After the battle of Quang-Tri (Sept. 1972), the RVN had taken back the lost ground and the ancient citadel Dinh-Cong-Trang in the province of Quang-Tri, the northern most province of the Republic of Vietnam just below the de-militarized-zone (DMZ).  In the early of 1973,the situation in the southern most province of the I-Corps was not brighter.   The NVA prepared for the 'Land Grabbing' campaign which would had been in effect beginning January 28th 1973 (Paris agreement).  Meanwhile the RVN committed all of its elite reserve forces in defense the northern most provinces (Quang-Tri, Thua-Thien (Hue)), The NVA general Chu-Huy-Man deployed the 3rd (Yellow Star) division with the 141/2 regiment attached and one AAA battalion with 12.8mm guns and portable AT-3 rocket launchers to attack and held Sa-Huynh, Duc-Pho in Quang-Ngai province. This southern most county located just above Tam-Quan, Bong-Son of Binh-Dinh province (Communist strong hold since the Indochina War).  All the Regional Forces out-posts were lost into enemy hands.

        After taken Sa-Huynh, the communist ordered people to raise flag of the National Liberation Front (NLF), half top red, green bottom with a gold star at the middle.  They also brought North Vietnamese currency into their controlled territory.  The communist installed a firing range at the foot of the mountain near the rail road to execute those captured military and governmental officers.  Quang Ngai province was in the responsible of the RVN 2nd Infantry division, the commander Gen. Tran-Van-Nhut sent the 5th regiment from Quang Tin province to Quang Ngai to help the 6th regiment in re-taking back Sa Huynh.  Both regiments were stalled, they could not penetrated the firing line of the enemy.  The NVA formed a steel defense stretching out along the mountainous terrain supported by AAA 12.8mm and AT-3 portable rocket launchers.  The AT-3 was very effected as tanks killer, also used to shoot down helicopters or landing crafts from the sea.  Under the enemy fire power, the 5th and the 6th regiments of the 2nd Infantry hang on around the county of Duc Pho and waited for the elite reaction forces.

        General Ngo-Quang-Truong commander of the RVN I-Corps ordered the 1st Ranger group to pull back from Quang Tri and deployed the Rangers into the battle of Sa Huynh.  This ranger group included three battalions 21st, 37th, 39th was well known in military region I, as the reaction force of the I-Corps, the 1st Ranger group had participated in all major battles in the central of Vietnam, Thach Tru, Khe Sanh, Lam Son 719 (Southern of Laos),.. . The commander of the group at that time was Colonel Tran-Kim-Dai, who was also well known for his non-corruption characteristic.  Before its deployment into the battle of Sa Huynh, the 1st Ranger group contributed a great share in the battle of Quang Tri during the Easter Offensive.  The time was close to the end of the year of the 'Rats', January 1973, three ranger battalions of the 1st group quietly packed and moved south.

        The convoy with more than 30 trucks and jeeps carried the 21st battalion left the city of Hue in the morning.  When they reached Phuoc Tuong, north of Da Nang, the convoy turned left to the beach of Nam O, home base of the 1st Ranger group.  All the trucks moved very slowly when they passed by Phu Loc, housing camp of the ranger's families.  Wives and children of the rangers poured out to look for their love ones who returned home again after battles (Their happiness were to see their husbands or fathers came back alive).  It was the happiest time for the rangers, hundreds of women and children waved their hands, called the names of the men they had been longing for.

        When the last truck got inside the camp, the gate was closed then from loud speakers, all rangers were ordered to report at the battalion assembly area.  'Report! Order from the Major commander of the battalion Urgently.. . Repeat, companies 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th and the headquarters lined up from left to right in front of the flag pole!.. .'.  Even understood the order of the Army, I sill felt bad for my men.. . the Lunar new year would come soon! After ten minutes, the whole battalion lined up in order under the flurry of the winter in Vietnam.

        Major Quach-Thuong stood in front of his men, his uniform also filled with dust.  He said loudly as usual.

                    - I want you men to understand that the order of operation is not finished yet.. . Understand!!!

                    - Yes!.. . Sir!

        After the sound 'Yes! Sir!', everyone stood still as statues.  Major Thuong understood how his men felt.. . and he did care for the men who 'Do and Die' with him and for the reputation of the Ranger.  Again, he tried to speak louder to cover his feeling and to suppress the sounds of the waves from the sea.

                    - We just stop by here to stay overnight. At 5am tomorrow morning, our battalion must continue on the move.  No-one allowed to leave camp, whoever disobey the order would receive heavy punishment. After dismissing, all companies receive new personnel replacement, ammunition and food for seven days.  All company commanders report to the meeting room.. . Dis.. .miss!

        The 21st had four outstanding company commanders, the 1st company commanded by First Lt. Tran-Thy-Van, the 2nd by First Lt. Duong-Xuan, the 3rd by First Lt. Tran-Quang-Giang, the 4th by Capt. Do-Van-Nai.  The S-3 operation officer was Capt. Tran-Van-Quy and the XO was Capt. Nguyen-Van-Do.  The battalion originally was from Bien Ho, Plei-Ku (2nd Ranger group) and had gathered many victories for the RVN II-Corps.  In 1966, the battalion was transferred to joint the 1st group in Da Nang in exchange for the 11th battalion because of political chaos and discipline reason.  With outstanding record, the 21st Ranger battalion was awarded the Presidential Citation Unit under the decision number 23, on the 16th of April 1969.

        The 1st Ranger group arrived at Mo Duc of Quang Ngai province in respond for the communist's aggressiveness.  First, the rangers would hold the enemy's advancing from Duc Pho county then after stabled the situation, they would counter-attacked to re-take Sa Huynh.  The rangers spread out in the county of Mo Duc, the headquarters of the 21st was at the foot of a hill near the headquarter of the Regional Forces, my company moved to a village north of the battalion's HQ.  It was late at night, I walked to a group of men sitting underneath a tree. Lt. Cat the XO stood up and saluted.

                    -You haven't slept yet! Eagle! (commander).

                    -How could I! At the afternoon meeting, Maj. Thuong told us that the situation was serious.  Both the 5th and the 6th Infantry regiments could not do anything.  The battlefield was waiting for us.  The 39th would jump in first then the 21st but the group commander haven't decided yet! Tell the men to look out!

        Two more days to the lunar new year, the year of the 'Buffaloes', according to the tradition, these days should had been happy days, everyone were busy shopping for the new year, (The Vietnamese and Chinese celebrate the lunar new year as big as the Thanksgiving and Christmas and New Year combined).  This year was different, the atmosphere was tensed, the streets were quiet.  The civilians probably prepared to move out of the fighting area. On highway 1 from southern of Mo Duc Quang Ngai to Tam Quan, Bong Son of Binh Dinh province (MR-II) was cut off, not a car or truck traveled on that dangerous highway.

        This morning, the 1st Ranger group started making the move, some units carefully moved toward Duc Pho.  My company was also very busy, I ordered everyone must carried extra ammunition, the M-26 hand grenades and Claymore mines.  In this supply, we received special new year foods from our families.  Those 'extra' gave us the sense of the coming lunar new year.  The only wish which was never granted was a leave, so we could reunite with our love ones according to our custom.

        I laid down on the cot, trying to recall the faces of my love ones. Suddenly, I remembered to Lt. Quach-An, commander of the 2nd company.  He was the one whom I respected and learned from him when I was his assistant.  Once time I gambled with money and lost, when I returned to the bunker earlier than usual. An asked

- Did you lost?

- .. .!

-You should not gamble with the soldiers.. . You might loose their respect!

        Then Lt. An put his hand inside his pocket, took the money out then handed his whole monthly salary to me.

                    -Keep it! But don't gamble again!

        One memory with Lt. An in Da Nang, 1970.  During an anti Central Government (Saigon) demonstration, the company led by Lt. An was ordered to remove the blockage and clear the demonstration.  There were Buddhist monks yelling, leading the demonstrators.  The company commander didn't know how to deal with that special situation, then a colonel of the I-Corps stopped at the company's CP and yelled at Lt. An

-Do you know what to do lieutenant?

-Sir! I'm waiting for instruction from my battalion's headquarters.

Whose order? I order you and your men to clear the demonstration right now!

-Sir! .. .

        I did not let anyone intimidated the rangers including that colonel 'What's the f..k he think of what he is'. I  walked toward Lt. An and the colonel with hand on my Colt 45 pistol (I drew gu n as fast as John Wayne of the Far West) and said to An 'Lieutenant! Let me handle this!.. . Don't worry!'.  Afraid of my aggressive gesture, the colonel hoped on his jeep and his driver drove away.. . Still hot from the confrontation with the colonel, I ordered Lt. Phuoc to line up his platoon then marched toward the demonstration and removed all the blockages.  A monk yelled at me 'You are not a good Buddhist!'.  F..king monk!  I ordered two rangers grabbing him, tied him up then dumped him on the back of a police jeep (He would better not to mess with rangers).  The Buddhist demonstrators saw what we did to their master then started panic and ran away. Another good thing about An was that Lt. An never took a penny from his soldiers, he simply stated 'It doesn't worth'. Now he was in the military hospital, seriously wounded.. . He might not made it through this time.. .!  I prayed for him.

        I was dreaming, then Hiep the radio man came and handed me the hand set of the PRC-25 'Major Thuong wants to talk to you. Eagle! (Soldiers of the RVN used to call their commander Eagle).

                    - Trung Duong! (Maj. Thuong) Viet Quoc (Lt. Van) listening!

- Do you know Son Linh (group commander) just calls and yelling! All companies celebrate the new year by firing M-16 riffles also signal flares!  Don't do that anymore! It is 4 o'clock in the morning already, two more hours, Viet Quoc's company must be on the move.. . Is it clear?

                    - Five over five (5/5 - clear)! What's the direction?  Trung Duong!

                    - Along the highway toward Duc Pho.. . At six o' clock.. . Moving!

                    - Received! Trung Duong!

                    - Let you know!.. . The 39th heli-born two companies with the XO Capt. Hoang-Kim-Son into Sa Huynh and lost. Major Lai-The-Thiet commander requested to jump in with the rest of his battalion, but Son Linh (Calling sign of Col. Tran-Kim-Dai the group commander) turned down. It is our turn.. . Be careful when crossing the RF's outpost Quan Hong.

                    - Received! Out!

        I told the radio man 'Call the platoon leaders!  Tell them to bring maps.'.  Five minutes later, all officers and Master Sergeant Thiep the company sergeant came with maroon berets and ammunition support belts.  The men lined up then Lt. Thieu the new XO of the company smiled and said

                    - I represent everyone of the company to wish Lieutenant (commander) a happy new year and success on your military career.

                    - Thanks to all of you! I also wish everyone a new year filled with lucks, and the goods.. . as you wish!

        Then I became serious!

                    - Now! We have thing to do. The situation in Sa Huynh became worse.  The 39th already lost two companies.  Major Thuong ordered us to move toward Duc Pho at six o' clock.  All platoons must prepare to get ready and carry one day cooked meal. The whole company reports hundred per cent at 5:30am.. . Any questions?

        At 5:30 am on the first day of the year of the 'Buffaloes', the 1st company of the 21st ranger battalion reported at the assembly area. Lt. Thieu ordered everyone attention then reported.

                    - The company report! Total 107, Disabled 17 (in military hospital), Rear services 8. Ready for combat 82.

        I felt a little discomfort.  The ranger had never had enough men and adequate fire support as the Airborne or Marines even always given a tough job to do.  I tried to make comfort then said

                    - In the new year, I wish all officers, non-commission officers, soldiers of the First company.. . I wish all of you and families a happy new year and prosperity.

        My dear friends, brothers!  This is not the first time our company has to be in operation on the first day of the lunar new year.  In the past, we had done many times, the 'Tet' offensive 1968, new year 1969, and new year of the 'Pigs' in Southern of Laos 1971. I understand that you are unhappy and .. . so do i.  But we have no other ways.  It is military order.  Before making the move, I want to see all platoon leaders... Now, you men are under the command of the sergeant company, master sergeant Thiep.

        I directed Lt. Thieu the XO to lead two platoons 1st and 2nd moving out first.  After passing the main street of Mo Duc, steered to the left away from the highway about thirty meters and moved parallel with the highway toward Duc Pho.  Then the 3rd platoon followed. Everyone must be ready for fighting and remembered being nice to civilians according to the new year tradition.  Half an hour later, Lt. Thieu reported the two platoons already out of the main street of Mo Duc and moving along the left side of the highway.  I told Thieu that after they were about two kilometers from town, let the men stopped to take positions then waited for the rest of the company.  I ordered the commando team led the way for the company's CP followed and the 3rd platoon guarded the rear.  The rangers formed one straight line, marched quietly through the main section of town.  On the west, south of Mo Duc, the 21st battalion headquarters stayed close to the headquarters of the 1st Ranger group and a company of 105mm artillery.

        The 1st company regrouped, Lt. Thieu stood in front of a house with red clay brick roof saluted and reported

                    - First Lieutenant! Both sides (another RVN unit and NVA) have been fighting for hour!

                    - Don't worry! We do our job. If necessary, we jump in to clear our path. Now take position temporarily in this area. The commando team holds the western flank along the highway.

        I sat down on the ground, checked the map.. . Still ten more kilometers to the town of Duc Pho.. . No problem! The Ranger Training Center already made us 'Steel Soldiers'.  Last night, a message received from our home base informed that many ranger wives had planned a trip to Mo Duc to visit their husbands.  I did not intended to stop those women yet.. .  We have been in operation, away from homes for more than a year.. . and it was new year.. .  I talked to Lt. Thieu the XO of the company.

                    - You are the XO, also the political warfare officer of the company.  Tell me about the moral of the men!

                    - To Eagle! We are .. . very discourage!

                    - Discourage! We don't have other choice.. . That's military!

                    - If you want! I call up the company to report.

        I nodded my head, Lt. Thieu walked away and a few minutes later, Master Sergeant Thiep came and asked me to joint the assembled company.  I walked to the front of the company and quickly gave order 'You men can sit down comfortably and smoke freely'.  I started the conversation

                    - I want you men to tell me the truth! Any of you are not satisfied to be in this company?  Lieutenant Hanh a platoon leader rose his hand in the air.

                    - First Lieutenant! Private First Class Nguyen-Man of the 2nd platoon wanted a four days leave, special case, Wife gave birth.. .

        I looked at Man then asked him

                    - When did you receive the message (telegram)? Man!

        Man stood up saluted

                    - My wife gave birth several days ago. Sergeant Dung told me.

        Man had been in this company more than two years and he has been a good soldier.  Realized the need of a man, I felt uncomfortable to answer him.

                    - Man! Please hang on for a few days! I promised to let you go.  At the time being, our company was ordered to move on.. . I don't know what's going on yet! OK? Please sit down. I continued

                    - I understand some of you are not happy because we are away from home again, especially in the new year.  I am also not happy with the military live, but we have to do our job and that what we were trained for.  Today, we continue to move on to Sa Huynh.. . the battle have been going to its climax and we must fight for our company and for our brothers in arms. .. I can't say any more! OK! Let go!

        Everyone got ready with a full load of rucksack on the back, the M-16 riffles in the hands.

                    - Company moves south along the left of the highway.  First platoon forms a front line to lead the way, 2nd and 3rd platoons form a straight line to protect the east flank.  The company formation is in the L-shape with bottom facing toward the target.  The commando team moves on the right of the company's CP and protect the west flank.

        I was thinking about 'Quan Hong', the RF's outpost which Maj. Thuong said 'be careful' then Thanh the radio man handed me the hand-set. Lieutenant Cuong reported.

                    - Report to Eagle! Let my platoon stretching out and run across a cemetery about 200m wide.  The gun fight and B-40 RPG shell explosions can be heard clearly and closely.

                    - Don't run!  Stretch out then move quickly between the tombs for cover.  Is that clear?

       I ran forward to observer and to direct the company to cross the cemetery, platoon by platoon.  There was a small hamlet on the other side of the cemetery, then a rice paddy which was much wider than the cemetery.  Near the highway, about 300m on my right , there're an outpost of the Regional Forces.  It was built with trenches and barb wires surrounded.  I heard the noise of the tank's engines and their mounted M-50 machine guns blasted into the outpost. It was strange to me.. . What was going on?  Those Cavalry men might missed the angle and blasted into the Ranger company position! I call the battalion commander.

                    - Trung Duong! Trung Duong!  A band of iron crabs (armor vehicles) is attacking the RF's outpost at the coordinate X.... Y... in front of me! Need instruction!

                    - Be careful Viet Quoc! The iron crabs are of the 17th APC (M-113) squadron, its calling sign is 'Heaven Horses' (Thien Ma). Turn to the 25.25 frequency to call Capt. Viet to avoid friendly fires!

                    - Why didn't you tell me this morning? ...

                    - Try to get through! Will rendezvous at Duc Pho tonight. Out!

        I thought for a moment ... What was a fun! The communists already overran the outpost last night and hang in there. I called my platoons.

                    - Ten, Twenty, Thirty! This is Wild Goose (Thien Nga company's calling sign) Everyone take position!  The enemy occupied the outpost in front of us, also beware of the iron crabs... They might grip you men!

        The radio man turn the radio to the other channel to call the Cavalry.  Voices of Capt. Viet directing his squadron to attack. I call him

                    - Heaven Horses!  Heaven Horses!  This is Viet Quoc!

                    - Heaven Horses is listening!... Sorry!  But Who's Viet Quoc?

                    - Viet Quoc or the Wild Goose maroon beret.

        The hero of Tchepone, Southern of Laos (Lam Son 719), Capt. Viet yelled on the radio PRC-25 happily

                    - Wild Goose! I recognize you!  'Bon Jour' Sesamou! I thought, you already died in Quang Tri... or maybe you are the ghost... Where are you now?

        Both of us had participated in the operation Lam Son 719 in southern of Laos.  He used to call me Sesamou, name of a river in Laos.  His Cavalry unit and units from the 1st Infantry division attacked the town of Tchepone.  And I was the XO of the 2nd company, 21st Ranger battalion landed on a branch of the Ho-Chi-Minh trail near the Sesamou river north of Tchepone. I replied Capt. Viet

                    - Never die! I'm in the north of Quan Hong (name of the outpost). Don't spray (bullets) on the maroon berets. OK!

                    - Be careful Viet Quoc! They (VC/NVA) are inside... I got one crab barbecued (burned)! Give me a hand!

                    - Help!  What? I have to go to Duc Pho! Why don't you pump 106mm on their heads!

                    - Too bad!  We don't bring those big toy along!  Maroon berets attack from the north.  We'll pump 50mm bullets on the east and the south to support.  OK?

                    - It's not a game!  You get to find other way.  Let me ask my boss for permission! I called the battalion's headquarters intended to talk to Maj. Thuong.

                    - Trung Duong!  Trung Duong!...

        Captain Tran-Van-Quy, the S-3 operation officer was at the other end.

                    - Quang Trung's (Capt. Quy calling sign) here! Viet Quoc!

                    - I get stuck at the Quan Hong.  I want to give the Heaven Horses a hand, please check with Trung Duong.

                    - No! It's not our job... You need to care for your men.

                    - All right! But please check with Trung Duong.

        While waiting for the answer from the battalion commander, I watched the M-113s sprayed M-50 machine gun bullets and M-79 into the outpost. Captain Viet called again.

                    - Wild Goose! This is Heaven Horses!

                    - Hear Tchepone!

                    - You refuse to help!

                    - You get to do it yourself. I don't have the order. Need to preserve... for Sa Huynh...

                    - OK! Why don't you go on your way?

                    - You must clear the path for us!

        Captain Viet directed his 'iron hardwares'.

                    - Iron horses 1, 2, 3 listen! The maroon berets don't want to jump in! Everyone lines up from left to right and attack!

        The 17th Cavalry still had five APC M-113s, they roared then increased their fire power into the outpost. Major Thuong called.

                    - Dong Da 1 (First company)!  This is Trung Duong!

                    - Viet Quoc hear Trung Duong!

                    - What's going on! Do you start to move?

                    - Not yet! Still waiting for the Heaven Horses to get rid of the outpost. I told Quang Trung to ask your permission to help Viet (Capt. Viet)...

                    - No! We still have a long way to go...

        Suddenly, a loud explosion and another iron horse got burned.   The enemy started to return fires ferociously. I reported to Maj. Thuong.

                    - Trung Duong! Another crab is barbecued!  None of them jump out, those cavalry men get killed!...

        Then two NVA troopers ran out of the front gate (the Cavalry attacked from the east and the south of the outpost).  They ran to the west, I yelled at the commando team, which took position along the highway 'Fire! Fire quickly!'.  More than ten M-16 riffles opened fires, gunned down two NVA soldiers... Major Thuong wanted to know of what's going on!

                    - Wild Goose! This is Trung Duong!

        Hiep, the radio man replied.

                    - Report to Trung Duong! My Eagle run to the front line. We just kill two enemies.

        I was watching a live combat movie... The Cavalry lost one M-113, the rest four fired their M-50 machine guns continuously and retreated backward to avoid RPG B-40.  The scene irritated my eyes... 'fight like... sh..t!', I directed the 1st platoon moving closer to the outpost then launched several M-72 rockets into the south of the outpost.

- Wild Goose! Wild Goose!

- Go ahead! Heaven Horses!

- Destroy the bunker in the northeast, in front of you for me!

- OK! OK! We just chop down two guys outside the outpost...

        I pushed one platoon to move to the northeast, then a few minutes later... that bunker collapsed.

                    - Heaven Horses! This is Wild Goose!

                    - Listening! Viet Quoc!...

                    - Don't make any move! The wind is blowing from the north.   Let me pump some tear grenades into that f...king outpost! (experience from the attack at fort Jackson 1972).

        Knowing the rangers jumped in, Capt. Viet happily answered

- Very well!  Very well! Help me! Sesamou!

        I directed Thanh to carry ten tear grenades then crawled closer to the outpost and threw those grenades into the outpost.  First platoon opened fires to support Thanh in doing the job. The enemy inside the outpost could not handle the tear gas, started panic.  Two more NVA troopers ran out then, again gunned down by the commando team. The four M-113s encouraged and started moving toward the target.   Afraid of friendly fires, Lt. Cuong called Thanh to back off.

        Four M-113s moved in, firing their M-50 machine guns.  The iron horses crushed the outer barb wires and got inside... The battle at Quan Hong outpost was over... Captain Viet called me.

- Wild Goose! Wild Goose!

- Listening! Heaven Horses!

- Thanks! Sesamou! We kill 17, capture 20 guns!

- OK! Congratulation! I have to report to the headquarters of my battalion!

        When I finished the conversation with Capt. Viet, suddenly a round of machine gun came down from the air hit on my company position.  In just a moment, thing fell apart, many rangers laid on the ground screaming.  I looked up in the sky, there were two RVN Air Forces helicopters UH-1B modified become gun ships, one helicopter got hit or had engine problem with a trailing back smoke.  The troubled helicopter headed toward Mo Duc, the other headed down for another round of firing rockets.  I pulled Hiep the radio man and both of us plunged into a hay stack. A rocket exploded caught another hay stack on fire, Thanh the internal communication radio man got hit, he tried to crawl out of the burning hay stack before laid dead. Hiep called the other radio man 'Ninh! bring the back up radio.  This one is damaged'.  On the southeastern, voice of Lt. Thieu yelling 'The chopter turns back. Lay down!  Let blast it. Eagle!'.  Two machine gunners Vinh and Doi ran to an open space with their M-60 machine guns waited for my direction.

- Blast it! Eagle!

- No!   Back to your hiding immediately!

Ninh and Hiep replaced the radio and got on-line with the battalion headquarters.  I yelled into the hand set.

                    - The chopter fires machine gun and rockets on my company position causes serious damage! Trung Duong call it to stop!...

                    - Understand!  Tell your men to spread out!

                    - To where!  I will give order to shoot it down!...

                    - No! Don't do that! Viet Quoc.

        The rangers threw several color smokes on the ground to mark friend position.  The stupid pilot released two more rockets before flying away.  It was a disaster, there were fires and smokes on the position of the 1st company.  I directed the men to come out and helped the medics to bandage the wounded and carried the dead to an open space for evacuation.  The radio man handed me the radio's hand set.

                    - Listening!

                    - All the crew members of the helicopter were arrested when it landed on the hill of Mo Duc.  They said that they were from Quang Ngai on the way to Duc Pho.  When flying over the outpost Quan Hong, the enemy shot and caused damage for one helicopter.  The other retaliated to blast on your company position by mistake.

                    - Shoot all of them!...

                    - Captain Quy (S-3) wants to pull them out for a beating but Son Linh (Col. Tran-Kim-Dai, group commander) ordered to turn them over to the MI (Military Intelligence). How is the casualty?

                    - Killed 4, wounded 27 included three officers Lt. Thieu, Cuong, Hanh. Total 31 men. Damaged 14 M-16 and M-79, two PRC-25 radios also more than 30 rucksacks...

                    - That's many!  God! Can't believe it! I and the ambulance are going to your place.  Wait!  Two men in the company's CP Trung and Xa were wounded, Thanh the one carried the internal radio PRC-25 wrapped inside a poncho laid on the ground. Sergeant directed the men carried the dead and wounded to an open space for evacuation. I walked there to say 'good bye' to the wounded men.

                    - Eagle!

        I sat down talked to Trung.

                    - How is the wound? Are you OK?

                    - It seems not serious!  I hope Xa and me would recover soon so we could get back to re-joint the company.

                    - Don't forget to care for the others of our company while you are treated in the hospital.  Especially Lt. Thieu (XO) he is single and his family is far away... from Saigon city.

        Vinh, the M-60 machine gunner laid next to Trung, grimaced from the pain.

                    - If you let me blast the chopter, we don't have this suffer. Eagle!

                    - Yeah! I feel sorry about it! Don't feel bad. Vinh!

        I took out some money from my pocket and put into Trung's hand just before Maj. Thuong and Capt. Quy arrived in a jeep with two ambulance trucks escorted by a squad of rangers on a GMC truck. Major Thuong saw the rangers carried the wounded to the ambulance trucks.  His face paled from anger, he talked to himself.

                    - If I know thing likes this! I would let the rangers to beat the scraps out of those f... king pilots!

        Captain Quy the S-3 officer added.

                    - We turned them over to the MI before knowing this, otherwise 'Ten of Son Linh (group commander)' could not stop me in retaliation to those pilots! Also, probably Van let the men stayed too close to one another!...

                    - Close or thin!  The rockets and machine gun bullets poured down from the sky! I requested to shoot it down but was turned down!  Remember the incident in Huong Dien? My company shot down the chopter! Next time, I will not hesitate...

                    - Forget about it! Regroup your company and continue to move.  Tomorrow or maybe tonight, the other three guys (companies 2nd, 3rd, 4th ) and the headquarters (Bn) would be in Duc Pho.

                    - Major! My company lost the fighting capability, downs to 51 men.  We need more men...

                    - How do I get more men at this moment! Just do whatever you can...

          - ...

        I sat down on the ground looking around the destruction from the helicopter.  I called the four non-commission-officers Thuan, Hon, Nhat and Doi for a conference. Now, I divided the 51 men company into three components 17 men each.  Two platoons commanded by Serg. Thuan and Hon, the company CP and two teams, the commando commanded by Serg. Nhat and the M-60 machine gun team commanded by corporal Doi.  All the armor vests I already sent back to the home base together with extra guns and equipment. I also carried the M-16 riffle and some M-26 hand grenades.

        It was four thirty in the afternoon, I ordered the company moving, the 2nd platoon led the way, the commando team, the CP and the 1st platoon guarded the rear.  The rangers formed a straight line then moved on the lest side of the highway.  Suddenly, four three-wheels cabs full of women traveled from Mo Duc reached the 1st company.  Sergeant Thuan ordered his men to stop that little convoy.  The women and children poured out on the highway then started yelling.

                    - First lieutenant Van! Wives and children of the 1st company are here!

                    - Happy new year rangers!  Let us see...

        I walked toward those ladies and children.

                    - How come you ladies are too quick!  You must turn back now!

                    - It's new year First Lieutenant!  Let me see my husband for a little moment...

        Another lady started crying.

                    - The friendly fires from the airplane! How is my husband? First Lieutenant!

        How did they learn that bad news so quick! I had to find other way to answer.

                    - The company lost five single men.  The others were lightly wounded and treated in the military hospital in Quang Ngai... The company has to move on now.  Also it's getting dark soon and becomes dangerous!  You ladies should go back to Quang Ngai, the wounded are waiting for you ladies.

- God! From the base in Phu Loc to come here... we can't see our husbands!..., Other lady said

- If something happened (killed) to my husband!  We will go to the airport to fight with those air men!

- I wish all of you ladies a happy new year! ... will rendezvous in Phu Loc. Please go back now!

- All right! Good bye! First Lieutenant! And other ladies continued...

- God bye! Mr. Thuan, Hiep, Doi... Say 'Hello' to Hon.

- Good lucks! First company!

        All the wives and children of the rangers got back inside three wheels cabs.  I directed the rangers to move on quickly.  The sun looked like a giant sun flower... It was going to fall behind the mountain range far away on the east.  I walked quickly but my head still thought about those ladies and children.  We had faithful supporters... In 1971, on the returning from the bitter battle in southern of Laos (Lam Son 719), when we arrived at Cam Lo, Quang Tri province, the rangers wives already there with children to wait for their love ones. Some had been in Cam Lo several days earlier to scout news about the rangers... Words could not say about those whose found out that their husbands got killed!... Others were informed that their husbands were wounded and sent back to the military hospital in Da Nang, hundred kilometers away back. Some widows still came back to their husband's old unit for a visit... they cried out when seeing trucks loaded with rangers passing by...

        The Republic of Vietnam Arms Forces in the battle of Sa Huynh included the 1st Ranger group, the 5th and 6th regiments of the 2nd Infantry division, supported by Naval, Air, Cavalry and Artillery.  The ranger group was given the principle spear head when they arrived at the battlefield.  The maroon beret forces spread out in the southern of Duc Pho, used highway 1 as the divider, with the 37th on the west and the 21st on the east.  The two ranger axes marched toward the sea of fire Sa Huynh. Refugees saw the moving of the rangers, hurry to fine shelters in the town of Duc Pho, they sensed the full battle was about to explode.  Two days ago, the communists reacted strongly destroying two companies of the 39th battalion, but the 1st ranger group kept pressing on...

        The NVA 141/2 regiment built their steel defense line which spread out on the top of rocky hills on the foot of the Truong Son (Long Range) mountain cutting to the sea, north of the Salty lake.  The RVN artillery 105mm, 155mm batteries positioned in the area of Duc Pho started the bombardment in supporting the two ranger battalions on the move.  The enemy, again tried to break the counter offensive by firing down on the two ranger columns with AAA 12.8mm guns and AT-3 Sagger missiles.  The battle broke out violently! People of Duc Pho poured out from their houses to the streets to joint the refugees column moving to the north.

        One APC M-113 with 106mm recoilless gun got hit by AT-3 missile exploded with its 106mm shell into small pieces, the fragments flew as far as hundred meters.  The commander of the Cavalry squadron requested the ranger commander to pull back the M-113s near Duc Pho.  Colonel Tran-Kim-Dai ordered the 21st ranger to search and destroy the enemy missiles in the area of hill-25.  In turn, Maj. Thuong directed his companies.

                    - Everyone! At the 1800 direction, the 2nd on the left, 3rd on the right, line up as the front.  The 4th forms one straight line to protect the right flank, and the 1st guard the rear.

        Few minutes later, the two forward rangers companies controlled the batter hamlet near the beach with coconut trees surround.  The enemy reacted lightly then fled. Major Thuong let the battalion stayed and taking positions but the 2nd company commanded by First Lt. Duong Xuan prepared to attack hill-25 which had many large rocks and trees.  The target laid close to the sea, separated from the hamlet by a white sand beach several hundred meters away.

         After the opening round of 105mm shells, Lt. Xuan directed his two platoons moving in for the attack.  The enemy reacted strongly this time with AK-47s, B-40s and East German machine guns.  The 2nd company was stalled. I believed the enemy had about 30-40 men, they dug in behind the large rocks, therefore artillery support was not effected.  They used that hill to confront our forces including Navy battle ship with their AT-3 missiles.  The 2nd company tried again... and again was thrown back. Casualty mounted, Maj. Thuong screaming at Lt. Xuan on the radio PRC-25. Lt. Xuan was looking for another way.

        The enemy was too smart in selecting an advantage location to build their defense.  The width of the white sand beach was too far from the starting point (the hamlet) and there was not a single tree to cover the rangers in moving forward.  We needed to wait until dark.  For the whole afternoon, men in my company had to carried the dead, wounded, rucksacks, weapons of the 2nd company to the highway for picking up... I sneaked into the battalion-group channel trying to get some information. Colonel Tran-Kim-Dai pressed on.

                    - Trung Duong (Maj. Thuong)!  Must think of the other ways!

                    - I plan to stay here. Son Linh (Col. Dai)! I will get another guy (company) for the job! I walked to the battalion's CP for a meeting by the order from Capt. Nguyen-Van-Do, the XO.  All the companies commanders reported, major Thuong said.

                    - The battalion stays (overnight) in this hamlet.  Each company sets up three forward positions, captain Do will tell where to laid those positions.  The 4th company prepares the raiding component for the action at 12:00pm tonight!

        The battalion built the defensive line for the night.  Each soldier dug his own fox-hole, making tent was not allowed.  Everyone waited to see the 4th company in action.

        At midnight, suddenly a flare was shot to the air, signaling the two platoons of the 4th company, the raiders already got close to the target.  Then hand grenades exploded on the northwest slope of hill 25. At the same time, the M-60 machine guns of the 4th company blasted on the other side of the hill to hold down the enemy. The raiding component continued to move upward and destroyed enemy's blocking positions behind the large rocks. Half an hour later, the 4th company reported killed 10, captured 8 AK-47 assault riffles and a machine gun made by East German. The raiding component had only two men wounded.

        In the new year, the 4th company brought 'lucky' for the battalion and Maj. Thuong had his first smile for the new year. Captain Do-Van-Nai the commander of the 4th company was a handsome and a good leader of the 21st ranger battalion. His first test for leadership was the 'Tet' offensive, when he was a newly platoon leader. Captain Nai was also ranked as the best company's XO, he was decorated more medals than anyone. In 1971, Capt. Nai became the company commander of the 4th , 21st ranger battalion. In the operation Lam Son 719, the 4th company led by Capt. Nai landed in the north of the town Tchepone and overran a 300m hill in the west, secured base for the battalion's headquarter. The 4th company continued to move along the road marked DC16 on the Ho-Chi-Minh trail, they destroyed many ammunition storage of the North Vietnamese Army.

        I received a sad new early on the next day... My ex-boss Capt. Quach An, commander of the 2nd company died quietly at the military hospital... On the day he was seriously wounded, the battalion was moving in the area of Ba-Gia, Dong-Ke (AO) in Quang Ngai province. The battalion's headquarters and three companies marched on the rice paddies plateau. The 2nd company led by first lieutenant An climbed up and down on the hills nearby. Then the leading platoon engaged in a gun fight with the enemy, Lt. An ran forward to direct his men and stepped on a mine... Major Thuong ordered my company on the PRC-25.

                    - Viet Quoc! Viet Quoc! Get up there quickly to help An. He is wounded! Quickly! I responded quickly, directed my company turning to the mountain then started climbing. When I reached his commanding post, An was seriously wounded and was heli-lifted to the hospital. All the men of the battalion loved and respected him as a good officer and a great leader... He had many great characteristics.

        Major Hoang-Pho, the hero of the battle of Khe Sanh in 1968 brought his pocket CP to the headquarters of the 21st and directly commanded the two ranger battalions 37th and 21st in the battle of Sa Huynh.  He ordered the 1st and the 2nd companies of the 21st to attack a rocky hill which ran from the highway to the sea.  The 2nd attacked the right and the 1st assaulted the left flank. I called the 2nd company and talked to Lt. Xuan.

- Xich Bich (Lt. Xuan) move to the west, when you reach the highway then turn to the left... It's safer!

- I think so!  Eh!  Viet Quoc! It's our turn...

- Do you see the small hamlet with coconut trees covered in front of you?

- ...!  Yeah!  You mean, I should move in!

- No!  You should move to the right to avoid it! I believe... They are in there!

- OK!  OK!... Out!

        As what I thought! The leading platoon of the 2nd company was pinned down by fires from the hamlet. I directed my company moving to the northwest and held on to a mud dike, facing to the hamlet.  The target located a few hundreds meters from the highway, first lieutenant Xuan directed two platoons to move in for the assault but Maj. Hoang-Pho cut in.

                    - Xich Bich!  Hold on! Stay where you are. Son Linh (Col. Dai) already requested for air support!  Two companies of the 21st ranger battalion hang on to the ground then ... waited!  Fifteen minutes later, a L-20 Bird-Dog observation airplane circled above the target then fired a Willy Pete white smoke rocket on the hamlet. Following the instruction from the L-20 (OV-1) pilot, two RVN Air Forces F-5E Tigers, from the north dive in to release bombs. After the bombardment, the 2nd company moved in to search the target, they reported ten NVA soldiers killed but their weapons were damaged from the bombs.  The two companies continued to march to the rocky hill and again, the NVA retaliated with 61mm, 82mm mortars on both companies.  Major Hoang Pho yelled on the radio.

- Xich Bich! Xich Bich!  Attack immediately!

- We need support from the right!

        Then Lt. Xuan talked to me.

- Viet Quoc!  The hill is too large, they are entrenched up there!  You hit the head near the highway!...

Major Pho cut in.

- OK! Viet Quoc! Open a gate at your place! (another spear head of attacking)

- OK!  It is not wooden or bamboo at this area! Let me find another softer place to drill in. Now I move around to the right flank.

- It's up to you! But hurry up!

        I told Lt. Xuan.

                    - You try to keep them busy!  I have to move around to the west... It takes time!

        My company started to move straight to the highway.  From the binocular, Maj. Pho warned

- Viet Quoc! On the red threat (on the map, the road is in red color), there is a big son (company) of the 37th ! Beware of friendly fires!

- Let them know that I'm coming!

        When we reached the highway, captain Su of the 37th was standing there laughing.

                    - Ah... Yeah! If Van (me) can tackle the target... I salute...

        I got mad... This captain treated Capt. An like sh...!  when An was his XO.

                    - Fu...! What did you say, Mr. Captain?  That's the order which I have to do! If you can get the job done... then what are you doing here!

        I directed Serg. Thuan led his platoon moving south along the west bank of the highway.  After we got out of the AO of the 37th, the company hid inside the thick canopy of the forest. I climbed on a high rock to get a view from the target.  The NVA held a high position and built a solid defense behind the rocks. After the friendly fires, my company was reduced to fifty one men.  If I did as Maj. Pho directed, the enemy would buried men of the 1st company alive. I let my men rested and ate lunch while trying to find a way for the attack. Maj. Pho pushed...

                    - Viet Quoc!  Let me know where you are!

        I dropped the pair of chop sticks.

                    - I'm at (x... y...) looking at the 'head' of the hill.

                    - Very good!  Are you going to swing across?

                    - No! On the right of the highway, there's a rail road covered with plants and trees (during the VN war, the communists cut off the railroad which linked North and South of Vietnam).  The snake (company) would sneak underneath those plants and trees along the rail to the west flank behind them then go ahead with the plan.

                    - It's OK! ... but when would you do it?...

                    - I'll let you know when I'm ready to jump in.  Please tell the 2nd company to open fires on the enemy to keep them busy while we are crawling along the rail.  Also we need artillery fires on the two flanks of my arrow (direction of attacking thrust), 100m away... to keep their reinforcement away from my flanks.

                    - OK!  But be careful  Viet Quoc! ... Out!

        I called the four components leaders (all officers of the company were out of action due to the friendly fires) for an attacking plan.

                    - The 2nd company will attack the northern of the hill, our company is ordered to attack the western flank... but we move to the south and attack from that direction. In that direction, there is trees and bushes which covers our movement...

        According to the plan, men of the 1st company crawled along the rail road to the southern flank of the hill then lined up behind the bushes, facing directly to the southern defensive line of the enemy.  The signal for the attack was three shots of the Colt-45. Everyone opened fires to suppress the enemy, and used hand grenades when got closer to their trenches.  The 2nd platoon lined up on the left, the 1st on the right, the CP followed close behind.  The commando team raided and held the iron bridge, holding their reinforcement from the south. Three M-60 machine guns stayed on the rail road, covered for the attack until the rangers got inside the target.

        The gun fires from the 2nd company on the northern caught the enemy's attention in that direction, we started moving in the bushes to the other flank, the commando team led the way slowly.  The point man reported already saw the bridge but there was a distance without cover to the bridge.  I told Serg. Nhat the leader of the seven men commando team 'When the company assault, send four men to attack the bridge, the other three clear the foot of the bridge and don't let they (enemies) come in from Sa Huynh...'. I remind the two platoon leaders of their duty the last time and directed the M-60 machine guns teams to get ammunition ready.

- Son Linh!  This is Viet Quoc!

- Listening! Viet Quoc!

- Give us an opening of artillery!  When the big gun men finish, we are ready to go!

- OK! Viet Quoc!

        The RVN's 105mm shells exploded on the rocky hill. I shot three shots from my Colt-45 to signal the attack...  Three M-60 machine guns sprayed bullets on the hill.  From the abandoned, bushes covered rail road, the rangers ran forward, firing their M-16 riffles and screaming 'Ranger!... Kill!, Ranger!... Kill!'.  Tens of M-26 grenades exploded in the enemy trenches.  The commando team also raided the bridge successfully... The 1st company got through the outer defensive line quickly.  At that moment, I realized that the company could not pulled back... and the only path for survival was... I directed the company continued to attack toward a large and curvy hill top about two hundred meters southeast so we could built our defense against the retaliation. I called the commando team and the M-60 machine guns teams to re-joint the company then reported to the battalion's headquarters and requested for artillery bombardment on the slopes surrounding.  The 2nd company also controlled a corner in the north.  First Lt. Duong Xuan reported killed many enemy and captured one 61mm mortar, one machine gun and eight AK-47 assault riffles.  Captain Nguyen-Van-Do the battalion XO told Col. Tran-Kim-Dai on the radio PRC-25.

- Xich Bich (Xuan) is a deaf guy, not afraid of the sound of gun fight!

- Very good! Tell him I say 'Good job'!

        Major Hoang Pho was on the line.

                    - Viet Quoc! The boss man said 'Well done'!  Continue to move on as far as you can. I'll bring the 3rd and the 4th and the HQ up there soon.  We're busy down here with medivac and receiving deserters. (in the RVN, deserters was punished by sending to the battlefields as laborers without salary).

        It was late in the afternoon, I had to find a 'good place' for the night defensive.  The company reduced to less than fifty 'gun fighters', in conventional warfare, the communists could swam into our position easily.  There was a small regional outpost, about 300, 400m in the south next to a salt water pond, I told Serg Nhat to send three commandos with a radio PRC-25 there for scouting.  Later, Corporal An reported

- Report to Eagle!  The outpost was abandoned, our flag is still hanging on the roof top...

- Is it enough room for our family (company)?

- Quite enough! There are trenches like outpost 'Quan Hong'.

- OK! Stay there then wait for me!

        I ordered two platoons stretched out facing to the outpost.  It was built square like a cake with sand bags built up for defense.  I got a strange feeling about this special situation, both the defenders (the RF) and the NVA forgot to destroy the outpost before retreating, the RVN flag still flew above... The rangers blasted several rounds of M-60 machine gun and M-79 grenades into the outpost to detect enemy's reaction... but only the silence answered.  I ordered the commando team to storm in first then I followed them got inside the ghost outpost.  I walked around the defensive perimeter then called the battalion's HQ. Captain Do the XO was on the line.

- Dong To (Capt. Do) is listening!

- I'm inside the abandoned RF's outpost...

- Super! Viet Quoc!

- What's super?

                    - We plan for a company to take care of that outpost... Now we don't worry about it anymore! I still did not believe the enemy could be nice to yield us this outpost.  I had to make an immediate decision to save my company.  I called the sergeants for a briefing.

                    - I believe they will attack us tonight if we stay here!... the reality is not that such simple!  We wait until dark the moving out secretly to a small hill, 200m northwest.  Platoon of Serg. Hon holds the west, sergeant Thuan's platoon holds the south, commando team holds the northeast. Two men dig a large foxhole, no tents and no smoking!

        Captain Do called again.

- Don't forget to set up night defensive and listening post locations?

- I don't have enough men for the listening posts!

- You men plan to stay inside (RF's outpost) the whole bunch?

- No! I have another plan... now I report the company will stay overnight at X...Y...

- Viet Quoc wait! Let me look at the map... Not far from the outpost! But why?...

- We don't want to die! I believe they will wrap us up if we stay inside tonight!

- What makes you think that?

- Nothing! I request pre plotting targets for artillery strike, TOT! the outpost is the target!

- OK! When you start to move out... don't forget to let us know! Out!

        When the sun went down, it was getting dark, the rangers already had their quick late meal. I sent three commandos to scout the hill then the company followed.  Two men dig a foxhole quietly in the dark, then laid down with their weapons ready for the deadly night to come.

        Suddenly! The explosions came out from the outpost.  As I predicted! The enemy opened the attack by showered the deserted outpost with mortars then their infantry assaulted with B-40 RPGs and AK-47 riffles. They were getting closer... Hiep, the radio man handed me the hand set. Captain Do was on the line.

                    - Do you need candles (flares)?

                    - No! Don't do that! Tell the artillery to prepare for the TOT... They (NVA) are going in there soon!...

                    - You are at X...Y... Is it correct? Viet Quoc!

                    - Yes! Fire the TOT quickly!  They are going forward... already inside!  TOT quickly!  Quickly!  We lied down on the hill witnessed the RF's outpost under fires from the TOT.  It burned like a red ball with the fires flashed out... a lot more than fire-works.  The enemy's commanders probably thought the ranger company was lost therefore the RVN destroyed the outpost... The TOT bombardment stopped, Maj. Pho called.

                    - Viet Quoc! Viet Quoc!  What's going on there?

                    - I'm checking my children (men). Some shells got too close to our beds (positions)!... We're alright! But artillery should continue to keep them away from us and not letting them to remove their deaths.

                    - OK! Don't forget to search the target early tomorrow morning!  Out!

        At five o'clock next morning, the 1st company moved into the outpost slowly and carefully.  A horrible scene inside the flattened outpost, the enemy deaths were uncountable and uncollectable.  The weapons captured were also broken and burn.  The fleshes scattered everywhere... Col. Tran-Kim-Dai was on the line.

                    - Very good! Viet Quoc... Congratulate!  The battle is still far from the end... Stay there and send men back here to receive supply!

                    - Wait a minute! I can't stay inside here!  It's very stinky from the burned fleshes and bloods!

                    - OK!  Move to the overnight spot! Out! Maj. Pho cut in.

        One platoon walked back with empty rucksacks and M-16s to receive supply which was brought in by APC M-113s.  When they returned, gun fight again broke out in the northeast near the beach. I called the headquarters

- Dong To (Capt. Do)! This is Viet Quoc!

- Listening!

- Who's doing that?

                    - The 3rd and 4th are attacking upward to the top of the hill! Beware! They (NVA) might run to your house!

        Then the loudly noises from the NVA's 12.8mm AAA gun 'pumped' toward the two ranger companies of Capt. Do-Van-Nai and First Lt. Tran-Quang-Giang. The noises sounded familiarly in the battle in southern of Laos. I yelled 'Spread out! Their AAA... Commando team move out to hold the hill toward the sea!

        The two platoons fanned out facing the highest hills in the east, where the NVA's 12.8mm AAA gun located.  Our artillery from Duc Pho was pounding the hill, trying to silence that noisy and dangerous weapon. Major Pho called on the radio.

- Viet Quoc! This is Son Linh! ( group commander was addressed as senior Son Linh)

- Listening!   Son Linh!

- Do you hear the crowing of the 'Big Rooster'?

- Yes!...

- Twist its neck... for me!

- It is far away!

                    - Not that far! Only few hundred meters from you! The senior Son Linh said that only you can break its neck! Come on... Try!

                    - ... OK!... Let me see...

        Gave the hand set back to the radio man, I ran to the position of the commando team, looked toward the hill, trying to locate the 'big rooster'.  I ordered Serg. Hon and his platoon to guard the rear and the rest of the company followed me running to the next hill.  The enemy detected our moving, they turned direction of the 12.8mm gun and blasted out a round.  No-one got hit, we laid down on the ground to avoid another round... I found the location of the 'big rooster'.  It was cover with trees near the hilltop.  Between my position and the foot of that hill, there was a valley with a rice paddy field as large as a soccer field.  The path was tough... for us!

        The AAA gun was mounted on a strategic location, from there the enemy could controlled the landing zone for the RVN forces.  If we could removed it, the 21st ranger battalion would controlled the northern area of the salt water pond to Sa Huynh. I called the components leaders for a plan to capture that 'big rooster', so mister Hoang-Pho could prepare a delicious dish out of it.

                    - How's about that?   Thuan, Nhat, Hon!... Do you men think we could 'pluck' its feathers?

- I think, we need to close in from three directions... Eagle!

                    - All right!  We will do that! Thuan lead the 1st platoon moving to the right, commando team and the CP move around to the left, Hon lead the platoon to attack from here.  On the way to the target, we might run into their blocking positions which protect the gun. U se grenades as we used to... The path of Thuan is farther, you guys should move now...  I reported to Maj. Pho

- Son Linh!  We are ready to go!  Artillery shells on the hill top and the east only... The others are us!

- Very good!  Viet Quoc! Artillery is ready for your request!

        The company's CP started to move down the hill, trying to keep up with the commando team.  The platoon in the right bumped into the enemy blocking position, they were greeted with B-40 RPG and AK-47s.

                    - Thien Nga (1st Co.)!  This is Muoi (Ten or 1st platoon)!

                    - I see them on your back!  Keep moving, get away from them. We reach the foot hill where the 'big rooster' located. Hon's platoon stretches out for crossing the rice paddy field!  We must continue to move on, everyone must be in position to move up hill to get that 'big rooster'!

        The commando team moved behind the rocks avoiding the blast from the 12.8mm gun.  The other platoon also reached the foot of the 'rooster's hill', the rangers covered one another climbed up hill to the target.  Any time the 'big rooster' crowed, they lied down on the ground or hid behind the rocks.  The NVA somehow showered the hill where the rangers started for the attack, they did not know the rangers already got close to their 'big rooster'.  I could not distinct the sounds of AK-47s or our M-16s.

- Thien Nga! Hai Muoi (Twenty or 2nd platoon) got one wounded!...

- Leave him there! Continue to move up!... unless we all want to die!

        There were some rangers of the 2nd platoon still got stuck in the mud of the rice paddy, I directed the commando team to move on, the M-60 machine gun and M-79 blasted down hill to rescue the 2nd platoon.  On the other side, Serg. Thuan platoon suppressed the NVA's blockage then ran toward the enemy's 12.8mm gun location.  The AAA's range was limited from the south, its protecting platoon was quite busy with the assault of the rangers from the 1st platoon, then the commando team reached the target.  The 'big rooster' became the wet cock soaked with rain water, it had stopped the crowing because the its team already panic with the protecting platoon was falling into pieces.  Meanwhile, with the support from M-60 machine gun team and M-72 grenade launchers, the 2nd platoon got through the blockage.

- Thien Nga!  Thien Nga!

- Go ahead!  Dung (the radio man of the 2nd platoon)

- We got all three, capture one B-40 and two Aks (NVA's blockage normally had one B-40 and two Aks)

- Very Good!  Hang on behind those large rock! They are still scattered on this hill!

        The 1st platoon called.

- They still blast us from the other peak! Eagle!

- I request for artillery to knock them out.

        Our 105mm started shelling on the other peak, I urged the commando team to move in to get the 'big rooster', the other platoons encircled the target for the commando team to do the job.  The battle ended quickly with seven men from the commando team. Corporal Doi reported in a happily voice.

                    - Eagle! Eagle!  We got the 'big rooster'.

        All four NVA AAA 12.8mm team members died around the big gun.  The gun had a long barrel, its legs spread out still higher than a man. I reported to the battalion headquarters.

- Son Linh!  This is Viet Quoc!

- Go ahead!  Viet Quoc!

- We already twist the 'big rooster's neck'!

        Major Hoang-Pho got excited.

                    - Very good!  Excellence! Viet Quoc!

        Colonel Tran- Kim-Dai said

- Congratulation!... Tie it up!

- We did! My children is digging to pull its legs out!

        After pull the AAA gun out, I put a new reel of bullet on the gun then turn the nozzle to the other slope and pulled the trigger.  Everyone in my company happy and laughing from the shriek of the AAA. Captain Nguyen-Van-Do the XO of the battalion was on the other PRC-25.

- Whose sounds is that?  Viet Quoc!

- We just tickle the 'Big rooster'!

- Oh! Man. I though they have another one... That's enough! OK!

        Even the XO did not like it... I still blasted several hundred bullets on the southern hill top to clear the overnight location for my company, and... continued along the salt water pond, wherever I suspected the hidden enemy.  My soldiers loved it, laughed... troops of the NVA 141st regiment probably ran for cover from their 'big rooster'... They gave us a black eye, we had to give 'em a broken nose in return. I ordered my men to tie up the 'big rooster' and other captured equipment then started moving to the designate overnight location.

        The company was reduced to less than half, after two days of fighting... now did not have enough water for drinking and had to carry the AAA 12.8mm gun with more than ten big canisters of bullets and two wounded comrades.  We were exhausted... men of the 1st company were slow down on the move.  Victory seemed not very different from defeated, I also carried a full rucksack to take off some of the heavy burden from my men... the rangers were worn out from the hardship and battle.

        The 3rd, 4th companies and the battalion's HQ already moved into the hill where we just left.  Men from the 2nd led some desert men to our location to get the 'big rooster'.  On the western, the 37th rangers and the 5th infantry regiment started moving south following the trail of the 'Audacious heroes' of the 1st company 21st ranger battalion.

        Today, there was a happy new... Major Quach Thuong has returned to the battalion after four days leave for the funeral of his brother Capt. Quach An.  Captain An the former commander of the 2nd company died on the 15th of February 1973, the 7th day of the lunar new year 'Year of the Buffaloes'. Major Thuong called.

- Viet Quoc! Viet Quoc!  This is Trung Duong!

- Good morning Trung Duong!  I was so happy to hear a familiar voice.

                    - Congratulation Viet Quoc!... Excellent!  We still have job to do! Tonight, the 2nd will raid the village at the beach. You prepare to see Xich Bich (First Lt. Xuan) and Lt. Phu who led the desert men carrying water for your family (company) then let them carry the AAA gun back to the battalion's HQ...

                    - Yes Sir!... They are here!... Out!

        First Lt. Xuan rose his hand to salute me and said.

- Congratulation! Great victory!... My family (company) spread out facing to the sea. OK?

- OK!  You get a job tonight! But... sit down for a talk...

        Suddenly! One ranger cried out!

- Eagle!  Eagle!  The enemy!...

- Where...!  I jumped up on my feet immediately!

        At the same time, the rangers ran toward the edge of the hill looking down the salt water pond.

- They are down there, beneath our location!

- Fire! F...ck!  Open fire quickly!

        The rangers fired their M-16 riffles, I ran to another location and looked down.  The NVA troops were running on the sandy opening of the pond. I screamed loudly...

                    - Blast the M-60 and throw hand grenades down there... Quickly!

        The M-60 machine gunner, Corp. Doi put the nozzle of his gun down and cut down those enemy at the human column. The M-26 grenades exploded killed the others running behind... In a moment, human bodies scattered on the sandy field, the remaining NVA troops rose their hands above their head to surrender but it was late... the M-16s still released smokes.  I said to Lt. Xuan.

- Your men provide cover us to 'dismount' for searching the hell down there!

- OK!... OK!

        The 1st platoon moved down... then Serg. Thuan reported.

                    - Eagle!  Twenty seven of them killed! We got 24 weapons included AKs, B-40 RPG, one K-59 (hand gun)... There is a big tunnel down here...!

                    - No! It is dark!  Gather the captured weapons and get back... It's dangerous!...

        Major Thuong called.

- What is going on?  How is the gunfight?

- They try to run away at the foot hill.  We cut down 27 and got 24 guns...

- Is that easy! ... Good job!  Viet Quoc!  Out!

        Sergeant Thuan described the tunnel... It was dug into the foot hill, there was a wooden sofa, a table and a telephone in there. It was safe under artillery or aerial bombardment... I guessed the tunnel housed the headquarters of the NVA 141st regiment... Those ran out and got killed were probably the 'big men' of the enemy unit.  They were still hiding somewhere around this area. I reported to the headquarters.

                    - Trung Duong! Send some men to my place to bring back the captured weapon... They are still in this area and I'm afraid they might get back what they lost!

                    - OK!  Beware of friendly fires!

        Afraid of the retaliation. I ordered my men to be on alert, everyone slept with their boots on and with the M-16s.  After the late meal, we had to prepare to support the 2nd company for the night raid. I walked to the edge of the hill looking down to the village... Twenty seven corpses lied down there, the water rose tonight would carried the corpses to the pond for water burial.  The RVN artillery started their disturbing bombardment, men of the 2nd company were ready to 'dismount'... Then under the moon light, I saw many back shadows moving below... The binocular was damaged, I called Hiep, the radio man to look down... or I did not see well.  Yes! More than ten boats floated on the surface of the salt water pond, each carried about twenty NVA troops.  The enemy retreated from the ferocious spear head attacks from the rangers... I was about to 'water bury' them.

- Trung Duong! Trung Duong!

- Listening! Viet Quoc!

                    - The VC is transporting by boat in the salt water lake. Request for artillery bombardment at once... The coordinate is at X... Y...

                    - How many are they?

                    - About ten boats carry more than two hundred men.  They are on the move... use high altitude explosion shells!

        Wham! ... Wham! ... Wham!  The RVN 105mm shells exploded on the lake, caused columns of water rose up on the surface. I yelled on the radio PRC-25.

- Why didn't they (artillery) use the high altitude explosion heads?

- That! We (RVN) don't have enough! ... have to do with what we got!

- OK! Then give some more... and stretch the range out to the highway!

        The artillery bombardment stopped, Maj. Thuong checked back right away.

- What is the result?  Viet Quoc!

- The water returns back to normal... Like in the fall...

- Are you a poet? Viet Quoc!  Tomorrow morning, Do you men dive to get their weapons?

- Yes!... A great treasure is down there at the bottom.

                    - OK! Now the Twenty (2nd company) should be ready to 'dismount'! (for the night raid)  The gun fight broke out at the village below.  The enemy got angry, they blasted their AKs and B-40 up the hill. The 2nd company encountered strong reaction at the edge of the village.  Lt. Xuan reported.

- Trung Duong!  This is Xich Bich (Xuan)!

- Listening!

- My two men got stuck at the village!  Need to light a candle (flare)!

- Why did you pull back and let the two men got stuck in there?

- They hang on in there, hide under foxholes and trenches... Trung Duong!

- F...k! S hould they stand up for you men to shoot!

I got into the channel of the 2nd and told Lt. Xuan

                    - Xich Bich!  I believe they have a platoon size in there. Those guys try to block our advancing for the others in the south of the village to retreat across the lake...

                    - It is dark down here, we can't see! ... a lot of fox holes and trenches... already lost two (rangers) and still there (bodies were not recovered yet). Y ou help me to push another spear head from the right...

                    - What? You try to work on me again?... Let me check with Trung Duong.

        I called back to the battalion headquarters.  Major Thuong was still on the line.

                    - Trung Duong!  Xich Bich asks for help... but my men need to get some sleep. We will help tomorrow morning.

                    - F...k!  Do you men understand that Son Linh (Col. Dai, the group commander) was pushing behind me?

                    - Let him push... That is too much!  I will go tomorrow morning (attack).

                    - I don't care what you two men (company commanders) do!  You men must get it over before sunrise, so the HQ and the 3rd and 4th companies pass through and move on deeper.

        I told Lt. Xuan on the radio.

                    - Those guys (VC) don't know that their big men in the 141st regiment headquarters was killed so they continued to hang on, and also for the others in the south of the village could pull out. Let them find out the 'bad news'.  We will attack early tomorrow morning.  Now you should get some sleep too!  The sunrise came so soon, I ordered everyone in my company to get ready then called Lt. Xuan.

                    - Are you ready to get down there?  I press on the flank from the salt water lake, then both of us arrow south.

                    - OK! I let one platoon stay on this hill for support and medivac. I'm ready to 'dismount'... I directed the commando team to move in and held the tunnel to guard the back of the company.  Men the platoon commanded by Serg. Hon and the company's CP aimed their guns toward the edge of the village, ready to cover for Serg. Thuan's platoon moving pass by the commando team.  The rangers closed in the village quietly like phantoms.   I informed the 2nd company.

                    - One of my men (platoon) reaches the dock (the edge of the lake) but it is still too dark for the attack... Still positioning there.

                    - My men also reach the edge of the village.  It seems like their defensive line is thinner.  Am I correct?

                    - Maybe! Tell your men not to open fires early, and be careful when open fires... might hit us...

        Suddenly, the NVA opened fires with Aks and B-40s.  Lt. Xuan had no choice but ordered his men to go forward for the attack. I directed the 1st platoon to attack those houses along the lake by grenades.  Before the 1st platoon commanded by Serg. Thuan could jump in, the rangers were pinned down by enemy machine gun. Our M-60 machine gun returned fires immediately... In the dark of the night, tracers looked like laser beam scanning from left to right, back and forth. I screamed on the radio PRC-25.

                    - First platoon pulls back from the edge of the lake, concentrating fire-power on the right for the 2nd (platoon) hit the left!

        Sergeant Hon led his platoon moving down.  I followed to the entrance of the tunnel.  The dead enemies scattered everywhere... I stepped on those dead corpses, Hiep the radio man turned the flash light on... the tunnel was large and looked like the gate to hell... Lt. Xuan screamed.

- Your men shoot mine from the back... Tell them to stop immediately!

- What? Your men and my men... Xich Bich!

- F...k! Your men drill on my men's side!

- That's strange! OK! I tell them to stop right away!

I called my 2nd platoon.

- Twenty! Twenty (2nd platoon)!

- Listening! Eagle!

                    - Don't fire on the eastern, you might hit the 'Big Twenty' (2nd company).  Did you men get into the houses next to the lake?

                    - Yes! Eagle!

                    - OK!  Now the Ten (1st platoon)!  Get into those houses at the edge of the village quick, otherwise they (VC) will blast on you men from the south.

                    - Will do!

        I directed my men to hold on to those occupied houses and searched for enemy's weapons.  The sun rose above the sea liked a big ball of fire, the battle also calmed down, only scattered returning fires and those burning houses.  Major Thuong was on the line early.

- Ten, Twenty!  This is Trung Duong!

- Viet Quoc's listening!

- Xich Bich's listening!  (Lt. Xuan 2nd company)

- How do you men do?  Let me know the resault!

        Xuan reported first.

                    - We control half of the village.  Kill seven, capture four Aks, one B-40. We got killed two and wounded one.

- How's Viet Quoc?

- We're all right! Capture two Aks.

        Major Thuong was not satisfied with those numbers.

                    - OK! Now listen! The First (company) stay there to secure the area.  The 3rd and 4th and the HQ will move in. Xich Bich leave your captured weapons with the First then the company (2nd) continue to move south about one kilometer.  Search for enemy trail along the way and beware of ambushing. Out!  The 2nd company left their dead, wounded and captured weapons with us then started moving south.  The RVN artillery continued their bombardment on hill 94 (altitude).  I put a guarding squad at the edge of the village, the rest spread out searching house to house for secret tunnels.  I ordered my men not to take or break properties of the peasants except coconuts... Suddenly, there're cursing from somewhere then Serg. Thuan led a prisoner with hands tied up on his back to me.  The POW's face was swollen and taint with blood. Thuan said.

- Sir! This guy hid in a tunnel without weapon.  We beat him up he still doesn't tell!

I put my hand on the Colt-45... The POW trembled and begged for his life.

- Please give me my life! I am a supply porter, not an infantry man...

        This POW did not look like the others whom we captured before. He looked like a student than a soldier and seemed hungry.  I felt pity for him.

- What's your name and how old you are?

The POW felt his life was saved... He cried out!

- M...y name is Nguyen-Thanh-Cong, 22 years old, home town Ha-Noi...

- Where did you hide your gun?

                    - Left on the other bank of the lake.  I served in the supply porting company... The others in my company ran away, I was wounded and hid in the tunnel for two days.

        I directed the troop to untie, then bandaged the wound on the arm of the POW Nguyen-Thanh-Cong. I told him as an order.

                    - Do not run!  When the fight broke out, put your hands over your head then sit down still, otherwise they shoot...

- Yes, Sir!  Thank you! I sit here!

Sergeant Nhat leader of the commando team came with a big smile.

- Sir! We picked up 100,000 piastres (Vietnamese current worth about 200 dollars)...!

- Where?

- In a killed NVA's rucksack with some document of his unit.

                    - OK! Split the money equally to everyone.  Tell Vinh to prepare meal also for the POW Cong and do not let anyone hit him anymore.

        The 3rd company led by First Lt. Tran-Quang-Giang and the battalion headquarters came down from the hill like earth quake through the little village. They took very light casualty from the beginning of the battle... The 3rd company stormed through quickly... they probably wanted to bump us out of their way. Lieutenant Giang with a map in his hand, waving to me 'Eh! Good morning the AAA hero'.  Major Thuong also arrived, he said.

- Colonel Dai said proudly about you.

- Major! Go with me to take a look at the tunnel of the 141st regiment's HQ.

        - No! I don't want to see those dead stinky corpses!  Your company will receive supply this morning, with ammo, foods and twenty men as replacement.  Asking people (peasants) for transportation by boat to the highway.  The road is secured, infantry men (5th or 6th regiment) were crowded in there.  After giving me the order, Maj. Thuong continued to march with the 4th company of Capt. Do-Van-Nai. I directed my men to look for boats and the 'gondoliers'.  Everyone seemed regain the strength... and happiness. Sergeant Hon led the five rangers on five boats to the rendezvous location on the other bank of the lake for receiving supply, they also took with them the two dead and one wounded rangers of the 2nd company.  Sergeant Thuan found some civilians for digging tomb, burying those twenty seven dead NVA troops.  Some of the corpses were not completed, I asked the people and my men to look for their missing body's parts.  'I, represent the 1st company of the 21st rangers wished all of you 'rest in peace'.  We are all soldiers and... Vietnamese. This... would ease our different and... hate!'.

        I received a good new that made me happy.  Lieutenant Thieu the company XO and two rangers Trung, Xa returned to the company.  Those men were wounded from the friendly fires from the beginning of the battle of Sa Huynh.  They tore the leaves into pieces (normally, a wounded RVN soldier would have one month leave for regain his strength)... They chose to 'Do and Die' with the company.  At least, there was one more officer in my company.  They replacement rangers lined up for reporting... Lt.Thieu and Serg. Dung saluted me. I shook hand with the men then asked Thieu.

- Why don't you go home with your family?  It's not easy to have a month leave!

- I understood the company's situation!... This is what I want.

- How's about sergeant Dung?

- So do I, First Lieutenant!

- Thank you... to all of you men.

        It was getting dark, the 1st company left the little desolated village, moving south.  The company man power increased to seventy, we moved cautiously even other companies were in front of us... Sound of the M-16 riffles destroyed the quiet of the late afternoon.  Automatically, the rangers spread out to take positions. Sergeant Thuan reported on the radio.

- Eagle!  We just cut down two guys!

- Any weapons?

- Not knowing yet!  Their bodies laid at the bank of the pond!

- Send a squad to 100m ahead as security then search the area.

        Moment later, Thuan reported.

                    - Got two AKs.  Eagle!

        Hiep the radio men reported that Maj. Thuong inquired about the gun fight and said that the enemy is trying to escape and we must beware of sudden encounter. The company continued to march, Serg. Thuan reported.

                    - We reach a cemetery.  Eagle!

                    - Spread out to hold the west. Sergeant Hon's platoon links up to the north.  The commando team and the CP spread out to the east.  Quickly!  (we built the night defensive location).

        When I woke up on the next morning, the ranger company was inside a cemetery, the men were making coffee for the morning and meal for lunch (so they can eat on the move).  I looked to the south, the hill 94 rose above the rest, and sandy beach curved around the foot of the hill, the water was so clear and blue, the sky was also blue with some white clouds... My country was so beautiful. I rested my back on a tomb sipping coffee. The sound of gunfight from other company broke out, then Maj. Thuong called.

- Viet Quoc!  Do you see the small hill which stands alone on the lake?

- Is it on the west of the hill 94?

                    - Correct!  The NVA are running toward that direction!  Move your company across the field to block their escape route.  Do it quickly or they could be gone!

- Let me go around to the north of the 94 (hill 94) then come down... It'd be easier for us...

- OK!  Quickly!

        I directed my men moving quickly.  Twenty minutes later, the target was clearly visible in front of us.  The company formed the T formation with two platoons at the front, the commando team and the CP followed on a single line, everyone were in combat ready.  The enemy opened fires first with AKs and B-40 RPG got two rangers.  I believed the remaining NVA troops had about half of a company, they have just escaped from the main thrust to this area and did not have time to build their defense yet.

        I ordered the two platoons moving around to the two flanks and to the other end to cut off the escape route then pushed the commando team in for the frontal assault.  The rangers were directed to use maximum fire power (we have just received ammo and supply) and the M-26 hand grenades.  The commando team with three new members charged forward as they used to do.  The intimidation screaming of the rangers 'Ranger!... Kill..., Ranger ... Kill' could had been heard along with the sound of gun fight and explosions.  Major Thuong called.

- You make contact?  Viet Quoc!

- Yes Trung Duong!  They have a number and got here before us.

- Do you need gun-ship (helicopter UH-1B modified)?

- Yes!  If available, but on the surrounding.  We are very close to the guys (NVA) inside!

Sergeant Nhat leader of the commando team reported.

- They disappear! I send Xuan (a commando) down a tunnel for searching.

        When Nhat finished... Xuan already pulled a POW out from the tunnel with two hands above the head. Xuan said to his sergeant.

                    - This guy pretended death, lying between two dead comrades. Hold him! Let me go down to get two AKs and a East German machine gun.

- Very good.  Xuan!

- Still more to come. Eagle!

Sergeant Thuan reported on the radio PRC-25.

- There're tunnel here! We throw grenades down... They throw up!

- Then, What?  I got mad from the report.

- We get two wounded ... light!

- F...k!  Light or serious!  Throw a smoke down first so they can't see...!

- I understand.  Eagle!

        The 2nd platoon reported grabbing two more POW, they were about 16, 17 years old.  I ordered not to kill them. Suddenly!  Thuan's platoon opened fires down the northern slope of the hill, the M-60 machine gun supported also pumped bullets down hill.

                    - They died many here!  Eagle!  Also many weapons lays on the ground.

        Two gun ships circled above and fired rockets on the northern slope.  Afraid of the incident, I called the battalion headquarters.

                    - Trung Duong!  Do you let the gun ships know my location? If they have anything suspicious... we bring them down first!  We are doing well here... Tell them better 'F...k off'.

        I told Lt. Thieu to get the men (M-60 machine guns and M-72 rocket launchers) to prepare to deal with the gun ships pilots.  The sound of the battle field kept going on, I directed my two platoons.

                    - Ten, Twenty!  They are still returning fires on the other ridge.  Don't stretch out too far apart.

                    - Ten reports!  kill twenty, capture five and fifteen weapons.

                    - Good!  How's Twenty doing?

                    - Not count yet! About 10 killed, three captured with ten weapons.

        Lt. Thieu ran back and forth directing the evacuation of our casualty and collecting weapons with POWs. Major Thuong checked.

                    - What's going on?  Viet Quoc!

                    - Oh! They run like ducks... We can't shoot all of them!

                    - The result?

                    - Not clearly!  At least, kill forty (bodies counted), capture ten and thirty five weapons included one East German machine gun.

                    - Big accomplishment!  Why didn't you report?

                    - Still going on... We don't have enough string to tie the POWs.  Maybe we should shoot their legs so they can't run anymore!

                    - Eh! Eh!  Don't do that! Son Linh (Col. Dai the group cmdr.) don't allow...!  He got mad! The chopter will get there to bring the POWs out soon.  You must have ten POWs with legs and arms!  Out!

        The enemy reacted weaker and weaker, they ran to the other foot of the hill near the salt water lake.  They did not have any other choices... The fish started moving into the trap, I would have taken care of those later.  One ranger brought me a bag of documents.  There were some note books which stored names, weapons and the name of the NVA unit.  The owner of the bag had the name Huynh-Van-Cao.

        The 1st ranger company closed in for the final chapter.  The place where the enemy pulled back was covered with bushes and large trees.  This NVA last stand also had under ground tunnels and foxholes.  I thought 'You guys had to come out... No alternative!' then told the rangers to 'pump' some M-79s and some rounds of M-60 into the bushes to measure the enemy's reaction.  Suddenly!  One NVA troop ran out with hands on his head to surrender.  Afraid for his life, I yelled 'Hold your fires!  Hold your fires' but the enemy felt before I finished. I thought the man who shot him was Lien of the 1st platoon. Angrily, I rose my Colt-45 and ran toward Lien with intention to hit Lien with the but of the hand gun. Sergeant Thuan spoke out loudly.

                    - Not Lien. Eagle!  His comrade kills him!...

        It was true, the second NVA soldier came out was also shot from the back by his commander.  I told Lt. Thieu to bring the POW Cong to the mouth of the tunnel.

                    - I am Nguyen-Thanh-Cong, anti aircraft unit.  You comrades should surrender!...

        A blast of AK came out of the tunnel to answer the POW comrade.  I let Cong returned to the POW area and let Serg.  Thuan told them that we gave them 10 minutes to come out and surrender.  The time went by... I gave order to blow out the tunnel with M-72 rocket.  After the explosion, smoke and dust still hang in the air, four NVA troops ran out, again two got killed immediately by their comrades, the other two ran toward the rangers. Sergeant Thuan grabbed one on the collar.

- Why do you men wait until this moment?

- We a...re afraid of the of...ficer!... He will sh...oot us... The POWs were scared to death!

- How many men are still down there?

- A...bout ten... men... S...ir!

        Alright!  They wanted to fight until death... so do the rangers.  I had to find another way!  It was a huge underground tunnel, the enemy must have another secret way to get in and out.  I sent three best rangers from the commando team to search around a radius few hundreds meters, the rest seven men of the team waited and ready to jump in or to hold their attention at this end for the three commandos to raid from the other end.  The 2nd platoon covered the area and ready to support the commando team.

        The enemy reacted courageously for the last time.  They suddenly poured out of the tunnel firing their AK-47 assault riffles.  The rangers positioned out side opened fires cutting them down easily then I screamed out for the commando team to jump inside the tunnel... to get 'the massacre' over. The 2nd platoon also closed in to seal the enemy's fate and... It was the last score of the 1st company of the 21st ranger battalion. Son of the three commandos reported.

                    - They died inside nine, outside surrounding eight, captured two, fifteen Aks, B-40s and one East German machine gun...

                    - Very good. Son!

        Major Thuong was so please with my report.

                    - Great! Great victory!  Viet Quoc move your family (company) to the high ground and hang in there!

        The 1st company moved back to the top of the hill where the battle began.  I ordered to burn the elephan grass around the company defensive position.  Again, the lucks came to us, nine NVA troops hid in the tall elephan grass were burn by fire.  They had to ran out of their hiding place. The rangers opened fires killed five and captured seven more AKs.

        Lieutenant Thieu reported on that destiny day, we killed seventy enemies, captured nineteen POWs, sixty four weapons which included two machine guns, sixteen B-40, B-41 RPGs, forty six Aks. The two hand guns K-54, I gave Trung Duong and Dong To (battalion's CO and XO).

        The battle of Sa Huynh was regarded as one of the greatest victory of the RVN in the early of 1973 after the Paris cease fire agreement.  However, the First Ranger Group lost a battle... As the attached unit to the 2nd Infantry division, the victory was claimed as of the Infantry division.  The radio station in Quang Ngai province, under the direction of the division commander broadcast on the news that the heroes of the 2nd Infantry division scored the victory.  (In the RVN the provincial chief was placed under the command of the divisional commander).  Most weapons captured were displayed for the press carried the tag 'Captured by the 5th or the 6th Infantry' even 80% of those weapons were captured by the rangers.  The 'Audacious Heroes' of the 1st company 21st ranger did not receive the credit which they deserved.  The commander Lt. Tran-Thy-Van was not promoted to a captain, and the following year he lost his both legs (03/74) in the area of Ba Gia also in Quang Ngai province.

Dallas, 11/15/1997

Condensed and translated by

Hieu D. Vu