On This Day.....
It was a chilling morning, November 14, 1965, as the first rays of the sun cast long, haunting shadows across the Central Highlands. The stage was set for a battle that would go down in history as one of the deadliest confrontations of the entire Vietnam War.
The air resonated with the thumping of helicopter blades, creating an intense sense of anticipation. Echoes of distant artillery fire reverberated through the hearts of young American soldiers, as their faces etched with the grim understanding that they were venturing into the very jaws of danger. These brave men, members of the 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), were about to embark on a mission that would test their mettle.
As the UH-1D transport helicopters descended upon Landing Zone X-Ray, a clearing amid the thick jungle, the tension was palpable. Below, the treacherous terrain awaited, concealing an invisible adversary – the North Vietnamese forces – who lay in wait, ready to unleash a torrent of fury.
This was the moment, the beginning of an epic struggle where bravery confronted fear, and determination battled despair. The Battle of Ia Drang was about to begin.
I got to First Cav over the Thanksgiving weekend of 1978. Did 37 months in the same Air Defense unit. All my NCO's were Viet era vets. They were either disconnected or harsh as fuck about training. The mean ones got ahold of me. They had seen too many die because they couldn't do their jobs. They made sure I learned mine. Left there a Sergeant E-5. Promotions came fast if you weren't a fuckup.
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of documentaries on that battle. Some not so favorable toward the officers. I've seen documentaries where the NVA commander was interviewed post war. All in all it was hell on earth. They were brave young men.
ReplyDeleteI'll run the part that my dad took part in on Monday at noon.
DeleteYour Dad was there? Holy shit! I would not wish that on my worst enemy. That was hell on earth.
DeleteIt was his first battle. Literally his baptism of fire.
DeleteMel Gibson did a movie based on the book by Lt Gen Hal Moore and journalist Joe Galloway. Not extremely accurate but well done. Worth seeing. "We Were Soldiers Once, And Young"
ReplyDeletehttps://www.military.com/daily-news/2019/09/13/story-rick-rescorla-vietnam-vet-and-9-11-hero.html Rick Rescorla in the photo- he was there in the battle. He later became head of security for Morgan Stanley . He forced employees to attend evacuation drills after the WTC truck bombing. Rick sand " Men of Harlech" as he lead people to safety on 9/11.
ReplyDeleteSince I spent 12 months and 29 days in-country Vietnam from Jan '68 to Feb '69 as a US Marine tank commander and as a result, I have read a massive amount of history of that war.
ReplyDeleteIt is my understanding that the "brass hats" in MAC-V in Saigon thought that if a large contingent of American choppers flew into the I Drang valley ... where the NVA had lived unopposed for (maybe) decades, that the chopper noise and the treat of American soldiers would cause the enemy to flee. As it turned out, unfortunately they did not flee, and they kicked some serious ass.