Mar-Apr 2016 Issue
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March-April 2016, Issue 66 See all issues at the 503rd PRCT Heritage Battalion website: Contact: [email protected] http://corregidor.org/VN2-503/newsletter/issue_index.htm ~ 2/503d Photo of the Month ~ 50 YEARS AGO: On the afternoon of March 16, 1966, at LZ Zulu Zulu in the heart of the “D” Zone jungle following a ferocious 5-hour battle with enemy forces three-times their strength, wounded troopers of the 2/503 await Dust Off on the edge of the landing zone. During Operation Silver City our battalion alone would suffer 15 KIA and over 144 WIA, not counting allied forces, yet could stake claim to what was deemed to be a major victory during the Vietnam War and one which earned the 2/503d and attached units, the Presidential Unit Citation. (Photo by RTO Wayne Hoitt, HHC/2/503, ‘65/’66) 2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / Mar-Apr. 2016 – Issue 66 Page 1 of 100 PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION (ARMY) By virtue of the authority vested in me as President of the United States and as Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces of the United States I have today awarded the Presidential Unit Citation (Army) for extraordinary heroism to: THE 2D BATTALION (AIRBORNE), 503D INFANTRY, 173D AIRBORNE BRIGADE (SEPARATE) AND ATTACHED UNITS: 2nd Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, Company A, Company B, Company C, HHC Company 2nd Team, 3rd Radio Relay Unit; 2nd Platoon, 173rd Engineer Company Scout Dog Teams, 3rd Scout Dog Company, III Corps; Vietnamese Interpreters; Forward Air Controllers Artillery Liaison Officers and Forward Observers from Battery A, 3rd Battalion (Airborne) 319th Artillery. The 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d indefatigable and determined paratroopers of Company Airborne Brigade (Separate) with attachments, is cited “B” exacted heavy casualties and beat back the enemy for extraordinary heroism in connection with military attackers. Regrouping and concentrating their forces, operations against a hostile force near Phuoc Vinh, the Viet Cong made a final assault on the flank of Republic of Vietnam, on 16 March 1966. The battalion Company “C”. This time the desperate Viet Cong ran was participating as part of a large force on a search forward in waves under the protective umbrella of a and destroy mission sweeping a portion of war zone “D” heavy volume of their supporting fires. Again, however, during operation “Silver City”, and had been in contact the gallant and resolute paratroopers repulsed the with small groups of Viet Cong during four days of enemy, inflicting severe losses, completely disrupting his operations in the dense jungle area. On the morning of efforts to destroy the battalion, and forcing the Viet 16 March the battalion was deployed in a defensive Cong to withdraw. Documentary evidence indicates perimeter in preparation for resuming operations. At that the attacking force consisted of the entire Viet approximately 0700 hours a patrol from Company “B” Cong 271st Main Force Regiment, reinforced by two had begun to move from its positions to initiate action artillery battalions. A total of 303 Viet Cong dead were against the enemy. At the same time, a resupply confirmed by body count. An estimated additional 150 helicopter was descending into the landing zone located were killed and numerous Viet Cong were wounded within the battalion perimeter. Suddenly the helicopter during the battle. The courageous and exemplary came under heavy automatic weapons fire from the actions of the 2d Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, in enemy and was destroyed, and the jungle erupted in decisively defeating a gunfire all around the defensive perimeter. The leading determined, numerically elements of the patrol were caught in this initial superior, and well trained concentration of murderous fire. The Viet Cong forces, and equipped enemy force supported by a tremendous volume of automatic reflect great credit on the weapons, mortar and artillery fire, attacked all around members of the unit and the perimeter. The enemy exerted considerable force at are in keeping with the a point between Company “A” and Company “C” in an finest traditions of the effort to effect a breakthrough at this location. United States Army. Personnel of the two companies, including the wounded, steadfastly remained in their positions, responded at Lyndon B. Johnson close quarters with fire that was both deadly and President accurate, and succeeded in breaking up the determined 4 August 1967 enemy attack. Maintaining continuous contact around the perimeter, the Viet Cong launched another strong 1967 attack to breach the defense. This effort was focused on the center and left flank of Company “B”. Time and 2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / Mar.-Apr. 2016 – Issue 66 time again the Viet Cong charged the positions, but the Page 2 of 100 We Dedicate this Issue of Our Newsletter in Memory of the Men of the 173d Airborne Brigade We Lost 50 Years Ago in March & April 1966 “Because of your willingness to die for your country, you have left us more than your name and memory, but also the impact only a hero can make.” ~ Quote by a high school student on the Virtual Wall Gartrell Barnettee Jenkins, A/2/503, 3/2/66 L.C. McDonald, 1RAR, 3/9/66 Allan Stegall, Jr. C/2/503, 3/15/66 Kenneth A. Bodell D/16th, 3/12/66 John Henry Beauchamp, Jr. B/2/503, 3/16/66 John Henry Herlihy, Jr. D/16th, 3/13/66 Robert Paul Gipson James Earlie Butler, Jr., C/2/503, 3/14/66 B/2/503, 3/16/66 Marvin Harper, C/2/503, 3/14/66 William O. Gossett, HHC/2/503, 3/16/66 Phil Tabb C/2/503, 3/14/66 Marion C. Brown B/2/503, 3/16/66 (Virtual Wall states C/2/503) Billy Ray Slade C/2/503, 3/14/66 Jerry D. Lewis HHC/1/503, 3/16/66 L. J. Baxter, 1RAR, 3/15/66 (tribute continued….) 2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / Mar.-Apr. 2016 – Issue 66 Page 3 of 100 basketball, and is good at it like I heard you were. She must have got it from you Uncle Scoop, because I can't play basketball to save my life. ;) Love always Uncle Scoop, your nephew, Peyton. Richard Floyd Smith B/2/503, 3/16/66 (Virtual Wall states C/2/503) Kenneth Max Knudson A/2/503, 3/16/66 (See Page 81 for citation) Charlie C. Walker B/2/503, 3/16/66 Dear Max, here it is 46 years since your death and it seems that instead of getting easier accepting your death, I think of you more. I think about what life would have been like with you here living it with us, I didn’t see Charlie die, but after the battle I saw his enjoying my children, watching your mother age and body lying under a poncho next to our other fallen us watching you and your family in life. I honor you for brothers. A breeze gently blew the poncho off his face. your service and your death. Thank you, Charlie’s face and the memory of him have been with ~ Connie K Schultz me for 50 years. To this day, I simply shut my eyes, and once again I am standing next to him. Charlie was from Georgia. ~ A Sky Soldier buddy Merwin A. Delano, Jr. C/1/503, 3/17/66 Charles A. Zionts B/2/503, 3/16/66 Your tour of duty started on the 24th of May 1965. I am your nephew David W. Delano Frees and I was born on the 24th of May 1966, the same day you were scheduled to return from Vietnam. Your ultimate sacrifice influenced my life changing decision to serve William Nathaniel Thompson our country with the United States Navy. You are not only my uncle, you are my Hero! HHC/1/503, 3/16/66 ~ David W. Delano Frees Alexander D. Rodarte A/1/503, 3/19/66 Charles Arthur Bell B/2/503, 3/16/66 (Virtual Wall states A/2/503) Lloyd Fields, Jr., E/17th Cav, 4/13/66 “As long as a paratrooper walks this earth, Dear Uncle Charles. I never had the pleasure to meet they will not be forgotten.” you, but the family and my father (your brother) speaks very highly of you. My daughter, your grandniece, is 11 2/503d VIETNAM Newsletter / Mar.-Apr. 2016 – Issue 66 years old and is tall and slim just like you. She also plays Page 4 of 100 ~ FOREVER REMEMBERED ~ “KEEPERS OF THE "If you are able, save for them a place inside of you....and save one backward glance when you FLAG” are leaving for the places they can no longer This year MICHAEL GULLO and his wife LINDA are go.....Be not ashamed to say you loved designated "Keepers of the Flag." them....Take what they have left and what they Because Mike contributed his whole winnings from have taught you with their dying and keep it with the latest raffle drawing the flag most assuredly was to your own....And in that time when men decide go to him. and feel safe to call the war insane, take one Just got back from Louisville, Kentucky whereupon I moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left presented the flag to he and his wife. This flag flew in behind...." Afghanistan over a command post of the 173d. The 1st of the 503d presented it to Chapter 17 for its support. Quote from a letter home by Maj. Michael Davis O'Donnell, KIA 24 March 1970. Distinguished Flying Cross: Shot down and killed while attempting to rescue 8 fellow soldiers surrounded by attacking enemy forces.