Explore our Navy section: awards, stories, points of interest, origin of navy terminology and much, much more! Jump-off was scheduled for 0800. 226 0 obj<>stream Its what happens, unfortunately, Heller said. Ap Bau Bang II was the heaviest clash of Operation Junction City. 15 May 1967: 1st CAM SON riverine operation, using TF-117 boats. Battalion severely damaged. Lieutenant Heller and his fellow soldiers in Bravo Company, 4th Battalion, were the closest to Alpha Companys position and scrambled to provide support. Because of that, we knew each other very well, and kept in touch with each other. It was as hoped that in this manner the tracked vehicles could compensate for the lack of a blocking force. The entire crew was wounded and evacuated. Members of 4/47 9th Infantry Division remember, reflect on life, those lost. Some rice had been found, more proof that Viet Cong had been in the area. Following this operation the aircraft would pass to the 3/47th for a similar operation. Temporarily stalled, the company commander requested the support of the empty tracked vehicles which he could see to the north. Cong battalion inflicted heavy casualties on the government forces and Advancing without halting under cover of the terrific fire they were putting down, they rapidly closed up to the wooded area. The quarry this time was a concentration of guerrillas near the village of The brigade commander quickly approved the action taken by the 3/60th, and at the same time directed that Company B, 3/60th, which was closest to the scene of combat, be placed under the operational control of the 3/47th and moved to a position to block the enemys escape to the north. There are consequences.. mini-guns. 7th ARVN Division, on own initiative, started on 26 July the most ambitious campaign for years. of the 7th Battalion, 9th Artillery, commanded by Captain Duane W. 7, The Washington Post printed a front-page The ambush was to be in position by 18:00. of Vietnam engaged a Viet Cong battalion at the village of Ap Bac in zoneId = '3'; From Albert's Peach Cobbler to an Irish Chicken Dinner, we have them all! [5] Several Viet Cong who attempted to remove the .50-caliber machine gun from one of the burning tracks of Festa's unit were killed, as were others trying to storm the foxholes containing the wounded. document.write ("'><\/scr"+"ipt>"); The battalion commander of the 3/60th Infantry intended to move his unit forward by stages before making the final assault. Vietnam, filed an after-action report on the Ap Bac operation which military advisers charged today that Vietnamese infantrymen refused } if (!document.MAX_used) document.MAX_used = ','; Whereas a company might be made up of 80-250 soldiers, an Army battalion can consist of between 300 to 1,200 soldiers. There was much shouting and hollering as leaders tried to find their men, ascertain their status and reorganize for the night. These were the troops of the 273d Viet Cong Regiment, who had been waiting in position in the rubber trees before moving forward under mortar fire cover,[4] wearing dark clothes. The paddies were mostly dry and easily supported the weight of an armored personnel carrier. While fighting continued, part of Festa's unit were trying to evacuate their wounded. Besides, the area which the artillery and air were attacking had become smaller and smaller. American intelligence analysts believed that the whole regiment participated. since Ap Bac the complaint has been increasingly heard that the There was no way to avoid some of this fire falling into positions held by elements of the 3/47th and even as far back as the fire support base. However, overall enemy losses had been more than 200 men. On the north, the mechanized company moved forward at about ten miles an hour in a general line, while hosing down the countryside with .50 caliber-fire. At least they got most of it. Harkins assessment closely paralleled that of Admiral command which never placed a Vietnamese officer above the rank of Learning that elements of the 3/47th were in contact, and anticipating that his battalion would become involved, the commanding officer of the 3/60th ordered company B to move toward the area of contact, followed by Company A. - William Shakespeare, Henry V, Navy Cross recipients, Distinguished Service Cross recipients, and Medal of Honor recipients from the Navy Mobile Riverine Force and Army 9th Infantry Division. However, for the Tigers of the 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry, and especially for Company A of that unit, what had started out as a routine walk in the sun was rapidly becoming a grim one. Saigon, January 7; Department of State, Central Files, 951K.6211/1-763) Explore historical photos, gripping stories, poetry and song submitted by MRFA members. Captured major caches of weapons, ammo, rice and medical supplies. The first true battle of the Vietnam War was Ap Bac. A friend is a person that would be standing by your side, even if he knew it was going to cost him his life. Vann attributed the failure On the south, Company A was exchanging fire with most of the enemy defenders. a. MACV MDMAF concept postulated a maximum radius of 50 KM from MRB. Status of the, Quarterly For many of the Tornados, June 19 was the last day they would see each other in the war zone. The assault by the 60th Infantrys Wild Ones on a Viet Cong stronghold in the Mekong was the kind you see in the movies or on the blackboard, but rarely in actual combat. THE BATTLE : At 07:00 on the 2nd January, 10 Shawnee Helicopters landed West of Ap Bac, dropping the first wave of the 3 Rifle Companies. During the battle, 29 US air strikes delivered 29 tons of ordnance, and American artillery fired nearly 3,000 rounds. Moving into the perimeter, the platoon took up positions between A Troop's vehicles on the western half of the defensive ring. The ARVN were decisively defeated. After fighting its way through the houses along the stream, it arrived at a position just short of the enemys main defense line. We welcome content contributions! Squad leader and event organizer Dave Persson talked of the significance of the date, calling it the very worst battle any of us saw in Vietnam., We lost one person from our platoon that day, Persson recalled. attack. An assessment done in the Department of State on January 15 of Customarily, when major events occurred in Vietnam, there was nothing to indicate that the days operation would be other than routine. Considered small-scale action, Ap Bac was fought on January 2, 1963, in the hamlet (ap in Vietnamese) of Bac. Few people were seen, although there were many houses of mud and thatch in these densely vegetated areas. S. Vietnam war and noted that the battle will provide enemy with It took place in an area of the Mekong Delta that had been dominated by VC guerrillas. [4], During the lull that followed, reconnaissance by fire was conducted by Wolfe's tank along the wood line to the east beyond the railway. They were assured of swift success. [6], During the attempted retrieval operation, and for the next four hours, gunship fire and air strikes hit the Viet Cong from above. document.write (document.charset ? Those on the north had been swept by Company B earlier, and were known to be free of enemy troops. Shortly after it moved into position, a six-man Viet Cong force was engaged. 261st Viet Cong Main Force Battalion, normally in Kien Hoa, moved up to west Ding Tuong early July. Click most pictures to enlarge. Originally, our 2nd Brigade, 9th Infantry Division, had been promised two helicopter companies for the operation; however, late on the day before the operation began, one of these was withdrawn. of State, World War I and the [1]:107, With nightfall the casualties of Company A, 4/47th Infantry were able to be evacuated, while most of the VC were able to escape through gaps in the U.S. positions. September 1966: 2nd Bde designated Army Component of (MDAF- Mekong Delta Mobile Afloat Base). //]]>-->, Alpha Company walked into a batallion-sized ambush, said Powell resident and Army veteran Jim Heller. The main attack came from the south and southwest, accompanied by a secondary attack from the north. These guys? captain on the battlefield, a reluctance to incur casualties, an However, throughout the area, the small streams could be crossed only at certain points. On January 3, Deputy Secretary of Defense Roswell Gilpatric forwarded to the White House a It soon became apparent that the craft would be delayed, and after a wait of more than an hour, the battalion was notified that the helicopters would not arrive because of a tactical emergency elsewhere. Index, A Short History One thing that we found out over there, and what we didnt realize until years later, was what a friend was, he said. Then we went back to Dong Tam and then in an incredible operation the MRF moved I yelled for a medic and one ran across the field.. Seeing this, the two men following, a machine gun team, quickly jumped up and rushed the position, dispatching the Viet Cong with a burst. As the shadows lengthened over the dry rice fields and dense foliage, the roar of machine-gun fire and exploding grenades slowly died away. The perimeter was manned on the west by the 1st Platoon, commanded by First Lieutenant Roger A. Festa and to the east by the 3rd Platoon under Second Lieutenant Hiram M. Wolfe, IV.[3]. Relations, World Wide Diplomatic Archives xb```b``Id`a` ed@ Ardf} g!;BCAuK@Fc@``|@A\K/z/upD. Series, Other It was fought in nh Tng Province (now part of Tin Giang Province), South Losses in the 3/47th were more severe. The Viet Cong machine gun fired five separate bursts before it was destroyed by the Americans. Alcala sent his 2nd Platoon commanded by First Lieutenant Harlan E. Short to establish an ambush along the trail at a point 1.5km north of the fire support base and approximately 350 meters west of Route 13. On January 2, 1963, regular army and civil guard forces of the Republic The 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry, would also advance to the north as soon as it arrived. b. The 3d Platoon of C Troop, moved up Route 13 from their position five kilometers to the south, driving through a barrage of fire before reaching the base perimeter at 01:27. Funston. e. GVN Committed a 2nd Battalion Brigade of VN Marines in US Zone. At 23:00 the Viet Cong opened fire on the northeast section of the perimeter with a wheel-mounted .50-caliber machine gun located on the railway embankment. [1]:104 The operation plan called for the deployment of five Companies of the 3rd and 4th Battalions, 47th Infantry Regiment into the operations area by assault craft and sweep south towards the ARVN 2nd Battalion, 46th Infantry blocking positions near the town of Ap Bac in Tien Giang Province. if (document.MAX_used != ',') document.write ("&exclude=" + document.MAX_used); a. there are days. WebThis was the plan finally coordinated on the evening of 1 May 1967. Electronic resources for U.S. foreign relations, Copyright Employing 0 battalions in the field for 8 days. Information, United States Department of 0000007973 00000 n Country Series, 1/63) On January 7, President Kennedy expressed concern about the They all had to be searched and cleared, even though most were found to be unoccupied. There was a huge explosion, an artillery round probably, and I woke up back here in the states about three weeks later.. As they took their positions, they were hit with recoilless rifle fire and grenades. (Telegram CAP (Initially 3rd-Bn 47th Inf then 4th-Bn, 47th Inf) For the Wild Ones of the 3rd Battalion, 60th Infantry, and the attached troops, the action had confirmed what they believed all along: that given the opportunity, they could whip anybody. Chief, Pacific, who sought to put the battle into perspective in b. Parrots Beak was 71 KM (water distance) and 43 KM (straight-line) from The ceremony at the memorial was highlighted by the recitation of names by platoon chaplain Charlie Zies of the Tornados killed in action during the war, as well as a stirring recollection of Chili Saizs bravery on his final day. var width = jQuery(window).width(); We welcome content contributions! Making the experience even more memorable was the appearance of Don and Mark Saiz Chili Saizs twin brother and nephew. Then when the fire lifted to the rear of the enemy, to block his escape positions, the infantry would assault before the enemy could recover. Two men had died, another 15 had been wounded, but none of these men died and only six were classed as seriously wounded. Concurrently, the other companies of the battalion where dispersed to the east and north of the stream, with the mission of blocking any escaping enemy. This answer is: As Chili went through the other end of the tree line, he was shot, Zies recalled. 0000002958 00000 n Alcala sent a tank out of the perimeter to help. try to rescue their pals. Like any engagements in war, Harkins concluded, there are days-and But the most prevalent feeling now that the major, recognizable danger had passed, was one of elationhigh elation. and helicopters. 11-12 June 1967: Relocate to NHA Be. inability to take effective advantage of air superiority, and a lack of The Battle of p Bc was a major battle fought on January 2, 1963, during the Vietnam War.It was fought in nh Tng Province (now part of Tin Giang Province), South Vietnam.On December 28, 1962, US intelligence detected the presence of a radio transmitter along with a sizable force of National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam (NLF/Viet Cong) soldiers, In the background could be heard the steady beat of helicopter blades as the choppers brought in supplies and took out casualties. Join us for our 2017 reunion by making a reservation today! Explore artwork by members, and read historical articles and books. [5], The elements of B and C Troops move in from afar to assist their colleagues. 28-31 January 1967: 2nd Bde arrives at Vung Tau, Close Bearcat. - William Shakespeare, Henry V, Navy Cross recipients, Distinguished Service Cross recipients, and Medal of Honor recipients from the Navy Mobile Riverine Force and Army 9th Infantry Division. Heller paused for a moment, gathering his thoughts before he continued. Firing continually during their sweep, they turned west, then north, before doubling back and entering the perimeter from the southeast. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. We dont sit around and tell war stories, we just celebrate each other and the fact that its great to be alive.. Operation Concordia was an operation conducted by the U.S. Their mission was to secure the base for B Battery (105-mm.) TF-117 supports 2nd Bde operations, initially with RAS boats borrowed from the Vietnamese Navy, crewed by US Crews, as TF-117 boats arrived in country, they were phased into RSSZ operations. Ive never had a bond like I have with these people.. These vehicles quickly joined and began to add the fire power of their .50 calibers to the combat, which at the moment was very much in the balance. [1]:107, Company B, 4/47th Infantry was moved behind Company A while Company C, 3/47th Infantry was deployed north and then began to assault towards the east joining up with Companies A and B approaching from the northwest. Marion. [1]:1067[2]:37 Artillery and air support could not be used initially due to confusion over the location of the 4/47th Platoons, but from 12:00 helicopter gunship and artillery fire began to supplement the fire from small arms and nearby patrol craft. Harry D. Felt, Commander in They also gathered to renew and refresh the bond they share with one another as a true band of brothers, one that began for many of them during basic training. Company C, 3/47th Infantry would act as reserve. A hundred Viet Cong died in the area. 0000000016 00000 n 0000003035 00000 n WebThe Battle of p Bc was a major battle fought on January 3, 1963, during the Vietnam War. An abandoned railway ran parallel to and thirty meters east of the highway. Each infantry Battalion operates one week in RSSZ and trains one week at VAN KEP Training Center at BARIA in PHOUC TUY Province. Vietnamese forces, and concluded: It also hurts here when irresponsible The troops on the ground began digging in around the rice paddies to secure their LZ, awaiting the rest of Joint Chiefs of Staff as one of the bloodiest and costliest battles of 0000008029 00000 n By 1600, everything was ready for the coordinated attack. Infantry Division, January 9; JCS Files) Explore historical photos, gripping stories, poetry and song submitted by MRFA members. Heaviest casualties to date Co-A-4th-47th takes severe casualties (28) KIAs. The APC operators decided to fire their canisters on each other to remove the Viet Cong, as they were too close for an APC to clear from itself. We have buried your dead and taken care of your wounded from this battle.[7]. Releases, Administrative The MRFA is launching our Historical Data Project (HDP), featuring as much MRF TF-117 data as possible. Two 3rd Platoon tanks were hit, but were not disabled. The Battle at Ap Bac Changed Americas View of the Vietnam War by dnewbold 7/25/2006 On January 3,1963, several American war correspondents approached General Paul D. Harkins to ask what he thought about the battle the 7th Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) Division had just fought at a village named Bac. They captured a youth riding a water buffalo who admitted that he belonged to the Viet Congs 514th Battalion (a provincial main force unit of excellent reputation), and had been sent to observe the Americans approaching from the west. Out there at my place on the Willwood where things were quiet, there were no agendas, no one had to go anywhere for food. [4], The communists increased their intensity and two M113s were hit directly, wounding several Americans and destroying the vehicle. go of it. The men were in Park County earlier this month to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Battle of Ap Bac. Suddenly, a concealed automatic weapon opened fire at a range of 50 meters, completely enfilading the line of troops. On the north and south was a line of dense coconut trees and undergrowth. 209 18 [1]:108. Web19-20 June 1967: Operation CONCORDIA. The terrain in the area consisted of rice paddies surrounded on four sides by narrow earthen dikes. Wheeler Mission, Mansfield Report, Comprehensive Plan, Thompson Wolfe's men fired and the Viet Cong stopped, having struck one American vehicle's gun. 1. They concluded that even more Viet Cong had died because of the existence of blood trails, indicating that dead communists had been taken away by their colleagues. This placed the battalion in a perfect position to attack the flank of the enemy which was engaging the 3/47th. 17 September 1967: 3rd-47th Op TF Funston 4th-47th Inf comes afloat. It was a terrible day for the 4th of the 47th.. We continued to pour fire into his position and to inch forward, taking best advantage of the cover. Learn about the battle, including the cause, the tactics and its impact on the Vietnam War in this lesson. Explore artwork by members, and read historical articles and books. Meanwhile, Company A, 3/60th, was formed up and waiting at the helicopter pickup site for the promised company of choppers. Articles incorporating text from the United States Army Center of Military History, Vietnam articles missing geocoordinate data, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, Battles and operations of the Vietnam War, Battles and operations of the Vietnam War in 1967, United States Army Center of Military History, http://www.history.army.mil/books/Vietnam/90-7/cont.htm. Battalion operates one week in RSSZ and trains one week at VAN KEP Training Center at in... In the area, origin of Navy terminology and much, much more Troop 's vehicles on the western of. Smaller and smaller we have buried your dead and taken care of your wounded from this.! Relations, Copyright Employing 0 battalions in the area were in Park County this! We knew each other very well, and read historical articles and books well, and read historical and. Most ambitious campaign for years, 1963, in the field for 8 days at Vung Tau, Bearcat! Communists increased their intensity and two M113s were hit, but were not disabled a... Cong main force Battalion, normally in Kien Hoa, moved up west! ( window ).width ( ) ; we welcome content contributions casualties to date Co-A-4th-47th takes casualties! To help County earlier this month to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the tree line, he shot. Of weapons, ammo, rice and medical supplies into position, a concealed weapon. Their colleagues meters, completely enfilading the line of dense coconut trees and undergrowth comes.! Unfortunately, Heller said the perimeter from the southeast what happens,,... Tf-117 Data as possible the heaviest clash of operation Junction City > its... Window ).width ( ) ; we welcome content contributions arrives at Vung Tau, Close Bearcat: awards stories. A tank out of the perimeter to help, completely enfilading the line of coconut... War in this lesson at VAN KEP Training Center at BARIA in PHOUC TUY Province to.! Their intensity and two M113s were hit directly, wounding several Americans and destroying the vehicle 's.: 1st CAM SON riverine operation, using TF-117 boats ascertain their status and reorganize for promised... Comes Afloat south and southwest, accompanied by a secondary attack from the south and southwest, by! Parallel to and thirty meters east of the empty tracked vehicles could compensate for the promised Company of.... Cause, the communists increased their intensity and two M113s were hit directly, wounding several Americans and the! Just short of the battle, 29 US air strikes delivered 29 tons of ordnance, and read articles. Zies recalled Training Center at BARIA in PHOUC TUY Province as the shadows over... The support of the defensive ring 1966: 2nd Bde designated Army Component of ( Mekong! Cong had been in the area Tau, Close Bearcat Mark Saiz Chili Saizs brother! During battle of ap bac 1967 battle, 29 US air strikes delivered 29 tons of ordnance, and kept touch! Could compensate for the lack of a blocking force 17 september 1967: 2nd designated! Trains one week at VAN KEP Training Center at BARIA in PHOUC TUY.... From this battle. [ 7 ], on own initiative, started on July... Was engaging the 3/47th for a moment, gathering his thoughts before he continued the main attack came the! Of Bac US Zone the Viet Cong force was engaged suddenly, a six-man Viet Cong machine gun fired separate. Failure on the western half of the highway we welcome content contributions tank of. Van KEP Training Center at BARIA in PHOUC TUY Province of rice paddies surrounded on four sides by narrow dikes... Army veteran Jim Heller exchanging fire with most of the Vietnam War in manner! This battle. [ 7 ] Alpha Company walked into a batallion-sized ambush, said resident. Postulated a maximum radius of 50 KM from MRB completely enfilading the line of troops is: as Chili through... Coconut trees and undergrowth 200 men tank out of the enemys main defense line casualties. Personnel carrier Junction City Troop 's vehicles on the western half of the defensive ring, on! Attack came from the south and southwest, accompanied by a secondary attack from the southeast HDP ) featuring... Vietnamese ) of Bac, although there were many houses of mud and thatch in these densely vegetated areas up. Five separate bursts before it was as hoped that in this manner the vehicles! Houses along the stream, it arrived at a range of 50 meters, completely enfilading line. Buried your dead and taken care of your wounded from this battle [. Tank out of the enemy which was engaging the 3/47th for a moment gathering. In Vietnamese ) of Bac along the stream, it arrived at a range of 50 meters completely! On January 2, 1963, in the area PHOUC TUY Province, a concealed automatic opened! Helicopter pickup site for the lack of a blocking force and taken care of your wounded from this battle [... Of the Vietnam War was Ap Bac was fought on January 2, 1963 in. The area which the artillery and air were attacking had become smaller and.! Which was engaging the 3/47th Bac was fought on January 2, 1963 in... Empty tracked vehicles which he could see to the north and south was line. Touch with each other reservation today personnel carrier the area in PHOUC TUY Province waiting... There was much shouting and hollering as leaders tried to find their men, ascertain their status and for... Area consisted of rice paddies surrounded on four sides by narrow earthen dikes main attack came from the,... Status and reorganize for the night because of that, we knew each other well! Of mud and thatch in these densely vegetated areas MRFA members rice fields and dense foliage, the increased. Operation the aircraft would pass to the battle of ap bac 1967 defensive ring they turned west, then north, before doubling and. Fought on January 2, 1963, in the field for 8 days Division remember, on... Radius of 50 meters, completely enfilading the line of dense coconut trees and undergrowth of a blocking.... As hoped that in this lesson before he continued doubling back and the. By the Americans walked into a batallion-sized ambush, said Powell resident and Army veteran Jim.. Kep Training Center at BARIA in PHOUC TUY Province dense foliage, the elements of B and C move. Trying to evacuate their wounded the men were in Park County earlier this month to commemorate the 50th of... Failure on the north a, 3/60th, was formed up and waiting at the helicopter pickup site the... East of the enemys main defense line week at VAN KEP Training Center at BARIA in TUY... Before he continued what happens, unfortunately, Heller said C, 3/47th Infantry would act as.. Baria in PHOUC TUY Province ( window ).width ( ) ; we welcome content contributions railway ran to., completely enfilading the line of troops consisted of rice paddies surrounded on four sides by narrow earthen.. At a position just short of the enemy battle of ap bac 1967 was engaging the 3/47th for a similar operation and thirty east. The appearance of Don and Mark Saiz Chili Saizs twin battle of ap bac 1967 and nephew wounding several Americans destroying. 226 0 obj < > stream its what happens, unfortunately, said! Engaging the 3/47th, accompanied by a secondary attack from the north had been by. About the battle, including the cause, the area consisted of rice paddies surrounded on four by! Jim Heller were in Park County earlier this month to commemorate the anniversary! Major caches of weapons, ammo, rice and medical supplies the and..., normally in Kien Hoa, moved up to west Ding Tuong early July 3rd-47th... Similar operation featuring as much MRF TF-117 Data as possible ascertain their status and reorganize for the promised Company choppers... Few people were seen, although there were many houses of battle of ap bac 1967 and thatch in densely. 200 men of 50 KM from MRB died away and battle of ap bac 1967 historical articles and books of Festa unit. 4/47 9th Infantry Division, January 9 ; JCS Files ) explore historical photos, gripping stories, of. Rice and medical supplies there were many houses of mud and thatch in these densely vegetated.. The Company commander requested the support of the enemy which was engaging 3/47th. Tank out of the enemy defenders north, before doubling back and entering the perimeter to help,! Was the heaviest clash of operation Junction City of 50 KM from MRB, of... Machine-Gun fire and exploding grenades slowly died away the elements of B and C move. Heller said the Vietnam War was Ap Bac -- >, Alpha Company walked into batallion-sized. Would pass to the north platoon tanks were hit, but were not disabled ). Data Project ( HDP ), featuring as much MRF TF-117 Data as.. Us for our 2017 reunion by making a reservation today the heaviest of! Training Center at BARIA in PHOUC TUY Province foliage, the roar machine-gun... 0000002958 00000 n Alcala sent a tank out of the enemy which was engaging the 3/47th for similar! Vietnam War in this manner the tracked vehicles could compensate for the night several Americans destroying... Concealed automatic weapon opened fire at a range of 50 meters, completely enfilading the line of dense coconut and. Field for 8 days several Americans battle of ap bac 1967 destroying the vehicle Funston 4th-47th Inf comes Afloat buried... Swept by Company B earlier, and kept in touch with each.. Was shot, Zies recalled interest, origin of Navy terminology and,! Fields and dense foliage, the Company commander requested the support of the perimeter to help up to west Tuong. 7Th ARVN Division, on own initiative, started on 26 July the ambitious. Of rice paddies surrounded on four sides by narrow earthen dikes act as reserve concealed.