Early in the morning, Major Hinkle, S-3, and I flew to the Marine Corps CP. I can remember the sun was just coming up and it was a beautiful morning as the sun shown across the South China Sea. As normal for that area, it was hot and humid. Once aboard the carrier we were briefed, and established boundaries and no-fire lines in the event our units might run into each other or the enemy. I was not concerned and felt very confident that our Battalion could handle anything in our area of operation. The Marine units were just to the North of us and could reinforce our Battalion if necessary. Little did I know that the Marines were not prepared to do so. Upon completion of the briefing and coordination, Major Hinkle and I returned to Tuy Hoa base and went our separate ways. He to Battalion TOC and I to the Company. C Company was lined up on the PZ as we arrived, therefore there was plenty of time to prepare A Company for its deployment. Everything was checked and I felt very confident that all would go well. All leaders went over procedures on how we would handle a "hot LZ." However, we did not expect that because we were to land on the highest piece of terrain around. We did discuss routes of march to the North and objectives to be achieved by each Platoon. There was concern about the dust kicked up by approaching helicopters on the sandy PZ and how we would protect our weapons from this problem. Each Platoon leader had his own solution, therefore, I left it up to them to make that decisionThe lead Platoon though, was to ensure no weapon would malfunction because of dust, therefore their weapons were covered in plastic bags until airborne. This was never really a problem during my two+ tours in VN. Those GI s would find a way to make their weapons work and the officers and NCOs continually checked their men and equipment to avoid this problem.

At approximately 1200 hours A Company lifted off for our assault LZ. The flight was uneventful and the artillery prep was on target; the gun ships made gun runs; and the door gunners on each ship put down fire suppression. The LZ was cold, however, all the fire support set the dry grass on fire and that added to the heat of the day. Once all Platoons were on the ground, combat formations were established and we moved quickly off the burning LZ. LTC Wasco, Battalion Commander, and Major Hinkle were with the Company but not with my command group. The heat was tremendous and we lost several men to this element, however, no one was medevaced. The individuals were doused with water from a stream and sent on their way. Throughout the afternoon, the Company moved to the North clearing the area. There was no contact with the enemy forces during this time. Also, I did not want to move too fast due to the heat and a sixth sense everything seemed to be too easy. There were reports from our Platoon leaders of fire fights to the West where C Company had landed. Later the Battalion CO and S-3 left our unit to check on C Company. The more we monitored the communication between Battalion and C Company, the more concerned we became.

Our unit moved through some isolated villages and came across a school in Dinh-Phong (coordinates 020698) <No. 2 on map>. In one of the classrooms there was a blackboard with drawings on it, and it seemed to be being used to plan defensive actions for the enemy. Evidently our operation had not been anticipated and everyone had left in a hurry and the blackboard was not erased. At the time it meant nothing, but looking back, the drawings were of a village and how it would be defended (possibly Trung-Luong). With the continuing fire fights to the West in C Company's AO, and no break in contact, a piece of high ground picked and a perimeter defense was established. All Platoon leaders were ordered to the Company CP. We had been monitoring Battalion transmissions with C Company for some time and knew this was a determined resistance against them. Based upon this information only two ambushes, in Platoon size units, would be sent out that evening after dark. Our three units, the two ambush platoons and the Company CP with weapons platoon and a rifle platoon would be mutually supporting. Each ambush platoon was to be prepared to return to the Company CP immediately after any contact.

The Company consolidated its defensive positions on the finger just North of Hill 48 and prepared for any eventuality. Artillery was first to be used extensively and the FO worked the fire missions from East to West through the village and then back again. Also air strikes were requested and arrived approximately 1300 hours. We placed an orange panel in front of our positions and brought the aircraft in, right over our heads, this we never did again. All the bombs and napalm landed right on target however these aircraft were F-100s and when they strafed all the empty shell casings fly over-board. These casing can kill individuals on the ground once ejected. As the 20mm casing came down we all took cover, however one of the men did get hit in the headlucky for him he had his helmet on and did not sustain any injuries. [Never again did we bring close air support perpendicular to our lines, unless absolutely necessary. They were always brought in parallel. There is also a possibility of an early release of a bomb or napalm canisterthis could be catastrophic.]

Throughout the early morning there was sporadic fire from the village and several enemy soldiers were observed moving around and were immediately brought under fire. I felt that I would just like to find a well and douse myself with water. I did a very stupid thing at this point, and informed Lt. Roberts to remain at the CP while I found a well. There were several huts on the East side of our position which I headed for and found a clear well about 50 meters from the perimeter. My left leg had a burning sensation just below the knee. Upon examining I noticed two bullet holes trough my trousers. Both the trousers and my leg were caked with dried blood. Evidently I had been grazed the previous morning from enemy small arms fire and didn't realize it. As I was washing down I saw two brown clad figures with weapons walking on a trail towards me. We all saw each other at the same time and I grabbed my rifle but they immediately turned and ran before I could fire. Believe me, I stopped everything and ran back to the perimeter. I never went anywhere after that incident without someone with me for security.

Approximately 0930 hours Sp4 Salazar and about a dozen walking wounded from the Company arrived and hopped off the two choppers. I said to 1st Sgt Rader, "What the hell is he (Salazar) doing here, he can hardly walk?" Sp4 Salazar's comment to me was, "Sir my platoon needs me, where are they?" Sp4 Salazar had gone into a GP Medium tent in the rear where all the dead were being brought and saw our senior aid man, Sp5 Cotton's bodyalso his machinegun had been evacuated with another wounded man. That is when he got mad and rounded up all the walking wounded from A Company. He said something to the effect that, "our comrades are dying out there and they need our help, now let's go!" to the men and they loaded on two choppers and returned to duty. When I saw Salazar and the other men get off the choppers, I knew A Company had been welded into a unit where we were all one. It wasn't for duty, honor, country, it was for each other and our Companywe would never let each other down! These men were my life! I'm so proud of them. They set the standards, not I! I only hope and pray in some small way I measured up to what they expected in a leaderand there was no way I could let them down. I'm a religious man and I prayed every night, "Lord, please, may I not make an ignorant decision that costs a man his life." To this day I know that prayer is what sustained me during very trying times.

Shortly after Sp4 Salazar arrived, approximately 30 reinforcements arrived in the way of officers and rear echelon soldiers, to include a MACV Lt. Lt. Scaglioni was just standing around in the rear and asked Col Wasco if there was anything he could do to help. Before he knew it he was on a chopper and in command of 3d Platoon and I later had to explain to his commanding officer why he was out there. He was to stay with A Company through the remainder of the battle and did an outstanding job. We were also blessed to have the arrival of the two chaplains, Maj (Father) Kovacic and Captain Heim. Father Kovacic was to spend the remainder of the battle with A Company and Chaplain Heim spent several hours with A Company and then on to C Company. Each one of these combat Chaplains were fearless in the face of enemy fire. They administered first aid to the wounded, last rites to the dead and continuously assisted in loading the medevacs with the dead and wounded, sometimes under intense enemy weapons fire. This behavior demonstrates the comradeship that the entire 1st Brigade had, something only those who have experienced it would understand.

Around 1000 hours air strikes were requested to be laid on the village for 1100 hours. We knew that we would be ordered to attack again. At 1045 hours Col Wasco ordered us back in. When asked for permission to wait for the air strikes Col Wasco said A Company was to attack immediately and that the air strikes had been diverted. I was a little ticked but complied with the order. (Later I was to find out Wasco had not diverted the air strikes but Col Moore of the 1st Cav had.) This was to be a coordinated attack by A Company, C Company and several companies from the 1st Cav. A Company was to attack West along the creek bed and C Company was to attack East along the creek bed with one platoon. The Cav units were to make an air assaults North of A & C Companies of the 2/327th and assault South and link up with these companies.

A Company jumped off as scheduled at 1100 hours and proceeded along the same route as in the previous two attacks. A heavy rolling barrage was laid down about 50 meters in front of 1st Platoon as we advanced. Just prior to entering the village the barrage was shut down and A1E's came to our aid. The flight of four pounded the village with napalm and 250 pound bombs for about 15-20 minutes then strafed it for about another 10 minutes. Once the air strike was over the barrage began again and the Company advance continued with 1st Platoon on the right flank, 3d Platoon on the left flank and Lt. Hill's 2d Platoon in reserve. Weapons Platoon remained in our night defensive position just north of Hill 48 where they could observe our advance and provide necessary fire support as needed. This they were able to do very effectively under the leadership of MSGT Sample, Platoon Leader. They were also ordered to be prepared to defend their location as required without assistance from the Company. As we entered the village 10-12 NVA came staggering towards 1st Platoon waving a white flag wanting to surrender. They were in neat khaki uniforms with the exception of 3 who were burned and were begging for water. As before, all the water was contaminated and evidently they had been without water for some time. The temperature was 100+ degrees and we too needed all the water we could carry, therefore, the POWs were ushered to the rear, and on to Weapons Platoon.

1st Platoon made fairly decent progress along the creek bed and 3d Platoon was making very good progress on the left flank. Lt. Roberts was on the right flank and came under automatic weapons and MG fire about half way through the village. By this time the artillery had been shut down because the platoon from C Company was attacking East and both of our units were on the gun target line and in close proximity to each other. We were just too close to bring the supporting artillery fires in between us therefore our 81mm mortars were used..very sparingly. There was still no word on the 1st Cav movements, which was of concerned. I moved to Lt. Roberts' position and asked for an up date on his situation and he was satisfied the 1st Platoon was progressing satisfactorily. As I started to head back to the RTOs and medical evacuation point we were attacked by enemy gunners using B-40 rocket launchers. Several rounds landed short of us and several overshot us and exploded on the buildings behind us. It just seemed that the NVA were shooting everything they had in their arsenal at us. I can remember seeing an NVA come out of a hedgerow and saying to myself in slow motion, "There is an NVA soldier, what is he doing, he has an RPG, he's going to shoot that RPG, he is going to shoot it at us!" You could see that rocket coming and we all scattered. Lt. Roberts took off and so did I. That round landed right near where we were and lucky for me my rucksack took up most of the shrapnel and I was hit by a several pieces in the back of my left leg and left elbow. It didn't hurt that much but it sure burned. When the medic Sp4 Amya took some of the shrapnel out later, he asked me, "how come I got hit in the back?" I told him I was running like a son-of-a-gun to try to get away.

At approximately 1300 hours I looked out across the open field between our positions and those of Weapons Platoon, and what did I see, but one dumb individual just walking along towards us. Little did he realize that that field had been under intense automatic weapons and MG fire the previous day and all morning. Next thing I knew he was laying down beside me reporting in"Lt. Dorsey reporting for duty sir!" he said. I asked what rank he was and he said 1st Lt., I told him he was second in command, XO, and immediately ordered him to set up a collection point to evacuate the dead and wounded and bring in ammunition and water. He looked at me and wondered why, at which point Sp4 Masters came running by saying, "I'm going home, I'm going home!" as he was holding his mangled hand. I pulled him to the ground and told him to get his ass down or he wouldn't make it home. Upon observing this, Lt. Dorsey went about his duties with an efficiency of a veteran combat soldier..and this was only his first 2 or 3 hours with the unit..he had just reported into the battalion that morning from CONUS. Lt. Dorsey was to be my closest comrade and friend for the remainder of my command, and life. He was and is a true professional officer. I checked the collection point shortly thereafter and again noticed that dead were being loaded as wounded were coming in therefore Lt. Dorsey ordered the dead removed and the wounded placed on immediately.

As the medevac took off another chopper was inbound. I started for the lead platoons, before I could get too far I saw that "Wild Gypsy" had landed and another Col was with him, Col Moore, 1st Cav. He immediately said cover the dead and chewed out the XO and 1st Sgt, who did not have a chance to cover them as we always did. I briefed Col Moore on the situation, and gave him my assessment of what A Company was up against. My overall assessment was that the force is at least of regimental size. His only comment to me was, "get moving that's only a reinforced squad holding you up!" My response was, "that's the toughest fucking squad I've ever run into." With that off my chest I immediately turned and left without say anything more. In so many words he did not trust my judgement, therefore I shouldn't be in command.

Time approximately 1430 hours. I started for the 3d Platoon with the command group. By this time 2d Platoon had been put on line in the center. 3d on the left flank, 2d in the center and 1st on the right flank. The Company had advanced beyond the point we had advanced to in the second attack. As I made my way behind 2d Platoon mortar rounds started raining down on us and we immediately took cover in a small drainage ditch. I looked at the soldier lying next to me and asking his name as we were hugging the ground. His name was Sp4 Mulae, battalion legal clerk. He was from Rochester, NY, which was only 30 miles from my hometown. Funny, we just discussed upstate NY as the mortar rounds were coming in. One round came in real close and landed near or on the back of another soldier. It blew him into the air and spun him around in slow motion, just like a rag doll. I reached up to pull him in and his right arm came off. He had been killed instantly. One thing I remember very vividly is the fact that the incoming rounds did not make any sound. All of a sudden there is a deafening explosion. Very, very terrifying. The incoming barrage lasted about 15-20 minutes, but it seemed like several hours. As I was looking around I happened to pick up an incoming round and got the general direction it had come from. I quickly got my compass and shot an azimuth. Since gunships were in the area the azimuth was furnished them and they flew along it and reportedly found the mortar site and destroyed it. Finally the barrage ceased and we moved on to 3d Platoon. We again came upon Sgt Synder on the very left flank of the Company with what was left one of his platoon. Due to casualties, he had been acting Platoon Sgt since the first attack. We discussed the situation and did not fire to the West unless targets could be identified because we thought C Company would be pushing through at any time. We did not know, at that time, that the platoon from C Company had withdrawn back to their perimeter with heavy casualties.

Again, as the day before, to the South, as a medevac came in, LMG and automatic weapons fire was directed at the aircraft from along a road bed this time. SGT Synder and I suppressed this fire killing or wounding several NVA. Noonan the Company [Bn RTO] directed the Gunships, which were in the area, at additional enemy positions and they made several passes strafing and rocketing them. Lt. Roberts called and said that he was being attacked along the creek bed by an unknown enemy force using cows and water buffalos as cover. Within 10-15 minutes he notified me that his Platoon had sustained some casualties from small arms and B-40 rounds, but, had turned the enemy back killing an unknown number. 2d Platoon had taken the brunt of the mortar attack and suffered more casualties. By this time Lt. Dorsey had been placed in command of the 2d Platoon due to Lt. Hill's evacuation for heat prostration before the Company's attack that morning. 3d Platoon was depleted but was better off than the other two. So here was the situation at about 1630 hours or one hour before dark: In the village we numbered approximately 35 officers and enlisted men; Lt. Roberts had 1st Platoon and wounded; Lt. Dorsey had 2d Platoon; Lt. Scaglioni had 3d Platoon; 1st SGT Rader was in command of the resupply and medical evacuation point; MSGT Sample commanded Weapons Platoon. A Company had done what was asked of them and we held our positions. I ordered a consolidation and pulled into a tight perimeter around the medical evacuation point, we were not going to pull back to the Weapons Platoon again. We would remain until relieved by the 1st Cav. A resupply of ammunition and water had been delivered however there were still several bodies that had to be evacuated. This was done shortly after dark. Fires were burning everywhere and the stench of death and cordite was all consuming. All the platoon leaders were called together and told we would not move, so dig in and be prepared to defend your current positions.

The next 2-3 hours we received small arms and automatic weapons fire and some grenades however we did not respond and give away our exact locations. About 2200 hours Weapons Platoon called and said they had made contact with the 1st Cav and that the company commander wanted to talk to me. I explained the situation and he then decided to move his unit to our position. Once he arrived we discussed the defense and decided the best possible action was to move back to the high ground North of Hill 48, which was secured by our Weapons Platoon. This we did. The 1st Cav Company Commander and I discussed our defensive posture. A Company assumed a portion of the perimeter defense as did the 1st Cav Company. Date of rank was in favor of the 1st Cav Company Commander therefore he was the commander of the defensive position and I would defer to him. Throughout the night there was sporadic firing and minor probing but nothing of any significance. Time 2330 hours.

22 Jun 66
0500 Hours

We were awaked by the sounds of heavy contact in the direction of C Company and the firing kept up for some time. In monitoring the battalion frequency it was learned that C Company was being attacked by an enemy force of undetermined strength. This battle raged for about one hour before everything fell silent. Approximately 0630 we received orders to attack to the South along the high ground as the 1st Cav. attacked through the village towards C Company. Throughout the next several hours our units attacked West to affect a linkup. By 1000 hours the 1st Cav had linked up with C Company. A Company, moving along the high ground to the South, had not made any contact with the enemy. Finally at 1030 hours A Company was ordered to the valley floor for extraction back to Tuy Hoa. This was accomplished without incident.

22 Jun 66
1100-1700 Hours