For the third day in a row we would assmble for a briefing to make another combat assault. Today we staged at LZ Mary Lou. After yesterday's attack at Polei-Kleng the brass didn't want any ships damaged during an attack. We were having enough trouble keeping them flying because of combat damage.
During the past two days we had deployed Co. A/3/12 into LZ Swinger. Co, C/3/8 into LZ Pause. Companies A,B,&D/3/8 into LZ Mary. Companies B,&C/3/12 into an area west of LZ Pause. Today it was D/3/12's turn. They were going in as a blocking force for B/3/12 and C/3/12.
The landing zone had been prepped by arty from LZ Swinger. They were for the most part up and operational. The LZ was of good size and none of the ships had any difficulty getting in. Things had gone well and no fire had been received. After the assault we were divided up into smaller flight to resupply the many locations which were now scattered across the valley.
For the most part this day became somewhat normal. We resuppied the bases and few ships reported any fire. An early afternoon mortar attack at Swinger resulted in minor damage and a couple of casualties. Things changed at 1500 hrs.
Company A/3/8 had departed LZ Mary on March 2 and reconed in force to thier night location north of the landing zone. On this morning they had turned east and continued to recon toward whay was believed to be some type of aid station or even a hospital. As mid afternoon approached the company stop to establish a perimeter at their pre-arranged night location. The new company commander had by mistake set up at the wrong location. They were actually farther west then where he thought then was his night location. He order short range patrols out to his west.
The patrol encountered an enemy outpost almost immediately. The CO ordered the third platoon forward to capture the advance scouts against the advice of his platoon leaders. The third platoon moving up the ridge were immediately surrounded and cut off from the rest of the company. The remainer of the company moved to reinforce the platoon and also became engaged at this time. By now the entire third platoon was either dead or wounded. The company continued to take casualties and finally withdrew from the contact area. At this time they had 10 killed and 17 wounded or missing.
Alpha Company radioed in that they had engaged a superior force of at least two companies. They had actually walked into a battional size staging camp of the 66th NVA Reg. The reinforcement of Alpha was organized. Delta Company which was moving west towards Alpha had encountered thick jungle. They were ordered to continue to the contact area. Bravo Company which was farther away to the south was in some open areas of elephant grass. Bravo was to clear a landing zone and we would extaction them and then assault into the area south of Alpha's night location. A stream bed was located in this area and wide enough for our ships to land.
Arriving at the assault location we hovered into the creek bed and deployed the first of the troops from Bravo Company. Before we could return for a second sortie we were ordered back to Polei-Kleng and were to load claymore mines, trip flares and ammo for the embattled Alpha Company. At resupply we heard that the LOHs were unable to locate Alpha. It was determined that we would have to kick the ammo to them from a hover. Hearing this we also grabbed several sand bags to be used to locate the lost company.
Returning to the A/O we discovered the Hummingbirds searching for Alpha. Finally using a long count and smoke we had an idea of where they were. Hovering just above the tree we let Alpha talk us to them. Each time when we thought we were close me or Dana would drop a sandbag for them to verify if we were near them. By now the NVA were shooting at the ships above us and also shooting towards the sound of our ship. Just as one of Dana's sandbags found Alpha's location snipers which had climbed the tree around Alpha's position opened up on us. My A/C's words were in stone."We Ain't Leavin Till Those Guys Get This Ammo!" LT. Burke's voice was determined. We kicked the ammo out and was later told we dropped it right in their laps. Before leaving the location we killed what was later confirmed at five snipers.
We finished moving Bravo company into their landing zone. It was determined that they were to far to the west and with another mountain in front of them they would be unable to reach Alpha Company. Alpha was told to sit tight and we would be back to get them in the morning. Bravo established a night location and was told to improve the LZ because we would pull them in the morning to assault to the north of Alpha's location.
That day the war became very personal to me. During the past year I had fired my machine gun in anger many times. During LRRP extractions and combat assaults I had fired to protect my ship and those aboard. I had been told that I had confirmed kills. I did not know this for sure. I had never seen the enemy I was firing at until today. Today was different. I saw the soldier as he raised his weapon towards us. I watched as the metal rounds from my gun entered his body. I saw the disbelief in his eyes as his body told his mind that something was very wrong. His body twist violetly as each bullet struck his shoulder, chest and belly. His lifeless body dropped into the darkness of the jungle and was gone. I was not happy nor was I sad. I was confused and did not know how to feel. That night at Holloway I had a couple of shots of Jack and went to sleep wondering why.
In April 2002 I found out why. Albert Jaquez contacted me by e-mail. He was a member of A/3/8 on that day. He thanks me for being there that day because with the ammo we dropped he felt without it none of his company would have gotten out of there. He wanted me to thank all the air crews that helped out his fellow grunts. He has a wife and three children. I guess some good did come out of the Plei-Trap.