by Mark Berent
PART I BIEN HOA AB, RVN
D. (U) MAP REFERENCE: SHEETS: XT6361 III/IV
E. (S) GENERAL ENEMY SITUATION:
1) ENEMY-INITIATED CONTACTS NIL THE PREVIOUS WEEK VICINITY BNH. HOWEVER, HEAVY FIGHTING IN WAR ZONE C (REF LOC NINH MAP SHEET 6245 II AND DISUM 20-01-66) THOUGHT TRIGGERED BY SF MOBILE REACTION FORCE PRELUDE TO COORDINATED ATTACKS OF COMBINED VC/NVA ON MAJOR US/SVN INSTALLATIONS. BNH SAPPER PENETRATION THOUGHT DRESS REHEARSAL AND PROBE SINCE ENEMY FORCES SURPRISINGLY INSUFFICIENT AND EASILY REPULSED.
2) NORMAL ENEMY HARASSMENT AND PROPAGANDA OPERATIONS SHOW INCREASE IN OUTLYING VILLAGES.
3) ENEMY UNITS IN 20 KM RADIUS BNH:
Unit: 1ST MF BN Strength 150 Dist/Dir 8 KM S
2ND MF BN200 7 KM S
BIEN HOA SAPPER BN 250 7 KM S
SEE 2-224
F. (S) ENEMY OPERATIONS:
1)EASTERN PERIMETER BNH AB: AN ESTIMATED FORCE OF THE BNH SAPPER BN LAUNCHED A COORDINATED ATTACK COMMENCING WITH AN ESTIMATED 25 RNDS OF B-40 RNDS, EST 40 122MM ROCKET RNDS, EST 30 60MM MORTAR RNDS. OUTER PERIMETER PENETRATED. SPECIAL SELF-HELP DEFENSE DEVICES PREVENTED FURTHER PENETRATION.
G: (C) DAMAGE
1) AIRCRAFT:
USAF F-100S 1 DEST, USAF F-100 2 DAM.
USAF A-1 0 DEST, USAF A-1 3 DAM.
VNAF A-1 1 DEST, VNAF A-1 1 DAM.
B707 ON FIELD OVERNIGHT FOR MAINTENANCE: NO DAM
2) EQUIPMENT:
2 JEEP M151 DEST; 1 P/U DAM; 1 CRANE DAM
3) FACILITIES
CONTROL TOWER, EM BARRACKS, SQDN OPS SLIGHT DAM.
H. (U) CASUALTIES
1) FRIENDLY:
THREE (3) OFF WIA; ONE (1) OFF KIA; FOURTEEN (14) EM WIA; TWO (2) CIV WIA
2) ENEMY:
TWELVE (12) KIA BODY COUNT; EST TWENTY-FOUR (24) WIA
I. (S) OTHER INTELLIGENCE FACTORS
1) NEW ENEMY UNIT IDENTIFICATION; THE 9 TH ARTILLERY BN REPORTEDLY NOW LOCATED IN DELTA AND CHARLEY REGION. STRENGTH, CAPABILITIES, AND EXACT LOCATION UNK. FURTHER INFO TO FOLLOW FUTURE DISUMS.
2) FRIENDLY GROUND ACTIVITY;
A) MAJOR OF THE CONTACTS WITHIN 20 KMS WERE BY U.S. FORCES WITH SMALL ENEMY UNITS. HOWEVER, ONE ARVN CONTACT WAS REPORTED TO BE WITH ESTIMATED COMPANY SIZE VC UNIT.
B) U.S. FORCES UNCOVERED THREE ENEMY CACHES YIELDING FOLL ITEMS: FOUR AK-47 RIFLES, TWO 9MM PISTOLS, FOUR SKS CARBINE, ONE M-79 GRENADE LAUNCHER, TWO M-16 RIFLES, TWO 81MM MORTAR CANISTERS, 5000 RNDS AK AMMO, EIGHT HOMEMADE GRENADES, SEVENTY LBS RICE, TEN LBS SALT, THREE VC FLAGS.
J. (S) COUNTERINTELLIGENCE:
1) SECURITY: DOCUMENTS CONTINUE TO BE CIRCULATED FROM VC/NVA HQ TO FIELD UNITS INDICATING A) SECURITY OF VC UNITS ENDANGERED BY CONTINUED SEARCH OPERATIONS OF US/RVN FORCES IN III AND IV CTZ. THESE DOCS TELL VC/NVA QUOTE: THIS OVERALL THREAT TO THE LIBERATION OF SVN MUST BE MET WITH RENEWED VIGILANCE. B) A RE-EMPHASIS OF THE WATCH SYSTEM WHEREBY ONE SOLDIER WILL WATCH AND REPORT THE ACTIVITIES OF ANOTHER. NO SOLDIERS WILL LEAVE UNITS IN LESS THAN GROUPS OF THREE. ANYONE ATTEMPTING TO DESERT TO CHIEU HOI WILL BE SHOT. INCREASE THE AMOUNT OF TIME DEVOTED TO POLITICAL INDOCTRINATION ENDQUOTE.
2) ESPIONAGE: POW REPORTS AS WELL AS CAPTURED DOCUMENTS MENTION ESPIONAGE SCHOOL CONDUCTED FOR VC AGENTS IN CAMBODIA. THE STUDENTS ATTENDING ARE YOUNG MALE AND FEMALE TEENAGERS MOSTLY FROM SAIGON AREA. TRAINING EMPHASIS ON MALES HAS BEEN DEMOLITIONS WITH PROJECTED ASSIGNMENTS TO SAPPER/SABOTAGE UNITS. FEMALES ARE BEING TAUGHT TO DRAW PICTURES OF MILITARY INSTALLATIONS AND EQUIPMENT. FEMALE TO BE TARGETED AGAINST U.S. INSTALLATIONS. ONCE EMPLOYED ON U.S. BASE, SHE WILL SELECT TARGETS AND BE PREPARED TO LEAD SAPPER/SABOTAGE UNITS TO IT. REASON GIVEN FOR YOUTHFUL EMPHASIS IS U.S. MIL PERSONNEL KNOWN TO BE RELAXED AND FRIENDLY WHEN DEALING WITH YOUNG VN GIRLS AND ARE KNOWN TO ALLOW THEM SOME FREEDOM OF MOVEMENT.
K. (C) NEW ENEMY TACTICS, WEAPONS, EQUIPMENT:
ONE VC FEMALE CARRYING SATCHEL CHARGE KIA IN BNH ATTACK. IDENTIFIED BY USAF OFF AS UNMARRIED SAIGONESE INDICATES UNUSUAL VC USE OF PERSONNEL POSSIBLY DUE TO LACK OF RECRUITS. NO NEW WEAPONS OR EQUIPMENT FOUND.
L. (S) ENEMY CAPABILITIES:
1) THE ENEMY IS CAPABLE OF INCREASING TERRORIST ACTIVITIES, CONDUCTING MULTI-BATTALION SIZE ATTACKS AGAINST BIEN HOA AND LOCAL FWF, AVOIDING CONTACT, INCREASING HARASSMENT OF INSTALLATIONS AND INTERDICTING LOCS, ESTABLISHING SUPPLY POINTS AND BASE CAMPS IN UNPOPULATED AREAS, INCREASING ROCKET AND MORTAR ATTACKS, INCREASING SAPPER/SABOTAGE ACTIVITIES.
M. (S) FRIENDLY FORCES IN 20 KM RADIUS:
1) U.S.: TWO BNS 196TH INF BRIG, THREE BNS 199TH INF BRIG, ELEMENTS 1ST AND 25TH INF DIVS TO INCLUDE TWO AIR CAV BNS, ELEMENTS 173RD AND 82ND AIRBORNE
2) ARVN: FOUR BNS 5TH RANGER GRP, THREE BRIGS MARINES, THREE BRIGS AIRBORNE.
N. (S) CONCLUSION:
BIEN HOA ATTACK THOUGHT TO BE SECOND PHASE OF ATTEMPTED AMBUSH OF 1ST INF DIV ARMORED COLUMN. AMBUSH OF ARMOR THOUGHT TO 1) DETERMINE HOW FAST LEAD ELEMENTS 1ST INF DIV CAN RESPOND AND 2) DRAW DEFENDERS FROM BIEN HOA OPENING HOLE FOR SAPPER/SABOTAGE ATTACK. ENEMY RECCE AND PENETRATION EFFORTS INDICATE INTENT OF A MAJOR ATTACK TOWARD MAIN US/SVN INSTALLATIONS IN NEAR FUTURE. YET POW INTERROGATIONS, RELIABLE AGENTS, AND DOCUMENTS INDICATE ENEMY HAS NOT COMPLETED FORCE POSITIONING OR RECCE FOR SUCH AN ATTACK. ESTIMATE UPCOMING MAJOR GROUND OFFENSIVE WITHIN THE MONTH.
O. (UNC) ADDENDUM CSAF EYES ONLY:
RECOMMENDATION BEING FORWARDED MOST EXPEDITIOUS MEANS FOR MEDAL OF HONOR FOR MAJOR HAROLD L. RAWSON, FV224109, 531ST TFS, BIEN HOA AB, RVN, KIA. SYNOPSIS: ON NIGHT OF 29 JAN 66 AT APPROX 2345L HOURS, MAJOR RAWSON PICKED UP A VC SATCHEL CHARGE THROWN INTO A BUNKER AT BNH CONTAINING EIGHT (8) MIL, FIVE (5) CIVILIAN PERSONNEL AND WITH COMPLETE DISREGARD FOR HIS PERSONAL SAFETY HE EXITED THE BUNKER WITH THE CHARGE AND RAN WITH IT FROM THE AREA UNTIL IT DETONATED.
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First Light, 30 January 1966
Bien Hoa Air Base, Republic of Vietnam
At first light the day after the attack, three platoons of fresh troops from the 173rd Airborne arrived on the air base. They were under orders to tour the battle sites (there were three penetration sites), clean up any pockets of resistance (there were none), and re-establish the integrity of the inner perimeter defense (it was never lost). Bare-armed, wearing flak jackets and steel pots, they carried their weapons at the ready as the USAF Air Policemen and augmentees led them around the charred and devastated battle sites. The soldiers shook their heads as the skinny clerk and cook augmentees explained about the Totem Poles and the ruination caused by the Fire Drums. Lieutenant Colonel Fox Bernard and Master Sergeant Booker Washington Smith purposely stayed in the background smirking only slightly as the 173rd were led to believe the battle was won entirely by the augmentees.
1200 Hours Local, 30 January 1966
Flight Line, Bien Hoa Air Base
Republic of Vietnam
Just after 1200 a large contingent of personnel from the 3rd Tactical Fighter Wing gathered at the main ramp on the flight line to see the Braniff crew board the Army helicopter set up to take them to Tan Son Nhut. Sally Churna and Tiffy Berg were working hard to hold their brave smiles in place through the tears that came afresh every time another airman or pilot embraced them and said goodbye. Their arms, and those of the other three girls, were full of small presents and flowers. Their flight purses were stuffed with bits of paper with names and telephone numbers so they could fulfill the wishes of the young men who wanted "just a short call to Mom, will you, to tell her I'm okay." They had no such requests to call wives.
Colonel Friedlander was flying, as were Darlington, and Higgens the Homeless Sex Maniac, and Freeman. Fairchild was off looking for Ramrod who had disappeared during the attack. Toby Parker stood with Wolf Lochert off to one side. Wolf, facing Parker, was talking.
"Toby," he said, "you got to knock this heavy face stuff off." He stopped abruptly as he realized he had spoken as if he were giving a direct order to a recalcitrant private. He resumed in a more fatherly tone. "You volunteered to come over here. You told me that yourself. What did you ex
pect to find? Some Hollywood movie with a happy ending? This is a crappy war. All wars are crappy, but this one is more crappy than most." He couldn't help himself, his voice became harsher. "You're here because you wanted to be. I know what you've seen has been a shock. But you got to learn something, dammit. You got to learn to accept the crap. Put it in a box in a corner and never open it again. Pretty soon, it'll go away." He knew that wasn't true, at least not for himself. He still saw the death throes of every man that died by his hand.
"Think it out," Lochert resumed in a kind voice, "you can leave it all behind. Your boss is sending you to Phan Rang to the FAC School."
Parker stirred. "I'm not going to be a FAC," he corrected, "just the school Executive Officer."
"Yeah, but you are getting out of here. New faces, new places. You'll forget all this." Lochert paused. "And her," he added softly, remembering Parker's near catatonic state after seeing Tui so gruesomely killed. Wolf had slapped his face twice to bring him around.
"I suppose you're right, Wolf," Parker said, "about this being a crappy war, anyhow. But who says I have to accept it?"
"I didn't say `accept' it, I said forget the crap."
"Yeah, sure," Parker said, rubbing the jade earring between left thumb and index finger. "Sure." He looked down at the jade piece for a long moment then put it into his fatigue blouse pocket. He sighed, and turned to face Lochert. "What about you, Wolf, are you staying on here?"
"No, I'm not," the burly man said. "I'll be at 5th SFG in Nha Trang for a few months then..." He didn't continue. "Then," Parker said.
"Then what?"
"Come on, Wolf. You've been chewing me out for being uncommunicative, and now you won't talk."
"You ever heard of MACSOG?"
"No. What or where is it?"
"Oh, it's down there in Saigon." The Wolf's voice was unnaturally light.
Parker looked at him. "’Oh, it's down there in Saigon,’" he mimicked. "Just what is a MACSOG that has you so evasive?"
"I'm not being evasive. Who says I'm being evasive?" the Wolf boomed, back in form. "MACSOG is actually the Military Assistance Command Vietnam Studies and Observation Group. You leave the `V' out and call it MACSOG."
Parker lifted an eyebrow. "Studies and Observation? You're going to study and observe something?"
"Yeah."
"Like what?" Parker persisted.
"Oh, I don't know. Ethnic indigenous internecine intransigence toward insurgency, maybe."
Parker saw the Wolf's face was as guileless as that of an altar boy serving his first Mass. He nodded. "Ok, Wolf. No more questions."
Standing next to them just out of earshot was Court Bannister. His flight suit dark with sweat, and the strain of the mission he had flown was etched on his face. He stood with his foot on the small running board of the jeep talking to Nancy Lewis seated inside. She wore new USAF fatigue pants and a white blouse. The pants were split up the left leg allowing room for the bandage on her thigh. A pair of crutches were propped in the back.
"Doctor Russell said I could have the bandage off in about a week. He's so sweet. He gave me a kiss and asked if I'd call his wife and tell her he's alive and well," Nancy said. She looked at Court, "Where are your brother and your wife?" She frowned. "Nuts. I mean where are your half--," she started again, "Where are Shawn and Charmaine?"
"They left for Saigon about an hour ago on the Air Force bus. Colonel Friedlander had it set up for them on this helicopter," he nodded at the Huey slick standing by, "but Shawn said he preferred to go by bus so he could `talk to the troops,' as he put it. He was put out. Seems he lost some film rolls and part of his equipment when a rocket or mortar round blew down half the wall of his room in the BOQ."
He and his brother had had a bad scene that morning. Correlli had developed the negatives of the film from Shawn's camera. Though they had to be enhanced in processing, they showed clearly the holed hulls to be M-113s and not buses. Court had presented the pictures to Shawn and said he had done him a favor by getting them developed and he might want to include them with his article. Shawn, knowing this would spike the napalming civilian portion of his article, had been furious and accused Court of being a thief. Court had not told him about Correlli. He felt halfway between sheepish at the method and relieved at the outcome of Correlli's action.
Court took Nancy's right hand in both of his. She was startled, but didn't withdraw. She looked into Court's eyes for a second, then turned away.
"Court, I don't want to get involved. I can't," she said, her voice low and hesitant. I'm lying to him, she thought to herself. I want him so badly. I could love him. I want to love him. Her bottom lip trembled.
"I can't," she repeated, with resignation.
"I know," he said. "I guess I really don't want to get involved, either." He helped her out of the jeep and reluctantly let go of her hand. Damn, he thought, I can't let her go like this.
"Give me your address," he demanded. "I want to write you."
She flashed a half smile. "You sound like a certain lieutenant we know." She fumbled in her purse for her card and scribbled an address on it. "He never wrote, though," she nodded to where Parker stood with Lochert.
"I will," Court said. He took her bag as they started for the helicopter. She used only one crutch. When they passed by Lochert and Parker, Nancy impulsively kissed and hugged them both. She thanked Wolf for his words about Brad. "And you," she said to Parker, "have got to stop frowning." She reached up to smooth his brow and kissed him again on the cheek. "Goodbye, good luck," they said to each other.
The Huey crew chief gave the windup signal with his right forefinger. The turbines started rotating the blades of the slick and its gunship escort. The other girls, with Sally and Tiffy, scrambled on board; the Captain, Engineer, and First Officer right behind. The Captain reached back to help Nancy as Court aided her up the step. The hissing whine from the Huey turbine was getting louder. Impulsively, Nancy held back.
"Oh Court, oh yes, write me," Nancy said and brushed her lips to Court's ear. "I want to get involved," she said. She turned and grasped the outstretched hand of her Captain. She settled in and looked out as the helicopter lifted off. "I do too," she saw Court mouth the words just before the helicopter dipped its nose and sped off with its escorting gunships. The crowd of airmen who had gathered to see them off slowly dispersed.
Parker, Lochert, and Bannister stayed on the line until the whopping sounds from the two helicopters faded and were replaced by the thunder from the afterburners of three F-100s taking off in ten-second intervals. Lochert said he'd drop Bannister off at the squadron and Parker at Wing Headquarters. They climbed into the black jeep.
"That girl, you know, the one with the green eyes," he said to Bannister.
"You mean Charmaine?"
"Yeah. Someone said you were once married to her. That true?"
"Yes."
"She married now?"
"No, why?"
"No reason. Just wondered," Wolf said, the lie as readable on his face as a telegram. Folded in his blouse pocket was a sheet of commercial black-and-white composite photographs of Charmaine in various poses. On the back were dance and action shots. On the front was a full-face head shot which Wolf could barely stand to look at. Charmaine's wide set eyes seemed to peer into his very being, promising unthinkable ecstasies. Across the bottom she had scrawled in green ink the words, "Just for you, Wolf. Just for you."