up 12 bucks a month (30 piasters I think) to keep our enclosure and vehicles spotless. He was always so thankful when I payed him every month. He would always bow and bow as I paid him, thanking me in Vietnamese, which of course I could not begin to understand. There were three “house girls” we employed to take care of laundry and house-keeping. Same girls all the time I was at both assignments. They were very loyal to me. Don’t recall what we paid them. Not much I’m sure. And NO! There was never any funny business there. Those were great gals. As I think back on our endeavors there though, I am sure South Vietnam would have fared much better had we not “helped” them. There is no “South Vietnam” now. It’s all Communist Vietnam and all military and civilians there that we “helped” have been repatriated miserably or murdered. I’m sure those poor people said ‘thanks USA!’
The Kennedy Spin machine insists JFK was in the process of pulling troops out rather than escalating the US involvement. RFK, Jr continues that rap by insisting his father would have. Bobby said in 1965 we’ll put the Big Red One in there and clean this up in six months. 4 years later I was in the BRO still cleaning!
Wow
I was an MP w/ 25th assigned to Cu Chi (1969-1970) but spent time in Tay Ninh around April-July 1969 during the big assault
Hey Robert, this is Ken Koprowski. Was with the 25th MP CO, in Tay Ninh 10:68-10/69
Would love to hear any stories you have and also about that assault ???
Thanks
Hello to all who were there. I was stationed with C Battery, 1st Bn. 27th. Field Artillery at FSB Washington, Tay Ninh Provence during the attacks. We had M109, 155mm howitzers. A company of infantry (25th Div. Wolfhounds) was also on the firebase. We were part of the II FF and attached to the 25th Inf. Div. The Fire Support Base was approximately 3 1/2 miles north of Tay Ninh Base Camp. FSB Crook was approximately 4 miles west of us on the Cambodian border. We were all part of Tay Ninh defense. There was nothing north or west of or positions. The major attack occurred during the night of 18-19 June 1969. Well over 100 round of mortar and RPG’s hit inside the barbed wire of our fire base. It was a long night, with the M109’s lowering their tubes and firing direct fire with time fuses at the enemy. Several accounts of the battle can be found online.
Hello uncle Steve Frushour, I am from Vietnam
We have gone through war, now our two countries are friends cooperating in peace and development. Although the war has been over for a long time, the painful achievements cannot be erased.
My uncle was a North Vietnamese soldier at that time and sacrificed in this battle on June 18, 1969. has not been found.
According to the information I know, after the battle FSB Washington was described as follows:
WHEN THAT DAY appeared, the NVA army fled under the cover of sporadic sniper fire. The NVA side left 35 dead and six comrades taken prisoner, three of whom were wounded.
Bravo and Delta companies, along with the reconnaissance platoon, supported Alpha in clearing the area and found many types of ammunition. Among them were five 107mm rockets, 13 AK-47 assault rifles, 1 SKS light machine gun, a Chicom radio and many grenades, RPGs, mortar shells and many other personal equipment.
Please let me know the following information:
1. Were the dead soldiers found by the North Vietnamese army? and the fate of the survivors. Can you give me a list of the above people?
2. How were the dead buried? Can you help me with the coordinates.
It has been 55 years, my family has been looking for my uncle but there is no news. Please help us. If you have any information, please send it to email: [Editor: email address redacted to prevent spam – any reply please in the forum. We can connect people with each other only if requested by both].
We thank you very much.
Hello Uncle Steve Frushour, I am from Vietnam
My uncle was a North Vietnamese soldier (NVA) who died in this battle (FSB Washington) on June 18, 1969.
Currently he has not been found and there is no information.
According to the information I found after the battle: 35 NVA soldiers died and 6 were captured.
Can you give me more information:
1. Were the dead Vietnamese soldiers buried? And do you have a list?
2. Please provide us with the coordinates of the burial locations of the above people.
It has been 55 years, our family is looking forward to hearing from my uncle, we hope you can provide information.Thank you very much.
I was involved in this battle with the 3/22 Infantry of the 25th Infantry Division. All the bodies were buried close to the base in the holes left from B-22 bombers.
Patrick,
For the affected Families, I started a humanitarian volunteer project to find the Mass Graves of VN battles as well our own MIAs. I have a team of 5 VN Vets. We have been very successful in our work. It’s been with the help of those who were involved in the specific battle, willing and able to guide us to a grave. The former VC and NVA soldiers have provided to date details on 10 American MIAs. I pass these details on to the DPAA. They have confirmed all information provided is both new and valid. Pls contact me regarding FSB Washington’s battle of 6/69. I have an aerial photo of the base (no date) and need your help to ID the bomb craters approx location that were used for graves. We do not publish the name of those who help without their approval. Please do contact me at: bobconnor1101@gmail.com. Most VN Families have no clue where their relative died. If we are given helmets by our Vets. Watching their reaction of being overwhelmed is unbelievable. Please reach back to me. Welcome home. Bob Connor
Did anyone know John r cooper jr sp4 kia June 28 1968 tay ninh prov.?
What units were present at Tay Ninh West during the 21 June 1969 attack?
I am researching the battle and have found very little written about it.
Richard Magner
Tiger 38, D/229th (Smiling Tigers ), 1st Cav 68/69
I was flying a Huey in a 3/17th Air Cav firefly team (2 UH-1s with .50s and a cobra) the night FSB Washington was hit (June, 1969). Pretty exciting night for us dodging a lot of .51 cal anti-aircraft fire.
Scott, thanks 55 years later for helping us on the ground , FSB Washington artillery. I was a ammo crew on gun 1.
Michael M. ., California.
I was stationed at Tay Ninh West from Sept 68 until Oct 69. I was the 175th Radio Research det. A , part of the 509th Radio Research.
We were part of the Army Security Agency. My buddy and I decided to extend our tours for 6 month, so we got a free 30 day leave to go home, or anywhere in the world we wanted to go. We chose home. I guess we were lucky because we flew out of Tay Ninh airstrip on June 16, 69. I didn’t recall the base was hit until I read your article. Lucky us. Our building was between the ammo dump and graves registration. We were right next door to the combat engineers.
Do you remember Charles Ray Moore, my uncle Butch KIA Sep 6 1969?
and I flew in June 17th 69 made it to Tay Ninh by jeep. What a rush for a rookie FNG
I was X0 of Bravo…2nd of the 32nd from June 69 til 21 july 69. Got transferred south when promoted. We took one of our 8 inchers out to Nui Ba Den. Shot direct fire on every cave or sort of looking cave in support of infantry sweep. Ever seen what 8 inch HE will do direct fire? Awesome. Pissed the NVA home boys off and they started shooting at us poor harmless redlegs. Could see the NVA walking around in that monestary and their ammo, dump….but NO…NO…NO. You will not harm those monks….all dressed in kahki.
Buddy Bolding
boldingcb@longwood.edu
B Battery 2nd 32nd Field Arty
July ’69-’70
Medic
At FB Washington as well as Santa Barbara, Carolyn and Kramer
Have a picture of tiny FB Washington from Dec ’69
Do you remember Charles Ray Moore, my uncle Butch KIA Sep 6 1969?
i was in b btry. 2/32 tay ninh lz barbrra old french fort, kramer also, july 69 t0 july 70
55 years ago today (17 November 1969), newly arrived in Vietnam, I arrived at FSB Washington.
I was at FSB Washington Nov. 1969 thru June 1970. I would love to see pictures of our “tiny” FSB Washington. Kevin Coleman kcbooks2000@hotmail.com TIA
I was with the 588th Engineers, mostly road construction. Rock quarry at foot of Nui Ba Den mountain. VC would blow the culverts as soon as we put them in.
I remember this night (June ’69). Everybody on the berm line. Fortunately no casualties in our sector.
Paul, Ken here. I was stationed at the Tay Ninh Base Camp, but visited your base at the bottom of Nui Ba Den, in the summer of ‘69.
Do you recall losing a Mess Sgt as a result of an exploded Claymore mine ???
Thx
Ken
Kjkoprowski@aol.com
At TCB June/70, 3/13 Arty/25th Inf. After spending May in Cambodia
My buddy was a helicopter crew chief on Hueys and Cobras with the 1st Cav based at Tay Ninh. Name is Robert (Bobby) Geiger
That name sure sounds familiar. I was stationed with the 1st cav a battery 2nd of the 20th ARA Blue Max. I was there from 6/69 until 7/70. Then we moved then we moved the whole unit to Phuoc Vinh and I went home in 8/70.
I was stationed to HHC 1 st Brigade 1st Air Cav from first day we redeployed from Quang Tri Province to Tay Ninh West. Spent a lot of time in TOC. Served under Maj Canada till he had personal leave. After which I was deployed to FSB Betty? for rest of my deployment. Assigned TOC there. Time deployed Oct 1968 to Aug 1969. Got early out- drafted 1 year 9 months 15 days. Blessed I came back whole.
Do you remember Charles Ray Moore, my uncle Butch KIA Sep 6 1969?
Ronnie, Ken here.
I didnt know your uncle, but would love to help you develop information about him.
Let me know.
Kjkoprowski@aol.com
Served in nam 7/69-7/70 – 277th service and supply
548 light maintenance unit (cook @ sanders mess hall).
I found a soldier that had committed suicide. He was a very short timer, I think about him often. Many rockets/ mortars many killed. Will never forget
Hello …..
I originally was assigned to the 23rd Field Artillery at Tay Ninh. Within Nixon’s shameful debacle of returning troops home we were transferred to the II Field Forces. So, Americans were waylaid into believing troops were being returned home when in reality they were simply transferred to other units.
I served from January of 1969 to January of 1970 at Tay Ninh.
Hello Patrick, thank you for sharing your experience at Tây Ninh. This is a very interesting piece of information.
Patrick, small world indeed. I was with 6/15 Artillery Bn (part of 23rd Artillery Group) at Tay Ninh June 69 to June 70. Long year. Lots of convoy trips to base of Nui Ba Bin. Seems like yesterday instead of 50+ years when I saw your post.
I was with HHC, 1st Brig,!st Cav and I got a 30 day early out. At Tan Son Nhut on way home the plane that I flew back on when it arrived was partially filled. So in theory there was a drawn down
Did anyone know my brother?
Private First Class Dwight Fabian Babel, Served with Company C, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.
KIA Sept. 5, 1969. Tay Ninh
My brother John Lupu was killed on September 25th 1969 at Tay Ninh. Serving with the Army First Cavalry. I have been anticipating on traveling there with my son just to visit the area where my brother was killed. If you have any ideas how I can do this you can contact me by email . My name is Ray Lupu.
Thank you
Hello, just saw your post. I was stationed at Tay Ninh at that time.
If you are searching for details surrounding his death, just let me know.
Would love to research that for you.
Ken Koprowski
352-476-7976
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Hello Ken and Velauni. If you would like to continue your conversation privately, then please give us consent to connect you via email address. Thank you.
My father would have been his Battalion Command Sergeant Major at the time. I’m so sorry for your loss.
I’m sorry for your loss. I did not know your brother. I was with company b 4th of the 23rd based on Firebase Rawlings at that time…peace
I was with the 2/32 Artillery, an 8-inch/175mm outfit at Tay Ninh Base Camp, from July ’68-August ’69. The night of 6-20-69, I was flying mortar watch over the Base Camp in a Bird Dog piloted by an Air Force FAC. We got diverted to a hamlet south of the City because VC elements had launched a significant attack. Houses on either side of the road for about 1,500 were burning and there was a lot of activity, but there was not much we could do because we did not have radio contact with anyone on the ground. I was duty officer in our battalion TOC when FSB Crook was attacked earlier in the month and also when FSB Washington was attacked. The night of June 27, an Army pilot and I saw a sizable unit about 100 meters over the border in Cambodia while flying mortar watch. There were over a dozen lights. When we got within about a half klick, the lights all went off. When we flew away, the lights all went back on. It was obviously an NVA unit. We observed people on the other side of the border frequently on VR missions but could not touch them. The idea of giving the Communists sanctuary in Cambodia got lots of our people killed.
I was at Fire Base Rawlings with the 4/23rd, 25th Division in 1969. They called some of us with personnel carriers in to help defend the perimeter at Tay Ninh Base Camp. I remember we could hear drums and bugles, which we took to be communication signals for maneuvering NVA. A rocket landed a few feet away from me and sent me flying,. But it landed dead center of a 4’ deep drainage ditch so I get to be here and write this response. There was no attack that night so I’m guessing it was before the June attacks some of you remember. In retrospect, I am sad for the loss of so many on both sides and wish people would stop warring and start investing in peace. Just my opinion and perspective.
I was at Rawlings a lot in that time period
A company I believe, definately not c
Third platoon
Got hurt in a track accident heading to a night laugher around nui ba den
Apc threw a track and went into the banana trees sweeping most of us on top off
At 40 mph. Dove behind hatch but foot got hits by a tree as we went by
Was in Tay ninh laid up when the rockets started coming in the next night
Crazy. Remember one night one of the tracks at Rawlings had a mini gun top
What a sound at a free fire on the bunker line
Track commander for awhile then
Ended up in the CRIP Platoon
My dad was your Battalion Command Sergeant Major then.
CSM James J. Gallagher
Thanks for your Service. Welcome Home Soldier.
I was in the artillery stationed at Fire Support Base Washington approximately 5 miles north of Tay Ninh. The NVA tried to overrun our fire base on the night of 18-19 June 1969. There were well over 100 rockets, mortars and RPG’s hits within our perimeter that night. It was extremely loud chaos. I’m sure it was part of the same thrust.
Hello Steve, thank you for sharing your experience with us. We are grateful to all veterans who take the time to provide unique details of that time in Tây Ninh and in Vietnam overall.
I was crew on gun 1 that night; 6/19/69; FSB Washington. yes we fired at enemy with all ammo available. One of our gun crew was injured by mortar I believe. Unknown if he survived. A night never forgotten. I have been in touch with another of our gun soldiers for several years. Proud I served, but learned later it was a futile doomed effort in Nam. Johnson and Nixon were told we could never “win”, but kept sending us to fight, so thousands more died .
I am glad to be contacted by anyone I treated or worked with during my life as a X-Ray Technologist and healthcare worker.
Hello Mark, we hope that you can make contact with our growing community of veterans here at Vietnam: The Art of War. Could you share your location and period as a X-Ray Technologist and healthcare worker? Thank you.
Mark were you with 45th surgical or 25th med across the Rd? . I was with 25th med 8/68 to 8/69
Being a Medic, “Doc” was the best job I had in my life time. Retired X-Ray Tech and Health Care Worker.
Mark Drake
I would do it all over again. Being a Medic with Medevac 1st Cav was the high light of my service in Tay Ninh , Viet Nam.
Medevac 1st Calvary Division March 69- May 70. Doc Duck
Doc Duck my brother John Lupu was with the First Calvary at Tay Ninh in Vietnam and was Killed September 25th 1969. I was thinking about doing a trip with my son sometime in the future and I was wondering how to go about doing that and actually going out to the location of where it was killed. Is this possible? Since you were a medevac at that time did you know my brother? Thank you.
I would do it all over again. “Doc Duck”,
Mark Drake Medevac 1st Calvary Division 69/70
Did any of you serve with Joseph Marasco, from Somers, NY? His place of death was listed as Tay Ninh, on July 22, 1969. I am still, all of these years later, missing him terribly and would like to connect with someone who knew him. Thank you.
Hello Lenore, thank you for leaving your comment. We hope that our growing community of veterans can help with your question.
Lenore, My name is Ken Koprowski, I was stationed at Tay Ninh Base Camp 10/68-10/69
In researching your request, I see Joseph is buried at Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Tarrytown NY
His parents names were Frank and Patricia
Joseph was born on 1947, he had an older brother, Frank, Jr, born in 1945
And a younger brother, Richard born 1949
What specifically would you like to know?
Would be happy to research that for you.
Ken Koprowski
Lenore, Joseph is buried in Sleepy Hollow Cemetery in Tarrytown, NY
His parents names were Frank & Patricia
He has an older brother Frank, Jr born in 1945
And a younger brother Richard born in 1949
What specifically would younlikevto know.
I would be happy to research that for you
Ken Koprowski
Kjkoprowski@aol.com
Lenore, this is Ken again.
I developed somemore info. Joseph was in the 1st Calvery Division, 21st Artillery, 1st Batallion, Battery B
Ken Koprowski
I could look up After Action Reports to see what his unit was involved in at the time of his death.
Please touch base.
Many thanks for your comments Ken and for the additional information you shared. The team at ‘Vietnam: The Art of War’ and our readers greatly appreciate all contributions.
Although we filter comments to remove the public posting of an individual’s email address (to avoid unwelcome spammers harvesting personal details), we have forwarded your full comments as posted, including email address, to Lenore Adams.
Adrian Jones
Founder & Executive Director, Witness Collection
Mark Drake
My brother Army PVT Dwight F Babel died Sept. 5, 1969 at Tay Ninh.
If you have any information about him, please contact me.
[Admin note: we remove email addresses from comments to avoid them being harvested for spam but will gladly pass on this email address to any contributor who has additional information]
My Grandfather Lt. Col. Lyndsey Stone served at Tay Ninh and Cu-Chi.
He named both his cats after each location.
I believe at that time he was with the 24th Evac.
If anybody knows him from his time there, I would love to speak to them.
24th was a hospital located at Long Binh. The 12th was the hospital for Cu Chi and the 45th Surgical Unit was the hospital at Tay Ninh.
Hello George, thank you for sharing your experience at Long Bình. We appreciate all contributions from veterans as they inform us with details that are unique. Thank you again.
I was a Medic and X-Ray Tech with Medevac 1st Cav at Tay Ninh just down the road from the 45th Surgery 69/70. The Surg was an Air Inflated hospital. I was there when a Rocket hit the 45th Surgery. The rocket hit their sterilizer that was loaded with instruments being sterilized, which increased the damage of the rocket.
Doc Duck 15th Med. 1st Calvary Division 69-70
Hello Mark, thank you for sharing your experience as a Medic and X-Ray Tech with Medevac 1st Cav at Tây Ninh. We appreciate all veterans who have taken the time to share their personal experiences of this time in Vietnam.
I was in one in 8-68 during rocket attack. We had 10-15 wounded and several KIA’s. Unloaded several dust off’s. Bad rain. Terrible night.
Hello Andres, thank you for bringing your grandfather’s involvement at Tây Ninh and Củ Chi to our attention. We very much appreciate all unique stories from Vietnam veterans and family members as they vastly increase our ability to contextualize Vietnamese war art. I can see that George Alan Reischling has provided some information about the 24th in Long Bình – thank you, George. I hope you can find more information about your grandfather from other Vietnam: The Art of War contributors.
Thanks to all our soldiers at Tay Ninh that kept us safe from ground attacks which helped us do our jobs treating and saving the lives of wounded G I’s at Medevac 1st
Calvary Division. “DOC DUCK” Mark Drake
Hello Mark, thank you for your contribution to Vietnam: The Art of War.
I would like to find out if you took care of my brother.
Private First Class Dwight Fabian Babel, Served with Company C, 4th Battalion, 23rd Infantry Regiment, 25th Infantry Division, United States Army Vietnam.
KIA Sept. 5, 1969. Tay Ninh
Hello Mark and Velauni. If you would like to continue your conversation privately, then please give us consent to connect you via email address. Thank you.
I served at Tay Ninh with Apache Troop, 1/9 Cav from January ‘69 to January’ 70, and was in a bunker next to Apache Pad (our helipad) the night the NVA blasted our whole area with rockets and mortars. They were close enough that we could hear the mortar shells leaving the tubes and counted the seconds before they exploded and showered our sandbagged bunker with debris. Everybody on the perimeter was wildly firing back across the wire expecting a ground attack, or sappers sneaking through with satchel charges to blow up the birds on Apache Pad, and I still clearly remember the amazing sound of the mounted quad .50 caliber machine guns blasting away on the berm on the other side of the pad. When the mortars and rockets finally let up we grabbed our weapons and ran to the perimeter to join in the chaos. I was scared to death.
When dawn finally came we put a dog team out in front the wire and they found one wounded NVA soldier and some dead ones scattered around. By some miracle we didn’t lose any troopers, but nobody slept for 48 hours, and five of our birds were too riddled with shrapnel to fly, and there was a lot of other damage. Some of the smaller landing zones and fire bases near us were really hit hard. It wasn’t my worst day in the ‘nam, but it was damned scary enough for me.
Like my fellow vet James Springer, I don’t talk much about this stuff with my family or anyone else. I’f you haven’t experienced what war is really like it’s impossible to explain, so I don’t even try. And, as Mr. Springer says, God bless our vets, both the ones who came home and the ones who didn’t.
John Stetter
Hello John. Thank you for sharing your experience at Tay Ninh. Just for full disclosure, I (James Springer) moderate the content for the Vietnam: The Art of War website, and did not serve during the Vietnam War. Perhaps you meant to reference the previous comment left by Christopher Jones? Either way, we thank you again for sharing your story here.
Hi James, I was assigned. To B Battery 2/32 artillery fire direction center in Tay Ninh from May 1966 until May 1967
Hi James, I was assigned. To B Battery 2/32 artillery fire direction center in Tay Ninh from May 1966 until May 1967
Trying to find Bob Bergeraon or Rick Sandlin
1969, Rocket city.
A hooch next to the 1St. Cav ( **** Hunters) , lots of rockets and mortars, the Bunkers were filled. We counted 117 rocket hits in one night, the mortors getting walked in would creep me out more. I don`t know about you guys but I don`t talk about it much to family or freinds, I just can`t seem to open up or even explain to them what it realy felt like. There are no words. The hardest part for me was coming home, I felt like a different person,that is to say not the one my family exexpected. Maby you get it, trying to fit into the person you were before, just doesn`t do it.
God bless all you vets.
Thank you for sharing your experience, Christopher.
You didn’t know a fellow by the name of Mike Themmen did you? KIA June 27, 69
Hello R. Wixom. We did not know anyone by that name, unfortunately. However, the growing community of US veterans of the Vietnam War active on our website may have done. We hope you can find more information on Mike Themmen through them. Many thanks.