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Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Jul 2005
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One thing I want to make sure the guys here kow is that the Battle for Hill 474 lasted for 20 days and cost us pretty hard. At that time the 3/506th had 550+ line Grunts and the battle killed or wounded over 100. The 8th and 9th battalions of the NVA 22d Regiment were annihilated.The 7th (so I wuz told) got hit by an Arc Light and evaporated in the An Lao Valley. About 10 days after the incident that Woody attended, my entire company was surrounded for a day,a night and a day. This time however we not only expected it,we were ready for it. That one cost the NVA dearly while we got away with only a few minor wounds. I really wanted for guys here to get a birdseye of just how intense and savage a brawl these hill battles were and just how stone hard US Soldiers really were in the face of an enemy that was of such very high quality as fighting men. With the Regiment we faced,it was a no quarter given,no quarter asked affair. Wrap your minds around that. Absolutely nothing the outside world thought,said or believed made any difference to us. It was just us and the NVA. Grunt against Grunt. To this day, if any Man from the 3/506th at the battle showed at my door, he has a meal and a bed to slepp in. TO THIS DAY,IF AN NVA SURVIVOR of the battle showde at my door,HE WOULD GET THE VERY SAME TREATMENT!!! Do you guys understand that??? I never served in any branch of the US AFs, but in spirit, I absolutely 100% understand. I am NOT in any way equating bad-blood borne, petty inner city street rivalries that often morphed into violent brawls with retribution to armed conflict on behalf of one's nation, but the guttural respect for your enemy I understand. I'm not talking about slapfights, but confrontations where combatants at times could very well be fighting for their lives. While they often couldn't agree on the color of the sky, warriors respect warriors. I have read about this very thing in memoirs from feudal Japan to modern day conflict. I guess though, that sometimes a line is drawn. I couldn't bring myself to have a shred of respect for, say, a terrorist perpetrating an act like those we all witnessed on 9/11. Even though some might argue that even those vermin were 'fighting' for a cause, it had nothing to do with honor, and warriors. Feel free to holler at me, at any time, brother. I've enjoyed our little late night talks. You have the digits. Thank you for sharing some of your demons, and indeed, some of your soul.
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 19,269
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 19,269 |
I found the tpo map of Hill 474,but I am having a Helluva time downloading it ![[Linked Image]](http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/EvilTwinMar/hill474-1.jpg) Note that the location of the fight where Woody backed us up and where Speedy Gonzales was killed has been noted.
Last edited by EvilTwin; 03/12/11.
Be afraid,be VERY VERY afraid ad triarios redisse My Buddy eh76 speaks authentic Frontier Gibberish! ![[Linked Image]](http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y222/EvilTwinMar/Sabretooth-1.jpg)
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,896
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,896 |
Wow,the ole grid maps.. always was one of the best ways to navigate to the fight!! GREAT haven't seen one like that in lets say....uh 41 years !!! 
You better be afraid of a ghost!!
"Woody you were baptized in prop wash"..crossfireoops
Woody
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Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
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Very moving. Makes me proud to be an American.
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61,130
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2004
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Joined: Nov 2004
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Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 19,269 |
No, if you look close that is in NORTH Vietnam
Be afraid,be VERY VERY afraid ad triarios redisse My Buddy eh76 speaks authentic Frontier Gibberish!
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 11,654
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 11,654 |
cl, the thought of such a contact leaves me shaking. However, I would not have made the post if I wasn't ready to address them. Odd isn't it? We fought our way in to get him,then fought our way out with him,Ak's,M-16's and frags going off all around and we did it without hesitation or even noticeable fear, but the thought of addressing one of Speedy's family members after 41 years leaves me shaking in my boots. I've read this thread three times and each time it leaves a lump in my throat. Not being eyeball to eyeball, it's hard to express the gratitude and admiration I have for men that do such things. If you have a mind to do it, tell the family that all of us share in their sacrifice and that a nation is eternally thankful.
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Joined: Apr 2004
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Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61,130 |
No, if you look close that is in NORTH Vietnam How do you spell the name of the valley we've discussed? I guessed, and obviously guessed wrong.
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 19,269
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 19,269 |
I just learned something that I never knew when I was there. A guy from "B" Company who was KIA in a really savage battle in Cambodia in May of 1970 looks like he is going to get the Medal of Honor 41 years after.
Be afraid,be VERY VERY afraid ad triarios redisse My Buddy eh76 speaks authentic Frontier Gibberish!
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 19,269
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 19,269 |
Sui Ca or Suoi Ca. I have a bit to do so I'll check later for a better location.
Be afraid,be VERY VERY afraid ad triarios redisse My Buddy eh76 speaks authentic Frontier Gibberish!
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Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 16,718
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Oct 2009
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No, if you look close that is in NORTH Vietnam
Lieutenants, and grid maps - some things never change. > grin<
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Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61,130
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 61,130 |
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,896
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
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Posts: 10,896 |
I wish Rocky would jump in on this one,he might just know where we're talking about..
You better be afraid of a ghost!!
"Woody you were baptized in prop wash"..crossfireoops
Woody
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,896
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,896 |
Way to go Sean!!
You better be afraid of a ghost!!
"Woody you were baptized in prop wash"..crossfireoops
Woody
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 19,269
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 19,269 |
That's it. Another very nasty place
Be afraid,be VERY VERY afraid ad triarios redisse My Buddy eh76 speaks authentic Frontier Gibberish!
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,896
Campfire Outfitter
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Campfire Outfitter
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 10,896 |
That's it. Another very nasty place On my scale of "nasty" most of the friggin place was a resounding 10 !!!
You better be afraid of a ghost!!
"Woody you were baptized in prop wash"..crossfireoops
Woody
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Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 3,275
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: Feb 2009
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I just read this today. Not sure how I missed it. Damn glad I read the whole deal. Whew! Hats off to both you fellas. Glad to see you here at the 'Fire you two. GOD BLESS.
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,148 Likes: 5
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 17,148 Likes: 5 |
Just made aware of this thread by elk76. To you gents involved in that incident 41 years ago and to all the others alive who went and those fallen in 'Nam, my salute. Many, many thanks.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21,810
Campfire Ranger
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Campfire Ranger
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 21,810 |
Excellent pot - thank you for the service. Vietnam vets never received the praise they deserved.
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Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 19,269
Campfire Ranger
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OP
Campfire Ranger
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 19,269 |
Be afraid,be VERY VERY afraid ad triarios redisse My Buddy eh76 speaks authentic Frontier Gibberish!
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