Camp Holloway Discussion Forum Archive 03 - 03/01/01 to 12/31/03

March 5, 1969

Another uneasy night had past in the valley. LZ Swinger and LZ Pause had received incoming. The bases to the north were also targeted by enemy mortar and rockets. D/3/8 near Hill 947 had been probed but little else. B/3/8 and Recon/3/8 were unable to advance any farther then their night locations. More troop were needed and that was this morning's plan.

We were didvided into two flight groups. One would move the remainer of A/1/35 to LZ Pause. Once their were in place we would assault with C/3/8 into the same landing zone that we had used yesterday. The second group would move would move B/1/35 and D/1/35 into LZ Mary as a blocking force. C/1/35 were going to LZ Swinger. This plan would go to hell shortly after we made our first move.

D/3/8 had reached the crest of Hill 947 when they made contact with the same enemy force which had all but wiped out A/3/8. They had two things that A/3/8 didn't. They had the high ground and artillery support. We had completed the move of A/1/35 and loaded C/3/8 to assault the same area as yesterday. We were again instructed to use the same approach as yesterday. Same time, same place,same plan, and same result. Instead of just small arms we were also met with mortars dropping into the landing zone. The entire top of the ridgeline again fired down on us. We again pulled pitch and was unable to deploy the troops. We waited as artillery worked the top of the ridgeline.

By this time D/3/8 had been engaged for most of the morning. The artillery had done the job. The enemy had retreated and the assault group was pulled to resupply them and pull out the wounded. A landing zone had been cut and we were able to get supplies in and the wounded out with little trouble.

Once D/3/8 was taken care of, we again assaulted with C/3/8. Again the assault group was met with enemy fire but this we were able to complete the deployment and move C/3/8 into the contact area. They would move up the ridgeline to support the flank of B/3/8 and Recon/3/8 as they assaulted the top of the hill. This would become LZ Brace but more young Americans would be wounded or killed before the task was completed. Fifteen young Americans were killed on this day and many more wounded.

Because of the combat during the past two days many of the units were low on supplies. The greatest concern was ammo and water. The deployment of so many troops and the repeated loss of aircraft to enemy fire had run everything to the breaking point. The ships which were able to continue flying worked until darkness fell on the valley. The flight back to Holloway was a long one. Between the lack of sleep and endless hours spent flying most were bone tired. Another post flight would be performed with a flashlight. With luck maybe the the mortars would leave us alone tonight.