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Fred,
A sad day indeed. I still feel the loss we suffered that day. I know nothing we say or do will
replace the grief the families suffered and continue to suffer to this day
When we took that area from the 1st Cav, they had not fired a shot in over a month. From that
action, we had almost daily contact for well over a month.
At least we were able to catch the sob’s before they could get out of the area. That operation was
one of the first “cordon” operations conducted. That technique became a standard way of
operating when we were out in the rice patties. I don’t know if there is a Division history
document that covers any of the specifics of that operation. The book, ‘Rendezvous with Destiny’,
gives a big broad brush to most of the Tet Counteroffensive. There was also a Division News
Paper that came around occasionally, but I remember seeing them, but don’t have them. Does the
Division Museum have any reference material from that time frame?
After the radio report from the platoon, I left you with a squad on each bridge and took the
remainder of the company up to either reinforce or extract what was left. As we neared the area,
we saw a Huey sitting on the ground. I went over to check it out. It was the Bde Cdr’s aircraft.
The crew was there, but COL Cushman had gotten out some distance from where they landed and
the crew had no idea where he was at.
Several members of the 2nd Platoon were also at this location, having helped with the medivac
operation. They informed me that there were only a few other members still alive and at least two
others that had died in the initial contact. Our Arty FO had been hitting the enemy wood line with
HE, but the other soldiers could not disengage themselves from the enemy. LTC Tallman told me
to disengage from the action as soon as I could recover the remainder of the platoon. I don’t
remember which platoon I took 2 M60s from, but sat two of them up on tripods and gave them a
final protective line to fire. The signal to commence fire was two red smoke grenades.
I circled out through the rice patties and advanced to where the remainder of the platoon was
located. Enroute, I came across COL Cushman trying to sneak through the grass with his 38 in
hand. After telling him to stay where he was, I went and talked to the remained of the platoon,
confirmed with them the status of the two members hit in the initial contact had been killed. I then
led them away toward where I had left COL Cushman, threw the 2 smoke grenades and circled
back to his aircraft. As we were getting ready to return to your location, a RPG landed near us and
was enough to send the Bn and Bde Cdrs back on their aircraft and out of the area. The company
returned to your location. A very long and sad day for all of us.
The following day, we went back and recovered the 2 we had left behind. After evacuating them,
we began to sweep the area. We made contact before noon in a different wood line. Bravo and
Delta companies were air assaulted in on the back side and “cordon” was begun.
Looking forward to seeing you in June.
Nate
A sad day indeed. I still feel the loss we suffered that day. I know nothing we say or do will
replace the grief the families suffered and continue to suffer to this day
When we took that area from the 1st Cav, they had not fired a shot in over a month. From that
action, we had almost daily contact for well over a month.
At least we were able to catch the sob’s before they could get out of the area. That operation was
one of the first “cordon” operations conducted. That technique became a standard way of
operating when we were out in the rice patties. I don’t know if there is a Division history
document that covers any of the specifics of that operation. The book, ‘Rendezvous with Destiny’,
gives a big broad brush to most of the Tet Counteroffensive. There was also a Division News
Paper that came around occasionally, but I remember seeing them, but don’t have them. Does the
Division Museum have any reference material from that time frame?
After the radio report from the platoon, I left you with a squad on each bridge and took the
remainder of the company up to either reinforce or extract what was left. As we neared the area,
we saw a Huey sitting on the ground. I went over to check it out. It was the Bde Cdr’s aircraft.
The crew was there, but COL Cushman had gotten out some distance from where they landed and
the crew had no idea where he was at.
Several members of the 2nd Platoon were also at this location, having helped with the medivac
operation. They informed me that there were only a few other members still alive and at least two
others that had died in the initial contact. Our Arty FO had been hitting the enemy wood line with
HE, but the other soldiers could not disengage themselves from the enemy. LTC Tallman told me
to disengage from the action as soon as I could recover the remainder of the platoon. I don’t
remember which platoon I took 2 M60s from, but sat two of them up on tripods and gave them a
final protective line to fire. The signal to commence fire was two red smoke grenades.
I circled out through the rice patties and advanced to where the remainder of the platoon was
located. Enroute, I came across COL Cushman trying to sneak through the grass with his 38 in
hand. After telling him to stay where he was, I went and talked to the remained of the platoon,
confirmed with them the status of the two members hit in the initial contact had been killed. I then
led them away toward where I had left COL Cushman, threw the 2 smoke grenades and circled
back to his aircraft. As we were getting ready to return to your location, a RPG landed near us and
was enough to send the Bn and Bde Cdrs back on their aircraft and out of the area. The company
returned to your location. A very long and sad day for all of us.
The following day, we went back and recovered the 2 we had left behind. After evacuating them,
we began to sweep the area. We made contact before noon in a different wood line. Bravo and
Delta companies were air assaulted in on the back side and “cordon” was begun.
Looking forward to seeing you in June.
Nate
| This is a reprint of an email written April 6, 2008. To 1st Sgt Brander from Captain MIller as he reflects on that day 40 years ago. |