Early in June, 1970, there were small probing attacks on the firebase of the 1st Bn/5th Cavalry. By Saturday, June 13th, there was a reinforced company of North Vietnamese "sappers" gathering in the wooded ravines around the base. The sapper units were the elite of the NVA, and received camouflage uniforms, chinese rifles with folding stocks & other specialized gear for they were expected to assault the heavily fortified firebases & airbases of the American forces. This was the monsoon … [Read more...]
What I heard…
The attack of Sunday, June 14th, 1970 This is the most storied occasion I have ever known of in or out of the military. Everybody had a story, a retelling of this attack & they were all exciting! Wow! What a terrible night! These are some of the things I heard: When the shooting started, several NVA were either already over the berm or on it. They had been working their way through the "wire" & were tying up the trip flares with bamboo strips. Someone told me the shooting really … [Read more...]
Dead Journalists
Robert Capa, killed May 25, 1954. Of all the journalists, it was the photographers like Capa who were most frequently lost. From the 50's until the fall of Saigon in 1975, 135 photographers (of all nations) were killed or went missing in Indochina. Many of the Cambodian photographers were executed by the Khmer Rouge. 1970 & the invasion of Cambodia was the worst time for the western press corps. Seven were known to have been killed in eastern Cambodia. Seventeen have never been seen again … [Read more...]
Medal of Honor
The US Postal Service has issued collectible stamps picturing 48 Vietnam Vets who were awarded the Medal of Honor. They also identify all 258 soldiers who were awarded the medal during the Vietnam War. The 48 were all still living and agreed to participate. "They bear witness to the courage of all the Vietnam War Medal of Honor recipients" … [Read more...]
Group photos
Thought everyone would like to see these: This iconic photo from O Rang is posted elsewhere on this site, but wanted to post it again. -LT, Sgt. Corn, Rock, Hammonds and Cossell - RIP Brothers _____________________________________ Looks like Walker on left, Turkey, Burleson, Bowsher from mortars, Rock, Cossell, Jobe, Baker & Lesko. ___________________________________________________________________ RESTRICTED AREA: This was my bunker @ FSB Nancy. I found that sign somewhere … [Read more...]
Photos from LZ Salty
(All photos by Bob Cossey) … [Read more...]
Doc’s Favorite Story
May 30, 1970 near O Rang Anyone who was there on that rain soaked ridge in Cambodia will, of course, never forget. They would never forget seeing the RPG's and stick grenades that came flying from the treeline when the shooting started, or the way the Cobra gunships came diving in firing rockets, multi-barreled gatling guns ("miniguns"), & cannons. Doc Schramm has related his memories from that day to me many times. I admit what he says is true... Cossey's squad was on point that … [Read more...]
21 Gun Salute (1776)
If anyone, any man, any soldier ever deserved burial with military honors, it has to be Sgt. Griffin of Centralia, Missouri. Killed in action, May 2, 1970. Interred, April 25, 2015. "No fife did hum nor battle drum did sound it's dread tattoo." ... "And my heart with grief was sore, For I parted then with valiant men. Whom I never shall see no more." (The Chieftains, The Foggy Dew) … [Read more...]
Kessler
On my way out of Taipei following my R & R, I was walking through the customs free area in the airport & spotted a bottle of Kessler whiskey. Hell, that's Martin's preferred drink! I immediately purchased a bottle & stowed it in my bag. After arriving back at FSB Nancy, I unpacked & placed that bottle on a shelf in the bunker that Cossey & I shared. The next morning we were informed the Colonel would be inspecting the men's quarters. When the hell did the Battalion CO ever … [Read more...]
26 Graves
When we pulled out of Cambodia they flew us (entire battalion) down to Bien Hoa for several days of "stand down", meaning clean up, get drunk & whoop it up. And we did! Everyone glad to be alive & getting a break after two months of chasing the NVA up the Ho Chi Minh Trail. We partied all scattered out in the 1st Cav compound there & caught rides to the PX, etc. We were drinking & talking a lot. Talked with the grunts from Bravo Co. a lot. They were shocked about Tim Brown … [Read more...]