Facebook contribution by Donald Zlotnik, 2019
Donald Zlotnik
November2, 2019
November Has Been a Bad Month Since 1967
IT HAS BEEN 52 YEARS!
1/Lt Bill “Liam” Atkins, probably described it best. The year after the 173rd Airborne Brigade’s 4/503rd Airborne Infantry took Hill 875 on Thanksgiving Day, 1967, I had Thanksgiving with Bill and his family at Fort Bragg, NC.
The women and children were in the house while the men gathered around the fire pit in the backyard working on a couple bottles of Kessler’s sipping whiskey. Bill presented a word picture that I will never forget. He told us of when they took Hill 875 on Thanksgiving morning how Brigadier General Schweitzer ordered his headquarters Mess Hall to prepare a complete Thanksgiving dinner for the survivors of the 4th Battalion and had it flown out to them on Hill 875 in Murmite cans. The general’s intent was good—the results were disastrous.
Bill went on to paint a word picture, I will never forget. He told of three paratroopers sitting on a bombed down tree. The two sitting on the outside were eating heaping mess kits of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy while the paratrooper in the middle was holding a half-gallon carton of Neapolitan ice cream and a white plastic spoon. The ice cream was melting and running down his arm and as he ate he cried and the tears washed away the grime on his face leaving white streaks. One of his friend’s leaned over and puked up the too rich food.
It was something I could visualize having left the Brigade only a couple days before they took Hill 875.
The worst part was after the paratroopers who survived the attack on Hill 875 ate their meal, they were detailed to return to the base camp at the bottom of the hill and help police up the body parts of fellow paratroopers from the 4th Battalion and the 2nd Battalion; trying to match the body parts with torsos and place the parts in body bags. Eighty wounded paratroopers had died when two 500 pound bombs were accidently dropped on the aide station.
Every combat paratrooper who survived Hill 875 (Dak-To) has never had a peaceful Thanksgiving since then and neither have I. The memories of that horrendous 5-month long battle always seem to reappear even a half-century after the battle.
Only days before the fight for Hill 875 started I was on Fire Support Base 16 (12?) with Bill. An NVA company had attacked the base and we had driven them off. Brigadier General Schweitzer landed his helicopter on the FSB and was being briefed when he was told I was three days past my DEROS (Return to the States)—I should have left Vietnam but the intense fighting prevented any combat paratroopers from leaving the Brigade. Schweitzer, probably thinking he was doing me a favor told me to get on his chopper. He had the chopper drop him off at the Brigade’s forward base at Dak-To and then fly me back to the Brigade’s main rear area base camp. He had personally radioed ahead informing the commander at the base camp that I would be processed out with priority.
A jeep was waiting for me at the helipad that took me to the HQ Company where I was escorted to a shower. I wondered why everyone was staring at me. I failed to realize they all were aware of the battle the Brigade was fighting and I was the first one they had seen coming directly from the battle ground. My uniform was filthy; I was filthy but at Dak-To, I had blended in with the rest of the paratroopers.
I stayed in the absolutely fabulous hot water shower for a long time until a lieutenant colonel stuck his head in and told me I needed to hurry in order to catch my flight back to the States. While I had been showering, they located my personal gear in storage in the base area and had my Class B khaki uniform pressed and my jump boots polished.
There are patches of memory still missing. I don’t know if I flew directly out of Thuy Hoa or hopped a flight to Saigon—all I remember is a very angry major who was bumped from his flight home and I took his seat. I was exhausted and fell asleep shortly after take-off and didn’t wake up until we were approaching Oakland, California. Policy was everyone had to debark the aircraft in Japan while they refueled, but I do not remember getting off (Or anything during the 21 hour flight).
We landed at the Oakland Military airport and were out-processed quickly. I took a taxi to the San Francisco International Airport and instead of buying a ticket home I called my old recon sergeant, Bill Burkholtz and asked him if I could spend a couple of days with him in Malibu.
Less than 34 hours after leaving the battlefield at Dak-To, where I had slept most of those hours in-between—I was sitting on the cliffs over-looking Little Dume Bay in the mist of multi-million dollar beach homes, alone with a fifth of Kessler’s, crying uncontrollably as I looked west over the ocean back toward Vietnam.
I was one very screwed up lieutenant. Brigadier General Schweitzer thought he was doing me a favor, but the rapid transition from war to absolute peace—was just too much.
I do not regret a second of the time I spent with those mighty fine paratroopers; many died and many more that lived must carry their own special burden. So when you get together at Thanksgiving with old paratroopers and they seem to drift off on their own for a while—just smile and ignore them. They’ll return soon from their battlefields long ago.
For the most part, I keep Dak-To personal and share only with ghosts who can understand the language.
*** * ***
Afternote: Every soldier who has ever been in combat has his own story to tell. I tried sharing with other members of the 173rd who had fought at Dak-To. My main concern was uncovering the truth on firefights and small battles that took place during the major 5-month battle. I had humped the same jungle with Special Forces only months earlier and my return, recuperating from a gunshot wound, to the highland jungles brought back many memories and a lot of what was reported in official After Action Reports did not make sense—like “The Battle of the Slopes” in June of 67 where 74 mighty fine paratroopers were killed and 24 wounded. A whole company wiped out almost to the man. Also, I questioned what happened at Hill 875 and the results were to attack me for questioning what did not make sense. I was banned from the 173rd Airborne Association and bad-mouthed by the S-3 (Operations) Officer for exaggerating our losses during the battle.
I asked to those who had a lot to lose career wise, why they broke the battle casualties down into separate groups? I stated the Battle for Dak-To was from June-November 1967 and we suffered 374 killed and 1500 wounded that made the Brigade “Combat-Ineffective.” I was ganged up on the Internet and called a liar, REMF and booted off the website.
The November 2017 issue of VFW Magazine has an article in it about the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Dak-To, in the article they state 376 paratroopers were killed and 1441 were wounded. Also the article stated: “The 173rd Brigade’s Rifle Companies sustained 90% [!!!] of the Brigade’s casualties…” (Without infantry—a combat brigade is ineffective!)
It has taken 52 years to prove me right. Sadly, many of those playing CYA have been allowed to live their lives behind the lies.
The combat arms battalions (Infantry, Artillery, Armor) of the 173rd were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for the Dak-To fight and it has become the Brigade’s Finest Hour in its Combat History. The PUC is awarded only to battalion sized or smaller units that have displayed valor at a level, if given to an individual, would equal that of a Distinguished Service Cross. It is a great honor. (A battalion can have been in Vietnam 5 years and get a PUC for only a week of that time. Only those involved during that week, can wear the PUC as a PERSONAL award, even after they leave the unit.)
I have three Presidential Unit Citations; Special Forces, MACV-SOG CCN and the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Of all my awards and decorations that Award means the most to me. I am very proud to state I served with three legendary combat units during their finest hours in combat.
Donald Zlotnik
November2, 2019
November Has Been a Bad Month Since 1967
IT HAS BEEN 52 YEARS!
1/Lt Bill “Liam” Atkins, probably described it best. The year after the 173rd Airborne Brigade’s 4/503rd Airborne Infantry took Hill 875 on Thanksgiving Day, 1967, I had Thanksgiving with Bill and his family at Fort Bragg, NC.
The women and children were in the house while the men gathered around the fire pit in the backyard working on a couple bottles of Kessler’s sipping whiskey. Bill presented a word picture that I will never forget. He told us of when they took Hill 875 on Thanksgiving morning how Brigadier General Schweitzer ordered his headquarters Mess Hall to prepare a complete Thanksgiving dinner for the survivors of the 4th Battalion and had it flown out to them on Hill 875 in Murmite cans. The general’s intent was good—the results were disastrous.
Bill went on to paint a word picture, I will never forget. He told of three paratroopers sitting on a bombed down tree. The two sitting on the outside were eating heaping mess kits of turkey, mashed potatoes and gravy while the paratrooper in the middle was holding a half-gallon carton of Neapolitan ice cream and a white plastic spoon. The ice cream was melting and running down his arm and as he ate he cried and the tears washed away the grime on his face leaving white streaks. One of his friend’s leaned over and puked up the too rich food.
It was something I could visualize having left the Brigade only a couple days before they took Hill 875.
The worst part was after the paratroopers who survived the attack on Hill 875 ate their meal, they were detailed to return to the base camp at the bottom of the hill and help police up the body parts of fellow paratroopers from the 4th Battalion and the 2nd Battalion; trying to match the body parts with torsos and place the parts in body bags. Eighty wounded paratroopers had died when two 500 pound bombs were accidently dropped on the aide station.
Every combat paratrooper who survived Hill 875 (Dak-To) has never had a peaceful Thanksgiving since then and neither have I. The memories of that horrendous 5-month long battle always seem to reappear even a half-century after the battle.
Only days before the fight for Hill 875 started I was on Fire Support Base 16 (12?) with Bill. An NVA company had attacked the base and we had driven them off. Brigadier General Schweitzer landed his helicopter on the FSB and was being briefed when he was told I was three days past my DEROS (Return to the States)—I should have left Vietnam but the intense fighting prevented any combat paratroopers from leaving the Brigade. Schweitzer, probably thinking he was doing me a favor told me to get on his chopper. He had the chopper drop him off at the Brigade’s forward base at Dak-To and then fly me back to the Brigade’s main rear area base camp. He had personally radioed ahead informing the commander at the base camp that I would be processed out with priority.
A jeep was waiting for me at the helipad that took me to the HQ Company where I was escorted to a shower. I wondered why everyone was staring at me. I failed to realize they all were aware of the battle the Brigade was fighting and I was the first one they had seen coming directly from the battle ground. My uniform was filthy; I was filthy but at Dak-To, I had blended in with the rest of the paratroopers.
I stayed in the absolutely fabulous hot water shower for a long time until a lieutenant colonel stuck his head in and told me I needed to hurry in order to catch my flight back to the States. While I had been showering, they located my personal gear in storage in the base area and had my Class B khaki uniform pressed and my jump boots polished.
There are patches of memory still missing. I don’t know if I flew directly out of Thuy Hoa or hopped a flight to Saigon—all I remember is a very angry major who was bumped from his flight home and I took his seat. I was exhausted and fell asleep shortly after take-off and didn’t wake up until we were approaching Oakland, California. Policy was everyone had to debark the aircraft in Japan while they refueled, but I do not remember getting off (Or anything during the 21 hour flight).
We landed at the Oakland Military airport and were out-processed quickly. I took a taxi to the San Francisco International Airport and instead of buying a ticket home I called my old recon sergeant, Bill Burkholtz and asked him if I could spend a couple of days with him in Malibu.
Less than 34 hours after leaving the battlefield at Dak-To, where I had slept most of those hours in-between—I was sitting on the cliffs over-looking Little Dume Bay in the mist of multi-million dollar beach homes, alone with a fifth of Kessler’s, crying uncontrollably as I looked west over the ocean back toward Vietnam.
I was one very screwed up lieutenant. Brigadier General Schweitzer thought he was doing me a favor, but the rapid transition from war to absolute peace—was just too much.
I do not regret a second of the time I spent with those mighty fine paratroopers; many died and many more that lived must carry their own special burden. So when you get together at Thanksgiving with old paratroopers and they seem to drift off on their own for a while—just smile and ignore them. They’ll return soon from their battlefields long ago.
For the most part, I keep Dak-To personal and share only with ghosts who can understand the language.
*** * ***
Afternote: Every soldier who has ever been in combat has his own story to tell. I tried sharing with other members of the 173rd who had fought at Dak-To. My main concern was uncovering the truth on firefights and small battles that took place during the major 5-month battle. I had humped the same jungle with Special Forces only months earlier and my return, recuperating from a gunshot wound, to the highland jungles brought back many memories and a lot of what was reported in official After Action Reports did not make sense—like “The Battle of the Slopes” in June of 67 where 74 mighty fine paratroopers were killed and 24 wounded. A whole company wiped out almost to the man. Also, I questioned what happened at Hill 875 and the results were to attack me for questioning what did not make sense. I was banned from the 173rd Airborne Association and bad-mouthed by the S-3 (Operations) Officer for exaggerating our losses during the battle.
I asked to those who had a lot to lose career wise, why they broke the battle casualties down into separate groups? I stated the Battle for Dak-To was from June-November 1967 and we suffered 374 killed and 1500 wounded that made the Brigade “Combat-Ineffective.” I was ganged up on the Internet and called a liar, REMF and booted off the website.
The November 2017 issue of VFW Magazine has an article in it about the 50th Anniversary of the Battle of Dak-To, in the article they state 376 paratroopers were killed and 1441 were wounded. Also the article stated: “The 173rd Brigade’s Rifle Companies sustained 90% [!!!] of the Brigade’s casualties…” (Without infantry—a combat brigade is ineffective!)
It has taken 52 years to prove me right. Sadly, many of those playing CYA have been allowed to live their lives behind the lies.
The combat arms battalions (Infantry, Artillery, Armor) of the 173rd were awarded the Presidential Unit Citation for the Dak-To fight and it has become the Brigade’s Finest Hour in its Combat History. The PUC is awarded only to battalion sized or smaller units that have displayed valor at a level, if given to an individual, would equal that of a Distinguished Service Cross. It is a great honor. (A battalion can have been in Vietnam 5 years and get a PUC for only a week of that time. Only those involved during that week, can wear the PUC as a PERSONAL award, even after they leave the unit.)
I have three Presidential Unit Citations; Special Forces, MACV-SOG CCN and the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Of all my awards and decorations that Award means the most to me. I am very proud to state I served with three legendary combat units during their finest hours in combat.
Note: Donald has written 22 books. One of them is "SON OF WAR". You can get it on Amazon.
Donald posted his story to the Facebook "Vietnam Vets ONLY" group page. Here are the comments in response to his post.
Ernie Camacho
Donald, I'm just now reading your post from 2019. I hope you don't mind if I add it to the Story section of my website about Dak To and the men who fought there. Your story needs to be shared.
Thomas Lingan
A moving report. I relate to emotional moments when reflecting in the past. I thank God for letting me survive those dangerous moments in my life, which pale in comparison to LT Atkin’s experience, yet causes me to think back. I believe those of us that have survived being in harm’s way, and have lived a long life, are here for a reason; to maybe provide a little wisdom to posterity.
Donald Zlotnik
When I hear anyone going to Vietnam on "Vacation" I wrench...I check labels for ANYTHING made in Vietnam and refuse to buy it. I can only imagine how a Marine who fought in the Pacific must have felt...so many American TEENAGERS died in that war to protect the Kennedy family rubber interests and Johnson's bid for the presidency. We MUST hold our politicians RESPONSIBLE and when we do go to war--it is with the intent to WIN it as quickly as possible! NO MORE POLICE ACTIONS!
Thomas Lingan
Donald Zlotnik Yes, that’s some of the wisdom of which I speak.
Tom Scott
God bless the soldiers. I was army air traffic controller at dak to from 8/67 to 5/68. We lost 3 C130s on the ground 11/15 and also the ammo dump was destroyed.
Donald Zlotnik
True...I was there for all of that. Made 2 "hard landings" on the helicopter pad (Neither chopper flew again) and one "controlled crash" in an L-19 on the strip--that Bird Dog never flew again either.
Thomas Lingan
Your story is particularly poignant, and you are a gifted writer.
Donald Zlotnik
Thank you...that is kind. I have 22 books published...so it is something I enjoy doing. 😃
Larry Turner
The first casualty of war is truth.
Donald Zlotnik
Amen!
Gary Seelye
Appreciate your candor Lt. we all have a few dragons lurking in the closets of our past. Cannot begin to grasp where the years have gone.
Jon M Riggs
Thank you brother......
I pray that , while you can never escape the memories.... I pray that God will in some way ease your pain.....🌹🇺🇸🙏
Karol Smith
Welcome home brother, may God bless you
Donald Zlotnik
I post 3 of the after action reports in my memoir SON OF WAR if anyone is interested in more research on the topic.
Mike Langford
Thank you for your well written account
Jerry Kyker
That's picture of guys from the 173rd airborne brigade. The herd.
Timothy P. Doyle
God bless you my brother
Richard Niedenfuehr
Hooah!
Don Walls
Thank you Donald. I salute you sir!
Gene Duggins
U know that s all that matters. Bless u
Robert Palestra
This is way I am proud to say when i was in country I spent my time with the HERD!!!
Larry Phillips
August is bad for me. God bless Brother.
Bill Hicks
you can try very hard to try an forget but I canot forget it GOD BLESS THEM ALL
Buddy Blauth
Ps nice going Sir
John H Wise
God bless I understand.
James Manda
Yes and I was there. God Bless you all!
Larry Rosenthal
Wounded November 6th 66.
Patrick Casey
Yes thank you Donald
Cadillac Newell
R.I.P. all brothers
Malcolm Tytell
Respect, sorry to had to go through that
Roger Kenneth Koopman
Great history of the 173rd...know two brothers who served in 173rd...both heroes to me...tough unit
Dennis Lewallen
I was there with D Company, 1/12, 4th Inf Div. You guys suffered the brunt of the casualties on 875.
James Peaslee
At a lost of too many young men. Hand Salute to those that gave their all. If memory is correct this mission lasted most of November and December 1967.
Larry Sherbert
Rip brother in arms
Edward W. Duncan
My ex brother-in-law Doyle Griffiths fought within 173rd in that battle and lived through it. Full Salute to all. I served with 1/1 Cav. 11th LIB Americal
Wayne Fortenberry
As was dec67 through tet68 then later tet69. Mcb5
Richard Shaklee
What brave men who gave all I was 0311 7 the marines rip
Joe Valentin
November starts my bad months
Keith Herring
November 22nd is another bad day...JFK was murdered on my Birthday! I was 15 that day...
Peter Lake
Living the battles had to so mentally draining and terrorizing and now the memories bring back the scares and the sadness for the soldiers who died
Jack Wright
Thanks Donald
Bill Beret
Two of my high school friends were there. One a LLRP and another a survivor of Hill battle . Names, Carazo and Kleintop. Carazo and I enlisted together on the buddy system .
Gerry Gudinas
Donald Zlotnik--I was there Dak To in both June and Nov. 67 A Co 1/12th 1st Cav Div.
Robert Caballero
Sadness fear and anxiety but we're home with are love ones may God bless all our Vietnam veterans
Ronald Burris
Thank you for your Service Donald and the rest of the 173rd that fought on Hill 875, I was 1st Inf. Div, at Phu Loi 65-66
Bertley Englade
Beleive it or not, I can remember actually envyin those wraped up in a poncho as they were out of it.
Fred Granger
No words
Buddy Blauth
At Campbell
Buddy Blauth
Before the 4/503 was that they were the 1/501st 101 st Division
Buddy Blauth
I know at least one soldier I think that was with you. Greald Barrs
John Q Clouse Jr.
Sky Soldiers!
Bill Morris
It's tough to remember
Richard Lira
Seems like yesterday 🥴.
Randy B Crawford
No photo description available.
Lewis Eugene Wood
The horror...I also wear the PUC with pride for service with the 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam
Al Hodkinson
It's like getting a tattoo, it's there forever
Gary New
My mouth is July!
Ron Moretz
Monsoon fog rain cold wet scared let the battle begin 198 inf 68 69 lia khe
David Riebe Sr
Indeed a bad month for 1/14th Regiment. . IA DRANG valley battles. 1965 November.
Greg Lunsford
David Riebe Sr very bad November 1966. A very painful memory too painful actually. Welcome home brother Golden Dragon
David Riebe Sr
Greg Lunsford bad on 13 and 19 November 1966. 53 years. Hard to believe
Tom Ramey
RIP
Dale Todd
Hand Salute!
Thomas Roy
Horrific I’m sure...a high school classmate, W. Langley...with 173rd, RTO I think, died 20Nov on that deadly hill....horrific I’m certain....CMB, 1/16th, 1st Inf
Juan Oranday
I WAS THERE IN DAKTO WITH 6/29 ART 4INF IN NOV 67 TRU JAN 68 I KNOW WE SUPPORTED THE 1/12 101ST N 173 CUS THEY WOULD COME OUT BONNIES N TELL US WE SHARED OUR BUNKERS N LET THEM SLEEP DAKTO WAS HELL WE GOT HIT WITH MOTARS N 122 GOD BLESS OUR BROTHERS THAT GAVE IT ALL
Ernie Camacho
Donald, I'm just now reading your post from 2019. I hope you don't mind if I add it to the Story section of my website about Dak To and the men who fought there. Your story needs to be shared.
Thomas Lingan
A moving report. I relate to emotional moments when reflecting in the past. I thank God for letting me survive those dangerous moments in my life, which pale in comparison to LT Atkin’s experience, yet causes me to think back. I believe those of us that have survived being in harm’s way, and have lived a long life, are here for a reason; to maybe provide a little wisdom to posterity.
Donald Zlotnik
When I hear anyone going to Vietnam on "Vacation" I wrench...I check labels for ANYTHING made in Vietnam and refuse to buy it. I can only imagine how a Marine who fought in the Pacific must have felt...so many American TEENAGERS died in that war to protect the Kennedy family rubber interests and Johnson's bid for the presidency. We MUST hold our politicians RESPONSIBLE and when we do go to war--it is with the intent to WIN it as quickly as possible! NO MORE POLICE ACTIONS!
Thomas Lingan
Donald Zlotnik Yes, that’s some of the wisdom of which I speak.
Tom Scott
God bless the soldiers. I was army air traffic controller at dak to from 8/67 to 5/68. We lost 3 C130s on the ground 11/15 and also the ammo dump was destroyed.
Donald Zlotnik
True...I was there for all of that. Made 2 "hard landings" on the helicopter pad (Neither chopper flew again) and one "controlled crash" in an L-19 on the strip--that Bird Dog never flew again either.
Thomas Lingan
Your story is particularly poignant, and you are a gifted writer.
Donald Zlotnik
Thank you...that is kind. I have 22 books published...so it is something I enjoy doing. 😃
Larry Turner
The first casualty of war is truth.
Donald Zlotnik
Amen!
Gary Seelye
Appreciate your candor Lt. we all have a few dragons lurking in the closets of our past. Cannot begin to grasp where the years have gone.
Jon M Riggs
Thank you brother......
I pray that , while you can never escape the memories.... I pray that God will in some way ease your pain.....🌹🇺🇸🙏
Karol Smith
Welcome home brother, may God bless you
Donald Zlotnik
I post 3 of the after action reports in my memoir SON OF WAR if anyone is interested in more research on the topic.
Mike Langford
Thank you for your well written account
Jerry Kyker
That's picture of guys from the 173rd airborne brigade. The herd.
Timothy P. Doyle
God bless you my brother
Richard Niedenfuehr
Hooah!
Don Walls
Thank you Donald. I salute you sir!
Gene Duggins
U know that s all that matters. Bless u
Robert Palestra
This is way I am proud to say when i was in country I spent my time with the HERD!!!
Larry Phillips
August is bad for me. God bless Brother.
Bill Hicks
you can try very hard to try an forget but I canot forget it GOD BLESS THEM ALL
Buddy Blauth
Ps nice going Sir
John H Wise
God bless I understand.
James Manda
Yes and I was there. God Bless you all!
Larry Rosenthal
Wounded November 6th 66.
Patrick Casey
Yes thank you Donald
Cadillac Newell
R.I.P. all brothers
Malcolm Tytell
Respect, sorry to had to go through that
Roger Kenneth Koopman
Great history of the 173rd...know two brothers who served in 173rd...both heroes to me...tough unit
Dennis Lewallen
I was there with D Company, 1/12, 4th Inf Div. You guys suffered the brunt of the casualties on 875.
James Peaslee
At a lost of too many young men. Hand Salute to those that gave their all. If memory is correct this mission lasted most of November and December 1967.
Larry Sherbert
Rip brother in arms
Edward W. Duncan
My ex brother-in-law Doyle Griffiths fought within 173rd in that battle and lived through it. Full Salute to all. I served with 1/1 Cav. 11th LIB Americal
Wayne Fortenberry
As was dec67 through tet68 then later tet69. Mcb5
Richard Shaklee
What brave men who gave all I was 0311 7 the marines rip
Joe Valentin
November starts my bad months
Keith Herring
November 22nd is another bad day...JFK was murdered on my Birthday! I was 15 that day...
Peter Lake
Living the battles had to so mentally draining and terrorizing and now the memories bring back the scares and the sadness for the soldiers who died
Jack Wright
Thanks Donald
Bill Beret
Two of my high school friends were there. One a LLRP and another a survivor of Hill battle . Names, Carazo and Kleintop. Carazo and I enlisted together on the buddy system .
Gerry Gudinas
Donald Zlotnik--I was there Dak To in both June and Nov. 67 A Co 1/12th 1st Cav Div.
Robert Caballero
Sadness fear and anxiety but we're home with are love ones may God bless all our Vietnam veterans
Ronald Burris
Thank you for your Service Donald and the rest of the 173rd that fought on Hill 875, I was 1st Inf. Div, at Phu Loi 65-66
Bertley Englade
Beleive it or not, I can remember actually envyin those wraped up in a poncho as they were out of it.
Fred Granger
No words
Buddy Blauth
At Campbell
Buddy Blauth
Before the 4/503 was that they were the 1/501st 101 st Division
Buddy Blauth
I know at least one soldier I think that was with you. Greald Barrs
John Q Clouse Jr.
Sky Soldiers!
Bill Morris
It's tough to remember
Richard Lira
Seems like yesterday 🥴.
Randy B Crawford
No photo description available.
Lewis Eugene Wood
The horror...I also wear the PUC with pride for service with the 3rd Marine Division in Vietnam
Al Hodkinson
It's like getting a tattoo, it's there forever
Gary New
My mouth is July!
Ron Moretz
Monsoon fog rain cold wet scared let the battle begin 198 inf 68 69 lia khe
David Riebe Sr
Indeed a bad month for 1/14th Regiment. . IA DRANG valley battles. 1965 November.
Greg Lunsford
David Riebe Sr very bad November 1966. A very painful memory too painful actually. Welcome home brother Golden Dragon
David Riebe Sr
Greg Lunsford bad on 13 and 19 November 1966. 53 years. Hard to believe
Tom Ramey
RIP
Dale Todd
Hand Salute!
Thomas Roy
Horrific I’m sure...a high school classmate, W. Langley...with 173rd, RTO I think, died 20Nov on that deadly hill....horrific I’m certain....CMB, 1/16th, 1st Inf
Juan Oranday
I WAS THERE IN DAKTO WITH 6/29 ART 4INF IN NOV 67 TRU JAN 68 I KNOW WE SUPPORTED THE 1/12 101ST N 173 CUS THEY WOULD COME OUT BONNIES N TELL US WE SHARED OUR BUNKERS N LET THEM SLEEP DAKTO WAS HELL WE GOT HIT WITH MOTARS N 122 GOD BLESS OUR BROTHERS THAT GAVE IT ALL