Unforgettable Days of the 1st Company
of the 9th Marine Battalion
Captain Kieu Cong Cu
In his speech to the nation on 19 June 1972, addressing both South Vietnamese civilians and those in uniform, President Nguyen Van Thieu declared that all provinces that had fallen into enemy hands would most certainly be recovered by the ARVN. Of course, he was only able to make this declaration after having received the support of the US President Richard Nixon. Meanwhile, back in the USA the anti-war movement was gaining momentum and a frenzy of demonstrations and noisy rallies took place. It amounted to free air time and publicity for the communist cause internationally, but the north Vietnamese communists were the immediate beneficiaries of the anti-war movement.
At that time, the Paris Peace Talks had reached a stagnant pause, despite Henry Kissinger's desperate attempts to negotiate a deal with Le Duc Tho in clandestine fashion. US President Nixon visited China and re-opened the lines of communication between the two nations after more than 20 years. A common press release was issued in which China was promised a seat on the UN's Security Council, a seat which had previously been occupied by Taiwan. Nixon then flew to Moscow for talks with Leonid Breznev. It was evident to all how keen the Americans were to stop the war in Vietnam. But for all the US's plotting and planning and making of promises, they faced a tough opponent in the cunningly two-faced communists. The Americans learnt from their negotiations at Panmunjom, Korea in 1951 that peace talks with the communists generally stalled when the communists scored victories on the battlefield. The Tet Offensive and the Easter Offensive all pointed to the same pattern of behaviour. Consequently, the Americans decided to change tactics: President Nixon ordered the 7th Fleet and the MACV to actively support the ARVN… And that was all we needed.
Three battlefronts were opened up simultaneously: Binh Long, Kontum, and Quang Tri. When Lieutenant General Ngo Quang Truong took up the position of I Corps commander he had two clear goals: to defend the city of Hue, and to recover the city of Quang Tri. The first was achieved quickly; the second was underway. Lieutenant General Ngo Quang Truong appointed Colonel Le Van Than, a talented artillery Officer, to be the chief of the planning group (for the recovery of Quang Tri) comprising of:
- I Corps Officers: Colonel Pham Van Nghin (G3 Chief) and Colonel Pham Van Pho (G2 Chief).
- Airbourne Division Officers: Colonel Le Van Ngoc and Colonel Le Van Phat
- Marine Division Officers: Colonel Pham Van Chung (Operation Chief of Staff) and Lieutenant Colonel Do Ky (G3 Chief)
After reconnaissance operations were conducted in May 1972, Marine Brigadier General Bui The Lan ordered the commencement of Operation Song Than 8 - 1972:
- The 4th Battalion crossed the defensive line My Chanh and advanced northwards under the support of the Airforce and Artillery.
- The 7th Battalion advanced along the seashore of Hai Khe, Hai An and met with little resistance.
- The 6th Battalion advanced in a parallel direction to the 7th Battalion along Village Route 555, passing through the villages of Xan Vien, Dien Khanh, and Don Que, encountering stiff resistance from the NVA Infantry and tanks.
- The 5th and the 3rd Battalions advanced along O Giang River (on the left of National Highway One) in the North-South direction with Hai Lang district being the target.
The other troops (which would be other prongs in the operation) could not be moved quickly because of the large expanse of bare exposed areas strongly defended by the NVA, particularly when our close artillery support had not been put in place. Consequently, two field bridges spanning the My Chanh River were to be built by marine engineers to replace the two original bridges which had been destroyed at the end of April 1972.
The 1st Company of the 9th Battalion was ordered to cross the My Chanh River to protect the Engineering Unit during the process of construction. Since all friendly troops were advancing northwards, the west and northwest flanks were left exposed and unprotected. NVA troops were present at Fire Base (FB) Nancy, 2km away from My Chanh in the northwest.
The 3rd Platoon, commanded by First Lieutenant Nguyen Anh Tuan, controlled the northern bank of the My Chanh River in Luong Dien hamlet. The 1st Platoon under First Lieutenant Le Van Thanh camped in the hamlet of Hai Son, along the railroad. The 2nd Platoon of Second Lieutenant Ly Oanh and the 4th Platoon of Sergeant Danh stayed with the Company Headquarters in the hamlet of Hai Loc. Despite repeated shelling by the NVA on these three positions the bridges were quickly and successfully built.
On 28th June 1972, I Corps started operation Lam Son 72, involving the following:
- Airbourne Division
- Marine Division
- 3 Ranger Groups
- The 1st Tank Brigade
- Artillery
- and the units in I Corps
The axis of the advance was the National Highway One. The Airbourne Division was responsible for all targets from the left of the highway westwards, as well as the recovery of the city Quang Tri and its Old Citadel. The Marine Division's area of responsibility started from the right of the highway out towards the sea. Although Quang Tri and the Old Citadel clearly lay within the area of responsibility of the Marine Division, these two targets were intentionally identified as being targets for the Airbourne Division. This decision was made by Lieutenant General Ngo Quang Truong who had previously been attached with the Airbournes, and who wanted to reserve the honour of recovering these targets for his old division.
That night I received orders from Major Nguyen Kim De (the commanding officer of the 9th Battalion) to go to the newly built bridges and guide the first friendly units to cross the river. The unit in question was to be the 1st Company of the 11th Airbourne Division, commanded by Captain Truong Van Tang who not only came from the same home village as me, but had been in the same Officers' class with me. His first target was FB Nancy. I showed him the approach route and pointed out the enemy's positions. By 8.00 his Airbourne unit had wrested back occupation of the FB from the enemy.
Columns of tanks moved northwards daily, and batteries of 105mm and 155mm Howitzers were positioned on National Highway One to support friendly units. Meanwhile fleets of CH53 and CH46 helicopters transported marines to their targets. Watching all these movements, I felt both impatient and excited.
The stretch of road from the My Chanh River to the city of Quang Tri amounted to merely 15km but we paid for every step of the way in blood. The enemy's shelling and artillery rained down with mortal consequences. The Airbournes had to push on, fighting day in day out continuously for thirty days just to reach Mai Linh, the gate to the city of Quang Tri.
Brigadier General Lan was exacting when it came to staff matters, and had Colonel Chung and the other staff officers to draw up detailed plans of troops advance, some of which were both daring and high risk.
On 11th July a fleet of CH53 helilifted the 1st Battalion (under the command of Major Nguyen Dang Hoa) to a distance 2km north of Quang Tri and from there to cut off the NVA's main logistics axis to Quang Tri, namely the Village Route 560.
On 24th July the 5th Battalion (commanded by Major Ho Quang Lich) was helilifted 10km northwest of Quang Tri. A Chinook CH54 was hit by a SA7 missile killing a marine platoon and the American crew. It was to be the last helicopter support we would receive from the US Marine in Vietnam.
From July 1972 the Airbourne Division and the Marine Division advanced in parallel. Many Airbourne units had previously fought at Binh Long and Kontum before proceeding to Quang Tri. And as a result were short of fighters as they had not had time to be replaced before being dispatched to deal with Quang Tri.
The city of Quang Tri had previously been destroyed by B52 bombardments and airforce power, naval artillery, ground force artillery and daily shellings. Not a single house survived unscathed; trees completely disappeared. Everything was in ruins… from which enemy snipers hid and felled many ARVN soldiers. The NVA had posted scouts on the Old Citadel and from that vantage point, they were able to provide accurate assistance to rectify any stray aim from their 130mm guns in Ai Tu Combat Base. And as a result stopped many waves of advances on our part. Amongst the ruins were strategically dispersed pockets of resistance, carefully concealed behind metal sheets and debris. In these circumstances the Airbournes faced a tough task of reclaiming the city. Battle weary with their numbers already down before they had even started fighting in Quang Tri, the Airbournes faltered. They threw everything they had at it, using four of their best battalions (one of which had produced six generals for the ARVN) but to no avail. In a final act of desperation and determination, they sent a group of special commandos to the foot of the wall. All were sacrificed.
Faced with this situation, Lieutenant General Ngo Quang Truong changed tactics. He decided that the Marine Division would replace the Airbourne Division, and it would be the responsibility of the Marines to recover Quang Tri.
At 9:00 Marine Brigade 258 (under the command of Colonel Ngo Van Dinh) began replacing the Airbourne units. The 5th Airbourne Battalion was substituted by the 9th Marine Battalion. Headquarters of the 9th Battalion was camped on a hill at a T-junction in Long Hung, opposite Le Huan Base which was still in enemy hands. The 4th Company approached the Quang Tri railway station. The 1st Company started from the T-junction in Long Hung and advanced along National Highway One before turning right along Ho Dac Khanh Street.
I followed 1st Lieutenant Tuan's 3rd Platoon which lead the column to make contact with an Airbourne Company. Its Commander - a very young 1st Lieutenant, showed me all the positions and requested that the Platoon positioned furthest away, which at that very moment was exchanging fire with the enemy, be replaced. Turning to Tuan, I asked him to order his men to leave their rucksacks and the heavier equipment at this location, and to deploy to provide reinforcement to the friendly platoon in order for them to withdraw and then replace their positions. Tuan was an efficient man and I trusted his capabilities. Another platoon, commanded by a man called Thanh, reached the replacement line and advanced to maintain security. The area at that position was just large enough to accommodate Thanh's platoon. A explosion occurred not far from there and black smoke billowed. Thanh reported that it was not shelling but a grenade that had been rigged as a booby trap by the Airbournes. The explosion resulted in two insignificant injuries. Subsequently, I asked the Airbourne troops to show me all the positions of the grenades, booby traps and mines they had laid. Tuan reported that he had reached the assigned position and the Airbourne troops quickly retreated. I asked Tuan to ensure that his soldiers seek shelter and lie low, firing only when necessary. I requested the Airbournes to withdraw quickly as I still had two companies to bring up from the rear. The faster they retreated the better as an accumulation of troops in the one area would only invite enemy shelling.
1st Lieutenant Thanh reported that an enemy resistance outpost was located some 30m away. I ordered a concentration of M72 and M79 grenade launchers to focus on that location, after which time a squad was to head to the position and finish the job. In the northwest direction amongst the skeletal ruins of houses some VC movement was spotted. 2nd Lieutenant Pham Phu Tang, the Company FO volunteered to deal with it.
Immediately after the withdrawal of the Airbourne Company there was the sound of incoming 82mm mortars from the direction of the Old Citadel. The NVA clearly saw what our intentions were, and were shelling the retreating Airbournes. The first mortar fell some distance away, and the Airbournes took advantage of this to rush across the open space. A soldier in Oanh's platoon was injured by shrapnel; he was evacuated to the Battalion's medical section, and his weapon went to the Rear post.
At seven that evening Thanh reported that his Platoon had destroyed the resistance outpost, killing all three communists and seizing their weapons which included a machine gun, a B40, as well as a box of dried Chinese rations. Out of curiosity his soldiers had tasted the rations and found it both fatty and somewhat salty. It was made from rice flour pressed into the shape of an oblong. After a swig of water to wash it all down, the meal was done. That was it! Not nearly as complicated and labour intensive as an American C ration!
Thanh's Platoon joined up with Tuan's and they both deployed forwards to control a pond on which water spinach grew. Meanwhile, I permitted the Company Headquarters and the heavy weapons platoon to move up, as well as the 2nd Platoon (commanded by 1st Lieutenant Oanh).
The defense position was not in the shape of a rhombus but resembled more of a T. And as a consequence, our first task was to dig a defensive system immediately that night in order to impede any attempt to close in by the enemy. We took advantage of the enemy's previous A and T bunkers, and used all manner of camouflage to avoid the attentions of the snipers. There was to be no noise and no light emitted, which meant no matches and no cooking fires. My dinner that night was three slices of tinned ham and some dried cooked rice.
Two days later I was summoned to Battalion Headquarters were I received my orders: “Advance forward to recapture Bo De High School on Tran Hung Dao street.” From where my Company's position was located to where the target was located required us to pass by the water spinach pond and an exposed area. I asked the Battalion Commander, Major Nguyen Kim De (radio code name Dalat), to allow my men to charge undercover of darkness. He agreed and gave me two days.
I called all the Officers of my Company to a briefing, including 1st Lieutenant Ngo a recent arrival to my unit. Ngo was from the 19th Class of Thu Duc Military School and had served in the 1st Marine Battalion. After being wounded in action in Cambodia he was transferred to the Marine Training Centre at Rung Cam. He now held the position of heavy weapons Platoon leader.
1st Lieutenant Thanh had an outpost next to the water spinach pond; 1st Lieutenant Tuan had a clear view of the other side of the pond. The width of the pond was about 40m, and its banks were about a metre high. If we could reach the banks of the pond we would be able to move troops to the departure line some 50m away. I decided to send two small reconnaissance groups first. 1st Lieutenant Tuan wanted to go with them but I refused telling him to prepare a reinforcement group. He and I followed behind these groups. That night Sergeant Ky and Corporal Qui performed reconnaissance trips and reported to the situation to us.
During the day, Battalion Headquarters had requested airpower and ground artillery to sell the target. 2nd Lieutenant Pham Phu Tang also requested Howitzer shellings occasionally right up to midnight. At 3:00 in the morning all the Platoons were at ready. The men carried only ammunitions, rations for one day, one poncho and a shovel each. A number remained to watch over the rest of the troops' belongings. The 3rd Platoon led by Tuan headed off first. The 1st Platoon led by Thanh advanced on the left, parallel to Tuan's Platoon. Corrugated iron sheets lying haphazardly on the ground amongst the debris caused a lot of noise. The sky was opaque, lit up in the distance in places by flares. It was possible to make out the shadows of the marines as they advanced cautiously. Simplified radio codes were used. The two first Platoons reached the departure line. Without hesitation I ordered them to “Advance! Charge!”. The sounds of gunfire reverberated shattering the stillness of the night. M16 personal firearms pierced the still. I ordered Oanh's platoon to follow and search the departure line as had been planned beforehand. As the marines traversed Tran Hung Dao Street, the communists occupying the school fired back injuring a number of marines while the others charged towards the target. The NVA who abandoned their bunkers to flee were all shot. Artillery flares lit up the sky overhead. The three platoons arrived at the target, wiping out all resistance. Although I had not ordered it specifically, none of the enemy were taken prisoner; all were killed in the fighting. Thanh's Platoon deployed largely southwards but met with enemy resistance at the Quang Tri military and civilian hospital and had to pull back. Tuan's patrol in the north was under heavy fire from the NVA camped in the police station and the town hall. My Company was caught in the cross fire. I longed for the presence of another Company to relieve the pressure on us, either in the direction of the north or south. Oanh's Platoon was busy wiping out resistance pockets at the rear. He also managed to keep both sides of the water spinach pond secure to ensure a route for medivac and resupplies.
I reported to Battalion Headquarters. “Great Eagle, we have occupied the school“. The ground suddenly shook with the enemy's artillery shelling. Their batteries from Dong Ha and their 82mm mortars fired from the Old Citadel were disturbingly accurate. Preliminary reports came in recounting some damage. It was fortunate that the ground floor of the school could be used as a shelter for wounded soldiers. After the shelling, Thanh reported that the NVA from the hospital and the bank of the Thach Han River were crawling like ants over the mounds of bricks and rubble, advancing towards us. Tuan reported that the enemy at the concrete bridge towards the north was advancing along Tran Hung Dao Street towards his platoon. Both sides exchanged intense fire. 2nd Lieutenant Tang's artillery volleys were impeccably timed and effective. And the enemy's first wave of attack was repulsed.
The need to resupply ammunitions to the troops became increasingly more urgent. I requested that Battalion Headquarters deliver them to my position, from which Sergeant Danh would lead some soldiers to fetch them. Being the first unit to enter Quang Tri, my Company was exposed on all three sides. Captain Le Thang's 2nd Company was ready to join us but at that moment it was proving extremely difficult to pass by the water spinach pond. Tang, our Company FO continued to call in the Artillery, and they closed in gradually. Sometimes the shells exploded so near that stones and shrapnel flew over our heads.
That day the weather was fine and Battalion Headquarters ordered me to check fire so that the aircrafts could enter the area. I rang up the uncovered staircase towards the upper floors in order to better direct the aircrafts. Corporal Le Ngoc Trieu, my radioman was running behind me when he was hit in the right shoulder by a sniper's bullet. The front of his uniform blushed rose which almost before my eyes flushed an angry scarlet drowning his entire front in blood. Fortunately no bones were fractured by the bullet. My second radioman dared not cross the open space. Instead he knotted two ends of a poncho together so I could half drag, half lift the radio to where I was on the upper floors. I ordered my cook Nguyen Van Day to replace Trieu in carrying the radio. I changed the radio setting to Air-Ground frequency and started to direct the flights of VNAF A37. Because of the strong presence of the NVA's Anti Aircraft Artillery (AAA) on the north bank of the Thach Han River, the aircraft strikes flew in an east-west direction. I did not dare request air strikes to ease the pressure we faced from the hospital and the police station; there close proximity of our position vis-aø-vis that of the enemy meant that even the tiniest fraction of error on the part of the air strikes would result in our soldiers being bombed causing needless death and loss of combat morale.
No sooner had our aircrafts left the sky overhead, the enemy launched their second wave of attack. This time their B40, B41 and other straight trajectory rockets caused us no end of damage. Our M72 and M79 were able to hold them at bay somewhat. From my vantage point on the upper floors it was very easy to observe the movements, but my own mobility was severely curtailed. If the enemy detected my presence there, it would merely be a matter of sending a B40 rocket my way. I had to run downstairs again.
Downstairs, I spied the bodies of four Marines killed in action, neatly folded inside their ponchos. Six others were severely wounded and lying in stretchers; a number of others had sustained minor injuries and were still able to move. 1st Lieutenant Ngo had a piece of shrapnel in his right forearm. There was no moaning despite the no doubt tearing pain, and looking into their eyes I felt so many emotions tearing at my heart. Battalion Headquarters radioed to state that a M113 would come to the other side of the pond to evacuate the wounded.
Time passed so quickly and already it was late in the afternoon. The communists had ceased their waves of attack, presumably to wait for replacement troops. Meanwhile, I had to plan for the medivac. I ordered Tang to call in the Artillery and to ask them to focus on the northerly direction. I ordered Oanh to adjust fire along the bank of the pond. I then ordered groups of wounded marines to dash back to the other side of the pond, one group after another. 1st Lieutenant Ngo lead the first group. Sergeant Danh became the 4th platoon leader and carried the radio bringing up the rear of the group. Warrant Officer Thong rushed back to fetch some more stretchers and wooden planks to carry the dead. Watching the wounded soldiers helping each other run and limp towards safety touched me enormously. I did not even know the names of some of them, as they had just joined my Company some days before. Finally they reached the other side of the pond. As the evening crept closer, the enemy intensified their shelling, and the number of marines wounded increased proportionately to this. Still, their third wave of attack was also contained.
My main concern was still how to perform the medivac. Battalion Headquarters had sent a group to the other side of the pond to receive the wounded. The sky grew darker and the next group up were the severely wounded lying on stretchers. The last to be transported out would be those killed in action. Somehow, dead men were always heavier. Even the wounded marines were participating in this task, carrying the bodies on their shoulders. After inordinate pain and numerous difficulties in navigating the dash to the other side of the pond, they finally made it.
I then received an order from Major De: “Colonel Ngo Van Dinh has permitted you to return to your original position”. “Great Eagle”, I responded “We can endure this position through the night. It would be such a waste to abandon our effort now”. Major De stated “The prize of 15,000 dong is still going to be rewarded to your company you know.” He was referring to the prize money that had been promised to any unit to enter the city of Quang Tri. To be honest, the money was really of no consequence to us at all. Being the first unit, my Company had paid a dear price. Some had been killed in action, and countless others wounded and would be affected by the resulting disabilities for the rest of their lives. Back in 1972 I had been assigned to the 2nd Marine Battalion (The Crazy Buffaloes), under the then Commander Major Ngo Van Dinh. After the Tet Offensive of 1968, he himself proposed the I be promoted. I silently thanked him and Major for remembering me now. My Company had lost one third of its personnel. Thanks to this order now, my men would be able to leave and return to Duong hill to be resupplied. We would be replaced in our current position by the 3rd Company (under the Command of Captain Nguyen Minh Tri).
The Old Citadel of Dinh Cong Trang was square, each side measuring 500m. Its brick walls were 5m high and 5m wide. A moat, stretching some 10m in width, encircled the citadel. Its northern side was flanked by Le Van Duyet St, which was the prolongation of Village Route 555. Its southern side fronted on to Quang Trung Street, and its east and west side were flanked by Duy Tan Street and Phan Dinh Phung Street respectively. The main road leading to Quang Tri district was on the west, over Tran Hung Dao Street.
At the end of March 1972, after having withdrawn from Ai Tu Combat Base to the safety of this citadel, General Vu Van Giai had built a solid TOC: each of the citadel's four sides were protected by fifteen layers of sandbags with defensive structures above each wall. These fortifications now hindered our advance, providing more than ample protection to Regiment 66 of the NVA's Division 325 inside.
B52s had on several occasions bombarded the Citadel but with limited success. Other bombers had to risk flying low in order to hit the targets. Ground artillery shelled day and night but was unable to cause the excellent network of A and T bunkers built on the wall to collapse.
Marine Brigade 147 was to the east and north east. The 1st Battalion had jumped/parachuted into the district of Trieu Phong and clung on to control of the area in order to cut off the NVA's communications route to the Citadel. The NVA was extremely angry with this tactical blow, and shelled the marines in Trieu Phong mercilessly. Regardless, the NVA had to find another route of communication, and the only other viable alternative was to cross the Thach Han River at night. Seeing the enemy's vulnerability here, Brigrade 258 decided to seize control of the banks of The Thach Han River.
From the Long Hung T-junction along National Highway One to the bank of the Thach Han River was some 400m. Where the 1st company of the 9th Battalion was stationed to the river bank was 200m. The three targets to be occupied first would be the military and civilian hospital, the Bo De High School, and the Quang Tri police station. These targets were to be the areas of responsibility of the 3rd, 4th and 2nd Companies respectively.
Ground Artillery and air strikes were used continuously for two days before the planned attack at day time. Before their departure times, these companies were shelled violently. Despite the losses sustained, the assault proceeding as planned. Upon leaving its position, the 3rd Company met with mines and grenades that had been previously left by friendly troops. As they tried to cross the water spinach pond, the 2nd Company Headquarters and the Forward Artillery Observer (FO) were hit by mortars and rockets fired from the Old Citadel. Many were killed and a significant number wounded, including Captain Le Thang the Company Commander. Later on, Thang was to leave the 9th Battalion and be transferred to Room 1 JGS. He was replaced by 1st Lieutenant Luu Van Phan, nicknamed Fat Phan.
It was an unlucky day. The operation was temporarily delayed and the Companies ordered to return to their previous positions. But there was not a moment to lose as Major De and Major Cang discussed how to change the plan. Captain Nguyen Minh Tri was summoned to attend the briefing. The plan was modified as follows: the 4th Company was to occupy Bo De High School, while the 1st Company was to recover the military and civilian hospital.
The new plan was to commence at eight the following morning. I had to exchange positions with the 3rd Company. The process was completed by noon with minimal difficulties. I called all the Platoon leaders to a meeting. This time my Company was reinforced by three M48 tanks, under the command of 2nd Lieutenant Phuong Quang, and four M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) commanded by 2nd Lieutenant Minh Ngoc. They belonged to Tank Regiment 20.
Tuan's 3rd Platoon was to accompany the tanks. Oanh's 2nd Platoon would cross the water spinach pond under the fire cover of the M113. The 1st Platoon, led by Thanh would head straight at the target, crossing over Tran Hung Dao Street. Air strikes and ground Artillery were called upon to provide continuous shelling.
At 7:00 the next day, Tuan's Platoon moved to the Long Hung T-junction to accompany the three M48 tanks, and clear the road for the four M113 led by Ngoc. Ngoc's APCs were to proceed along Ho Dac Khanh Street to reinforce Oanh's Platoon.
As soon as the first two M113 turned into Ho Dac Khanh Street, NVA mortars fired at them. The other two APCs reversed back. I suggested to Ngoc to alternate the APC with M48 tanks and to carry more of Tuan's troops. The fire power of the APC was substantial, particularly with the 30mm machine guns on either side. These guns started firing very low, covering a large area. The NVA dared not raise their heads. Oanh's Platoon managed to cross the pond and reach the other side. Thanh's Platoon left the departure line. The contingent on the left rushed forward but encountered strong resistance from NVA camped out in bunkers and trenches. Thanh led his men, shouting “Charge!” and indicating with his arm. It was the last move he ever made. A bullet spun his helmet around as another pierced his heart. His radioman told me of Thanh's death, his voice breaking. I ordered the radioman to call Sergeant Tam to the radio to receive my instructions. At the same time I ordered all troops to remain in their positions. The radioman was unable to go and fetch Sergeant Tam. “They are firing too viciously for me to leave right now” he stated.
At that time, Tuan's tanks were speeding forward at high speed. M113 machine guns spewed forth. 90mm rounds from M48 tanks were aimed directly at the area of the hospital. Instead of driving to the Thach Han river bank, Phuong Quang ordered his first M48 tank to turn right entering Tran Hung Dao Street and making straight for the hospital. Ngoc silenced his guns as the 2nd Platoon spilled forth from the belly of the five armoured vehicles. In the blink of an eye, the 1st and 2nd Platoons swarmed over the target simultaneously. The whole company spread out in the hospital, eradicating all the pockets of resistance.
I requested M48 and M113 to use their firepower to contain the enemy posts along the banks of the Thach Han River and Le Huan Base. These posts were concrete blockhouses built by the French at the time of colonisation. My two radiomen followed me as I ran to the 1st platoon. I wanted to see my courageous Platoon leader who had just sacrificed his life for his country. The bullet had passed clean through his heart. The front of his uniform was drenched in blood. His eyes were closed, as if in sleep. I silently bid him farewell. Vale Thanh.
Tuan, Thanh and Cong had all been in the same Class at Thu Duc Military School, and were excellent Officers of the 9th Marine Battalion. My Company had achieved its task. I heard over the radio that the 4th Company led by Tri had successfully reoccupied the Bo De High School. Enemy bunkers and trenches were dealt with through the use of grenades and Claymore mines. Some NVA were taken prisoner, including a number of female fighters. I ordered all Platoons to expand to a defensive formation as I anticipated that it would only be a matter of time before the enemy's artillery would start shelling again. In the days following, the NVA sent waves of counterattacks day and night to the defensive lines of the 1st and 4th Companies. 2nd Lieutenant Nguyen Anh Tuan was wounded, but the defensive lines were held intact.
Written by Captain Kieu Cong Cu
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