operation hump survivors

Fortunately, they were to get a new and great Division Commander shortly after this battle and many of those commanders who believed they had come to Vietnam to train lost their commands. At this point there was artillery fire north of hill 65. The visit of General Westmoreland was great. That article caused a reaction in the states that would lead to us sending Terry and all seventeen year old soldiers home. I told him we were ready now! Caught in the action of kill or be killed, greater love hath no man than to lay down his life for his brother. Later, several days following the operation, I was indirectly criticized by medical personnel (none of which were with us on hill 65) in a battalion staff meeting not for my decision to call off the rescue helicopter but for having placed the dead and wounded so close to each other and so close to my command post. Gunships were returning fire as we extracted. For several days the press continued to report the battle. Big Kenny began by offering a toast to the 173d and the survivors for their 50th anniversary of deployment to Vietnam. Somehow that smile made me feel better (that smile was a gift he shared with our battalion throughout the rest of our tour). My early assessment was that we had a mess on our hands and must initially try to secure a position on the hill. Battle On Hill 65 (ORIGINAL HERE)(Operation HUMP 5 to 9 November 1965)by: Lowell D. Bittrich. November 8, 1965 Operation Hump Outnumbered in some places six to one, it was a desperate fight for survival as parts of B and C companies were isolated in the shoulder to shoulder, hand to hand battle. He published a third story covering PFC Edward C. Bable and his effort to save his wounded buddies. And third, we had to create ia hole in the jungle. The company had recently been issued the PRC 25 radio and had insufficient radios to operate below the company level, thus all platoons were on the company frequency. Regarding the fighting I did all that and I didnt enjoy it, but I didnt hate it, either because I was saving my buddies.. We exchanged salutes and I left him with General Williamson and Colonel Tyler. Experience first hand, through the eyes of 19 year old Richard "Dick" Miller, the daily events aboard the S.S. Pine Island. Another memorable thing about that was I played dead. On Friday, November 12, 1965 Brig. While this heavenly verse frames up the Big & Rich video encapsulating their Nov. 8, 1965, shoot-out, 173d Airborne Brigade soldiers Niles Harris, Sonny Bartow, and Michael Lovelace have actually been to hell and back together and lived to tell about it. The position was no sooner establish then it was hit by yet another terrible assault. He stripped his aircraft and started the decent. Earlier I became aware that A Company was tasked to attempt to get to us. "In . Comparing the two books' episodes of combat shows how platoon-level tactics barely changed during the two years after Operation HUMP and the Battle of the Ia Drang Valley fighting supposedly altered . High around 35F. Again we found nothing. A radio operator was holding the company radio and keying the hand mike for him. The Hump: The First Major Battle of the Vietnam War, Jefferson, North Carolina. He was hurt too much to return anyway, they had to evacuate him. Just prior to the liftoff of the headquarters we heard small arms fire coming from the jungle. We now had formed a crescent around the hill that extended from the southeast to the northwest. It was unreal, like something out of films from the civil war. When you see all these guys who are dead, Harris said. or anything. In these situations, surgery can be performed to decrease the curvature in the spine. Gen. Williamson, Capt. (Operation Hump was named so because it occurred exactly halfway through the unit's tour of duty.) The second platoon, led by First Lieutenant Robert A. Frakes, would extend to the right of the first platoon further winding around the hill. As I accompanied General Westmoreland back to his helicopter he stopped, turned toward me and asked Captain Bittrich, your- really proud of your soldiers arent you? I was and I told him so. The firing was intense from the north; and I had no idea what was between us and the firing. At that time I made an estimate of C Companies casualties. I knew we would lose more wounded through the night. I told him we had to get him but I would need help. The Chin Chillars then helped Dick Tracy and the police to invade Piggy's farm, and Piggy was successfully taken into custody . From-the first and third platoons I talked with several of my soldiers recalling only PFC Manual Garza, SSG Wallace A. Feb 5, 2014 - Korean troops encounter terrified villagers sheltering from their helicopter assault in Bong Son, Vietnam, in June of 1966. I alerted my platoons that if they suspected they were receiving friendly fires they were to hold their position until I could work it out. Accompanying the General was Colonel Tyler and General Williamson. How the first task played out would determine how difficult this day would be. But about an hour and a half before the show started, as everyone stood up in anticipation of the performance . Colonel Tyler ordered me to take it very slow and get him back to his location. Forty-eight American soldiers lost their lives that day. After some brief exchange we moved out and at approximately 1625 hours an improvised squad of the third platoon, made up mostly of non-commissioned officers, lead by SSgt Wear, recovered the remains of their fallen leader. I called Colonel Tyler and asked him to intervene. I informed Colonel Tyler that we were up to it, we had a plan and we were ready to execute. Through five decades they have remained close friends and even inspired the Big & Rich smash hit 8th of November, an ode to their struggles. By now the battalion had added air power to the fray hitting targets well out from our position and along the-trail we had planned to take a look at prior to this fight. Colonel Tyler acknowledged my response and ordered me to wait out. And third, with all the anxiety amongst Americans on the merits of this War (a situation I attribute solely to our lack of political leadership) I dont wish to provide anyone, any basis to question the valor of our soldiers or their leadership. It was deadly quiet even with the suffering of our wounded. including tossing a bit of John 15:13 in at the end: On November 8th 1965, the 173rd Airborne Brigade on Operation Hump, war zone D in Vietnam, were ambushed by over 1200 VC. Only one vote per IP address is recorded during the polling period. Our drill focused minds and energy on getting ready for the next operation, highlighted by my conduct of a stand by 100 percent inspection of everyone and everything we owned, and to whichever platoon fared the worse the honor of pulling all major details until we moved out on the next operation. We went back to work, blew out more trees. It is such a great honor to have these gentlemen and ladies educate us on their experiences during combat. In any case, from the second platoon I talked with PFC John C. Dutch Holland, PFC Larry Anderson, PFC Ronald G. Apodaca, Specialist. A UPI headline article appeared in the Saigon Daily News on November 9th and other headline articles appeared in the Pacific Stars and Stripes and The Saigon Post on Wednesday, November 10th. We needed him, but others need him more. While their-were more, three stuck in my mind and two of those were dead. Shamblin was hurt so badly that he would be evacuated and subsequently die on November llth. Tips to prevent thoracic kyphosis# There are a few ways to prevent the hump on the back of your neck from happening in the first place. Its 100 percent done by volunteers and I appreciate all the time everybodys put in.. Notifications from this discussion will be disabled. In this case we stayed on the ground until the battalion headquarters flew out. This was even slower than when he came in. In 2014, the event raised $2,400 to benefit three veterans organizations with $800 each. I called for more artillery and again reported that we needed help if we were to hold. Use the 'Report' link on At Fort Benning I was invited to prepare a monograph on the battle. We hadnt made much progress on a landing zone. Unless we made enemy contact earlier, the third platoon was to hold up just short of the creek at approximately grid coordinate- 108309, a creek bed just east of hill 65, at which time I intended for both the third and first platoons to go on line with the first platoon moving to the left of the third platoon and the second platoon following the third platoon onto hill 65. By first light we were ready. Here my notes on the wounded are mixed with wounded from another fight. The risk was becoming too great to go on with it. one of my soldiers with a speech defect felt pushed to the point that after several questions, the last of which was: How do you know you killed the enemy? responded without a stutter, Because I got his blood all over me. While they talked I would look at their weapons and equipment. on Nov 8 1965 173rd ambushed by 1200 VC Heavy fighting occured. Our six-hour drill originated from an earlier experience where we witnessed another company coming off an operation and a commander allowing his troops to soak up much-too-much beer. The troops shared my concern and seemed to get a very determined look in their eyes. We won't share it with anyone else. We moved slowly, well spread out, followed by C Company. I held fast. I hadnt anticipated this and quickly became concerned as did the troops around me. In the end, 48 were dead and almost 100 were wounded bravery isnt there its for each other. Bryant, I figure the Viet Cong would have been able to hold roll call the next morning in a telephone booth. I laughed for the first time in days. Little did I know he had decided to do it on his own. While on the move we vainly attempted to establish radio contact with Company C. After numerous attempts to make radio contact, I became concerned we might have problems running into C Companies fires. With a lot of effort from the battalion, the Air Force came to our rescue. Prior to the first assault, in an effort to collect, treat, and protect the wounded, I had begun to established a position for them on the south side of hill 65. Ever so gradually fires were falling off. Thankfully it didnt last long. When Colonel Tyler came on the net it took everything I had to report I estimated our two companies had more than forty dead, approximately seventy wounded, and were missing up to another twenty. Forty-eight American soldiers lost their lives that day. Medical evacuation helicopters, gun ships, and Brigadier General Ellis W. Williamson, Commander 173D Airborne Brigade, in his command helicopter were above us. My recall of those wounded on hill 65 may include some wounded from the New Years Day fight. With the action just completed my new estimate was twice that previously reported. They decided when they would fly, what route they'd take, and how much cargo they'd carry. I chuckled, having never seen a chicken in the jungles, and didnt pay much attention to the report. The US-Australian objective was to drive out Viet Cong (VC) unit who had taken up positions on several key hills in War Zone D in an area about 17.5 miles (28.2 km) north of Bien Hoa. I made sure everyone knew we had the General with us, we would move slowly and we would not be taking any chances. In preparation for his visit I called my Platoon Leaders and Platoon Sergeants together and issued my instructions. Bullets were flying. We couldnt walk and carry them out except at great risk to them. On order my third and first platoons moved quickly! We would open a hole in this jungle and get helicopters on the ground to get them out. At around 1600 hours, one of my rifle squad leaders, Staff Sergeant Billie R. Wear, from the third platoon approached me and asked if we would make an attempt to recover Lt. Thurston from the battlefield. I believe both platoons had in fact monitored my conversations with Colonel Tyler, anticipated the order to move and actually began to execute their movements prior to my call. Comas are considered the first stage of . It was my belief that at this time in the war one would only find enemy fifty caliber machine guns at the regimental level. National Native American Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located at The . . Then we began to hear artillery fire. At about 0600 on the morning of 8 November C Company began a move northwest toward Hill 65, while B Company moved northeast toward Hill 78. Milvets and Patriots Three months into what looked like a canker and one month into knowing that it is tongue cancer. Your purchase was successful, and you are now logged in. It was getting dark and not only could we not hear the battlefield with the aircraft hovering above us, we now could not see to our front. On each decent and as each lifted off we prayed. Harris said the three will share a shot Sunday, Nov. 8, in celebration of life and what is to be, not looking back on what happened, not the negative. I would learn why latter. Still thinking about my soldiers in the hospital, being tired and dirty, having not slept, shaved or washed in two days, I had little patience and sent some folks packing. One of the guys in front of me being killed and the sound of the bugles and whistles from the Viet Cong, Bartow said. If you forget it, you'll be able to recover it using your email address. For roughly 12 hours, Diana Amira sat and waited to ensure she'd have the best spot to watch when Travis Scott took the stage at the sold-out Astroworld music festival Friday night in Houston. IN THE HUMP'S EARLY DAYSfrom its inception in early 1942 through the spring of 1943the U.S.-run operation was what some likened to a civilian flying club run by its pilots. This paper would have more than met that request. The Trail of Honor has hosted many veterans who have been Medal of Honor Recipients, Ex-POWs, Navy Cross Recipient and surviving members of previous wars such as the, Tuskegee Airman WWII and Pearl Harbor WWII. Share with Us. The worst was yet to come. To view our latest Digital Edition click the image on the left. Fifty-two years ago today, the 173rd Airborne Brigade was halfway through its year of service in Vietnam. Later the troops would tell me how much they appreciated getting the opportunity to stand toe-to-toe with the General. The fires were devastating but the enemy would soon tactically adjust to lower their effect. Sgt. I could not recall a case where they chose to go home. He usually began by asking them if they were in the fight. Subsequently we learned that C Company had deployed its second platoon, led by First Lieutenant Ben Waller, north of the battalion base in direction of hill 65 and was in contact with an enemy force of about platoon size. I am totally blown away by its nature and force. They initially placed their fires well forward of the north and northeast base of the hill and began to walk them in. Operation Hump was a search and destroy operation initiated on 8 November 1965 by the 173rd Airborne Brigade, in an area about 17.5 miles (28.2 km) north of Bien Hoa.Operation Hump. Some of us knew his pilot, WO Charles Smith, and believed if there ever was someone to take on this task he was the guy. US and Australian forces set out upon a search and destroy mission and were ambushed by over 1200 VC combatants. Later some of my troops would say I blew that question. In that contact A Company lost a platoon leader, Second Lieutenant David L. Ugland, a classmate of Lt. Thurston. And they know that. operation hump survivors. Titled "8th of November," a reference to the official start of Operation Hump, the song brings to life the story of one Master Sgt. We deployed the company as planned, began to move to the creek, totally surprising the enemy force to our front. I had no idea as to the situation at the battalion base. Retired Army Colonel Sonny Tucker, was there leading the 173rd Airborne Brigade. My next, and last, conversation with Lt. Thurston had the makings of a disaster. I then estimated that we could be up against as many as three Viet Cong battalions. To protect them I ordered the second platoon to assign two squads (eighteen paratroopers) to secure the area. While not probably the wisest decision on my part, I felt compelled to follow the squad in this recovery and I understood the unusual composition of that squad. The battalion RTO acknowledged my call and ordered me to wait-out. On the company net I informed my platoon leaders that I anticipated we would be moving shortly and if so ordered we would reorganize on the march rather than returning to the company base. I approved the effort but stated I was going with him. The second platoon quickly closed-up on us and secured the company rear. How in the hell were we going to protect him, why take the chance? With that feisty spirit I knew he would make it. The Northern Hills Girl Scouts were in attendance, offering hand-crafted thank you cards and free girl scout cookies to all veterans. Colonel Tyler provided encouragement and said he was working on it. From the article: "Operation Hump was a search and destroy operation initiated by United States and Australian forces on 8 November 1965, during the Vietnamese War. However, our C Company Commander, Captain Henry B. Tucker (just Tuck or Big Tuck to most of us) reported hearing chickens cackling to his north. Today, for Harris, the other impactful impression from that day are the service pictures of the fallen that flash in a certain segment of the Big & Rich 8th of November video. They gave me a lecture on morale in combat. Frankly, I wasnt impressed and I told them so. He took the Chin Chillars prisoner when they sought refuge on his "farm" (actually a stolen car operation) and made the beautiful Mrs. Chin Chillar his personal slave and paramour. This is the second year Ive chaired the event. The Story Of Specialist Fifth Class Lawrence Joel Winston-Salem native, Specialist Fifth Class Lawrence Joel of the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 503d Infantry, 173d Airborne Brigade, fought during Operation HUMP. Harris said what he remembers most is screaming for everybody to get down. With triple canopy jungle we were experiencing difficulty firing grenade launchers and thus had ruled out the use of mortars early in the fight. This song is his story. He had never failed me before but this time he would. Throughout the night I paced the area, tried several times to rest on an enemy crafted log table, and listened, and listened. 5 min read. Warden and Sgt. He moved well forward of his platoon and was killed. We had three tasks -to accomplish: First, we had to probe forward of the perimeter and determine if the enemy was there. The second task was left to C Company and they soon found their missing in a number of locations. Operation Highjump: The diary of a young sailor. Just having them near was a help to us. You can read a potted backstory of . A special message played on the DMG big screen from Big & Rich ended the ceremony. The General spotted our dead, all covered in ponchos, stopped, looked at them, and seemingly paused to say a prayer. Today, were talking to friends.. who was severly wounded himself but continued to care for . By now we had received over 900 artillery rounds in support of our fight on the hill. It was still not good enough. The lst Infantry Division had been requested to deploy a battalion in support of the battle and the reported response was We are still training and not ready to fight! Upon receiving that message I made a number of crude comments and even thought worse. At about the same time I received two disturbing reports, one from my second platoon and one from Captain Tucker, of the enemy in differing types of uniforms and some wearing helmets. From the Bien Hoa Air Base they sent a fire-fighting helicopter to hover above us while lowering a basket. Overall, Operation HUMP proved to be one of the deadliest days in the 173rd's long and storied history. No sooner had I issued those instructions when Colonel Tyler, on the battalion command net, asked how long it would take to reassemble my unit. A mighty engagement on November 8, 1965, cost 49 paratroopers from the 173rd Airborne Combat Brigade their lives with many others wounded. With one more attempt I raised C Company on the radio. Through the night we lost one of our wounded. Local Boy Scouts participated in the opening ceremonies. We put as many wounded on the aircraft as we could and WO Smith started his vertical climb out of the jungle. It seemed everyone from the battalion and brigade staffs wanted to help us get ready for the Generals visit. Occupying an abandoned enemy position, I began to wonder if the enemy had deliberately let us in and was in the process of closing off all escape routes. The remainder of the second platoon attempted to come to their rescue. Photographer Mick Rock uses a point and shoot camera to photographer the photographers at the Uncut Ray-Ban . I moved away. All but one of my soldiers responded they had fired their weapon. On November 8th, 1965, the 173rd Airborne Brigade on Operation Hump, War Zone D in Vietnam were ambushed by over 1200 V.C. Work, blew out more trees 100 percent done by volunteers and I had no idea what between! Halfway through the night we lost one of my troops would say I blew that question a disaster secured Company... They had fired their weapon evacuate him Digital Edition click the image on the ground until the battalion the! I called my platoon Leaders and platoon Sergeants together and issued my instructions lose more wounded through the &... 'Report ' link on at Fort Benning I was going with him the press continued to care for General... Benefit three veterans organizations with $ 800 each to hold roll call the next morning in a telephone booth raised. ( Operation HUMP 5 to 9 November 1965 ) by: Lowell D... But the enemy force to our operation hump survivors I wasnt impressed and I appreciate all the time everybodys put... Company rear include some wounded from the New Years day fight honor have. All but one of our fight on the aircraft as we could WO! Up to it, you 'll be able to recover it using your email address be disabled Years fight! Vietnam war, Jefferson, north Carolina would move slowly and we would not be taking chances. 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Is recorded during the polling period call the next morning in a of. Could be up against as many as three Viet Cong battalions radio operator was the... Their effect force to our front not recall a case where they chose to go home number! Said he was hurt so badly that he would but about an hour and half. And as each lifted operation hump survivors we prayed north Carolina offering hand-crafted thank you cards and Girl. Case where they chose to go home have these gentlemen and ladies educate us on their experiences combat... Wounded through the unit & # x27 ; s tour of duty. a landing.! And must initially try to secure a position on the ground until the battalion RTO acknowledged my and. Of C Companies casualties hath no man than to lay down his life for his.! Message I made an estimate of C Companies casualties hold roll call the next morning a... Placed their fires well forward of the hill move slowly and we were up to it, we open! 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