White Blouse and

Tiger Striped Uniform

Dr Nguyen Van The, M.D. Lieutenant Colonel

Today on the front cover of the Magazine Register, Orange Country, California, I saw the picture of an American medic who had been awarded by the US president the highest medal: The medal of Honour.

It was already 30 years after this medic, in an operation at Long Khanh had used his own body as a shield to protect wounded brothers in arms whom he had been treating. He himself was wounded by several machine guns bullets and shrapnel.

I then thought of the Vietnamese Marine Corps Doctors and medics. A number of them were killed while they had been taking care of other Marines. I also wanted to see them being decorated with highly precious medals of the Republic of Vietnam - a Vietnam which would stay in my heart forever.

Some years ago, during a visit to Orange Country, Major General Bui The Lan the last commander of the Marine Division asked me and also suggested: Mr. The, why didn't you write something about the Marine Doctors? You all had contributed a lot!

The reason for this recommendation was that the Marine Corps had published the book "History of Vietnamese Marine Corps" in which I had written the article "The life of a Marine Surgeon". It recounted the time I had been serving in the Marine Corps and about operation Lam Son 719 in South Laos.

I was not a writer but Doctor Tran Xuan Dung, the editor of the book "History of Vietnamese Marine Corps" had always encouraged me to write an article which would be printed in a book about military medical corps. It would be published at the General Conference of Vietnamese Doctors, Dentists and Pharmacists in the free world, in the Summer Year of 2000 at Paris.

Dung was the Doctor of the 4th Marine Battalion in 1966, 1967 and then the Doctor of Marine Task Force B in 1968. Later on, he was appointed to be commander of 2nd Medical Battalion of 2nd Infantry Division before being transferred to Military Medical School.

Dr. Dung had more Marine blood in his arteries than medical blood and continued to serve Marine Corps with his pen and left many precious works to next generations. I had to salute him.

After having graduated in the Class 11 of Military Medical School in 1964, Dr. Tran Ngoc Minh and I were transferred to the Marine Corps. Since then, our white blouses were replaced by tiger striped uniforms. Dr. Minh never knew that his name would be later used to name a Military Hospital situated next to the Military Medical School.

I presented myself to Captain Nguyen Thanh Tri, the commander of the 4th Marine battalion at the beginning of 1965 and before the Lunar New Year. Dr. Minh was assigned to the 3rd Marine Battalion. In my unit, I was told that the 4th Marine Battalion had suffered heavy losses at Binh Gia battle where it had to combat an overwhelming NVA force being armed with modern weapons. The whole Battalion headquarters were killed, including the Battalion Doctor. Dr. Truong Ba Han was the first Marine Doctor to be killed in the war. His name was later used to name the Military Hospital in Soc Trang.

I walked around to see the Battalion rear base and the Battalion dispensary. The Base was named as Hoang Hoa Tham Camp and was situated close to the Junior Military School and the Military Hospital. The dispensary was in a two storied old home situated inside the soldiers' family camp. The Battalion primary school was in the ground floor. The dispensary occupied the upper floor. While walking around, I saw that the number of widows carrying a mourning white band on their heads were more numerous than the number of Marines. When I entered the dispensary, 1st Sergeant Cong, the chief medic and five to seven other medics who had survived the Binh Gia battle, stood up to salute me. They were survivors of the medical platoon which had been numbered at about fifteen. The 1st Sergeant, Cong gave me a list of recently killed medics and briefed me about some matters which needed to be done. In the following days, in parallel with consultations, treatment and training, I also encountered difficult problems with mourning losses and suffering which had been caused by the war. These problems had never been taught in the Faculty of Medicine and in the Military Medical School. Only then I understood the meaning, in depth, of words such as "killed in action", orphans, widows, "12 months salary for dead soldiers" and comprehended the heart-broken situation which was hidden behind those words.

After months in the recovery period, the 4th Marine Battalion was ready to perform operations again. We moved to Ba Hom, a hamlet outside the Phu Lam district to replace the 3rd Marine Battalion in the mission of protecting the Capital. This 3rd Battalion would move to the Centre of Vietnam. I was sitting on the same Jeep with Captain Nhon, the executive officer of the Battalion, on the road leading to Ba Hom. Incidentally, I saw Dr. Minh's Jeep coming in the opposite direction. We stopped. Dr. Minh and I gladly shook hand with one another. It was a great joy because we had not seen each other since the day we became Marine Doctors. We conversed emotionally then we had to part. Dr. Minh held me tightly in his arms and said: "Be careful, The! I'll go to the centre of Vietnam first. I'll meet you later!"

Some weeks later, in a straw hut, in Ba Hom, where the 4th Marine Battalion headquarters had been, I suddenly felt very anxious. I hurriedly walked across a road to ask the signal underofficer: "Have you heard any news about the 3rd Battalion?" He replied: "That Battalion engaged in battle. It already probably had eight "killed in action", and none was an Officer”.

I felt reassured and returned to the Battalion headquarters. However, a moment later, that Signal sergeant came to me and said: "Doctor, I just received the news, that among the killed, there was one officer and that was the Doctor of the 3rd Battalion". That news hit me like a thunderbolt. I sobbingly choked, because this was the first time I tasted a great loss due to the war. He was my close friend, a classmate and a companion.

Right now, there was only me in Marine Corps. I felt an absolute loneliness and I thought: "When would it be my turn?" Thinking back the moment of parting with Dr. Minh, I became superstitious. Later, whenever I went into operation, I never greeted goodbye to anybody. I just silently went, not saying a single word even with my wife and my children.

Then the 4th Battalion performed operations in the centre of Vietnam: Bong Son, Hoai Thanh, Tam Quang, Hill 10, Phu Cu, Quang Ngai, Minh Long etc… and in Highland areas: Pleiku, Kontum, Duc Co, Phu Bon, Pleime and Ban Me Thuot. During this time, another friend of mine, Dr. Le Huu Sanh who had been a Doctor of the 5th Marine Battalion for some months, was killed in a battle in Quang Ngai. His name was later used to name the Marine Hospital.

The war escalated with fiercer battles, in many more areas than before. Many doctors who had also been close friends of mine, namely Airborne Dr. Do Vinh, 5th Infantry Division Doctor Nguyen Van Nhut and Armour Dr. Tran Thai were also successively killed. A year later, 1st Sergeant Dien replaced Sergeant Major Cong who was transferred to another unit. Dien became chief of medics. After a period of time he was wounded and then was demobilised.

The 4th Battalion returned to Rear Base at Vung Tau to rest for a week and then went into operation in Ba Hom again, then An Lac, Rung Sat, back to the centre in Qui Nhon, La Tinh stream, An Lao.

In the centre of Vietnam, Battalion 4 used to perform operations in parallel with the 1st Marine Battalion which had been commanded by Major Ton That Soan. Its Doctor was Dr. Tran Manh Tuong, another class mate of mine. He, being mobilised, entered Marine Corps 6 months after me. He and I frequently met each other and so I felt less lonely.

After the operation in La Tinh stream, An Lao district, I returned with many malarial attacks. I lost a number of kilograms in weight. I was then replaced by Dr. Tran Xuan Dung.

Dr. Pham Huu Hao entered Marine Corps at the same time with Dr. Tuong and became Doctor of the 2nd Marine Battalion. In mid 1966, this Battalion was ambushed at Pho Trach. Dr. Hao was wounded in his left thigh. A medic carried Dr. Hao, piggy-back, to run out of the ambush area and Dr. Hao survived. Being just replaced in the 4th Battalion, I was ordered to substitute for that wounded Doctor in the 2nd Marine Battalion, although I still had had malaria.

I returned to the Medical Company after two years accompanying the Marine Battalions in operations, with battles, big or small, in forests, on rice fields, up in the mountains or on hills. A number of Marines lay down, succumbed. Only by witnessing it and going through such hardships one could then realise the prosperities and safeties in cities had been due to the contributions of sweat and blood of a great number of combatants. They defended the country in remote areas and nobody had taken notice of their presence or thought of them.

Two other Doctors also returned to the Medical Company: Dr. Tuong from 1st Battalion and Dr. Cuong from 3rd Battalion. They stayed in the Marine Corps and together we worked until 30-4-1975.

Dr. Ngo Quang Trung replaced Dr. Cuong in the 3rd Battalion. In an operation in Tan An, Cai Lay district, this Battalion engaged the enemy. The fighting was heavy. A bullet hit Dr. Trung's helmet and ploughed a burned line on his scalp which bled. His hair was also burned. After having medevacuated all wounded Marines, the chief medic pushed Dr. Trung into the last helicopter which carried them to Cong Hoa Military General Hospital.

Although the wound was light, it left a remarkable impression in the mind of that new Marine Doctor. After a short period of rest, Dr. Trung returned to the 3rd Battalion until the end of his tour of duty.

The Tet offensive brought Marine units to the north of the Capital to stop the NVA infiltration from War Zone D. In 1-10-1968, the Marine Brigade transformed into a Marine Division. Lieutenant General Le Nguyen Khang was still the commandant. Marine Medical Company was upgraded to a Medical battalion. The dispensary Cuu Long became Hospital Le Huu Sanh.

The battles extended to MRIV, U Minh forests. One day, I was informed that Dr. Long of the 1st Marine Battalion had been wounded. A bullet hit his spinal cord and both of his legs were paralysed. He was treated in an American Hospital in Long Binh. Although being severely wounded, Dr. Long still kept his humoristic spirit. He was brave and ready to accept his disability.

The next day, I received news saying that Dr. Nguyen Trung Khanh of 1st Battalion had been wounded in the abdomen and had been medevacuated by an US helicopter to unknown place! Dr. Tran Chu My, the Commander of "Collect and Triage of wounded" Company, Major Shackelford, my American advisor, and myself, went to Can Tho to find Dr. Khanh. After a day of making radio contacts with American units, we managed to see Dr. Khanh. He was being treated in an American Field Hospital, on a ship anchored in the middle of the Mekong River.

We then boarded a military ferry from Chau Doc to Neak Luong to visit Dr. Hai and his medical platoon who had being accompanying a Brigade which was performing an operation in the border area.

Many Marine medics had also sacrificed. For me, as their Commander, nothing was as difficult as to go to fix a medal on a coffin and to express sympathy with the family of the killed medic. Words, no matter how impassioned they were, were still unable to bring anything to replace the loss and the collapse of the mourning family. I always felt sharp pains in my heart which had seemingly been tightened in a vice. I just hoped, in such occasion, to bring some small warm consolation to that family.

In 1970, Marine Medical Battalion moved to Rung Cam, inside the Song Than Base, near Di An. The Hospital was spacious and had 250 beds and a maternity. Midwives were female children of the Marines. They were trained by the Marine Medical Battalion.

In the end of 1971, while I was attending a Marine Staffing course in San Diego, California, a young Doctor of the 6th Marine Battalion, Dr. Dinh Quoc Bao, was killed by a NVA shelling in an abandoned American base in MRI, near the DMZ.

In 1972, the situation in the centre of Vietnam boiled up. Marine units, having a new commandant, Major General Bui The Lan, were almost permanently present in MRI, because they had to replace the US Marine units which had retreated to USA. The Vietnamese Marine units combated with the NVA who had crossed the Thach Han River and had advanced to the My Chanh river in so many battles. Marines units then reoccupied lost areas and finally recovered the Quang Tri Old Citadel. It was the last episode of the Vietnam War before the Paris cease fire Agreement.

During this time, the Marine Medical Battalion was very busy with medevac and treatment of a large number of Marines being wounded in the battlefields from My Chanh to Trieu Phong, from Thanh Huong to Lang Thuy in Quang Tri and Thua Thien Provinces.

More than twenty Marine Doctors and about 500 Marine medics were present in the battlefields. I still recalled names and facial features of a number of Doctors who had been working with us during this difficult time: Dr. Truong, the beard, Dr. Trung Chinh, the singer with a guitar in Brigade 369, Dr. Minh and Dr. Thanh who were reticent and very conscientious, of Brigade 258, Dr. Truong the moustache and Dr. Rau, a very agile doctor of Brigade 147, and all other young Doctors of the twelve marine Battalions…

I would also never forget Dr. Hiep, Nam, Tam, Dong, Hanh, Hai… and many other who had been ready, day and night, in the Le Huu Sanh Hospital in our Rear Base.

Dr  Nguyen Van The, M.D. Lt-Colonel

The Third Marine Battalion

Raised the National Flag on the Quang Tri

Old Citadel on the 15th of September 1972

Captain Giang Van Nhan

* 24th of August 1972

My injuries from Quang Tri have resulted in my staying hospitalised at Le Huu Sanh for one and a half months. During this time, I came across many sad and joyful memories - those which I will cherish forever. 

Wounded marines lay in surgical wards as every one of them had suffered injuries - each of varying levels of severity. Some victims became amputees - sacrificing for their own country.

One of the casualties unfortunately lost his vision. Upon hearing that his girlfriend was on her way to visit him during one weekend, he asked another patient, who was in a wheel chair, to guide him to the toilets in order for him to hide.

 Another victim lay there completely motionless, paralysed. The only thing he had was his sight, and the pride and bitterness he held for his nation. His had to be soaked in ointment in an attempt to heal the bruises that covered his body. Lying on nylon sheeting, he never once moved. 

These accounts yield similar cases for many of the injured ARVN fighters. With their lives willingly on the line, they were fought nobly for their right of freedom.  At a very young age, these soldiers left their home and their loved ones - a sacrifice done in order for them to perform various operations both day and night in the jungles of the U Minh where  they trekked strenuously through mud and swamps, or in Truong Son range.

Soldiers fought with their lives to protect the country's peaceful existence. Pity is emerged as you think about their sacrifice. The urgent demands in the battlefields were constantly requiring fighters up front. As a result, as soon as soldiers recovered from their injuries would be immediately sent by aircraft to their battalion to serve.

Captain Anh (Class 21 of Dalat Military Academy) and I were transported in a jeep pass the gate of Marine Division head quarters after the streetlights of Saigon were switched on. A roll call was taken in the flag square , which had recently ended. I carried my backpack and followed them to the hall. Lying on the floor, I grew contemplative. There were approximately seventy 3rd Lieutenant of the two consecutive classes from Thu Duc Military School. They had been assigned to different Battalions of the Marine Division. Here they were now gathered again, waiting for an airlift the next day.

It was only that night that they were brought together. Everyone knew that they were unlikely to ever reunite. From the next day onward, they would face their enemies, supported by the communist countries, in the humid battlefield. Rounds of NVA 130mm would rain continuously in Quang Tri city. Death would become a common occurrence, something that could happen at any given time. Who would survive? Who would be sacrificed? Many questions were left unanswered. 

Young officers eagerly engaged in conversation with one other, disregarding sleep, and reminiscing of their days in Military school. They spoke with detached and innocent laughter, with smiles on their faces. I tossed and turned, struggling to sleep. 

I recalled during my stay in hospital, my Company suffered from a heavy loss in the Quang Tri old citadel. Second Lieutenant Le Van Mon sacrificed himself on the battlefield. Second Lieutenant Nguyen Van Nhai was wounded, waiting to be categorised. Second Lieutenant Nguyen Van San had been treated in a military hospital. Approximately 40% of the lower officers and ranks were lost after one week after having replaced the 5th Airborne Battalion. 

I missed my unit - I missed the faces of my troops, those that were frequently in close skirmish with NVA.

I went to a corridor outside and lit a cigarette. Staring wistfully at the dark blue star-filled sky, I thought about my partner, Uyen. She was my lover and could have been my wife. I thought about Miss Chinh, a class mate of Uyen in Gia Long High School. Chinh had a lover who was mobilized in Nha Trang under officer training centre. After graduating he fought courageously on the battlefield. In an ambush at La Nga, NVA was defeated, leaving more than ten soldiers dead. A number of his friends sacrificed their lives. His left lower limb was severely injured, broken into pieces. Consequently, doctors had to amputate it. After his recovery, his wedding was arranged and celebrated. It was the most beautiful love shared between two people during the perpetual fighting.

- “If I was Chinh, I would have never done so, simply because I only would accept the marriage if I had already been in a wedlock”. 

Uyen spoke with a smile, which provided hints. All I was able to do was to stay silent. I was grateful that she spoke her innermost thoughts, despite the distance between us was like ripples from a rock thrown into tranquil water. Being in a general reserve force, we had always been present in fierce fights. None of us knew what was to become of us the next day. I was neither pessimistic nor optimistic about it. My goal was only to fulfil the responsibility of a company commander. The safety of roughly 200 lives was much more important than that of my own humble self.

Suddenly, an arm was placed over my shoulder as someone spoke in a friendly voice. 

“Good evening, Sergeant! You've probably served many years in the Marine Division. Would you mind telling us about your experiences?”

I turned around and looked at the young Officer. I did not resent his addressing me as an Under-Officer. I accepted it so that our conversation would not be awkward. I carefully told them about the battle in Quang Tri. The enemy had unexpectedly attacked. The whole 3rd infantry Division and the 11th Cavalry Regiment had withdrawn out of the line of fire. The 3rd Marine Battalion the 20th Tank Regiments had stopped.  It then repelled NVA 308 units and 2 NVA tank regiments at the Dong Ha defensive line and on National Route 9, west of Cam Lo. Third Lieutenant Hai, newly graduates and an OJT Officer of Company 1 had used M.72's to fire directly on a T54 which was just rolling its steel tracks on the other end of the bridge across Mieu Giang River. Then other soldiers had fired M72's, too. A column of about twenty of the NVA Tank Regiment 203, accompanied by NVA infantrymen, were blocked here by the 3rd Battalion and were then destroyed by our Artillery - US Naval Guns, ARVN and US Aircrafts.

“Officers, you should keep in mind that you will be Platoon leaders. You will command forty Marines - all your decisions will be very important. Usually the ranks in squads or platoons will decide the outcome in the battlefield. If you officers want to retreat, the ranks will follow. Your company will be in danger and your battalion will be in a difficult situation.”  

“How about the morales of the ranks?” the Officers asked.

- “They had solid confidence in fighting when they first confronted NVA T54 tanks, though they were initially a little disconcerted. Platoons were armed with enough M72's. Each company had a tank hunting squad armed with rocket launchers 202. We had plenty of military equipment, but the truth is, were always one step behind the communists”.

* 25th of August 1972

I woke up and left the hall very early to pick up Captain Anh at Phu Lam. I turned my head away to avoid looking at the moment of separation between him and his wife and their one month old child. I drove into darkness. Everybody was silent. Each had their own isolated frame of mind; none of us knew what would happen tomorrow. 

We entered the gate of Marine Division when a convoy started rolling out. After more than an hour of flight, C-123 aircrafts brought us to the Phu Bai airport. The sun was already high, but it hid sheepishly behind clouds. It was busy in the airport; most of the activities were military. My eyes followed some ambulances that were currently driving by, to see whether any of the soldiers in company were on them. Rear groups of each Battalion received supplies in manpower and then transported them to Mang Ca where the latter would receive personal firearms, flak jackets, masks, dried nations before going to their Battalions in their operational areas.  Hue city had a variety of soldiers. Sounds of bombs and firearms still reverberated. On National Route One, An Lo residents were still happily working in rice fields. The road to Sia was still safe. Crossing My Chanh River, the society was able to witness the tragic scenes from Ben Da Bridge to Mai Linh. Only atheist communist NVA had been able to sadistically massacre rows of refugees on this segment of the route. The communist believed that everybody who had lived in the South were their enemies. Civilian's corpses were scattered everywhere; on trucks, cars, even on the white sand. There was a mother lying there, still tightly embracing her two children. The three had been slaughtered. I do not know what the young officers had thought when witnessing those scenes, but I know that I was horrified. I was filled will sadness and deep hatred towards the Communists. This part of our journey made my blood run cold, and gave rise to an inner anger, which increased my determination to continue fighting to protect South Vietnam. It was absolutely necessary to exterminate the bloodthirsty Communists. ARVN soldiers always had an immense humane characteristic as they had loved their people, their compatriots. Communist knew this fact and exploited the sentiment of ARVN. Hidden in the mixture of civilians, they utilised them as shields, pushing the civilians to in front in order to protect them from ARVN bullets. With civilians in front, the NVA promulgated propaganda. 

The convoy passed the hamlets of Hai Lang, and Cu Hoan, with Ruong Nhi dyke where previously Platoon 3 of 2nd Lieutenant Nguyen Van Nhai had deployed and helped Platoon 2 of 2nd Lieutenant Le Van Mon to support the advancing and occupation of the edge of the hamlet. Platoon 1 had moved along the night side of the dyke to attack the NVA flank. Recoilless rifles 106mm on M113 APC Battalion of Captain Nghiep had pounded behind NVA defensive lines. M79 grenades had destroyed bunkers; NVA defensive lines had been pierced. Platoon 3 had rushed forward to occupy the left edge of the hamlet and had annihilated groups of Communist snipers. The 8th Marine Battalion advanced on the left side. NVA had withdrawn and ran towards the villages of Thuan Nhon and Luong Chan, easily recognised on the background of expanses of white sand.

I constantly thought of the fighters that had lost their lives; their sacrifices carpeting the road to free Quang Tri. 

I reported myself to Major Nguyen Van Canh - the Commander of the 3rd Marine Battalion. Outside the headquarters, Sergeant Major Vo Lanh in charge of the company daily routine and a number of others had been waiting for me. Looking in their faces, love and pity rose in my heart. 

- Captain !

- Master !

Their calls were so sympathetic, so touching. From this moment on, it were as if a thread had connected us all together - a bond. My life and my military carrier lay in their hands. I was responsible for their safety. I had to calculate how to fulfil every mission with minimum casualty. I gave them pep talks for the coming battle.

* 26th of August 1972

At a friendly briefing of Platoon leaders, I gave them instructions about the replacement of the 8th Battalion at the Old Citadel battle the next morning. 

* 27th of August 1972

Company two completed rotation with Captain Bui Phu Loc's unit position (of the 8th Battalion). NVA artillery still regularly pounded on the Old Citadel wall and their 130mm rounds exploded in salvos around the city. The company was unscathed. At night the enemy sounded Platoon 1 but was repelled by grenades. 

* 28th of August 1972

Platoons reported occurrences during previous night. 

- Nam Giao ! This is 21, unscathed”.

Leaning my back against an A-shaped bunker wall, I inhaled deeply the smell of a Capstan cigarette and treated myself to drinking hot coffee. 

Last night our men faced the enemy, meeting such a strong resistance. I reported this to Major Tran Kim De (radio code name De Duc), the Execution Officer of the 3rd Marine Battalion.

“I felt relieved to have you in my Group B. those new 3rd Lieutenant seemed very tough.”

Major De had just finished his sentence when Platoon 2 reported:

“Calling Nam Giao, this is 22, a third lieutenant was killed.”

Third Lieutenant Don had just jumped out of a trench and was immediately hit by a communist sniper's bullet. His sudden death warned others to be more cautious when leaping into the fray.

* 29th of August 1972

As a routine, at night fall, fighting started. Both sides were prepared for such things. A crescent moon hung mournfully over scenes of death, saturated with the odour of decay and house ruins, distorted and fallen electric lampposts. Disintegrated corpses became unidentified bones lying there, waiting for a foggy night. NVA artillery poured down our position familiar sounds. 

“Nam Giao, this is 21. The enemy is crawling in towards us.”

 I mediately grabbed the hand set. 

“21, Nam Giao here, hear you clear. Tell your boys to be vigilant. Company was ready.” 

I requested that Major De - firstly to give illuminating flares behind the enemy, so we could have enough light to observe, and secondly, to shell to predetermined coordinates to intimidate NVA. Those Artillery rounds flew above our heads and then exploded high in the sky. Flares brought warmth and confidence to fighters. 

“Nam Giao. 21 here. We saw NVA very clearly.” 

“21, this is Nam Giao, try to accurately fire.”

Gunfire started exploding. Flares continuously shone upon the citadel walls. Marine Artillery shelled consistently. The sounds of 155mm were adjusted from ten to fifteen metres away from our heads. NVA 130mm also pounded behind contact line. Trenches were insanely helpful, especially A-shaped bunkers. The fighting started at 2300. From that time, soldiers fired in lined calls of all kind of weapons. Death appeared came and went, quickly in front of black falling shadows. Grenades and M79 were used on a frequent basis. 

Corporal Nguyen Van Loi, a squad deputy leader growled in his typical southern voice, “Let's send you NVA back to your 'uncle' and your party.”

By saying so he quickly and accurately threw two M67 grenades. 1st corporal Nguyen Van Duong, a squad leader fired and at the same time, he encouraged his boys to try to keep their defensive lines. The NVA started throwing “beta”, fired B40 into our defensive lines, then they charged. Only now Marines fired 3 M60 Machine guns. M79 grenades exploded on ruins with more devastating effect. One machine gunner and two Marines of Platoon 4 were killed. NVA rushed forward, separated Platoons one and three. A Squad Leader Corporal Nguyen Ngoc Ninh and his remaining troops withdrew toward Platoon 1. Soon the Defensive line was broken. NVA dashed forward but were stopped by 1st Sergeant Nguyen Tan Thanh - the Executive Leader of Platoon 1, and by 1st Corporal Le Van Hung's Squad. On the side of Platoon 3, Corporal Nguyen Van Phuc - a Squad Leader used grenades to kill NVA who had tried to pass through the breach of the broken Defensive line. Private 1st class Tran Van Voi, a French-Vietnamese hybrid released trigger of his machine gun, the bullets of which flew low above ground level. A number of NVA were hit, lying dead in front of our Defensive line. The enemy could not advance further. 

“Nam Giao, this is 22, consolidating Defensive line for a counter attack.”

“22, Nam Giao here. Try to keep the supplementary Defensive line. I will reinforce you.” 

I sent the tank hunting squad of 1st Corporal Ngo Van Dao as reinforcement for platoon 1 and the Mortar Squad of Corporal Nong Van Quang as reinforcement for Platoon 3, and ammunitions were carried to the front line. Artillery was then adjusted to a tighter “Danger Close” of 20m then 10m. I corps 155mm Artillerymen fired with exceptional precision. Rounds flew overhead and exploded right in front of our Defensive lines. Major De reported situations to Major Nguyen Van Canh - the Battalion Commander. 

“27 (my radio code name), are your boys still okay in position? Chuong Thien asked. (Chuong Thien was the Battalion Commander) through the telephone. Tell me immediately when you need something.”

“909 (Battalion Commander radio code name), it's okay now, please continue flares and Artillery shelling.” 

“I would shell them maximally.”

“Hear you clear; 909!”

Two Squads of Hung and Phuc sealed off their positions obstructing NVA advance. Third Lieutenant Tran Trung Ngon and Le Dinh Loi directed troops to fill the breach. Artillery shelling raked Citadel walls. The night Curtain faded slowly. Two A37 Sky Raiders gave accurate air strikes on targets. There was good coordination between air strikes and Artillery supports which helped Company 2 to advance and after a barrage of grenades, reoccupied the previously lost Defensive line.

“Nam Giao, 23 here. We've met each other.”

“Hear you clear. Consolidate positions ! Wounded would be evacuated.” 

Private 1st class Nguyen Dang Thau, the Company's medic and some Marines moved to the fore-front and carried the wounded to the back of Tri Buu Chapel. I reported to the Battalions Headquarters. All wounded were immediately transferred to Ngo Xa by M113. Marines of resupplying folks were then moved to the fore-front. In their battle, Marine Division Personnel Group had always been able to resupply back up on time. Thanks to that assistance, our Defensive line was enough.

“Nam Giao, 23 here, three rats died - captures one B40, 2 AK47.”

“Nam Giao, 21 here, 5 NVA killed in trench, captured a RPD, two B40 and three AK 47.”

Company 4 had four killed and seven wounded, 1 M60 machine gun, a number of flak jackets and masks destroyed. I summoned all platoon leaders for a briefing to analyse the battle. NVA defeat showed their weakness and it was very likely that they would not launch further attacks. Thinking so, I decided step by step to destroy the enemy blocking post to approach the Citadel walls. These blocking posts were located inside ruins and were very difficult to detect. They were supported by 82mm recoilless rifles positioned on ramps of walls. After the discussion we came to the following points:

1. Sounding the enemy to pin point their blocking posts.

2. Organising groups to destroy these blocking posts. 

3. Attacking all blocking posts simultaneously.

4. Using artillery to paralyse NVA 82mm recoilless rifles.

5. Using grenades

6. Attacking at night.

NVA inside the Old Citadel were isolated. The road to Trieu Phong was dealt by the 2nd Marine Battalion at Dap Da to Cho Sai. The upstream way of Thach Han river was controlled by Airborne units at Tich Tuong, Nhu Le. The only way, usable for NVA was to cross Thach Han river which had been pounded by artillery and air strikes. Thanks to all these factors, NVA resistance were weak. Slowly and slowly their blocking posts were destroyed. Our defensive lines enlarged. At night fall, marines crawled with grenades to annihilate NVA blocking posts. Crates of grenades had been transported from the 3rd Battalion Headquarters to the forefront daily. That was our most tempting offer to the Communists.

* 7th of September 1972

1st Lieutenant Nguyen Kim Chung was discharged from hospital, and returned to the 3rd Battalion. Thus, Marines got letters to read and then time to chat inside trenches while NVA 130mm round or 100mm Artillery shells shot point blanks from T54 were exploding. Marines' lives were so tough and tense, but in these moments the soldiers appeared to be so simple and innocent like children. 

“Nha Ca, drink some more please!” Major De told me pouring from a Hennessy Cognac which his wife had just sent to him.

“Thank you, Major! It's already warming the legs. This is the last glass.” 

“Captain ! If Thach Sach was here, this bottle would not be enough !” 3rd Lieutenant Ly Hong Phat, and Artillery FO and also a brother of 1st Lieutenant Nguyen Kim Chung's wife said.

* 9th of September 1972

An operation map showing counterattack plans to recover Quang Tri was laid in front of Major De. He looked at it, smoking pensively. A faint yellow light from an incandescent bulb was reduced to a red glow inside it. That lamp had exhaustingly given out light the whole night. The enemy started shelling violently. My whole Company was ready. Loud crackling sounds were heard in directions of Company 1 and Company 3. I heard Captain Pham Tuan Anh's voice calling in the artillery and adjusting coordinates. Captain Anh adjusted “Danger Close” so boldly. Suddenly there was a complete radio silence from Company 1. 

About 10 minutes later there was a voice in the radio, “Chuong Thien, this is Thach Sanh - Captain Anh is wounded.” 

He was rapidly evacuated to hospital. In the afternoon he passed away leaving behind his wife and his one month old infant. The image of them all together, just weeks ago, had made an impenetrable grip on my heart. That, I suppose, is the life of a general reserve soldier. 

National radio and newspapers mentioned about a Marine unit that had successfully clung to a corner of the Old Citadel. 

* 11th of September 1972

A Company from the Tank Regiment 20 came to reinforce the 3rd Marine Battalion. 2nd Lieutenant Quyen of class 24 Dalat Military Academy led a M48 Tank to Company 2. 3rd Lieutenant Khuc Thua The, a heavy weapon Platoon Leader directed that tank to hide in a secure place at night.

* 12th of September 1972 

Over the past few days, the 3rd Battalion prongs were extremely active. Enemies that were consistently blocking posts were detected and destroyed by large. We thoroughly discussed about ways of advancing towards the old citadel. Small groups of marines had crawled forward for reconnaissance. Tonight, they would advance to destroy enemy position, enlarging approaching ways to the old citadel. 

At 2:00am, blocking post - destroying groups surrounded all targets. The radio occasionally crackled quietly.

“Chuong Thien, Nha Ca here. Everybody is in position.”

“Nha Ca, this is Chuong Thien! Be careful and try your best!”

“Hear you 5 over 5.”

Marines lay there in the darkness of night with alert eyes, while holding their M67 grenades or claymore mines switch. It was cold but the marines found themselves perspiring. Some NVA sentries coughed and huskily exchanged words.

- “Comrade! Stand sentry carefully!” Our unit’s political cadre said: “The false army would attack the old citadel.”

 A part of Platoon 2 inched towards the South direction to occupy a cemetery, stopping NVA reinforcement from coming. 

NVA had CKC long barrel firearms with a telescope and utilised them deftly in sniping. During the day, they used to become negligent because they knew that we would not attack while the sun was out. Marine artillery battalions started shelling on the Old Citadel. Listening to requests of 3rd Lieutenants, FO Ly Hong Phat adjusted 50m closer and closer until shells exploded at the base of the walls. Batteries fired 20 salvos, smashing all NVA positions which had supported their blocking posts. When the M48 tank's large artillery gun had its first round hit the wall, it was the order to attack. Grenades were like sands throwing on the faces of the enemy. They had no time to resist. Two blocking points were destroyed. 

“Nam Giao, this is 21. Mission accomplished. 8 NVA were killed. Captured 2 CKC, 2B40 and 3 AK47. We had two killed, three wounded.”

NVA from cemetery area were ordered to come to reinforce. 3 M79 fired. A number of them were killed at the cemetery; survivors ran inside the old citadel.

“Nam Giao, this is 22. 20 rats were killed, captured 12 AK, 3 B40, 2 RPD, 2 SKS. We had three killed and five wounded.”

I reported all those details to the Battalion head quarters.

“Nha Ca, this is Chuong Thien. With that eùlan, push forward and raise the national flag.”

NVA withdrew inside the old citadel and resisted. Marine occupied NVA positions and searched for documents.

“Nam Giao, 21 here. We found a NVA’s map”.

“Nam Giao, 22 here. Among NVA killed, one was a political cadre.” 

The atmosphere was dripping of blood and gunpowder. It was like the catalyst for victory. We saw the day to raise our National flag was waiting in front of us. 

The more violent the fighting, the more medics were required at the scene. It became dangerous and necessary. Private 1st class Nguyen Van Thau was a medic who consistently listened to the radio and immediately would rush to the incident where there had been a wounded marine. It was possible to say that Nguyen Van Thau had known all trenches, and their junctions on their branches. He had been around defensive line of Company 2 innumerable times. Looking at him, I thought, no medal or other tangible trophy would be worthy for to his achievements. What Thau had wished, was that wounded marines would safely recover. Fighters in front lines never thought of rank or medals. Those things were not important and in frontlines, emotional links between fighters were expressed in the highest and most complete form. 

The NVA blocking posts now became our outposts.

At 7:00pm, the Company Commander and I were summoned to a briefing at the 3rd Battalion Headquarters with Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Xuan Phuc - the Executive Officer of Brigade 147 presided at that session. Major Nguyen Van Canh reported on what we had gained and on difficulties we had been encountering before the final assault. However, Lieutenant Colonel seemed uneasy and petulant. 

With finality, he said, “Brigade 147 would use all available means to support you. And naturally you knew that we only have 6 more days before the deadline. On the other Brigade, Brigades 258, Major Tung had promised a time limit before the 16th of September 1972. And how about us ? Brigade 147 strongly trusted Company Commanders of the 3rd Battalion. The Brigade knew that you had tried very hard and had been tired, but would you promise us something?”

He stopped that speech as suddenly he looked at all the officers present in the room. Everybody was silent and I thought of marines of Company 2 who had sacrificed to widen defensive line, and to push the enemy to the last of walls. 

At long last, I spoke.  “Lieutenant Colonel! My Company had fought zealously. Our loss was rather heavy. What the 6th marine Battalion could do, we certainly could also achieve many things”. It would be better if this sentence were said by an officer of higher rank than me.

Regardless of how I said it, it was taken as an affirmation. In my mind, I had no sorrow or anxiety. Lieutenant Colonel smiled begrudgingly. Then, Colonel Phuc mounted his jeep to return to his head quarters. We, Company Commanders, also returned to our positions, each with a different frame of mind. 1st Lieutenant Duong growled. Captain Thach shrugged his shoulders. 1st Lieutenant Chung wore a fake smile; I quietly ran with my 2 body guards back to my position under a rain of NVA 130mm rounds. When I reached my A-shaped bunker, I received a secret telegram from Major Canh, ordering my Company to continue to attack the old Citadel tonight.

* 14th of September 1972

Two Platoons 21 and 22 were still the main force, started attacking at 1:00am. 2nd Lieutenant Lam ordered the two Platoons to advance step by step very gently to avoid causing too much noise. That column passed by our outpost had approached Duy Tan Street. Reconnaissance section of Platoons composed of Corporal Nguyen Van Loi. Privates 1st class Nguyen Van Qui and Nguyen Can were to occupy the bridge leading to the right gate of the old citadel. A section of Platoon 22 composed of Corporal Du Minh Chieu, Private 1st class Thach Rong, Private 2nd class Huynh Ngoc Lanh was to ford across the moat. 

These two groups marched across Duy Tan street as NVA AK47's loudly and discordantly crackled. A red signal flared soared up to the sky - that was an alarm of the enemy. Bullets were sowed from a ramp of the citadel wall down to the surface of the street. Grenades exploded in the moat, slightly shaking the ground. Our plan was detected by the enemy. I had to order that attacking force retreat back to our positions. We were tired from early in the morning until night fall. Besides, we had to fight, destroy blocking posts and open approaching roads to the citadel - all on a fortnight's worth of sleep deprivation. I knew that my Company was torturously fatigued. The Battalion Commander knew it, too. I received an order of Major Canh to send Platoons 21 and 24 to the back.

Two Platoons of Company 3, commanded by Captain Thach replaced those Platoons. Platoons 22 and 23 still stayed in position to keep defensive lines with outposts. 

In late and rain-swept afternoon, I returned to Tri Buu Chapel - now reduced to ruins.  As I crawled under its floor, I felt extraordinarily calm - perhaps due to the relief that I was no longer imprisoned in the narrow of a A-shaped bunker. 

* 15th of September 1972

Tonight, the 3rd Battalion used Company 3 and Company 2 in the decisive battle. Company 3 of Captain Nguyen Van Thach was leading the way, my company 2 as backup. 

It was 4:00am. All radios were quiet.  On the occasion, 1st lieutenant Tra reported deployment of troops along Duy Tan Street. The enemy, already shaken by the events from last night, wantonly fired rounds at random intervals.

5:00am. Artillery had been used to deceive the enemy. At that moment small groups forded quickly across the moat. The storm Elsie howled. A rain constituted as a curtain, shielding marines who had been crawling towards walls. I should not have berated my soldiers in the darkness - all the while with grenades simultaneously explode on ramps. 1st Lieutenant Tra and two Platoons of 2nd Lieutenant Van Tan Thach and Vu Duy Hien, like a tidal wave rushed in the citadel. The 3rd Marine Battalion breached NVA defensive lines at the Right Gate. 

 I followed throughout the night movement of company 3. I had ordered my company to be ready to advance to reinforce. 

“Nguyen Thao, this is De Duc. Tell your boys to dash forward for the final game.” 

“Hear you 5 over 5.”

I quickly ordered my Platoons to advance as followed.

Firstly Platoons 22, 23, then Company Headquarters followed by Platoons 21 and 24. NVA 130mm artillery rounds and 100mm shells fired at point black from Ai Tu could not deter my troops. Platfoon 22 occupied the Main Gate, at Le Van Duyet Street. NVA morale collapsed. They resisted weakly and then withdrew to the left gate at Phan Dinh Phung Street. Two Companies overrun all way and alleys in the North-East corner of the old citadel like wild waves. Gun noises, grenades explosions, our shouts intimidated the enemy. 

A whole Regiment of NVA which had been defending the old citadel now had only 2 options: To surrender or to be killed. On the South-West corner, the 6th Marine Battalion had also overrun that area with shouts of “charge” reverberating. The old citadel, 500m on each side, now became insufficient in space; it was overcrowded. Companies of Captain Nguyen Quoc Dinh and Captain Nguyen Van Loan mastered the situation. Gunfire noises were still heard, a number of them in the direction of the 3rd Battalion.

Major Tran Kim De called in loud voice in radio handset, “Chuong Thien! Please tell Thai Duong's units of the 6th marine Battalion to stop firing. Marines of the 3rd Battalion have  been everywhere in the old citadel”. 

NVA fires became sporadic and uncoordinated. And then they stopped. The 7th Marine Battalion was moving underneath on Le Van Duyet Street. A number of NVA appeared and surrendered. The 2nd Marine Battalion was approaching close to walls. NVA Artillery shells from afar. Darkness of nights and exhaustion could not cause marines to stop fighting. They continued battling to eradicate the callous and tenacious Communists.

After more than 24 hours of uninterrupted fighting, Marines of Company 2 of the 3rd Battalion raised the National Flag on the left Gate at day break of 15th of September 1972. Sergeant Truong Van Hai, Vice-leader of Platoon 22, sacrificed his life in this heroic moment.

Our national yellow flag, with three red stripes, was officially flying on The Quang Tri old citadel at 12:45pm of 16th of September 1972, 51 days after having received the area of responsibility from Airborne Division, or 78 days after the Quang Tri recovering campaign had started.

Captain Giang Van Nhan

Company 4 of

the 2nd Marine Battalion

Recovery of the Quang Tri Town Hall, 14.9.1972

Major Le Quang Lien

Contributor:

1st Lieutenant Nguyen Huu Hao

After finishing a Company Commander Course at the end of 1971, I returned to Marine Division Headquarters and received papers ordering me to present myself to the 2nd Marine Battalion Commander, Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Xuan Phuc. He would then assign me to the position of Company 4 Commander. The battalion executive officer was Major Tran Van Hop, of Class 19 Dalat Military Academy.  We endured the winter chill of Central Vietnam at Holcomb, Sarge and Ba Ho firebases for several weeks.  Then our unit was rested in Saigon.  Not many days after, a full scale North Vietnamese invasion began, with the Communists brazenly violating the Geneva Accords, and sending its troops across the 17th parallel and the DMZ on the 30.3.1972.  Their invading forces included:

-  Divisions 304, 308.

-  4 Independent regiments 31, 246, 276 and 126 (Sapper) of Front B5 supported by about 200 tanks of tank regiments 203 and 204.

-  2 Artillery regiments, the 38th and 68th, supported by Surface-to air missile regiment 84.

During the opening four days of the renewed North Vietnamese aggression, 11 bases in the DMZ were under immense pressure from enemy artillery and troops. Mai Loc Base of Marine Brigade 147 was forced to evacuate. Battalions 4 and 8 were also facing accurate enemy artillery and superior numbers, and were forced to leave Sarge, Ba Ho and Holcomb firebases.  Brigade 369 with Battalions 2, 5, 9 was airlifted to Phu Bai Airport and reinforced the western flank of Quang Tri City. The 2nd Battalion advanced to the furthest base, named Dong Ong Do (Barbara).  Company 4 showed its solid moral during those tough opening periods of fighting in this area.

Despite the efforts, the fleeing columns of refugees running before a communist advance, hindered an effective defence, and Quang Tri City fell to the Communists. The South Vietnamese Army was forced to retreat on the southern side of the river My Chanh and regroup, before planning a counter attack to thrust back north and retake the captured territory.  It was hearting rendering to see the fleeing civilians still trapped in Quang Tri City being massacred by the NVA on the Avenue of Terror stretching from Ben Da Bridge to Mai Linh Sub district. Marine Brigade 369 Commander, Colonel Pham Van Chung was determined to protect the southern bank of the My Chanh River, and not allow a single NVA cross it alive. He would protect this defensive line and thwart the North Vietnamese Plan of pushing the invasion further south, whilst allowing the retreating ARVN and Marine units to reorganize. Three battalions, the 2nd, 5th and 9th, were deployed on a rather large defensive line extending from Tran Van Ly Hill in the west to Van Trinh village in the east where many battles would occur later on in the conflict.

Company 4 of the 2nd Battalion was in charge of defending the My Chanh Bridge, which was a very important position on the axis of NVA movements at that time. The Marine Division succeeded in keeping the My Chanh line, but fighting by no means stopped here.  The was a swapping of personnel in the 2nd Marine Battalion.  Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Xuan Phuc transferred the position of Commanding Officer of the Battalion to Major Tran Van Hop and then became the executive officer of Brigade 147 of Colonel Nguyen Nang Bao. Captain Pham Van Tien became Executive Officer of the 2nd Battalion after having transferred Company 5 to 1st Lieutenant Huynh Van Tron just coming back from US Marine Basic School.

On 28.6.1972 the two general reserve forces, Airborne and Marine Divisions started to cross the My Chanh River and advanced towards Quang Tri City, to fight a heavily entrenched enemy. On the 11.7.1972 the 1st Marine Battalion was airlifted by helicopter into Trieu Phong district to sever NVA arterial logistics line, id inter-village Route 560. The 6th and the 2nd Battalions served as reinforcements in this operation. The 2nd Battalion departed from Route 555 to move westwards through Ngo Xa Dong, Ngo Xa Tay, Tham Trieu, Bich La Hau and advanced to the eastern bank of the Vinh Dinh river to protect the Marine Engineers.  The latter was to build a field pontoon so Tank Regiment 20 could send M48 tanks to encounter NVA tanks at Cho Sai, in Trieu Phong district.  The movements were not easy, as the NVA had time after the taking of Quang Tri to prepare defences.  Now with the approaching Marine units, they had their infantry and tanks waiting there.

The 2nd Battalion then took the areas of responsibility from the 1st Battalion. Company 4 received the position previously occupied by Company 2 (of the 1st Battalion) of 1st Lieutenant Duong Van Tuoi.  From this position, Company 4 had a mission to occupy the steel bridge that traversed the Vinh Dinh River, on the Inter-village route 560, and from there the Company would advance northwards to occupy Cho Sai and the arterial routes to Quang Tri City.  The 2nd after 15 days of continuous fighting, occupied and defended Cho Sai of Trieu Phong District, an area which was considered as the enemy pharynx. They also managed to sever 3 logistics lines which the NVA had been using not only to transport supplies but also for reinforcements from Cua Viet, Dong Ha to Quang Tri.

Company 4 of Captain Le Quang Lien and Company 5 of 1st Lieutenant Huynh Van Tron were under Group B's orders, which was in the Command of Captain Pham Van Tien, the Executive Officer of the Battalion. The Marines had also foiled an enemy plan to retake Cho Sai by NVA Regiment 101. The enemy had used 3 Battalions, supported by strong artillery in a rotating wheel movement, with fresh Battalions replacing tiring ones in a circular movement.  This attempt to repulse the Marines out of inter-village route 560 failed. Company 4 alone had 23 killed (among them 2 Platoon leaders, 3rd Lieutenant Duong and 3rd Lieutenant Hoi) and another 62 wounded in the action. The enemy suffered very heavy losses. Civilian reports said that NVA had carried a large number of wounded back towards their rear.  Due to intense fires from both sides and to tend to our wounded, Company 4 ordered NVA prisoners (under guard) to collect weapons abandoned by their comrades. Intelligence sources also let us know later that the NVA Regiment 101 Commander lost this position due to this severe defeat. He was said to have pleaded for another day of Command, to fight and to retake Cho Sai, but it was flatly denied.

After having accomplished the mission of occupying Cho Sai, the 2nd Marine Battalion was replaced by the 1st Battalion, and was to return for a rest, to resupply and to protect Marine Division Forward Headquarters at Huong Dien.  Having fought for 15 continuous days without or very little sleep, all of us just wanted a bath and some peaceful sleep.

In a briefing with the 2nd Marine Battalion Commander and its Company Commander at the beginning of September 1972, Brigadier General Bui The Lan spoke to the Officers.

“Marine Division presently has a very strong fire support given by ARVN and US.  Recently, the Commander of US Pacific Air Forces visited Marine Division Headquarters and promised to increase B52 arc light missions for us.  I need you all to reoccupy Quang Tri City and the Old Citadel in 2 weeks time, because these targets have both political as well as military importance. The 2nd Battalion was one of the units given this honour, so do your best men!”

We were very proud of being selected to recapture our sovereign land, and being sent back to Quang Tri, in cooperation with Marine Battalions 3, 6, 8 in this glorious final assault.  In the last period of the assault, it was planned that 2 Marine Brigades would complete the following tasks.

-  Brigade 147 with 2 main forces, the 3rd and the 7th Battalions were to fight from the North-East.

-  Brigade 258 with 2 main forces, the 2nd and the 6th Battalions were to fight from the South-West.

The 2nd Battalion Headquarters were positioned at Long Hung T-junction, at the corner of Le Huan Street and National Route 1.  Company 4 of the 2nd Battalion was to advance along Ho Dach Hanh Street to occupy Teresa Phuoc Mon Girls High School and from there to move along the South West wall of The Citadel to reoccupy Quang Tri Town hall. This was the primary target for the 6th Battalion, which would use it as a springboard to enter the old citadel.  Company 5 of the 2nd Battalion was to be on left flank of Company 4, and the 6th Marine Battalion would to be on its right flank.

Early in the morning of 14.9.1972 Companies 4 and 5 had NVA serving them a breakfast 130mm artillery rounds.  Company 4 headquarters positioned in a ruined house that had once been Cafeù Sanh on Ho Dac Hanh Street, was hit by a 130mm shell. Fortunately for me and my 2 radio telephone operators (Corporal Hoang and Corporal Chinh) only suffered from a mild tightness in the chest caused by dyspnea and minor scratches thanks to a pre-existing shell proof bunker inside the house. Company 2 had some wounded and needed medical evacuations.

The 1st target of my company was Phuoc Mon Girls High School, 300m away. Platoon 43 of 3rd Lieutenant Thu was welcomed by NVA with violent gun fire.  They tried at all costs to block our advances.  I had to radio adjustments for each 105mm Howitzer down to the dangerous 10m.  This was a widely used method within the Marines in 1972 to deal with the enemy A-shaped bunkers. Finally in a final push, I used a M48 tank 90mm Artillery gun to fire at point blank range to destroy a NVA blocking post inside the school.

At 14:30, we had mastered the situation.  Through interrogation of prisoners, we knew that they belonged to Division 320 B which had crossed the Thach Han River the night before at 3:00am and entered the Town Hall area. Their means of crossing the river was through a system of ropes stretched between the Town Hall and a point on the opposite bank of the river.  A prisoner from the village of Quynh Luu, Nghe An province revealed that the unit which had crossed the river was commanded by 2nd Lieutenant Dung and that he had been killed in the fighting. He also admitted that the NVA were very afraid of the South Vietnamese Marines' blitz-tactics, and precise artillery adjustments.  In several diaries captured, some read “I hate those hellish ARVN Artillery guns”ê or “The squad leader called and ordered me to go to receive supplies. I feigned that I had not heard him, because to go meant facing that damned artillery”.ê  However, not all NVA units were so fearful of the Marines. NVA snipers were still hidden and operating on highpoints in the Thach Han River area.  In fact I was once targeted whilst discussing with old classmate, Captain Nguyen Van Loan and 1st Lieutenant Nguyen Huu Hao, about a plan of troop positioning, when we were targeted. The sniper bullet whizzed past my head, with a perturbing 20cm wall of air between me and the bullet.  The shot caused bricks and cement fragments from a window frame to fly across my face.  Snipers would remain a constant problem throughout the retaking of Quang Tri City.

In preparation for the final assault on the Town Hall next morning on the 15.9.1972, I discussed thoroughly all details of what would have to be done this evening with my Company executive officer, 1st Lieutenant Nguyen Huu Hao.  He was nick-named the “72 year old man” due to his exceptional skill in firing the M72 LAW rocket. The topography of Quang Tri City had become flat, as most of the tall buildings and houses had been erased by the fierce artillery from both sides. We set the plan as follows:

*  Provoking the enemy and making them return fire to reveal their positions. We would then be able to eliminate them easily.

*  We would shell surrounding areas of Tran Hung Dao Street, the River Banks, and into the water to impede their movements across the river.

*  Group B of 2nd Battalion would be requested to fire on NVA approaching routes, on the other side of the river opposite the Town Hall.  The enemy command post had probably moved to the Town Hall and bunkered down in the wine cellar (built by the French) after the heavy air strikes and artillery on the Old Citadel.

*  Our Company would then cooperate with Company 5 of 1st Lieutenant Huynh Van Tron to simultaneously attack at 6:30am on the 15th, uncover of the dark cloud cover of Storm Elsie. The summer of 1972 proved that Company 4 and Company 5 could act like a pair of Aces, coordinating and attacking with each other perfectly.

*  Platoons 41 and 43 would travel light for mobility and be armed only with personal firearms and one day's rations.  Rucksacks would have to be left behind in the care of Platoon 44 of 3rd Lieutenant Hieu and by the Company Warrant Officer Dao Chu.

*  Ammunition for the next day's offensive would have to be transported to all units tonight.

* 15.9.1972

Quang Tri was in the middle of the rainy season and the Thach Han River water level rose frighteningly.  The cloud cover still loomed ominously over the city, but there was good news, as the 3rd and 6th Marine Battalion took control of the Old Citadel.  Company 4 of the 2nd was thus finally free from the enemy bullets from the citadel.  The Quang Tri Town Hall (Target 28) though was still in enemy hands, and hence still on the operational map. As well as very effective artillery support from Marine Artillery Batteries, Company 4 was reinforced by 2 M48 tanks and 2 M113 APC armed with flame throwers. Platoon 41 of 3rd Lieutenant Duc and Platoon 43 of 3rd Lieutenant Thu would serve as the main combat forces. The instructions were then given to the men.

*  The attack would commence when the M48 tanks and M113 APC fired high above Target 92.

*  At this signal 1st Lieutenant Nguyen Huu Hao would Command Group B consisting of Platoon 41 on the left and Platoon 43 on the right flank, to work with the APC to storm the enemy position as quickly as possible.

*  My Group A and Platoon 42 of 3rd Lieutenant Huyen would serve as the reinforcing units. In the case of a prolonged and difficult fight, Company 4 would cling to positions or reinforce the front line.

Looking at my boys in their helmets, flak jackets and arms, I was very proud of them and felt extremely confident, but slightly anxious.  The stretch of road ahead of us was short, but full of NVA, and I knew that some of us would not make it out of there alive.

Companies 4 and 5 had just crossed the departure line (around 20m) when the enemy started to fire AK47 assault rifles and B40 rockets.  Luckily in their haste, they were unable to aim properly. All their rockets flew too high and missed our tanks. It seemed as though the fierce reputation of our units, nick named the Crazy Buffaloes, had perturbed them somewhat, as most of their weaponry was fired with little precision. The Marines charged at the enemy lines, in the process I saw 3 Marines wounded by gunfire. The enemy agained fired B40 rockets at the charging line, but missed, the two rockets instead exploded near reserve force, Platoon 42. In reply M113 APC had machine gun fire sweeping across enemy positions, ploughing the way for the Marines to charge further.  M16 rifles, M79 grenade launchers and M60 machine guns fired relentlessly. The sound of exploding weaponry, concrete fragments hitting the ground, and shaking earth due to the rolling M48 Tanks all mixed in the frenzied yells of Marines.

“Charge!!! Charge!!!” 

As Company 4's 60mm mortars began to rain down accurately, the enemy response to our attack steadily grew weaker and weaker, with fewer NVA able to pop up over their trenches to fire back without the certainty of death from our tank, machine gun and grenade fire. In the fighting Company 4 and M113 quickly took the opportunity to occupy all positions around the Town Hall, but in the process another 4 Marines were wounded. All NVA positions were faltering, but one NVA blocking position was still putting up a fight.  It was discovered later that it was commanded by NVA 2nd Lieutenant Le Viet Thang of Quang Binh province. It was also found that he had only married 20 days before.  However his resistance proved futile, with a squad under 1st Corporal Cao annihilating the post with no casualties, killing 4 NVA, seizing one AK47, one K54 pistol, one 12.7mm machine gun and one B40 rocket launcher and rockets. 1st Corporal Cao and 1st Lieutenant Hao were later awarded the title, “Best in Combat” for the year 1972, and then award the “Heroic Deeds in Action” Medal awarded by Vice President Tran Van Huong. As a reward for their actions, the men not only received these medals, but were also given a “Reward Holiday” to Taiwan, a neighbouring friend who was also resisting Communist autocracy.

As Marines continued to take enemy positions, 10 NVA of Division 320 B surrendered to them to avoid being killed. Due to countless enemy blocking positions along the front, it took more than an hour for, Company 2 of Captain Bui Phuc Loc of the 8th Battalion, to advance far enough to reach our right flank, which up till then was still exposed. But thanks to the support of Company 2, we were above to search the newly occupied positions without fear of a surprise attack on our right.

After several hours of hard fighting, the whole Town Hall area was under our control.  We recovered the Government Seal of the Town Hall at 8:30am 15.9.1972.  Company 4 captured a number of weapons.

* 412 personal firearms.

* 102 collective weapons.

* 40 boxes of dried rations made in Red China.

* 23 radios also made in Red China.

* 18 captured NVA.

Upon capturing the Town Hall, we discovered mass graves belonging to killed NVA who were hastily buried together with no identification by their comrades. Thirty fresh NVA corpses from the fighting were also found in the Town Hall and its wine cellar. It took the battalion 6 times to transfer all captured units and weaponry to 2nd Battalion Headquarters.  Through the captured radios, we were able to listen to enemy conversations, which consisted mainly of panicking subordinates and obscenities from their commanders. We knew now that the enemy were in utter chaos, with the enemy commanders unable to conduct constructive responses to our offensive. Yet the commanders weren't only ones in a state of confusion. One captured NVA was continually shouting incoherently whilst holding his head. 1st Lieutenant Nguyen Huu Hao told me that this was an extreme reaction to our artillery, and that this NVA's sanity had probably been made unsound by the fear of our continuous shelling on his positions. The Communists who were killed, mostly stayed inside the major buildings to escape the shelling, and so doing had allowed the Marines to penetrate further into their territory and easily defeat them.  In the aftermath of the fighting, we found that Quang Tri Town Hall was severely damaged.  In the area next to the main stairs, I couldn't even keep upright due to the amount of broken bricks and tiles littering the foyer. To improve hygiene in the area, all the mass graves dug by NVA were sprayed with DDT insecticide, and the enemy corpses were also cleared away and buried. After the complete reoccupation of Quang Tri City, civilians who had been blocked on the other side of the Thach Han River exploited the NVA general retreat and moved to areas controlled by the ARVN. They informed us that the NVA units were in utter chaos and fleeing back to Dong Ha and Cam Lo further north. Laughably, the NVA were attempting to save face by spreading rumours among the population that Thailand and South Korea had sent troops to help the South Vietnamese recapture Quang Tri. They also spread rumours that the pullback was a strategic and temporary move, and that they would return.

Epilogue

More than thirty years have passed. I have written my experiences in the hope that later generations will come to appreciate the sacrifices of the Marine Battalions. Yet this is not the only reason. I owe a great sentimental debt towards Company 4 and the 2nd Battalion. They served the Marine Corps and their Nation with all their heart, giving their all to defend the last vestiges of freedom in Vietnam.  In the process, many sacrificed their lives or were permanently incapacitated. After the fall of South Vietnam on 30.4.1975, a large number of those not killed during the fighting were rounded up by the Communists and sent to Re-education and Concentration Camps set up in the remotest parts of the country. Many Marines did not return from these, and the whereabouts of their graves are a mystery today.

There were many heros in my Company, all of whom gave their lives to save their people from autocracy. I would like to acknowledge and thank them for their courage and contribution to the Company. Private 2nd Class Hoi, Privates 1st Class Danh, Chinh, Corporals Hoang, My, Hoi, Rit, Trai, Ba Ga, Khan, 1st Corporal Cao, Sergeants Trong, Tran Son (brother of Major Tran Ve), 1st Sergeants Canh, Sergeant Major Dao Chu, 3rd Lieutenants Duong, Hoi Huyen, Hieu, Thu, Duc, 2nd Lieutenants Loc, Tai (Artillery), 1st Lieutenant Nguyen Huu Hao.  I must say with most regret that the stress of that period and the many years between the conflict and the present, have taken a toll on memory and for that reason there a many others who I have not been able to name.

The Marines were carrying on their shoulders the heavy responsibility of a National them. They always felt attached to their unit until either being killed or until their Nation was sold out. They were the greatest fighters of the fatherland, but for all their deeds they were betrayed by those above. A US ally was always a good friend during the conflict but suddenly their aid stopped, which made the defense of South Vietnam impossible considering the North still had full support from its Alliance of Communist States. South Vietnam in the end was destroyed by her friends within. The Americans whom we befriended and several South Vietnamese Politicians all thought that the North could keep their word. However the North had a doubtful record of keeping promises, and many knew that the North could never commit to “peaceful negociations”.

I remembered when my Company first landed in Quang Tri Province on 30.3.1972.  There were 170 Marines in Company 4 of the 2nd Marine Battalion, jumping into the action and fighting a Communist War Machine. By the time I was transferred to become chief of S3 and Executive Officer of the 2nd Battalion, there were only 30 of those courageous familiar faces left. I write this piece of history for all those fallen brothers.

Major Le Quang Lien

Recapturing The Old Citadel

First Lieutenant Van Tan Thach

Sixteeen long years have passed since I first stepped onto the ramparts of the Quang Tri Citadel. Everytime, I think about my life in the army, and the fate of my country, I inevitable think of the heroic Marines. In my mind's eye, I see them storming the Old Citadel, throwing grenades at the NVA, leading fellow Marines up the wall, giving pride to the ARVN.

That day was a historical event. On the following day, which was the 16th of September 1972, President Nguyen Van Thieu visited the battlefield to boost the morale of the Marines, and to share the joy and sweet taste of victory. Some few days later, the Senate and the Congress summoned an urgent meeting to inform the people of the South the good news. Hundreds and thousands of telegrams from Heads of State, Government and Army Officials, poured into Vietnam to congratulate us on our victory. Saigon Radio broadcasted the news over and over, and the No. 1 hit was the “Victory Flag Flying Over The Quang Tri Citadel”. Everytime I hear the song sung, I still feel deeply moved, and proud.

Yet accompanying this pride, is a wretched feeling of repressed anger and helplessness. I become incensed at the thought of the heroic ARVN having to surrender, it's men imprisoned, killed, tortured...the citizens it protected forced to flee. Why ? Why? Why?!

Out of all this pain, the memory of the battle in which I fought side by side with my brothers, the Marines, shines through. It is my greatest pride to have been one of the first Marines to gain a foot-hold on top of the Citadel. Today, I write this down because it is such a very important event to the Vietnamese Marines and to myself. Nothing I recount is an exaggeration, an untruth, or a figment of the imagination... I need only write the magnificent and painful truth.

At 6 pm, just after finishing my dinner of dried steam rice and canned food, my signalman called. “Chief, Thach Sanh is calling you.” Thach Sanh was the Captain commanding the 3rd Company, who bore the same given name as myself.

Holding the hand set, I answered: “Thach Thao is listening to you.”

On the other end was not Thach Sanh, but his signalman!

“Thach Sanh orders everybody to move quickly.”

“OK.”

I ordered my platoon to be ready to move to the old position within ten minutes. We were to replace the Airborne Division. Once, back on 28 July, I had relieved an Airborne officer at that position. On seeing me without my flak jacket and steel helmet, he had warned: “It is very dangerous here. You may be shot by the enemy any time.”

I had answered: “Oh, Death isn't that easy to court, many people want to die but can't!.” He smiled knowingly and left with his unit for the rear.

I went to the Company command post. Everybody was there. I did not bother to salute them all, and sat down. “What's the matter?” I asked Thach Sanh. He was not at all happy, and answered: “F...! Expect to be off bulldozing again.” (i.e we were again expected to clear obstacles!) He then turned to everybody and said: “Let's start the briefing... Tonight, we are assigned the task of recapturing the Old Citadel.” In a low, tired voice reflected by his suddenly hard, older expression, he said: “The Marines Headquarters has said the 3 months are nearly up - there is only another five days until the deadline to recapture the area is up. The Airborne and the Ranger Units have been repelled - so it's up to us. They suffered heavy casualties at the foot of the wall, but the Commandant has ordered us to try our best.”

“Any one would thing we have copper bodies and iron skins!” I wryly joked.

After discussing the strategies, I was assigned to spearhead the onslaught. Thus our platoon was burdened with an unexpected heavy responsibility. After everyone had left, Thach Sanh confided in me. He reminded me that recently, he had become more confident because First Lieutenant Tra and I were in his company. His faith in us had developed during the counter-offensive, when the 3rd Company consistently won it's battles. He was especially impressed when the 3rd Company had defeated an enemy force of regimental size, under highly dangerous conditions at the Vinh Dinh River. In that battle, I was ordered to attack in the evening, when the enemy had had plenty of time to close their defensive line. I requested tanks to fire maximally, at the lower levels, directed at foxholes and tree stumps. Five minutes later, when we were ready to charge, I asked for the shots to be levelled over our heads as not to hit us by accident. That way, the enemy that were positioned low were forced to run, while the rest were unable to figure out when our charge would start because of the loud discharge from the tanks. We killed them mercilessly, and countless weapons were seized. The NVA lost their bravado, when they saw us advancing with absolutely no regard for Death. They trembled and fled. That night, I slept in a bunker with an enemy body, unaware that a live NVA soldier was hiding only metres away. When I woke and detected him the next morning, I delivered him to Battalion headquarters.

But this time, my platoon was appointed to fill a task which was a thousand times more difficult. The chance of sharing the same fate as our dead brothers-in-arms was high. To be repelled uninjured, would be lucky. I ruminated on this depressing thought on my way back to the platoon. I then summonned my platoon assistant and my squad leaders to brief them.

“Tonight, our task is to recapture the Old Citadel. Be ready to move. Let your soldiers, rest now. Be on guard for my call to start.”

An M.48 tank unit was moved to my position. I went out to welcome the leader and pointed out the targets to him. I was high on adrenaline, and requested several suspected sites be targetted.

After an hour with the Armour men I jumped down from the tank. As I did so, the enemy artillery began to fire haphazardly in the direction of the Marines. I asked friendly forces to stop firing so that I could advance the troops. I reported to Thach Sanh that my men were on the move. The leading squad, composed of four rows of three advanced, whilst two other squads protected its flanks.

After crossing the line of departure about 50m, we immediately confronted the enemy outposts. They threw hand grenades on us. I ordered my soldiers not to use personal firearms, but rather respond in kind. Second Lieutenant Luat, a newly graduated officer on job training (OJT), followed me closely. I switched my radio frequency so I could contact other Marine Companies at all times. The whole platoon was forced to crawl slowly forwards whilst hand grenades exploded all around. Instead of firing, the Communists chose to throw grenades at the slightest noise. I had to crawl back and forth, left and right, to check the position constantly.

Somebody whispered in my ear:

“Chief, I killed an NVA...the rest are running straight in front.”

“Good, but don't worry about chasing them. Just move forwards and don't use firearms.”

The night was too dark, impeding observation. I could not request flares as they would have given our position away to the enemy. A little bit further ahead the Marines 105mm artillery rounds were continuing to shell the top of the wall as usual. The goal was to deceive the enemy into thinking we were only harrassing them with shellings. They did not realize that below, the “Sea Tigers” were trying to re-write history.

After three hours of crawling, creeping, sneeking, evading, and throwing grenades, we approached the wall. About 100m from the foot, I ordered my soldiers to seek shelter from artillery rounds by lying completely flat on the ground, in depressions or next to ruins. Only then did I request flares to observe the situation. When they lit up the sky, I could see NVA soldiers sitting in groups of three. Everytime a flare lit up, their long shadows would cast upon our hideouts, making us feel as if they were right above us. I requested the Artillery to step up the firepower. Salvos screeched over our heads, falling inside the Citadel. The enemy seemed unafraid, for no matter how frequent the shellings came, they never abandonned their guard position. They had probably suspected our ruse, and so paid particular attention.

Thach Sanh regularly asked: “Where are you? What is the situation... Do you think that you can climb?” I gave him full details. In short, we could do nothing at that moment. The NVA numerous and were vigilently guarding. They had the upper hand. Trying to attack them would have been foolhardy. We had to be patient - I thought things over carefully. Choosing the exact moment was essential. A minute could change the situationm drastically.

If the enemy detected us, we would surely be annihilated. To recapture the Citadel was a matter of course, but I wanted to do it with minimal loss to my platoon.

Second Lieutenant Luat asked me: “Have you made up your mind to scale the wall tonight?”

“Of course... Why do you think I joined the Marines?” I responded. I immediately decided to join the Marine Corps when I saw the recruiting officer, a heroic young Marine Captain with eyes full of ideals. I thought the Marines were the best fighters, and if one was brave and victorious, one could be promoted to the rank of the heroic officers. I did not hesitate to enter - and agreed to accept the fact that “either one's tomb is green covered with grass, or one's chest is red... decorated with a medal.”

I had to scale the wall to cast the hunting dogs within out. I felt the heavy burden of responsibility on my shoulders. The honour of the Marine Corps, and the ARVN was at stake. It was a very difficult task to find the right moment, and the right path up the wall.

Captain Bang Chief of Battalion S3, was nervous about the situation, and wanted details. I reported everything to him, adding jokingly: “Don't worry sir, tomorrow I will bring back some K54 for you to play with.” (K54 was an NVA officer's pistol.) He jovially wished me good luck, and I thanked him for his concern.

I requested Thach Sanh for more flares and shellings. After each salvo, he would anxiously ask: “How was that? is it possible for you to ascend yet?” Time and again I had to answer in the negative. Indeed the NVA had stepped up their patrol. One NVA commander ran to and fro shouting in a northern accent: “Be careful! They are going to attack.”

The artillery rounds were not particulary effective. Most fell within the Citadel, which I thought was wasteful. It would have been more effective on the ramparts, but unfortunately, we would have been on the receiving end as well. I decided to take the risk, and asked the Artillerymen to shell 50m shorter. Salvos screeched over our heads, but still fell beyond the ramparts. “No, 25m shorter!” I requested. This time, the shells exactly on the ramparts. Shrapnel flew in all directions like a spray of water.

“Great! Another one please!” I also requested flares. In the light, I could see the NVA troops hurrying to their bunkers. I looked at my watch. It was 5.15 am. An Artillery round fell 20m behind me.

“Thach Thao, are you alright?”

“Yes. Please tell the Artillery to stop. I'm letting my men climb up now.”

The sky became lighter, To the east, it was clear and blue. With daybreak, I could see where the wall started, and where it ended. I decided to exploit the time the NVA were entering their bunkers to climb the wall. I called forth Sergeant Xuan, an audacious and experienced squad leader and hurriedly ordered:

“Lead your squad in climbing up first. I'll follow. Don't make any noise. Hurry!”

Xuan's squad quickly exited their hiding places, forded the moat and scaled the wall. The whole platoon followed. Xuan reached the top of the wall, and the Marines behind him, began to throw grenades. I saw Xuan throwing himself at the NVA bunkers. The entire platoon scaled up a full speed. I called over the radio: “Thach Sanh, order the company to storm over now!” I hastily gave my signalman the hand set and threw more grenades. In a short period of time, a whole stretch, 150m long was ours. The enemy ran off, and gaining momentum we pursued.

Ten minutes later, Thach Sanh and the rest of the company reached the top to reinforce us. The thunderous shouts of “Charge!” petrified the enemy. They had no option but to flee, throwing their weapons as they went, every man for himself. It had never occured to them that the Marines would dare scale the Citadel. It was this bold action that lead to the complete routing of the NVA at the Citadel.

The NVA were no different to a group of ducks rushing out of their pens. We captured many prisoners and hordes of weapons of all kind.

About 30 minutes later, a company of the 6th Marine Battalion started charging at the South west side of the Citadel. In a very short time, the “Divine Hawks” had mastered an area of the Citadel. After that moment, the Citadel was ours. The purging of remaining enemy bunkers did not cause much problems.

At 7.00 am, Major De, the Executive Commander of the 3rd Battalion came to me with a bottle of brandy. He said: “Thach Thao, have a sip, please. I congratulate you on having gained the victory. You and your men have brought honour to the Marine Corps and especially the “Sea Wolves” of the 3rd Marine Battalion”. I drank with him, and the warmth of the alcohol helped me forget the hardship endured during the night. As I saw smoke billowing up from where the enemy artillery landed, I was reminded that my entire platoon was safe! At the thought, tears poured down my face...

On the 16th of September 1972, we all dressed in our marine fatigues, and made ourselves presentable for the President's visit. At 10.30 am, The President came. Whilst in line, I was hoping that he would visit the “Sea wolves”, however he stopped only at the “Divine Hawks” and then left. A few days later, Captain Bang, the Chief of Battalion S3 told me that I had been commended for a promotion and a medal. I told him that all the men in the Platoon were worthy of recognition. As things turned out, for some reason or another, no one in our company - not even Thach Sanh - was recognized in any way. I was disappointed for my platoon, many of whom had fought well. Numerous ended up sacrificing their lives in other operations. This hurtful oversight, turned out to be a blesssing in disguise: later, when the Communists took over in 1975, the length of the sentences in the concentration camps was directly proportional to the ranking one held!

But though Thach Sanh, the “Sea wolves”, my platoon and I, had to swallow a bitter pill in the celebrations that followed the Victory, nothing could detract from our pride at having been the first to scale the wall, and play such an important role in history. We were proud of our achievement - I was proud, and still am. After Quang Tri, I continued to fight. Eventually, I was wounded, and was given permission to return home. Home I went to my wife and 2 month old son, who I hadn't seen since birth...

First Lieutenant Van Tan Thach