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Synopsis:
Xray Day 1, 14 Nov
1965
Lead elements of the under strength 450 man 1st Bn, 7th Cavalry air assault
into a small clearing in scrub jungle below the 2300 foot Chu Pong Massif.
Within an hour, a fierce battle is underway between the American Air Cav
troopers and the aggressive 9th Bn of the 66th Regiment of the Peoples Army of
Vietnam - North Vietnamese Regulars. The American Commander, Lt. Col Moore,
fighting on the ground with his men, is faced with three on-going tasks to be
accomplished simultaneously:
- Shuttle in the rest of his men from 14 miles to the rear on 16 Huey
helicopters
- Holding onto the clearing so that the Hueys can land and take off
- Carry the fight to the numerically superior force as far into the jungle as
possible so as to control the edges of the clearing
It is quickly apparent that the enemy force is determined to overrun and kill
every American on the field. The afternoon is consumed in a desperate
fire-storm battle for survival in 100 degree heat for Moore and his men as the
PAVN commander throws the 7th Bn of the 66th and a
composite battalion of the 33rd Regt in a furious attack against the 7th
Cavalry left flank and center. In the action, a 29 man Cavalry platoon is
surrounded by 200 enemy. Employing massive air and
artillery fire support, the disciplined Cavalrymen hold onto the landing zone
clearing against 7-1 odds and cause the PAVN units to fall back and break
contact by late afternoon. During the action, brave Huey pilots land their
choppers under fire during the action to bring in ammo and water and carry out
wounded. A reinforcing Cavalry company flies in just before dark.
During the fighting that day, the 1st Bn, 7th Cavalry is reduced to
approximately 340 officers and men; none missing. PAVN casualties are much
higher due to awesome American fire support; six enemy are captured and
evacuated.
Next: X-Ray Day 2 |
