The Last Soldier

at Bo River Defensive Line

2nd Lieutenant Phan Van Duong

On 27-01-1973, cease fire in "leopard skin" pattern was officially announced. The Marine Division had established a defensive line from the east shore, across the sand dunes of My Thuy, Long Quang, Cho Can, Vinh Dinh, Quang Tri City to Tich Tuong, Nhu Le and along the southern bank of Thach Han River in the west where the defensive line of the Airborne Division had been. Two years, 1973 and 1974 had quietly passed and the Marines had fit into the role of the Regional Force.

It was at the beginning of 1974, however, that the battle of Thuong Duc broke out. The Airborne Division was moved to Da Nang on the 08-08-1974 and the Marine Division had to spread westwards to replace the Airborne Division.

The Phuoc Long province was then lost on 06-01-1975. The US had provided no response and the NVA had all the favourable factors to launch Campaign 275 to completely invade South Vietnam.

On 10-03-1975, the NVA attacked Ban Me Thuot with 3 Divisions, and this town was lost some days later. A plan to reoccupy the area turned into a tragic retreat on National Route 7B. MRII fell into the enemyùs hand and MRI suffered the same fate in operation Rearrangement of Territory of President Thieu.

On 14-03-1975 the Marine Division received an order to replace the Airborne Division at the Thuong Duc Battle. Brigades 258 and 396 moved to Da Nang. Only Brigade 147 had remained at the Defensive Line of Bo River to protect Hue City. The 3rd Battalion was situated at the Binh Minh Base in the west. The 4th Battalion was located at Hoa My Base and occupied important positions such as Hill 51 and Dong Lam Village. The 5th Battalion was in charge of Village Route 564, at the north bank of Bo River. The NVA had cooperated with local communist guerrillas to perform raids on Co Bi and Hien Si aiming to approach National Route 1.

The 5th Marine Battalion commenced a series of counter attacks and resolutely retained their area of responsibility.

Company 2 of the 5th Battalion was commanded by Captain Tran Van Loan. The executive officer was 1st Lieutenant Le Ba Khanh. The platoon leaders are listed below:

- 2nd Lieutenant Dao Minh Tuan (Platoon 1)

- 2nd Lieutenant  Trinh Ngoc Ninh (Platoon 2)

- 2nd Lieutenant Phan Van Duong (Platoon 3)

- 2nd Lieutenant Bui Cong Thanh (Platoon 4)

The Battalion Commander was Major Pham Van Tien. Major Tien and Captain Loan were originally a part of the Crazy Buffalo Battalion, only Major Ngo Thanh Huu had been in the 5th Battalion for an extended period.

The 5th Battalion were on operation "search and destroy" to protect the region and to destroy any NVA blocking cells in the area. The NVA were approaching the hamlets Co Bi and Hien Si at the south of National Route 1 and An Lo and Cao Xa in the north.

At 3.00 am on 12-03-1975 we had received an order to cross the departure line. Platoon 1 of Dao Minh Tuan and my Platoon 3 were the main forces that were employed by the 1st Lieutenant to directly attack Co Bò It was a small hamlet, almost desolate, just to the south of the Bo River. 

I directed my squads to advance. This was a low area, full of thorny bamboo, situated at the curve of the river. In the current season, the water levels were low and thus very easy to ford across it. In the darkness of the night, my platoon reached the left edge of the hamlet. Platoon 1 of Tuan had reached the river and hindered the NVA from running to the northern bank. They also blocked the NVA reinforcements.

In morning, we had occupied the target and deployed thinly to await the arrival of Group A of the Company. We were ordered to transfer the defensive line to Company 3. When the 1st Platoon of 2nd Lieutenant Tong of the 3rd Company was entering the hamlet, the NVA were shelling us in a shower of Artillery rounds. Quite a number of Marines were killed and more were injured, among them were Captain Loan and 2nd Lieutenant Tong of the 3rd Company. We were immediately ordered to retreat back to our previous positions to avoid further shells.

In the following days, the situation remained rather calm. The 2nd Company of the 5th Battalion deployed from the Hien Si steel bridge to the foot of a mountain near the Binh Minh Base which had been protected by Battalion 3.

On 22-03-1975, we were resupplied and also informed by 2nd Lieutenant Ha, the Chief of S1, that next month, Hoang Vi Thieu, Dao Manh Tuan and Phan Van Duong would be promoted to 1st Lieutenant.

We celebrated the recent promotions but while we were drinking, the enemy attacked. At first, there were only a few rounds targeted at our positions but then it increased in frequency and intensity. We ran towards our platoon positions and when I had returned to my platoon, the enemy had just begun their attack. It was likely that they were seeking revenge for our attacks the previous week.

I was wounded on the right forearm by a mortar and after being bandaged, I radioed Platoon 2. Ninh, the 2nd Lieutenant replied that his platoon still held their positions solidly. Through the radio, I was also informed of the enemyùs attack on the Company Headquarters and Platoons 1 and 4. The enemy had encircled and split the Company into two separate parts. It was 1st Lieutenant Khanh that told me to attempt retaining the defensive line and the 5th Battalion would send Company 4 of Captain Nguyen Van Hai for support. Their first spearheaded platoon was repelled. Platoon leader, 2nd Lieutenant Lan and his RTO were killed. During the course of the day, Company 4 had pushed hard to make contact with us but was unsuccessful. The next day, the Battalion Headquarters requested the 3rd Battalion to allow one of its Companies, near us, to support them. However, due to the great pressure put upon us by the enemy as well as the many losses that we suffered, the Company could not make contact.

I radioed Nguyen Ngoc Tot who had been my classmate, also the 1st Platoon leader of Company 1 of the 3rd Battalion. He informed me of his situation and it seemed that he also could not pull us out. Finally, the Battalion Headquarters asked the 4th Battalion to send a platoon. This platoon was led by 1st Lieutenant Cao Xuan Huy and was supported by tanks. They entered to area trying to remove the heavy siege but were unsuccessful. Since then, I had no radio contact with my Company but only able to communicate with the Battalion Headquarters. I called Captain Giang Van Nhan, Chief of S3 to request Artillery. I also received orders directly from him. At the time, I thought that all the other Companies were still at the same position and defensive line as they were before. However, the situation became clear sooner rather than later.

I was unaware of the time but I received the familiar radio voice of Captain Nhan:

"306! Listen to me carefully. Do exactly what Mosquito is doing. (306 was my radio code name and Mosquito was the radio code name of the 3rd Battalion)."

To make sure of the call, I switched the radio back to the internal frequency and called Dao Manh Tuan, the leader of Platoon 1.

"108! This is 306"

"308! 108 here, speak!"

(The voice seemed a little distant)

"Where are you now?"

"I am moving towards An Hoa"

An Hoa T-Junction was the gate leading to Hue City. Why was he going in that direction? It was a large distance between where I was and where they were going. I was going to enquire further but 2nd Lieutenant Luu, the executive officer of Company 3 of the 3rd Battalion called in. Luu informed me:

"You lead your boys and meet me in two hours. After two hours, I will not wait any longer and I will follow my battalion."

I summoned 2nd Lieutenant Trinh Ngoc Ninh and two Vice-Platoon Leaders, 1st Sergeant Vo Tan Loc and Phan Thien My for a briefing to discuss the exit. We decided not to use the road along the river bank but to go straight for the mountain. Although the slope was steep and difficult to tread on, it was safer because we could avoid the enemyùs blocking cells.

My platoon moved first. My RTO and I went with the 1st squad and Ninh's platoon followed. Everybody moved quietly and tried to hold on to the person in front. The wounded were to be transported first. We moved under the bright starlight. We could see the illuminating flares but they were so distant. I showed everyone the direction of Battalion 3. If we were to encounter the enemy, everybody had to fire intensely and attempt to force our way through. We did not want to be captured in any circumstances.

Finally, at 2.00 am, we arrived at the location of Company 3 of the 3rd Battalion. Waiting there was 2nd Lieutenant Luu. He shared some dry rice and water with us. We also had the supplies handy with us. While everyone sat down and proceeded to rest, Luu informed us of the plan to withdraw Marine Brigade 147 towards Thuan An. The Brigade Headquarters, 4th and 5th Battalion were also withdrawing to gather at the Tan My ferry. That meant that my Battalion and my Company 2 had already left. Luu told our two platoons to follow Company 3 of the 3rd Battalion. So we were the last marines to leave the defensive line at Bo River.

We followed Company 3, leaving the base, the mountains and advanced to the plains and towards National Route 1 to go south. I recalled some days earlier, Major Pham Van Tien, the Battalion Commander said some words that I will never forget. 

"We brought you from the Southern - most part of South Vietnam. We have the responsibility to take you back to that region of South Vietnam."

His words were full of heart and it provided us with hope, but why did I recall it now? Was it a sixth sense or a coincidence? I did not know. In the morning we entered a primary school of the Huong Tra district, close to the route, and ate breakfast. Outside, on the route was the continuous flow of vehicles travelling to Hue City. I did not know what the authorities had in mind but Hue City was abandoned. Deep in my heart, I felt something very sad and great feelings of regret. There was so much blood lost. We had struggled to keep every meter of ground. The Marine Division had fought so hard and for so long for this territory. Innumerable Marines had sacrificed their lives so that this arid region of Central Vietnam could spout a sign of life, but everything was over.

We had received the order to continue to move. The sun was high up when we passed the An Hoa T-Junction. Then we followed the west wall of the old citadel. Crossing the Bach Ho railway bridge, we turned left to enter Hue City. All of the civilians had already rushed out on to the streets, carrying their belongings and holding their children, running amuck. Hue residents have had incidents of mass graves before when the NVA had temporarily occupied it during The Tet offensive in 1968. They were functionaries, soldiers and even simple civilians. They had to leave because the local government was no longer present and the soldiers who had protected them were also abandoning the city. The only thing which remained was the big national flag, which was yellow with three red stripes across it, on the flagpole at Phu Van Lau. We passed the Nguyen Hoang Bridge and the Trang Tien Bridge was on the left. The bridge was also sañened like the spirit of the Hue citizens. Then we passed Hue radio station, Huong Giang Hotel, Dap Da Bridge and walked along Perfume River in the northerly direction. Leaving Vi Da behind, we followed the Inter province Route 551 to the gathering point at Tan My ferry.

The route 551 was only five meters wide, but so many vehicles and people were travelling on it. The NVA had cut National Route 1 at Phu Thuï The 1st Infantry Division was unable to go to the mouth of Tu Hien due to the high waves. Everyone had streamed towards Tan My ferry to find a means to get to Thuan An.

At about 11.00 am on 24-03-1975, the two platoons of Ninh and I met our Company and our Battalion 5, at the ferry. I could not have been happier. I ran towards the Company Headquarters and then to the other platoons to greet everyone. It had only been a few days of separation but to me, it seemed like an eternity. I was glad to see that everyone was safe and no one was missing. Friends informed me of some important news. I did not know where to be happy or sad. The Brigade Headquarters, the 3rd, 4th, 5th Battalions, Long Range Patrol Company, Artillery and Armour Regiment 20 had successfully used canoes, which had been sent here by the Forward Headquarters of Marine Division, to reach Thuan An. Artillery 105mm and 155mm Howitzers, M48, M41 and tanks were left on this side. Only the M113 APC made it across. I also knew that the Special Tank Force Tango, composing of the 7th Battalion, RF Group 913, artillery and tank units had also withdrawn from Huong Dien and were positioned in Base Tran Ba about 1km north of us.

This area was not large, but there was an immense crowd. Out in the sea, the VN Navy ship HQ 801 was approaching the shore, about 50m away. It was not marines but the crowd which had darted toward it. No one had noted the small group of VC guerrillas who were around and opened fire at the ship. All hell broke loose. The waves were very high and strong. The crowd flooded towards the sea. Some NVA mortars exploded around the sea. The beach was no longer safe and the ship began to turn around and sail into open sea. This brought a cry of desperation from so many people. Marines were ordered to stay in place and destroy the group of VC guerrillas.

The Marine Brigade moved to the south to find another safe pick up beach, but it was difficult. We received orders to dig foxholes and defend for the night.

On the morning of 26-03-1975, a small LCU landed to pick up Brigade 147 Headquarters and all wounded Marines. Bodies of Major Nguyen Tri Nam, the executive officer of the 4th Battalion and Captain To Thanh Chieu, a Company Commander of the 4th Battalion who were killed by snipers the previous afternoon, were also transported to the ship. Le Ba Khanh, the 1st Lieutenant asked me whether I wanted to board the ship to get to Danang, because I had been wounded in the forearm but I decided not to because my Company and my platoon was still here.

Suñenly, the NVA had used heat seeking AT3 rockets to fire at the ship. Colonel Nguyen The Luong was wounded in the leg. The ship quickly sailed into the open sea. It was the only ship which could carry that number of wounded Marines. The second ship tried to dock but the crowd which attempted to climb aboard was too large and the ship became overloaded and ran aground. The VC fired at it and the people who died as a result was uncountable.

The previous night the NVA had crossed the mouth of Thuan An and Tan My ferry. Marines had tried to combat and create a bloody path to arrive at the mouth of Tu Hien. However, according to Major Pham Van Tien:

"To so say a bloody path" was in a way the denial of the dissolutions of units. The way to the southern most part of South Vietnam was blocked. The immense sea and the unreachable sky were all around us. We moved in good order but without formation. The wounded were unable to follow closely with their friends going ahead. They sat down together and let hand grenades explode. "It's better to die than to be captured by the VC" That was the truth. In my platoon, there were 1st Sergeant Phan Thien My, the Vice-Platoon Leader and 1st Class Private Nguyen Van An who had participated in such a glorious death. My military life ended in the north of the mouth of Tu Hien in Hue on 26-03-1975.

2nd Lieutenant Phan Van Duong

Marine Brigade 147

Retreated in March 1975

Major Pham Van Tien

At the beginning of March 1975, North Vietnam used all its strength to try and occupy the whole of South Vietnam. Binh Long and An Loc were lost in their hands. Ban Me Thuot was left open and a massive retreat of II corps to Nha Trang as well as to other cities followed. Meanwhile the northern defensive line kept by Marine Division was still safe. Both sides were carefully watching each other.

The Airborne Division was in Duc Duc of Quang Nam province.

Marine Division was in charge of a long defensive line stretching from the sea shore in the east to the mountains of Truong Son range in the west. Passing My Thuy, Long Quang, Bich La, Trieu Phong, South of Thach Han river, Nhu Le, Tich Tuong, La Vang, Dong Ong Do, Barbara, Anne, Co Bi, Hien Si, Thanh Tan, Lo o… Group 911 and independent companies of RF of Quang Tri province, they were all put under the command of Marine Division. Given the responsibility of safety and defence, the Marine Division were always able to attack the enemy, eg. the crossing of Thach Han river in 10-1972 of Battalion 6, the operation to reoccupy Cua Viet in January 1973. (This occurred some hours before the time fixed for cease fire by Paris Agreement) and the destruction of a NVA big cargo ship at My Thuy sea by Brigade 258 in June 1974. In the contrary, NVA did not dare to attack Marine units, yet instead sabotaged sapper's activities and triggered mine explosions of logistics road. This was the most solid defence line, being more than capable in stopping all NVA invasions from the north.

o0o

Due to great disturbances in the nation and urgent demands for battlefields, the JGS decided to move most of the Marine Division to the South. This composed of Brigades 258, 369 and the newly formed 468. Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen The Luong commanded Brigade 147 which was composed of Battalions 3, 4 and 5. This Brigade and an Artillery Battalion, two long range patrol companies and Battalion 7 were contingents of the Special Task Force Tango which was commanded by Colonel Nguyen Thanh Tri. All these units were located at the defensive line. To replace the empty hole left by the withdrawal, two Ranger Groups arrived, with insufficient personnel. That was the start of the following abandonment in the Northern front of Quang Tri.

On 7-3-1975, the enemy started opening a violent attack on an outpost platoon at Hill 51, Base Tu Tuong, west of National Route 1, at kilometre mark 23. This unit was commanded by 1st Lieutenant Sang, the executive officer of Company 1, Battalion 4. It combated toughly, pushing back many enemy human waves. At the last radio contact by radio PRC - 25 at 4:00 AM, he requested Artillery "right on top of his position" because it had been overrun. He then sacrificed his life in close combat with the enemy by grenades. Early in the morning 9-3-1975, Major Tran Ngoc Toan directed all the remaining forces to counterattack. Thanks to the extremely accurate airstrikes of the A37 aircrafts, Battalion 4 mastered the situation. Bodies of the NVA littered the mine fields of the defensive line. Another number of NVA hid in bushes and were captured. On the same night, in another place, the RF Battalion 121 captured a whole NVA platoon when it had been trying to advance to the Huong Dien district. On 22-3-1975, the last supply convoy left the units of the rear station in Mang Ca of Hue to run to the area of operation.

We knew that most of the civilians had fled to Da Nang and the rear stations had brought all the equipment to Thuan An Mouth. I told all companies to pack all equipment and send all sick or wounded marines on this convoy to Hue. On 23-3-1975, at 3:00pm, after having simultaneously shelled at all units, the NVA from the upper part of Bo River, attacked and charged at the defensive line of Company 2. Being suddenly assaulted and lacking alertness, these two platoons' defensive lines were broken. I radioed Captain Tran Van Loan, the Company 5 commander and told him to try and gather all of his boys to rearrange deployment. I also reported the situation to the Colonel Brigade commander. He ordered to reoccupy the lost positions at all costs. Admitting all potentials losses and damages, Company 4 of Captain Nguyen Van Hai reinforced and accomplished the mission at 6.00am, 24-3-1975. During this time most of the Ranger and RF units abandoned the defensive line, North of Quang Tri, by themselves, and withdrew to Hue disorderly. Quang Tri city was considered as completely left open. Battalion 4 received orders to move to the south of An Lo Bridge and make a blocking force. Battalion 7 positioned itself along the My Chanh River, from Van Trinh Bridge to the sea in the east. It was the northern most defensive line of South Vietnam.

At 4:00, I was summoned to attend an urgent briefing at the Brigade Headquarters. Colonel Luong, the Brigade Commander, informed us about the general situation and told us to execute a tactical withdrawal of all units to Thuan An Mouth, immediately that night. The north of Hai Van Pass would fall into the enemy hands. It was exactly like Quang Tri that morning, which had been abandoned after some rare mortar shellings.

The most important thing now was how to protect my unit safely to complete the retreat, i.e. to finish a march of about 30km at night. Major Ngo Thanh Huu, the executive officer and Captain Giang Van Nhan, the chief of S3 were waiting for me. We agreed to each other that we would withdraw secretly and unexpectedly. All heavy weapons, such as 90mm cannons, 81 mm mortars, antitank TOW rockets, ammunition and all heavy equipment would be destroyed in place or be thrown into the river. Company 1 of Captain Ho Van Chanh, which has been positioned as an outpost in the distance, was to move first. We did not use the daily road which passes by a small hamlet at An Lo Bridge at the seventeenth kilometre. However, we marched south along the railway and then we changed direction towards National Route 1 where all the companies will meet. There were already hundreds of soldiers of all service branches, having been disconnected from units, standing around four lonesome, abandoned M48 tanks on the road. The tanks cannons pointed toward the enemy direction. These soldiers were speaking and joking as if they had been attending a night manoeuvre in an open field. Reaching Huong Tra high school on the eastern side of National Route 1, we stopped to recount personnel and rearranged deployment. It was lucky that my battalion still had a jeep which ran back and forth to bring some exhausted soldiers dragging their feet in the rear. There was an unexpected incident. A RF platoon had been ordered to gather at this place to wait for an order which had never come. The RF of Huong Tra district was forgotten. The old platoon leader asked to accompany us. Some M41 tanks started their motors and advanced among the troops. Crowds of civilians mingled in or followed us. They came from Cho Can, Hoi Yen, Van Trinh, Hai Lang, My Chanh… and joined us either yesterday or this morning. They had no hope of being protected by ARVN if they were to continue to stay in those places. Weeping and crying sounds reverberated in the sky. These unfortunate people dragged their feet to freedom. What would happen to the elderly leaning on their walking sticks, or the children? Would they have enough strength to flee or would they succumb at midway?

We left the An Hoa T junction to turn right to and advance to Hue. The city was left open in the darkness. There were only some lamps on the roadsides. Some flares occasionally tore the dark sky. They were thrown up by soldiers, disconnected from their disintegrating units and they did not know what to do. There were some gun sounds mixed with the howling of dogs being left behind in deserted houses. Phu Van Lau was still here, close to Perfume River. However, no more boats were sailing in the river. My Battalion started walking across a newly built concrete bridge and from there we turned left towards the direction of the sea. My jeep stopped on this side of the river, waiting for the last soldier to cross the bridge. I felt reassured and proud of my soldiers. Everybody was brave, enduring and always obeying the superiors' orders during those dangerous moments. I could not remember how many times I had ordered my boys to "charge" to the death. With my twelve years as a combatant's life, the number of times I had done so was certainly not small. Being a low ranked commander, I was only the one who transmitted orders from my superiors and followed up the executions of those orders. For myself, I was caught in that cycle! Some strong winds came from the sea. The bridge, the river were souvenirs. I suddenly felt that I would like to see some familiar places for the last time and hoped that these places would remind me of some people of the past! I told my driver to return my jeep and I intended to follow the Old Trang Tien Bridge to cross the river. There was not a single car on the streets or the roads. Darkness was flapping its wings in the distance. There were only shadows of some people. I started feeling a chill. With exception to the marine units, the other units had nothing left to distinguish one from another. There was now no sentimental relationship between the people. Someone could whimsically release a trigger. I received an order to go forward and meet Colonel Nguyen The Luong. He gave me a number of maps. My Battalion had to change the route we travelled to the Tan My ferry. The segment of the road from Vy Da hamlet to Thuan An mouth was excessively overcrowded and jammed with civilians and disintegrated unit soldiers. Innumerable vehicles were pouring into this place. Sergeant Major Thuong brought back some crates of beer "33", probably from the deserted Huong Giang hotel.

He said:

- Great Eagle, drink!

- Go quickly! How can we drink in this urgent situation!

From the direction of "Hell" restaurant, a man about 60 years of age, came and complained that a number of soldiers had searched and looted his house.

The Sergeant Major said: Great eagle! Be careful! It could be the NVA. Who knows who's who in this twilight situation?

Passing the Dap Da bridge for a short distance, we turned right into an earthy road. The Vi Da hamlet was sunken in the quiet night. Scattered were some petrol lamps in small temples, vestiges of the golden time during the Nguyen Dynasty. Dogs were barking more and more on the sides of the deserted gardens. Troops still were moving. Reaching a broken road, it was obligatory to abandon the jeep.

- Sir, destroy it!

- Not necessarily. We are moving. It's best not to cause explosion.

Mumbling, Lien, the driver took out a knife out of a pocket, cut all wires inside the head of the car and threw its battery to a nearby thick bush. He did not forget to drop a lot of sand into the petrol tank, saying:

- We are not stupid enough to leave the car to cruel hands? If we don't use it, I will destroy it…

At day break, my whole company was present on this side of Pha Tam Giang, the immense lagoon. Everybody was radiantly glad. The crossing of Pha Tam Giang lasted three hours, using a number of boats or sampans of residents from a fishing hamlet. Today was a beautiful sunny day. The sky was blue and clear. Sunlight shone on the surface of the sea. Light winds caressed the waves on the shore. Nothing was more comforting than sitting here, under the shadow of the rows of firs, standing on sand dunes and looking at the open seas where many ships had been. I hurriedly swallowed some dried cooked rice from a half consumed bag. I was still obsessed by the weeping, crying and moaning sounds of civilians, old and young, on the way of retreat this morning. That was an extreme sadness of life. I woke up when there was an order to prepare my unit to travel towards the landing beach in order to board ships. It was about 2:00pm on 25-3-1975. The whole of Brigade 147 gathered on the white sand beach in good order. It looked like a preparation for an amphibious operation in the past but it was not that easy to board the ships! The NVA had pursued us last night. They were at our heels today. They were present on the other side of the ferry. They had infiltrated among our troops. Due to an order of General Lam Quang Thi, the executive officer of I Corps, the VN Navy ship HQ 801 had been reserved and waiting for us about 50m from the shore. However, not only we were needed to survive, civilians and soldiers of broken units also needed to be rescued, but no one had a plan to help them. In this urgent and desperate situation, nobody thought of other people other than one's self. Everybody shoved against others to survive. He who was stronger won.

Waves were stronger now. It was like the rebounding of a spring, everybody rushed toward the ship. People not knowing how to swim clung to swimmers. Some M113 ran into the sea and rolled over people. Shouting, weeping, crying, howling and crying. A high wave rose. Two waves smashed down… Some heads were bobbing. A number of bodies sunk, disappearing while the ship motor was still running. The enemy had crossed the Tan My ferry. They were present in a temple on a hill at an end of a village. They captured a number of soldiers. They started shelling the sea surface. The landing beach was no longer safe and order was lost. The ship left. To retain security, Brigade Headquarters decided to choose another landing beach further south, and by all means to separate from the extremely chaotic crowd. Along the shore, there were so many bodies, pale faces, immobile and not breathing. There were unknown faces. There were familiar faces, among them, Captain An, the Commander of the RF Company of Quang Tri province.

We had withdrawn in South Laos in 1971 and abandoned Dong Ha, Quang Tri in 1972, during extremely dangerous situations. However, we had not been so desperate like today because we had always hoped for reinforcements. Today, we fell into complete and total desperation. The whole Brigade with more than 3000 troops was in an area of four square kilometres and was exposing our backs to the enemy. The VN Navy battle ships were still in the open sea, but where were their naval artilleries? The flimsy hope was to be picked up by ships, but in which order? Which unit would be bearing the brunt and become the last sacrifice? Afternoon sunrays spread along the large white sand beach, announcing a coming nightfall. Brigade 147 decided to deploy in a defensive line: Battalion 4 and 7 in the west, Battalion 3 in the south and my Battalion 5 in the north. Captain To Thanh Chien, commander of Company 2, and Major Nguyen Tri Nam, the executive officer of Battalion 4 sacrificed their lives dur to the NVA snipers during this deployment. The most heartbreaking thing was that both of them had just married and both of their wives were pregnant. They were fateful deaths. An order coming from the Brigade Headquarters said: The ship would come tonight or at the latest, tomorrow morning. Boarding would be in the following order: Brigade Headquarters, 2nd Artillery Battalion, Battalion 4, Battalion 3, Battalion 5 and Battalion 7.

Under the dim moonlight, the crowd being abandoned in the afternoon massively approached our defensive line. There was no other solution than to stop them near our defensive lines to avoid disturbances for units inside the defensive perimeter. Guns were still clattering regularly and no ship had landed. The moon rose higher and higher.

Early in the morning 26-3-1975, a ship landed according to the Brigade directive. With previous preparations boarding was relatively more orderly this time. Priority was for the Brigade headquarters and the wounded of all battalions. The enemy tried to hit us with fatal blows. NVA shelling increased more and more. The ship was a good target for the NVA to readjust co-ordinates for their artillery. One fire ball, two fireballs and then many more fireballs of the NVA heat seeking AT3 rockets were flying everywhere. Some fell on floating people. One hit the hull of the ship. It lurched, then weighed anchor and sailed into the open sea.

To relieve my tension, I emerged from my fox hole and walked around my defensive line. Light path of bullet trajectories mingled with mortar trajectories in the sea winds. Our 60 mm mortars and M79 grenades launchers retaliated now and then. They were not very effective, but it was just to show that we were still there. Close to the water line, Major Vo Dang Phuong, the 2nd Artillery Battalion commander, Captain Le The Hao and some soldiers were hurriedly digging foxholes with their helmets. They were the last people being left behind while most of their units had boarded the ship.

- 207! This is 416. You stay there and take care of all the boys!

- Yes! Hear you clear, 416!

The radio code name of Major Pham Cang, the commander of Battalion 7, was 207. He was the most senior and talented in our present group. Also, 416 was the radio code name of Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dang Tong, executive officer of Brigade 147.

Afternoon sunlight faded slowly and slowly. Sea waves rippled. The sand beach was so empty, to the point of coldness. There was not a single shadow. Marines were fighting in the defensive line, or hiding in foxholes. They regretted, they longed for another ship to come. Companies of my battalion had some more wounded and some more killed. Ammunitions and food dried up while I tried to keep the fighting morale of my unit by frequently making radio contact with companies. A feeling of being forsaken started sparking in my mind, but I still could not believe that it was a reality. Looking at a special note of the signal codes, I turned my radio frequency to the Marine Division headquarters frequency. They were somewhere on the Hai Van Pass, with a relay station between Hue and Da Nang. The man who answered me was Captain Dan - aide de camp of Marine Division commandant. I said:

- Dai Duong, please let me speak to Lang Son (Dai Duong was the radio code name of Captain Dan. Lang Son was the radio code name of the Commandant of Marine Division).

- Lang Son has been so busy. Tell me what you want. I will transfer your words.

- Ask him to give us an order.

- Here, we are too busy. Nobody can help you… with anything. Its best for you to "self serve". Good luck!

I had a black out. Desperate, I threw the radio handset into the sand. "Self serve" meant every man for himself, run for your life! Or dissolve the units! About past noon, Lieutenant General Thi reappeared with a very stern voice. He ordered another Viet Nam Navy ship to pick us up at all costs. A ship moved directly to the shore, about 200m north of our defensive line. This time, Battalion 4 would board under the command of Major Dinh Long Thanh, the new commander of this battalion. No matter what that ship was reserved for, no matter whose privilege it was, crowds from all directions torrentially rushed to it. The ship was immediately overloaded and it lurched. Its propeller stopped turning. The ship stayed immobile. Its motors were broken. Another night here would be worsening the situation. I had to decide now! But how? After having shaved my beard, I called 1st Corporal Le Hong Quang Nam, my closest body guard and said:

- Prepare for me some water and some bags of dried cooked rice!

- Master, please do not abandon us. Permit us to follow you.

Thuan and Thanh, my two RTO burst into tears.

I told them: Be calm! As "Master and disciples" we will live or die together. My mind was always obsessed by the suggestion of Captain Dan: "Self Serve!". However, there were five to seven different ways. The first option was to choose some very strong soldiers originated from Phan Thiet or Nha Trang and were born as fishermen and then ask them to search civilian houses along the shore to find a canoe or a sampan. We would then sneak out to the sea. Even if this solution sounded reasonable, it was not that easy! We would be fired at by brothers in arms before being killed by sharks. A second option was to declare dissolution of my Battalion and each soldier would "run for their lives!" It was not my fault to dissolve the battalion though. However, to do so was so crude!

I radioed Major Cang of Battalion 7 and Major Su of Battalion 3.

We came to a conclusion that there was not a better way than to open a blood path to the south, to the Hien mouth.

Saying to open a blood path was a kind of denial of dissolution of units. The way to the South was blocked. Even if we could reach there after many casualties, there would only be sky and… the immense sea. We then wait there for NVA predators. We still moved in good order, but no longer in formation. Our force eroded and our strength exhausted. We had firearms in our hands, but they contained no ammunition. Morale disappeared. We just walked, and ran, the further from the enemy the better. There were so many loud explosions, a few were from the enemy and a great number from us. Wounded marines had no more strength to follow that retreating column. They crawled to each other and gathered. They let grenades explode to "better gloriously die than shamefully live". The foremost platoon of Battalion 3 was stopped by a VC guerrilla company. The platoon ran backwards. The retreating mass ran forward with no hope and full of desperation. Never before had I been longing for life. I continuously, mumbled a prayer: "Stagnation would change, change would become a Flow."

Our group of five branched off into a fishing hamlet, hoping to be helped by the coherent sentiment "soldiers and civilians" in the past. Unfortunately, units had been dissolved and the civilians' sympathy did not continue to persist. We pleaded with residents to help us, to let us rent their sampan, with money. However, they coldly and categorically refused.

I found a canoe owner who was middle aged and was a robust man. He may have been a guerrilla or an undercover VC. His face was slightly pockmarked. We had to threaten him by pointing firearms to his temple. This was the second time that I had fled the "bandits". At the age of five, I followed my mother to run into terraces and hide whenever the French Army attacked our village. Now, 26 years later, after having matured in military life, and still having brothers in arms with some rare ammunition in the firearms, I had to escape NVA. The sampan owner sitting with me now was 99% VC. He sabotaged the motor of his canoe to stop it. He gave sign to enemy sampans or canoes when his canoe came close to them. Nhan and Ngoc, my two soldiers intended to kill him, but I did not permit them to do so.

During just only some ephemeral days, there had been so many unexpected events. What would be my fate and the others' destinies when the sunrise appears? The hope of survival was extremely flimsy while death would be a certainty. Early in the next morning, after having run out of fuel, the canoe floated, exposed, on the immense sea water of the Tu Hien mouth. Enemy flags were seen here and there. In the distance was the blue mountain range of the Hai Van Pass which seemed to invite us, to attract us. We missed it. We longed for it. Our fates were so predetermined, but by who?

Farewell to arms. We threw them down in the water. Sitting there, waiting for NVA. Our hands were tied and we were led to the shore. We were "liberated" of all uniforms, watches, bracelets, necklaces and money. Some of us were led to one side and shot dead. We were insulted as puppets of the US Empire. We were no more as we had been, just because we had served in the ARVN to protect freedom of South Vietnam. We were abandoned but we had fought with all our lives. The life of some thousand marines as prisoners started on that day… 27-3-1975 in a small remote, but familiar hamlet, Vinh Loc hamlet, Thua Thien province, Hue, right in our beloved nation, South Vietnam.

Major Pham Van Tien.

Destroying a NVA

Logistic ship, 1974

Captain Mai Van Tan

In June 1974, Marine Brigade 258 Headquarters was stationed at the Hoi Yen intersection (Hai Lang, Quang Tri province).

At 6.00 am, Battery B of the 1st Marine Artillery Battalion reported a strange ship which had been sailing from Cua Viet to Huong Dien. The Brigade Headquarters radioed the VN Navy which confirmed that there had been no VN Navy ship in the region on that day. The appearance of that ship was reported to the Marine Division Headquarters. The Major General, Commandant of Marine Division Headquarters flew in a helicopter to make an observation. The ship was ordered to land at My Thuy port (Quang Tri). It did not obey and continuously fired machine guns at our units at My Thuy. The Brigade 258 Headquarters ordered M48 tanks to fire 90mm cannons, directly at the ship when it had been passing by My Thuy at 9.57 am. That NVA ship sank. It belonged to the NVA Naval Regiment 5, and had serial number T174.

Frogmen of Marine Corps were ordered to search it. They reported the ship had been loaded with ammunitions, dried cooked rice, canned pork made by Red China - All NVA sailors had been killed.

Captain Mai Van Tan

The Flags...

Major Tran Ngoc Toan

Back then, it was the monsoon season in Quang Tri. The Marines were positioned at various places - Cua Viet, Lavang, Dong Ong Do, Quang tri Citadel, along the Thach Han River, the My Chanh River and along the mountains and hills west of Hai Lang. The elite troops of the National Reserve had moved constantly around the battlefields of South Vietnam, but after the Paris Peace Treaty was signed, the troops were practically tied down in one spot. The border between South and North Vietnam was the line of demarcation separating the Marines from the NVA. In some areas, the outposts of each side were so close that enemies could practically touch each other across the line of demarcation.

The Communists were very cunning - they made the most of the ceasefire by planting the flags of the “National Front For the Liberation of the South” everywhere. Day and night, the NVA assailed the ears of the Marines with propaganda. To deal with the situation, the Marines called in the Psywar Group in.

Short of flags, the units collected enough money for some pots of red and yellow paint. They painted the National flag on sheets of corrugated iron that they had salvaged from the ruins of the Quang Tri Old Citadel. The yellow metal sheets with three red lines were then set upright in front of the enemy flags. The iron Southern Vietnamese flags stood proud and firm against all adversity. 

Major Tran Ngoc Toan

Before The Cease-Fire

Lt-Colonel Tran Thien Hieu

Prior to the official cease-fire, both sides launched several attacks in attempts to snatch more land. To surprise the enemy all the Brigades and Battalions were left in place and only a light Field Staff, commanded by Colonel Nguyen Thanh Tri was organized. The attacking force was made up of two prongs, composed of four Marine Companies accompanied by two mixed Armour Battalions with M48, M41 and M113 Armoured Personnel Carriers.

The 3rd Artillery Battalion with companies I and K and four 155mm Howitzers were to give fire support. That was the first time my Battalion had Alpha and Bravo Command groups. I commanded Alpha Command Group. The trucks pulling the two 105mm Companies drove on the sand without difficulty, and reached their position at dusk. The 155mm Howitzers unfortunately became stuck in the sand close to the sea. I had to borrow an M113 APC to pull them out, finally bringing them into position at midnight. By then enemy had observed and seen our positions, and started firing their 130mm guns. Fortunately the short ones fell on sand dunes and the long ones hit sea. We looked forward to eating fish the next day !

Two Americans from the Naval Gunfire group came to organize for supporting artillery from their ships. According to the artillery overlay, the naval gunfire group was to spend 5,000 rounds, the Marine Artillery, 10,000 rounds for both the 105mm guns and the 155mm guns. In addition, nine B52 sorties were scheduled to bomb the Cua Viet area, the main target of the operation. Lang Son (Colonel Lan) had confided in me that there would be maximal use of artillery guns, whilst aircrafts were to be used on the odd occasion. The reason was that the Artillery could provide fire support to several advancing prongs simultaneously, whereas aircrafts could only provide support to only one prong, during which time, the Artillery would have to stop firing. I was to receive support from all companies of the 1st and 2nd Artillery Battalions, which were within range.

That night, all Artillery battalions fired to harrass the enemy, and to clear the way. Naval guns from a score of warships fired continuously. Thousands of explosions rained down on the Cua Viet area. Ho Chi Minh's “children” crawled deep into the sand to endure the artillery poundings. In the distance, B52 bombs thundered.

I thought to myself that with so many bombs and artillery shellings, our troops were bound to recapture Cua Viet by morning. At dawn, hearing the engines of the tank columns, I took a pair of binoculars and climbed on top of a sand dune. The sight was prodigiously gratifying. Dozens of tanks stormed forward in formation, guns ablazing. The accompanying Marines advanced rapidly in waves. With the first sun rays, I was in raptures at the sight of artillery smoke, explosions and flashes of gunfire. Fifteen minutes later, the tank column disappeared behind some sand dunes. I returned to TOC to follow their progress by radio and map advancements.

All reports were favourable. Several enemy strong holds were dislodged, and a number of POWs had been caught. About ten female Communists were captured, and numerous weapons were seized. All of a sudden, I heard swear words coming through the radio. 

“Why did you stop firing? Their machine guns are hindering our advance.”

“I am under heavy fire. Wait until it abates."

I hurriedly took the microphone. “Kinh Do, Ha Noi is calling. Please get out of the bunker - ignore the fire, and tell the artillerymen to take up firing positions! I'm coming right now.” Two minutes later, I heard the departing sound of our rounds.

“Rounds are firing, sir. If you heard, please answer.”

Coming out of the TOC bunker, I looked in the direction of the Artillery Companies which had been under enemy shelling. The enemy were counter firing along the sea-shore, so there was little effect on us. I mounted my jeep to visit all three companies. Our troops were all waiting expectantly for the order to cease-fire, scheduled at 8.00 am on the morrow. Personally, I did not know how things would turn out. But the cease-fire was still a long time away, and at that moment, the Marine units were still confronting the enemy, we were still providing fire support, and more ammunition was required from the rear supply station. Even if the cease fire did take place, it was crucial to have one fire unit at hand.

On entering the TOC again, I saw First Lieutenant Dung still monitoring the forward observers via radio. 

“We have two Artillery Companies. Four forward observers have requested permission fire support. I've given them a platoon each, but they are complaining that's not enough!” he said.

“Dung, go and have your lunch now. Let me call the 1st and 2nd Artillery Battalions for reinforcement.” I changed frequencies and called Doan Trong Cao, commander of the 1st Battalion. “Can Truong, Ha Noi calling... lend me a “son” of yours quickly.”

“Ha Noi, I'm giving you Alpha. They'll call you for orders.”

Switching back to the previous frequency, I heard from Company A: “Hanoi, Alpha is calling.”

“Alpha, Ha Noi is speaking... Go to position 2 to help 33. Is that clear?”

The morning's progress went very well, but by noon, the Communists started to resist fiercely along a large front. Our advances were severely hampered, and our chances to invade Cua Viet Base by the afternoon seemed dim.

Dung came in and told me some prisoners had just been brought back. Among them were some female Communists, who were behaving with much bravado. They were joking, laughing, and talking amongst themselves. We offered them Coca Cola, but they refused to drink the American drink. Canned food was rejected for the same reason. They chose stale rice and plain water instead. Looking at them, I agreed with Dung that the vile creatures were making fun of us. I then went for a nap, in expectation of the long night ahead.

It was already dark when I woke up. I could hear the Artillery providing fire support. There had been only a couple of aircraft sorties during the day, so there was an arduous night ahead for the Artillery men. The convoy of supplies had reached us, and there was plenty of ammunition for the night.

Because Cua Viet base had not been seized, the order to attack had not been changed. All forces continued to provide fierce support for the main column driving towards Cua Viet. As the illumination aircraft did not come, I requested flares via the American Naval Gun Liaison Officer. Looking northerly I saw the flares illuminate the sea about a kilometre from the shore. First Lieutenant Dung pulled the Liaison out of the bunker and requested correction of the coordinates. He apologized and expressed his annoyance through the radio to the guys in the warships. That night, the naval guns fired profusely, as if the U.S navy wanted to unload all of its cargo. The Marine Artillery also pounded the enemy continuosly, but forward observers continued to request fire support. Some of them were so high on smoke and enthusiasm that they requested exorbitant amounts of gunfire. Some requested 100 salvos - the equivalent of 600 rounds or the load of three GMC trucks. If the cease-fire was a sure thing, we would have happily pounded them with all of our remaining artillery, but unsure whether they would honor the cease-fire, we had to fire in moderation. We were not so stupid as to trust the Communists, and exhaust all our ammunition. Ever since the Communists crossed the 17th Parrallel, all Artillery Companies always had three basic loads of all kinds of ammunition ready for emergencies.

All Marine units were heavily engaged that night. Advancing was very important because on failing to do so, the enemy would surge forwards - which they did regularly. Our main objective, Cua Viet base was still not regained. As I looked out and saw the first sunrays, I realised that I had been up all night without realizing it. I was exhausted, and could barely keep my eyes opened. I was able to utter one sentence before I collapsed on to a canvas folding bed: 

“Dung, man the radio, if anything happens, wake me!”

At 8.00am on January 28th 1973, the Cease-fire came into effect. Major Hart, my adviser woke me up, and the first thing I saw was his sad expression. “It was time for us to part. Within ten minutes, a helicopter was to pick the naval fire group and I up. I hope you have a safe return to the USA.” I said as I held his hand tightly.

Handing his Marine knife to me, Hart said: “This is all I have for you as a souvenir. Please keep it.” The helicopter landed, picked up Hart, and the two naval officers and quickly flew towards the sea. Further out at sea, the American ships had turned their bows to the east. 

I realized that the battlefield was silent. Soldiers were looking about for rods to hoist our national flag. Hundreds of flags of all shapes and sizes propped up on top of the bunkers. At 8.15 am Dung called me. The forward observers requested fire because the enemy had already violated the cease-fire. They had sent more tanks to storm Cua Viet, and our troops were forced to flee. The Marine Division gave the order to fire. There had been barely 20 minutes of cease-fire. Artillery Company K stationed in the south reported that the enemy had raised a flag only 300m away, but were waving, instead of being aggressive. I directed First Lieutenant Vinh to lower two gun barrels ready for direct firing, just in case. A 50mm machine gun was to be levelled at them, whilst guard posts were to be reinforced.

At 10.00am on the same day, the Communists began to seize more land and capture more civilians. We were forced to dislodge them from positions behind the defensive line. At the Cua Viet front, NVA units ever so slowly approaching our troops. Receiving no firing orders from top officials, our men had to retreat. Finally, the Marines were forced to fire in order to keep the enemy away. Again the forward observers requested fire. After a sleepless night, artillery men had to load their guns again. The enemy fire was not as continuous as ours since their ammunition had not arrived on time. Our own stock had about ten thousand rounds, enough for at least a month.

The enemy pressure was so strong at Cua Viet that our troops had to withdraw gradually. Some NVA soldiers had even reached the area of Artillery Company I. I was intending to order a retreat when a forward observer asked for firepower. Looking at the map, I realized that he had been standing inside the enemy area, and that all friendly troops had retreated 1km southwards. I called him on the radio: “Anh Dung, Ha Noi is calling... why are you still there?”

“Fuck...! There are so many of them. Great Eagle, fire immediately for me the more the better...” The situation was very serious for our young brother in arms to have sworn like that. Without further ado, I ordered all three artillery companies to concentrate firepower to prevent the enemy from storming his batteries. The enemy stopped advancing, and his position later became the separation line dividing both sides.

That evening, I sadly watched the column of tanks that had so heroically advanced the day before. The intact ones were pulling the crippled ones home. It was a particularly depressing and gloomy spectacle.

The following morning, the Field Staff and the artillery companies retreated five kilometres to the south. Artillery Company K was positioned at the highest place. It was very uncomfortable to see the huge flag of the VC's National Front of Liberation, waving aloft. From where we were, I could clearly see the NVA men and women singing and waving. Three days later, I received orders to dislodge that particularly enemy post. Artillery Company K sent more than a hundred rounds of direct fire in their direction. I wondered if they had had time to escape or whether they had fulfilled their oath of "Born in the North, died in the South.”

Small skirmishes continued for another month to quash isolated enemy outposts that spotted the countryside. Later, I found out that there had been some backroom negotiations at the top levels to reduce bloodshed.

The Battle of Cua Viet was my last as an artillery man.In January1974, I was transferred to the position of Marine Division Senior Artillery Officer to replace Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Van Truoc who was demobilized. At the end of that year, I fell out of favour, and became assistant to Lieutenant Colonel Hay Chua at Division Inspection. I remember meeting Lieutenant General Nguyen Duc Thang the day before we lost our country. Like me, he had also fallen from grace. His advice was: “I don't think we should bother hanging around. I don't think we're needed.”

I did not participate in the last battles with the Marine Corps. In March 1975, the 2nd Artillery Battalion disintegrated at the same time as the 147th Brigade. Dat, who replace me as Marine Division Artillery Senior Officer, had to burn the guns of the 1st and the 3rd Battalions, in Da Nang. After April 30th 1975, most of the Marine Artillery officers were forced into concentration camps. Dang Ba Dat was amongst them, though he had had the chance to flee the country with the Division Headquarters. Myself and a few lower ranked officers were lucky enough to board a Naval ship headed for Con Son at 1.00am on April 30th 1975.

I once joked with my kids: “I did not loose the battle - I never lost any battle.” 

“So why did you have to flee?” they teased back. 

“Because I did not have the opportunity to partake in the last battle”. 

My grand son said: “Grandfather, you always win... you never lose.”

Virginia, October 1996.

Lt-Colonel Tran Thien Hieu

Operation Cua Viet 1973

Major Pham Van Tien

Whilst I was the executive officer of the 2nd Marine Battalion, I received a transfer to become the Executive Officer of the 4th Marine Battalion in mid November 1972 while the two units were carrying out operations. I replaced Captain Phuoc, while Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dang Tong replaced Lieutenant Colonel Tran Xuan Quang as Battalion Commander. This was a sudden change that was not particularly of interest to me. My superiors had thoroughly pondered, before making the decision. I did not like having my routine changed, especially when I had to leave my beloved 2nd Battalion. I had had so many memories with 2nd Battalion, which I had joined straight after my graduation from the military academy. I liked the Marines in my platoon, and had gone through so much with them. We had shared joy, sadness, and dangers.

But orders were orders. The 4th Marine Battalion had been at the front line at Long Quang, in the north east, close to Gia Dang sea shore. Having suffered continuous losses, its fighting morale was not very optimistic. Our duty was to normalize its condition. Having over-come some reservations at the beginning, I found no difficulties in getting used to the unit.

The enemy persisted with their continuous artillery on the unit's position. In revenge, Marine Artillery counter-shelled with all their might. Even as the monsoon raged about them, the “Killer Sharks” of the 4th Battalion were always ready in their trenches and foxholes for the enemy. The defensive system and personnel were rearranged and reinforced. We were always with the Marines at the front lines, discussing with Company Commanders about hypothetical scenarios.

When the enemy attacked again, the "Killer Sharks” exacted a victory thanks to good preparation and the support of the Marine Artillery, Armour reinforcements, and a healthy morale. Forty enemy weapons were seized and numerous NVA bodies littered the unit position.

The 4th Marine Battalion was then moved to Huong Dien for R & R. Captain Duong Cong Pho, who was from the 5th Marine Battalion had just finished the Company Commander course. He replaced First Lieutenant Xuan as 1st Company Commander. Captain Nguyen Tri Nam of the Marine Training Centre became Chief of S3. The pre-existing Company Commanders were:

Captain Ngo Huu Duc, of the 2nd Company

First Lieutenant Mai Van Hieu of the 3rd Company.

First Lieutenant Duong Tan Tuoc of the 4th Company

First Lieutenant Tran Kim Tai, of the Command and service company.

Every one of them were graduates from Da Lat National Military Academy, except Tai, who was from the Thu Duc Military School for Reserve Officers. They were young, brave bachelors who were ready to dedicate themselves to the unit and to the subordinate Marines.

Lieutenant Colonel Tong and I were also from the Da Lat Military Academy. We had had several good times fighting side by side.

Now the 4th Battalion was ordered to start another operation to recover Cua Viet. This was a special operation, aimed at using the military to support political ventures. In addition to their normal fighting equipment, each soldier had to carry five small national flags ready to plant on occupied ground. I had been involved in Operation LamSon 719, in Operation Song Than 1972 to Recapture Quang Tri, but all of these operations were protracted, depending on the situation and the terrain. But this time, it was real Blitz. It was dictated by an international treaty. Our time was limited and each second counted. We had only 25 hours - between 7.00am on the 27th of January 1973, to 8.00 am on the 28th of January 1973. All units were supposed to invade as much land as possible on the white sand dunes that were invested with enemy strong holds, booby traps and land mines.

Special Task Force “Tango” commanded by the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Division, Colonel Nguyen Thanh Tri, was composed of:

1. The Main Force consisting of :

The 2nd Marine Battalion

The 4th Marine Battalion

Three companies of the 9th Marine Battalion

One Company of the 5th Marine Battalion.

2. Supporting Units

All three Marine Artillery Battalions

The 20th Armour Squadron.

Being executive officer of the 4th Marine Battalion, I was to co-ordinate with Major Hoang Kieu, Executive Officer of the Armour Battalion at the line of departure. The main target was to recover the naval base the ARVN had had to leave in 1972, at the mouth of the Hieu Giang River Mouth. (The Hieu Giang River flowed between Dong Ha and the sea). The displacement of the base was 12km away from our own position.

Marine Artillery raked the target 30 minutes before the time of departure. M48, M41 tanks with their extremely strong firepower and accompanying troops simultaneously stormed forwards. For the first time in the history of the Marines, we used human wave tactics to attack the enemy.

Caught by surprise, the enemy ran for their lives. Numerous NVA soldiers surrendered. After a few hours, we captured sixty NVA, complete with weapons. On the left flank, to the west, the 2nd Marine Battalion was still moving but were slow because they were having difficulties in crossing dangerous areas of barren land. Defeated in the first hours, the enemy quickly regrouped a regiment. Behind them were T54 and T59 tanks to counter atttack. Some of our M48s and M41s were hit by heat seeking AT3 missiles. A few wounded Marines had to be evacuated.

At 8.00pm on the same day, we had only swallowed half the stretch, suffering from remarkably heavy losses. I was directed to move back to the rear with Captain Duc, the 2nd Company Commander to await further orders, while the 3rd and the 4th Companies were left to occupy the newly occupied forces. The Special Task Force sent the 2nd Company of Captain Tu Duc Tho and the 4th Company of Captain Tran Dinh Cong, both from the 2nd Marine Battalion to come under my command. I was to co-ordinate with the remaining battalions of the 20th Armour Squadron.

The new plan was also a combined Armour-Marine attack. The force advanced northwards along the coast, not at all afraid of any resistance. This was a very daring and risky attempt because our left flank was completely unprotected. That was to be a surprise. We stormed forwards. The enemy never suspected our plans. Thus they did not know how to react. At exactly 7.58 am on the 28th of January, only two minutes before the cease-fire was to come into effect, our forces mastered the situation.

Captain Xuan and Captain Le Nam, the two Squadron Commanders, and the Marines had carried out their tasks well. Thousands of national flags flew in the wind above the sky of Cua Viet.

On the enemy side, flags of the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam were also planted. For the first time that month, the sun shone. The sky was clear and the sunrays warmed my face. The waves seemed to applaud the peace.

Soldiers on both sides forgot the order of “No Contact” and hugged each other, cheering the peace. There was to be no more of the cruel, vicious and protracted war. They offered each other cigarettes, cooled rice, dried biscuits, and even signed autographs as souvenirs of the days on the battlefields. But there were also people who cried for their brothers in arms who were killed yesterday and in the early hours of the morning. A Treaty signed in Paris, more than half the world awy, was affecting us now. The gun fire had stopped.

But an order came through warning us to resupply, prepare medevac, re-equip as soon as possible, and to maintain a vigilent lookout.

The bloodthirsty Communists were reknown for aggreeing to a cease-fire, only to attack and take advantage of the agreement. They had done that in the Mau Than Tet offensive, and in other situations as well. They always violated whatever they signed, and we had learnt the hard way never to believe them. The order against fraternization was enforced. The enemy also seemed to share the same view, because they suddenly disappeared.

Not long after, they set up a system of megaphones sending out propaganda and accusing us of violating the Cease-fire. The situation became tenser and tenser as the afternoon progressed. At 9.00pm of the same day, the enemy gathered troops to besiege Captain Tu Duc Tho's 2nd Company. Under their increasing presence, the unit had to withdraw out of the naval base which we had occupied in the morning. To conserve the fighting unit, while awaiting intervention from the cease-fire control committee, orders were given to the unit to withdraw back to the Task Force Headquarters, near the sea shore and close to the river mouth.

The enemy started shelling again and broke the Cease-fire. We received orders to launch a defence without supports. Marine Artillery Companies were ready to fire but received no orders to do so. South Vietnamese Navy (VMM) ships were offshore but did not intervene.

Early in the morning of the 31st of March, after more than three days and nights of shellings, we felt like a boxer all tied up and forced to endure the enemy's onslaught.

It became apparent that waiting for the arrival of the Cease-fire from the international control committee was pointless. The Communist contigent of the committee would never accept anything unfavourable to Communism. We, the freedom fighters, who believed in justice, were again the victims of dirty politics. It was illogical that we were forced to sign a treaty that acknowledged the demands of armed robbers. It was ridiculous that in addition to the North, they could claim isolated areas around the country - creating a leopard skin geography. The enemy was free at all fronts to expand into our territories - from the north, the west and the south. We were besieged from all quarters by VC exuding from pockets of territories that all of a sudden was theirs. The only side free of them was the east - where the sea was.

On the last night, Colonel Nguyen Thanh Tri, the Assistant Commandant of the Marine Division who had directly commanded the operation contacted us continuously via radio. He was worried that we would be overrun by a large scale attack. But being the “Crazy Buffaloes” and the “Killer Sharks”, representatives of the ARVN's mightiest corps, we would never have allowed that to happen. However, our endurance did depend on the supporting firepowers at the rear, and reinforcements.

We continued to wait for further orders, but none came. Three difficult problems had to somehow be dealt with:

1. More than a third of the tanks had been destroyed by the enemy artillery, and were nothing more than immobile masses of steel.

2. Lack of drinking water, food and ammunition.

3. Numerous wounded soldiers and the dead of the Marines needed medevac.

As we had foreseen, enemy tanks and infantry started to storm our defensive lines not long after. The platoon outpost of the 4th Company/ 2nd Marine Battalion had to withdraw to the 2nd Defensive line.

Captain Le Nam of the Armour Battalion personally destroyed two T59 tanks which were approaching our position. All our strong firepowers were concentrated at the enemy. Eventually Captain Nam suggested that we withdraw - he was prepared to be court marshalled for desertion if necessary. With that, all the remaining tanks led by him withdrew. Many of us fortunately survived to return, but there was no greater pain than having to leave our slain Marine brothers-in-arms, who had fought so courageously and had obeyed their superiors to the end.

We should never forget to honour and thank all the "Sea Tigers" who died in the battle, and all the ARVN troops who fought bravely in the war for freedom in South Vietnam.

Arlington, Texas. January 1997

Major Pham Van Tien

Cua Viet

Captain Tran Van Loan

On 23-01-1973, the 2nd Marine Battalion officially replaced the 9th Battalion at Gia Dang 3, northeast of Quang Tri and 9km from Cua Viet. My Company 1 received the area from Company 3 of Battalion 9. This Company was commanded by Captain Doan Van Tinh of Class 22A Dalat Military Academy, which was a year above my class. The exchange of position occurred at night, because we did not want to be tasty prey for the NVA snipers or become targets for their mortars.

On 24-01-1973, my Company started making sudden raids upon the very thick network of NVA blocking cells which were arranged in triangles. These cells supported each other with AK-47s, B40s and mortars. In the evening of 25-01-1973, Group B of 1st Lieutenant Pham Ngoc Suong, utilised the "Stir in the east, attack in the west" tactic. Platoon 12 of 2nd Lieutenant Tran Gia Tang and Platoon 16 of 3rd Lieutenant Nguyen Kinh simultaneously charged and overran the enemy defensive line after volleys of the 105mm Howitzer rounds with "variable time fuses" or "delayed time fuses". Fifteen NVA were killed. In addition, eleven AK-47s, three B40s, a Hungarian sniper rifle and five cardboard boxes of dried food were seized. We had five slightly wounded. Only 3rd Lieutenant Nguyen Kinh needed a medevac.

At 7:00 on 27-01-1973, Special Task Force Tango suddenly crossed the departure line and stormed into Cua Viet. This Special Task Force Tango was commanded by Major Pham Van Tien, the Executive Officer of the 4th Marine Battalion.

It was composed of:

-  M48, M41, M113 tank Battalions of Tank Regiment 20

- Company 3 of 1st Lieutenant Mai Van Hieu (of Class 23 Dalat Military Academy)

-  Companyy 4 of 1st Lieutenant Duong Tan Tuoc (of Class 23 Dalat Military Academy)

Both Companies were from the 4th Battalion

Looking at the tanks rushing forward at full speed, I thought I was reviewing a film of the Allied forces landing in Normandy, France on 06-06-1944. Company 1 then advanced to search the battlefield. Due to the unexpected attack, the NVA had no timed to react and no way to retreat. They had no choice but to stay in their positions waiting for the time to surrender.

The search resulted in many captured prisoners and seized weapons of all kinds. Of the 60 prisoners, Company 1 of the 2nd Marine Battalion captured about 10. During the interrogation, the prisoners all said that they had been high school boys in Hanoi and Hai Phong. They were forced to stop studying and go south to occupy newly liberated areas. They were told that the Marines would immediately slit abdomens of prisoners for their livers to devour raw. Due to this fear, some of the young prisoners smeared their body with a red solution and faked death with their heads beneath the sand.

I was reporting to the Battalion headquarters and discussing the transfer prisoners and seized weapons when a big explosion was heard from the direction of Platoon 16. Third Lieutenant Ha The Don, platoon leader, reported that some NVA had faked a surrender and when the Marines stepped forward to disarm them, they let mines off, killing Corporal Le Sanh Thach and three others. I then radioed higher authorities stating that from then on, my company would not like to take anymore prisoners.

The fleet of tanks had passed. Now, the NVA 130mm artillery rounds were raining on my Company 1. It was also unknown where the NVA forward artillery scouts had been, however, they adjusted the coordinates very accurately. The first round exploded a hundred metres in front of me, the second a hundred metres behind me, and the third fifty metres to the right… "Beware! The NVA are adjusting their coordinates in framing, be careful of…" I did not have enough time to complete my sentence when a deafening explosion threw me five metres away. I sat up, my face and uniform was covered in dust. I saw 2nd Lieutenant Nguyen Tan Tai, the forward observer being wounded in the abdomen and lying immobile beside his two dead soldiers. My two RTOs were also wounded. One of them had multiple fractures to the leg and the other had half of his tongue cut away when a piece of 130mm round had pierced through a cheek.

The Battalion Headquarters thought I had been killed. No one knew I was carrying three radios (one to the battalion headquarters, one to the platoon and one for artillery) and was still directing my company to advance.

At 6:00pm on 27-01-1973, my company came close to the foot of hill 11 and Platoon 12 informed me that there had been a strong blocking cell there, extending to the sea shore. I ordered them to arrange a defensive line, put outposts in the distance and set up many claymore mines and grenades. Then I reported to the Battalion headquarters. It was 1st Lieutenant Tran Dinh Cong (Class 26 Thu Duc) who directed his Company 4 to arrive and replace my Company. My Company was to board a convoy in order to reinforce Cua Viet.

At 7:58am, that is only two minutes before the fixed time for a cease-fire (8:00am 28-01-1975), Special Tank Force Tango mastered the Navy Base Cua Viet after 25 hours of battle.

On 29-01-1973, seeing that the situation seemed tense and the VC could, at any moment, attack, Group B of the 9th Battalion, commanded by Major Pham Cang and a Company of Phan (Class 25 Thu Duc) arrived to reinforce my Company. In the afternoon, Group B received orders to move to another location.

On 30-01-1973, the situation became worse due to the probing attacks of the NVA. Company 2 of Captain Tu Duc Tho received an order to go with M41 Tank Battalion, Regiment 17 of Captain Nguyen Quang Trung to reinforce Special Force Tango at Cua Viet. When the Tank Battalion arrived at Hill 11, it was stopped by the NVA blocking cells. However, finally facing the powerful forces of those tanks, they had to let them go.

In the morning of 31-01-1973, the NVA used 130mm artillery, 122mm rockets and 107mm rockets to shell continuously on the Navy Base Cua Viet. Their tanks, accompanied by infantry, then attacked the Company 2 defensive line. Right at the first minute of the Tank battle, Captain Le Ba Nam (of Class 20 Thu Duc Military school) bravely commanded his M48 Tank Squadron to destroy a number of NVA T54 Tanks and PT76 tanks. Their formation was ruptured. However, other waves of NVA tanks appeared. They tried to annihilate our Special Force Tango.

The NVA firepower was so powerful while our fire supports were only based on three Artillery Battalions and a 155mm Artillery Company from I Corps Artillery Mobile Battalion 101. The VN Navy did appear in the sea but then lackadaisically sailed and then disappeared. There was no intervention from the VNAF! Why did the A37 and F5-E squadrons not come and refute the NVA's crude violations of the cease-fire?

After 24 hours of defending the base, Major Pham Van Tien had to decide by himself, to continue combat and at the same time withdraw to conserve the unit. This is because no one dared to speak out, except for the very passive attitude. It was obvious that they wanted the Four-Sides Committee to solve the violation! Major Tran Van Hop asked me to stop the withdrawal unit and together, establish a defensive line to block their chase. I disagreed with him because I believed that my Company alone was able to stop them. Platoon 12 of 2nd Lieutenant Tang fired the T54 tanks with M72 LAWs at the NVA first and caused a break in their column. They began to decelerate.

After the Special Force Tango had safely retreated to the back, Major Tran Van Hop ordered me to abandon my position and retreat 3km to the back. My Company then positioned near the 155mm Howitzer unit which had been counter-shelled and completely destroyed by the NVA artillery. It was likely that the 2nd Battalion Commander had feared that he might lose me.

In the morning of 01-02-1973, Captain Mai Van Hieu (of the same class with me in the Dalat Military Academy) led his Company 3 of the 4th Battalion to replace my Company.

My Company moved to Gia Dang 1 to protect Special Task Force Tango headquarters of Colonel Nguyen Thanh Tri. The remaining companies of the 2nd Battalion moved to the Division Headquarters at Huong Dien so that Companies 2 and 4 could be resupplied in manpower.

On the first day of the Lunar New Year, 1973, Brigadier General Bui The Lan arrived by helicopter at the Special Task Force Headquarters to wish and console the Task Force. Standing in the ranks, I heard the General speaking: "Although we were not strategically successful, we politically were!" Truly I would like to use this statement as to share my communion and sentiment with more sadness than joy with Major Pham Van Tien, a senior and a courageous, respectable commander of mine.

Captain Tran Van Loan