{230'4-) Panthers'·, Carson s,outs Know The Enemy's Ways By SP4 Steve Wilson like the -old frontiersman him the Cambodian border. "The ex-VC are excellent English, they don't wait around self, who led the Army of the While in quest of suspected scouts," said platoon leader, to be told what to do. OASIS-The 2nd Bat W.est in search of marauders, enemy anti-aircraft weapons, 'FU-st Lieutenant David Ciosek "They help us out any way talion ('Mechanized), 8th •the scouts are helping the mech the Kit Carson scoutSi led the of Meriden, Conn. they can," said Sergeant First anized infantrymen in their pur- Ivymen to enemy blood trails, "They have been very helpful Class Robert Bell of Ft. Worth, Infantry's Scout Platoon suit of the enemy. - and even caches• of their clothes, on many of our sweeps, and are Tex. has added two seasoned, Recently, .the scout platoon hidden deep in the jungle thick pr.oving their worth as jungle "Whenever we have camp jungle-trained fighters to its made a combat assault in: sup ets. It was obvious· the VC ter detectives." chores to be done, :they pitch port of a Special Forces· recon rorists had suffered casual.tfes Even ithough the scouts are right in, and are fast catching ranks. naissance-in-force mission near and were fast in retreat. just beginning to learn to speak on to what needs to be done." It was not long ago that Quyen: Phan and fellow guerril la, Do Phan Van, both of An Khe, were working for the other side. The former Viet Cong soon saw the handwriting :on the wall, learned of .the Chleu Hoi pro gram offering them amnesty; and lef.t their leaders, who of fered only illusions of grandeur. ' Quyen Phan and Th> Phan Van , joined the ranks1 of more than 80,000 former enemy soldiers who have ·rallied to the govern ment :of the Republic of Viet nam. In the high 1traditions of .the f AMOUS FOURTH fighting PantherS', the erstwhile VC are provirng themselves to be the best trail sniffers around. The jungle has long been their home. Vol. 2, No. 49 CAMP ENARI, VIETNAM October 13, 1968 The former VC are known ~ ------ Kit Carson scouts•. And mucli Cavmen Kill 30· foe· In Ban Dun Battling By SP4 Larry Hogan BAN ME THUOT - When the Captain Fredrich Rosenberger ba.ttle for the citv of Ban Dun of New Rochelle, N.Y., con- ended, an observer said the en- trolled the operation from his emy body count reached 30. chopper. Reports of . possible enemy In the afternoon a light obser- movement near the Vietnamese vation . helicopter buzzed IO\\I city had led 4th Division pilots over a hill top when the pilot of the 1st Squadron, 10th Cav- spotted a small group of men airy and the 7th Squadron, 17th moving through the jungle foli- Cavalry into the area. age. Each unit was assigned an Seeing the choppers, the men area and the choppers began broke into a run, heading for combing the terrain. · the protective cover of a near- The 7th Squadron, 17th Cava!- by clump of bamboo. ry worked the west~rn portion A bdg)lt sun flashed down -0n with the 1st Squadron, 10th Cav- the running figures revealing airy . operating to their east. their uniforms and their weap- . ons. The men were carrying AK47s. They were the enemy. Immediately, the scout ship
I ,. gunners open~d up on the pan H~lico · pters ic-stricken NVA regulars. Circling over the crest of the hill the chopper was about Break Up· to move in on the enemy when a much larger target came into view. A company size enemy force NVAChow had positioned itself on the rise. BAN ME THUOT-Helicopters Spotting ·the scouts, the ene of Troop A, 7th Squadron, 17th my crouched low in the grass, Cavalty, became the uninvited anticipating the Ivy attack. guests of the enemy when they As the scout scrambled for WAITING FO~ THE WORD-An RTO from the 1st Battalion, 22nd Infantry, waits for the word went down to investigate a altitude, :the Cobras came to mov.e ·out in operations near Oak To. . !USA Photo by SP4 Don Macintosh) partially concealed NV A canoe screaming in on the position. resting on the bank of the Ea As gunships from both caval Krong River. ry units smashed the area, an 2nd Day-Long Sweep "We were on a normal visual innocent-looking Forward Air -reconnaissance when we spotted Control .(F AC) plane from the this 16 foot craft lying on the Air Force: 21st Tactical Air bank," said Major William Support Squadron, hummed Ivy Base Campers Move Out Glover, Troop A commander. above the contact. In a few "An effort had been made to moments ·he would send fighter By SP4 Obelit Y~dgar slowiy closing in on Camp Though only 6 Viet Cong sus- hide it, so our scouts and Cobras bombers hurling down upon the CAMP ENARI _ Once again Enad. · pects were detained throughout went in and destroyed it." enemy. the day, Major General Charles the 4th Infantry Division's base From' a distance the Ivy sol As the c h o p p e r s circled The choppers pulled out and P. Stone, 4th Division com around, one of the scouts spotted the deadly jets began their at camp near Pleiku sprang to life diers created a scene repeated mander, labeled the operation a fresh trail and began following tack. as cooks and clerks - over 4,000 many times throughout history. a success. it. (Continued on Back Page) garrison soldiers - took to the Like Genghis Khan's Golden "Again," he said, "the opera Below, a few hundred meters field. Horde, they swarmed through tion proved to these soldiers from the river, four meals sat that they can not only provide growing cold on a table. The Centerspread The operation, the second in rice paddies and gullies filled their own defense of base camp, diners, having heard the gunfire, During a Vietnam tour in a series of periodical, day-long with monsoon rains. they can launch an offensive if had decided to skip dinner. the quiet moments, a soldier combat sweeps, was launched to Nothing remained unchecked needed." "We then saw four enemy sol thinks-or his not too distant Colonel Virgil Williams, Divi dear and secure Camp Enari's by the now seas-0ned soldiers. diers running away from the R&R, a recent "Donut Dolly" sion Artillery commander, had direction of the camp," continued visit, memories or hard tactical area of operational con Villages were cordoned and these comments 011 the sweep. Major Glover. "One was sepa fought battles with the ene trol. searched, and so were possible "This sweep has again proven rated from the other three by my. The operation began at 4: 00 enemy rocket and mortar sites. that all pers-0ns in the 4th In about a hundred meters." In three special features, fantry Division are soldiers first Moving in with the scouts a.m., as the base camp soldiers on pages 4 and 5, the "Ivy To add a punch to the sweep, and technicans and specialists and the Cobras once more, the Leaf" details the countries were transported to within a six Ivy gunships buzzed overhead as second. It has sufficiently dem pilots hammered the area and for an upcoming R&R, a visit mile radius of Camp Enari. mechanized infantry forces and onstrated to all Vietnamese and visually counted one ~illed. to a firebase by the "Donut Then, like a web, they broke military police VlOOs raced be Montagnards in the vicinity of Upon closer inspec(ipn, the .Dollies" and important Camp Enari, both friend and camp was seen to include sleep through the hazy dawn, their tween the hundreds of platoons awards and posthumous foe, our collective determination ing bags and mats, cooking decorations given to heroic chests criss-crossed with bando and companies trudging through to continue to successfully de utensils, ponchos and pontoons soldiers. Jiers of ammunition, and began the highland jungles. fend our base camp." for constructing river crossings.
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-----~ -· Page 2 IVY LEAf October 13, 1968
SA EDA AEDA IS THE Army short title for a regulation entitled S Subversion And Espionage Directed against the Army. This title doesn't really mean.much until we stop to think of what the regulation is trying to tell us. All of us, no matter what our rank or job, have a certa·in amount of knowledge that the enemy would like to know. A cook ,, knows if supplies of food are sufficient for any particular ,, SITfl&P tllfAJ'IVS II I length of time; an infantryman in a foxhole knows if certain types of ammunition are readily available; the clerk typist is aware of personnel strengths and shortages; and the motor pool mechanic has knowledge of deadlined vehicles. Infantry Contacts Increase Whatever it is you know, be it highly classified or not, it is of importance to the enemy_ . But of course the enemy cannot come up to you and ask you for the information. So, he uses "innocent" people US/ ARVN Slay 97 Enemy like the PX cashier who overhears you telling your buddy CAMP ENARl-Fourth Divi a position recently used by a area later. found one wounded · in line that you haven't been able to get supplies to the sion and Vietnamese soldiers enemy size force. Five NVA NVA who was detained. A large firebase because of bad weather, or that so many helicopters killed 97 enemy troops in the were observed in the area, air supply of weapons were found Central Highlands as infantry strikes were called in , with in the area including 4 light are deadlined. Or the enemy· might use copies of photo contact continued to increase secondary explosions observed. machine guns, an unknown graphs that some soldiers send to be processed at local this week. Later that afternoon more NVA number of AK 47s and SKS 's establishments. Pictures, innocently taken, ·often contain A reconnaissance patrol aper- · were sighted in the same loca and' one' B40 rocket launcher. information of value to the enemy, such as locations and ating north of Dak Seang found tion . The patrol reported th e Total enemy body count' approximate distances of one area in relation to some enemy soldiers to be accompa reached 23. readily identifiable point, or how thick a bunker is, or a nied by a tall blond-haired Contact renewed between the Caucasian, wearing a khaki two units, two days later as possible weak point in a perimeter. We can prevent the Ivy NCOs uniform, brown boots, a base the lvymen epcountered -an es enemy from obtaining such information from the photo ball cap and armed with an un timated battalion size force of graphs by mailing the films to Hawaii 0r CONUS for pro identified weapon. Also sighted NVA regulars, kil'ling 32 of the cessing. Graduate was a water buffalo carrying enemy soldiers. Ivy casualties The enemy is not only engaged in espionage. The enemy mortar tubes. Gunships were again light. · enemy likes nothing better than to see US personnel rushed into the area with un Also, a large supply of weap in confirmed results at this time. ons was found in the area in- · jured and put out of action, and he will go to any length Honorably The heaviest ·fighting occurred eluding four light machine guns, to see this accomplished. Every time someone gets careless near Due Lap when the 2nd an unknown number of AK47s, and leaves a vehicle unattended in Pleiku or elsewhere, the CAMP ENARl-Future non Battalion, 35th Infantry, com and one B4o· rocket launcher. enemy has a golden opportunity for sabotage. When commissioned officers of the manded by Lieutenant Colonel · A minesweep teaJ'\l of the you patronize restaurants in town you submit yourself to 1st Battalio.n, 12th Infantry, William C. Moore, were at 299th E n g i n e e r s discovered possible sabotage by food poisoning. Or if you engage the tacked. from all sides with mor three Russian mine ~ along have distinguished themselves tars, rockets and ground at Highway 14 north of Kontum. services of a prostitute· you are playing right into . the in the 4th Division 's NCO Aca tacks. The fighting lasted over The mines were destroyed leav- enemy's hands from a standpoint of both espionage and demy. an hour and a sweep of the ing large craters. - personnel sabotage. The more injuries we have, either The Red Warriors have had through intent or accident, the better off we make the the distinction of having a man enemy. in first place in three of the Comptow Brother:s Get Another area in which the enemy is particularly active last five cycles to attend the is in subversion, or the process of trying to make you lose Academy. faith and become disenchanted with the war •and your gov The men were SpeciaJi:;t 4 Vietnam' Tour 1pgether ernment. The enemy knows that if he can keep you con Robert Power of Hays, Kan., fused or disillusioned then you are not effective either Sergeant George Math e n y BAN ME THUOT - In Hale · His chopper 's main mission is as a fighting man or as a friend to the South Vietnamese, of Fort Union, Va., and Speci City, Tex., where Private First airlifting aero.-rifle platoon, of and this is perfect for him. You know that you are here alist 4 Michael Widrig of Fer Class Ivory and Specialist 4 which his brother, Ivory, is a ~ to enable the Vietnamese tb have a strong, healthy govern tile, Minn. Willie Comptow grew up, they member. were known as a team. It wasn't a matter of luck ment in which the people have a choice and not just a The 'ten-c:ltay course is de which brought the two brothers decision to vote or not; you know that you are here at signed to give the men experi They went to the same school , were on the same athletic teams, together in the same unit. the request of the South Vietnamese to help them repel ence in leadership while they "I was already over here," are given classes on subjects hacl the same interests, and were Communist aggression in their country. Don't let the pertaining to military opera always together. . said Willie, "and my time was enemy keep you from your mission. almost up . I heard from Ivor~ · tions here in Vietnam. These Vietnam is a world away from that he was coming over to this The enemy is at a disadvantage right now. Let's keep classes in map reading, opera Hale City, but the Comptow unit; so I extended to be with him in that position by staying Sile~t, Safe and Sum. tion of a compass, weapons and brothers are still a team, serv him. " demolition, patrolling, and gen ing together with 'l!l·oop D, 1st The teamwork which made the eral information, better qualify Squadron, 10th Cavalry, working Comptow brothers excel in local ing the men for positions of with the 2nd Brigade. sports in Texas makes them an leadership upon returning to Willie is a door gunner on a asset to Troop D. their respective units. Shamrock Huey. "When Ivory's down there," said Willie, " he knows I'll be watching out for him. If my Boxes Do.ubl.e Pews chopper goes down in unfriendly I As country, I also know my brother DAK TO - There are two pri opposite ends of an old pipe. won't be far away with help ." mary reasons why members of Throughout the 1st Brigade Ivory tumed around to check the 4th Division's 1st Brigade area ammo boxes can be found some of his gear and Willie enjoy-a number of practical and nailed together and put to use said, " Sometimes when he's recreational benefits-their own as dog houses or shelter areas down there I get nervous . I want ingenuity and ammo boxes. for mascots. to get up and ppce the floor , American military men all Full-sized desks and dressers (Circulation 8,000) but you can't really do that in over Vietnam use ammo boxes aren't un common in the 4th MP IVY LEAF, an authorized weekly publication, is published by the a Huey. Still, if I was anywhere as flower boxes, waste paper asa1n pue 'oi }jea lE i\uedtuOJ INFORMATION OFFICE, 4th Admin. Co., 4th Infantry Division, APO San else than by his side. I'd be baskets, filing cabinets, foot too are made from ammo con Francisco 96262, for 4th Division forces and is printed in Tokyo by Pacific wonied sick." lockers or stools. tainers. Some members of the Sta rs and Stripes. . The Comptow brothers do Sometimes the containers are 6th Battalion, 29th Aitillery, The opinions expressed in this publication are not necessarily those everything together, and in the disassembled and used for walk have constructed bunkers made of the Department of Army. This paper uses facilities of Armed Forces future it won 't be much differ ways, table tops, supporting completely out of the boxes fill Press File and Armed Forces News Bureau to augment local news. Mailing ent, except for one thing. stakes for mosquito nets, shelves ed with sand. address: IVY LEAF, INFORMATION OFFICE, 4th Admin. Co., 4th Infantry " Wh en I leave Vietnam," said and showers. But the prize for the most . Division, APO U.S. Forces ?6262. Telephone: Famous 151 or 159. Ivory, "I'm going to settle clown Members of Company D of practical use of the ammo box Commanding General ...... Major General Charles P. Stone and get manicd." the 704th Maintenance Battalion would go to Specialist 4 Mike Information Officer ...... Major Donald D. David Willie smiled quickly and have constructed a weight lifting Luvice of the 3rd Battalion, 12th STAFF said, "It's no t goi ng to be a bench out of the boxes for use Infantry. For, on Hill 1001 he Officer-in-Charge ...... First Lieutenant Gary G . Martin double ceremony, though. I by those who perfer that form constructed an altar made com Editor . • ...... • ...... SP4 Harry Guy haven't found the right girl yet, of recreation. pletely of ammo boxes, and on Editorial Assistant ...... SP4 Obelit Yadgar but yo u can bet who the best A barbell was made by weld Sunday the men attending serv Editorial Assistant ...... SP4 Ru ss Landon man is going to be." rng two cement filled cans to ices sit on ammo pews. October 13, 1968 IVY LEAF Page 3 MAJ Mai ~------"It's Good To Help Out''------· Leaves, Village Refugees Receive Ivy Aid
By SP4 Hans Lange First Lieutenant Harry F. Bernard of Pitts anyone who will listen to direct him to Lauds Div. BAN ME THOUT-For more than 2,500 burgh. They responded with medical aid, the chief. CAMP ENARI-Major Duong Montagnard and Vietnamese refugees in food and even tents. Soon the chief is pointed out and PFC Due Mai departed the 4th Divi and around the-hamlet of-. Due .Lap, life-was Daily visits to the four primary refugee Carlson speaks to him. sion, September 23, for an as beginning to look glum. areas are now conducted. With the battalion "Tell your people that we have come to signment with II Corps in Sai They had been forced to leave their vil surgeon, Captain Daniel Marks of Oak Park, treat their illnesses and injuries. Have them gon. Major Mai served as the lages near the Cambodian border by re Mich., leading the team, as many as 290 form a line at the rear of the vehicle, we ARVN Liaison Officer since July treating North Vietnamese Army (NVA) refugees have been treated in a day. have men there who can help them." 1, of last year. regulars who were being pursued by Ivy The day for the team begins in the early The chief agrees and soon there is a line Prior to his departure the men of the 2nd Brigade, commanded by afternoon. There's other work to tend to in forming. The medics go to work. major was awarded the U.S. Colonel Herbert McChristal. Their very the morning. They load their three-quarter The line keeps moving. Colds are Army Commendation Medal for existence was threatened. ton vehicle with a medical chest, food, soap, treated, as are open, bleeding sores, skin Valor. The medal was presented But hope was only a few miles away, at toothpaste, candy and tobacco. Most of rashes, boils and other infections. ·In less by Major General Charles P. Due Lap, since fighting had ceased there. their supplies are donated by Ivymen. There than two hours, 170 of the refugees have Stone, 4th' Division commander. It was a relatively safe spot to seek refuge. is a chest in the S-5 tent for that purpose and received some type of medical aid or advice. The 23-year veteran with the And they. came-with their salvaged house it fills up every day. The day before the number was 290, but that Vietnamese forces was cited for hold goods, their elders, and their children. Once the supplies are on the vehicle, the took more than two hours. gallantry during an aerial mis The great influx of refugees stumped men climb aboard-usually two medics, two "It's good to be able to help these peo sion near Ben Belch, November hamlet leaders. Where could they all be security men, an interpreter and anyone ple," says Specialist Howell. "They need so 24, 1967. housed? The leaders arose to the challenger else who can spare a few hours. Captain much." and so did the Ivymen of the 2nd Battalion, Marks makes the trip when time permits. After physical ailments are cared for, Ten kilometers south of Ben 35th Infantry, commanded by Lieutenant This particular trip is to a refugee site candy, soap, toothpaste and tobacco are Belch the aircraft in which he Colonel William C. Moore of Alexandria, Va. that the Cacti Blue team has not visited passed -0ut, giving a boost to the spirit. Food was riding came under intense The industrious Montagnards set up before. is then given to the chief. He is instructed ground fire; the door gunner re house in abandoned school buildings and After a short drive from the battalion to parcel it out equally among all the ceived severe head wounds. make-shift shelters, but they were not base camp, the vehicle pulls into the refugee refugees in the camp. With no regard for his own homes. F.ood was scarce, and many of the area, and immediately it is swamped by the The truck is then loaded again, but this safety, Major Mai quickly re people were sick or had received injuries in people there. time it's not as full; it is heading back. moved his own safety belt and the exodus to Due Lap. The interpreter, Private First Class Wil Tomorrow there will be more people, and began administering first aid to Word of their plight soon filtered to the liam E. Carlson of Lander, Wyo., who is also more medicine, food, soap and candy for the wounded gunner. After land Cacti Blue civil affairs team, headed by a medic, jumps out first and begins asking the kids. Only the site will change. ing at Ben Belch he provided the coordinate location of the enemy which resulted in their liquida tion. While assigned to the 4th Divi sion, Major Mai made an out standing contribution towards closer relations between Ameri cans and South Vietnamese. As liaison officer he was responsi ble for coordinating all logisti cal, administrative, and opera tional matter concerning ARVN forces operating in the 4th Divi sion's area of operation, to in clude · training for Kit Carson scouts. He also worked in close liai son with the Civilian Personnel Office on matters concerning the civilian force employed at Camp Enari. "By understanding the lan guage of a country, one can better understand the people," the Major stated. At a dinner in his honor, at Mess #1, Major Mai was given a Certificate of Achievement for meritorious service and a 4th Division comme):Ilorative plaque by the division commander. Upon accepting the awards Major Mai said that his as signment with the division has .. been "a wonderful experience, MECHANIZED POWER-Armored Personnel Carriers (APCs) and Huey helicopters are utilized in a sweeping operation near with wonderful people." Ban Me Thuot in the cenlral highlands. IUSA Photo by SP4 Larry Hogan) Panthers Surprise 'Charlie' As He Begins Attack By SP4 Steve Wilson sonnel carriers (APCs) was so First Class Christopher Garland First Lieutenant Jerome Web- imprint were the blazed marks near. of Patchogue, New York. her of St. Petersburg, Fla., led of two mortar rounds. OASIS - The enemy got the The night was pitch dark. Suddenly the enemy fire a squad of grenadier,5 just. out- Also found were a bandage, surprise of his life when he was Not even a star showed through ceased. All was again quiet. side the edge of the perimeter. a chicom grenade and an emp stopped dead in his savage act the shroud of heavy fog. Forward Observer, First Lieu- There they cut loose with a ty AK47 magazine. Captain Bar of mortaring Pleiku Air Base The time was 3 a.m. tenant Joseph Jurist of Cleve- barrage of rifle fire grenade rows picked up a carbine shell. in the early hours of the morn Suddenly, the explosive re land, Ohio, called in artillery fire. The bamboo thickets "I estimate that we had 40 ing. ports· of what appeared to be fire to saturate the enemy po- ceased to whisper. rounds of AK47 fired at us," It was ironic, for the esti mortars awakened those Ivy sitions. Early the following morning, he said. "And we probably re- mated platoon of enemy recoil men who were not on guard. . the sharp'eyed Ivymen discov- ceived about 50 rounds of M-1 less riflemen dug their foxholes The brilliant flashes were amaz Buffalo Roping I ered just what they had carbine fire." and set up their rifle positions ingly close. I knocked out during the night. Once having throughly exam- a mere 300 meters from the Two such positions were spied OASIS - When vil:lage chiefs Camouflaged amid thick barn- ined the recoilless rifle posi night perimeter of the 2nd Bat through the thick fog. No more approached Specialist 5 J~m boo clumps were almost a doz- tions, Captain Barrows formed talion (Mechanized), 8th Infan than nine or 10 projectiles had Wright of Lindsay, Okla., with en foxholes , some dug trench- his company of armored tracks try's Charlie Company. been fired when the Panthers' their problem of water 'buffalo style. Each was projected with on line. Then the massive iron Company Commander, Cap own mortar platoon was lobbing ·tramping their rice paddies, he parapets. monsters began their brush- tain John Barrows of Terre its own lethal shells at the en fast applied a little cowboy in- As the Ivymen fanned out, crushing sweep through the Haute, Ind., had reports that an trenched enemy. genuity. they found the two 75mm re- dense jungle. enemy platoon with recoilless · Then, when the enemy fire SpeciaHst W r i g h t was no coilless rifle positions, and a Halting on line, the Panthers rifles had slipped into the high was fast being snuffed out, Cap novice when it came to roping. total of canisters and carrier opened up with a deadly recon- lands. That bit of intelligence tain Barrows directed his track His grandfather used to drive cases. naissance-by-fire with their .50 was not taken lightly. commanders on the north side large herds of doggies up All around the enemy rifle caliber machine guns. The Just northwest of Pleiku, on of the perimeter to open fire. through Indian Territory to the positions were the telltale crackling sounded like a sledge a grassed-over plateau known The deadly .50 caliber ma · Kansas railheads. marks of the Panthers' own hammer singing its way as the Rocket Belt, the mecha chine guns blazed, raining burn The civil affairs medic showed mortars. through the dense jungle thick- nized Panthers were ready for ing lead onto the enemy. One one hamlet chief how .to make "I'm really proud of our mor- ets. The barrels began smoking the enemy soldiers if they enemy soldier opened fire with a lariat, and its use as a lasso. tarmen," said Sergeant First with intense heat. showed. . a burst from his AK47 rifle, but "Although the Montagnards Class John Bennet of Tacoma, The enemy was not to be Unknowingly, that enemy was much too high to disturb the are a bit rusty at such roping Wash. "I know we got a goodly found. Charlie Company had busy digging in, only 300 me panthers. e x e r c i s e s " says Specialist number of the enemy here." succeeded in suppressing the ters to the north. They like "It was the first time I've Wright "they are catching on Blood splotches told the story. recoilless rifle attack on Pleiku. wise, must not have known that ever been on the wrong side fast i~ the cowhand's ·tech- More blood trails led north. On The proudness of Captain Bar- the company of armored per· of tracer fire," mused Sergeant nique." either side of a human body rows showed on his face. Heroes Receive Awards Photo Essay By 4th Division PIO T BAN ME THUOT-The ceremony was marked by A solemn dignity. The platoon stood in rigid forma tion. In front of them, placed on a table, were the hats of their fallen comrades. Brigadier General Albin F. Irzyk, assistant division commander, stepped up to the table after a series of com mands and pinned the posthumous decorations-Bronze Star Medals with "V"-onto the hatsr.of two 2nd Bri gade LRPs, who had been killed in action. The story of the ill-fated LRP patrol had begun the previous day. Insertion was made south of Ban Me Thuot and the team continued traveling southward through dense vegeta tion. They halted after moving about 500 meters. A soldier's Apparently the foe, an estimated platoon size f~rc~, witnessed the drop and followed the LRP team until it struggle halted. Then the Communists moved in. is remembered Specialist 4 Dennis L. Ahrendsen of Olin, Ia., team leader, and Specialist 4 Joseph J. Kull of Philadelphia, .a•ORY 0 (USA P hoto by SlL T J ay K ivowitzJ in many ways . . Pa., assistant team leader, spotted the enemy. They IN MEJTI F TWO LRPS KILLED IN BATTL E BG ALBIN IRZYK PINS ON BRONZE STARS WITH "V" TO TH EIR HATS. nation recalls opened fire. A The LRP team members held the enemy at bay for historically nearly one-half hour until their helicopter support arrived. Specialists Ahrendsen and Kull lay dead. with its decoration. At Camp Enari an Ivy soldier was awarded the Army A Summary-Report By SP4 Mike Cobb With a country's Commendation Medal with "V" device and a purple heart for saving a Montagnard village from a massacre by an medal, estimated 30 Viet Cong. he is linked First Lieutenant John Fonseca of San Antonio, Tex., a civil affairs officer with 4th Division's 4th Supply and The Great Program-Rest And Recuperation Transportation Battalion, · and his crew, who were a with all soldiers Throbbing drums, twanging guitars, the cater to all your needs. permanent security force in the village, had long settled (USA P hoto by 1LT R obert Stewart) JVYMEN, HAVE YOU BEEN in Vietnam for of all times, for a quiet night. _ MG CHARLES STONE AWARDS BRONZE STAR WITH "V" three months? If so, you are eligible for clash of cymbals, and lovely young women may Kuala Lumpur offers a great variety of best describe the atmosphere of the Hong Kong tied to the histol"y In the early morning hours Viet Cong sappers TO V1ETNAMESE CAPTAIN HUYNH CHAV BAO. one of the Army's greatest programs-Rest and tours, places to see and things to do. Many crashed through the village outer perimeter, guarded by a. Recuperation (R&R) leave. night life. gardens, art galleries, museums and monuments of a people, Montagnard Regional Force, and attacked the Ivy sold Out-of-country R&R is a program to allow If Hong Kong is your choice, take full ad.. are available for your enjoyment. iers' inner perimeter with rockets and small arms. all soldiers in Vietnam to take a seven day vantage of the opportunities that await you. The main nightclub attractions of Penang to the constant Shrapnel tore into the Ivyman's head as three more leave in selected foreign count ries. AUST RALIA and Kuala Lumpur are th~ restaurants and struggle' , rockets peppered the small compound with steel. · To take advantage of the program you You may decide to choose Australia, if so, clubs of the larger hotels. Here you will wine, "I told my men to keep firing, and I ran across the must submit an application through command be prepared for a wonderful adventure in Syd dine and dance to the music of excellent to the chain of open to get the radio." channels. · ney. combos, in surroundings which are among the heroes. A Viet Cong opened up on the Ivyman's dark figure There are ten leave centers available: Sydney, oldest and largest city in Australia, most beautiful in the world. darting through the black night. Bangkok, Hong Kong, Hawaii, Australia To is located on one of the most magnificent har MANILA "I hit the dirt, rolled over, and pumped four bullets kyo, Manila, Taipei, Singapore, Penang: and bors in the world. Her 2 % million people are Manila offers a welcome to all Americans in him," said Lieutenant Fmmeca. "Then I reached the Kuala Lumpur. You are eligible t o visit one of friendly and have an exuberance which ex who wish to view its treasures. Her warm wel· radio and called in gunships, while my men kept the these places for every 12 months you serve in presses itself in sports, the arts, politics, and come makes you feel at home even though VC off my back and out of the compound." Vietnam. If you decide to extend your Vietnam hospitality. the scenery, people and customs are foreign. As the Ivy gunships buzzed overhead, enemy muzzle tour, an additional R&R is authorized for each One of the first requirements after arrival flashes faded in the highland night. The city is centrally locat ed in the midst 90 to 179-day extension. of fine beaches, beautiful parks, and gardens . in Manila will be to exchange currency to Phil And at ·the Oasis, remembering savage battling in ippine pesos and cent avos. You are reminded the Plei Mrong area, Major General Charles P. Stone, 4th . The second one . may be taken ·during, or Being one of the more exclusive cities offered for pnor to, your extension. However, first and sec R&R, it would be wise t o carry a variety of that a peso is roughly equal to an American Division commander, awarded Vietnamese Captain Huynh quarter. Chav Bao the Bronze Star with "V" device. To the ond leaves may not be taken consecutively. evening clot hing as you will be wearing a coat Captain's side stood some of his batttalion who together . ( USA Photo by SP5 Ray H arp) BANGKOK and tie most of the time. American bands, artists and other musical AFTER SAVING A VILLAGE FROM VC MASSACRE, 1 LT Bangkok, largest and capital city of Thai The night life of Sydney is wide and varied. troupes offer various types of entertainment in with him withstood numerous attacks on their Special the nightclubs of Manila. Forces camp. JOHN FONESCA IS AWARDED ARCOM WITH "V". land, lies on both sides of the Menam Chao The larger more exclusive nightclubs and Phya River. The city has two. distinct sections, theater restaurants are located primarily in the SINGAPORE the old with its crowded, narrow streets, and downtown area. Small cabarets are located Singapore, a symbol of color and romance the modern, with its well-planned, thorough throughout the city. in the East, has all the overtones of European fares, park areas and Western-style buildings. HAWAII culture. The latter sector is located around the Royal With the moon reflecting through the glit -The city is a bewildering bazaar of things Palace which stands on an island in the river. t.ering palms, sweet music from the Hawaiiair to b.iy at amazingly low prices. Being a tax Dolls Work Out~ You may bring in 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars . guitars and bongo drums and your wife nestled free-port, even imported goods are often cheaper and one bottle of liquor duty free. There is no in your arms-sound like fun-well it is all pos than in the country of their origin. Photo And Story By PFC Norman ·Pazderski limit on the amount of U.S. currency which sible if you decide to take your leave in Hawaii. The Malaysian dollar, worth 33 U.S. cents, may be brought in, but it is recommended The 50th state offers a variety of beautiful is to be used in Singapore. There is no limita "ANYONE FOR SOME FUN and games," drawled a south· beaches, tropical gardens, deep-sea fishing ac· tion on the amount of American currency which ern voice at the firebase of the 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry. no less than $150 be taken with you. The basic curency unit is the baht . The commodations and wonderful hotels. may be brought into the country. The owner of the voice was a Red Cross volunteer- who, currency rate is 20.62 baht for each American Since Hawaii is a state, the custom la~s When the sun goes down, the life in Singa along with a friend, paid an unexpected visit to the 4th Division are the same as the mainland. Upon departure soldiers. The men in the field know them as "Donut Dollies." dollar. You may find it easy to remember a pore continues unabated, becoming gayer and baht is roughly a nickel. for Vietnam, you must exchange your MPCs more relaxed. It gives its wholehearted pat ron As the two girls walked through the base to the command for the t raditional "greenbacks". bunker, every pair of eyes along their path was watching them. Bangkok is famous for its fascinating night age to the amusement parks, nightclubs and The men were puzzled. What were they doing here? For a life and wide variety of merchandise available J APAN other plentiful evening entertainments with moment all thoughts of hostilities aroun
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