The FReeper Foxhole Remembers Operation Hawthorne (June 1 - 21 1966) - Feb. 5th, 2004

Vietnam Odyssey ^ | 1967 | 101st Airborne Division Association

[SAMWolf]

Lord,

Keep our Troops forever in Your care

Give them victory over the enemy...

Grant them a safe and swift return...

Bless those who mourn the lost.
.

FReepers from the Foxhole join in prayer
for all those serving their country at this time.

...................................................................................... ...........................................

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Operation HAWTHORNE
1 June 1966 - 21 June 1966

In the Central Highlands the month of June meant the monsoon rains and under its cover came a major enemy offensive. That is why the 101st's Odyssey included the fateful stop at Dak To and Operation Hawthorne, now famous as a classic spoiling attack which blunted the NVA monsoon offensive in Kontum Province.

A/2/502nd - Operation HAWTHORNE, June 1966

As the troopers unloaded from the reliable C-130 aircraft on the airstrip next to the Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) Camp at Dak To, the found themselves in the beautiful green jungles of the cool Highlands. But as they looked to the left and the right, then quickly to the front and rear they noticed one very strange aspect of their new operational area - a ring of mountains, surrounded by even taller, heavily overgrown mountains. "I've never seen Dien Bien Phu, said one trooper, "but this sure looks like the description," he concluded. Neither he nor his comrades could then know that nine days later a very similar battle would erupt, except in reverse.

The first mission of Operation Hawthorne was to relieve the beleaguered mountain outpost of Toumorong. The 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, teamed up with elements of the 24th Tactical Zone Command (42d ARVN Regiment and 21st Ranger Battalion) to accomplish this phase of the operation. The intelligence reports received at Brigade Headquarters indicated a major enemy drive were under way to overrun the Central Highlands - first Toumorong on the high ground overlooking the Dak Tan Kan Valley, next Dak To, and finally Kontum itself. Toumorong was the focal point in the initial enemy offensive to capture the North Central Highlands.



At 2:30 in the morning of June 7th an estimated North Vietnamese Army battalion of the 24th NVA Regiment savagely attacked an artillery-infantry-engineer position in the valley west of Toumorong. This was the beginning of two weeks of the most violent fighting in the war in Vietnam.

The position was manned by "B" Battery, 2nd Howitzer Battalion, 320th Artillery; Company "A" 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry; and elements of "A" Company, 326th Engineer Battalion. The charging enemy was able to penetrate the artillery's perimeter where one of the small dramas of the war took place.

Gun number six came under extremely heavy attack, wherein a small war ensued over the ownership of the howitzer position. Twice the enemy took the position, twice the gun crew, turned infantry, took it back. The battle that had the winner take all climax saw the valiant Americans secure their weapon and fire point-blank into the still charging NVA ranks. As dawn brought light to the exhausted warriors, 86 enemy bodies were counted, 13 of them inside the artillery position.



After relieving the Toumorong outpost, the 1st Battalion, 327th Inf. struck north to attack the blood-stained enemy. Another bitter battle erupted, this time engaging all three of the battalion's infantry companies at one time, each in separate fire fights. It was to last for six bloody days. As the battle raged the 1/327ths elite Tiger Force was hard hit and almost overrun by an estimated two companies of heavily armed, well-trained NVA regulars. The battle for the valley and Kontum Province was on and the enemy prayed for one thing, the monsoon with its accompanying clouds, mist, and rain. The 2d Battalion, 502nd Inf. was helilifted into a blocking position where they would begin a sweep south to link up with their heavily engaged sister battalion.

They too were hit and hit hard. The enemy had heavy machine guns and automatic weapons dug in all along the valley wall. He had been there a long time preparing for this battle. Now all the infantry companies of both paratrooper battalions were heavily engaged. It was then that one of the most heroic actions of the war took place. Captain William S. Carpenter, Commander of Co. "C", 2d Battalion, 502d Inf. found his unit surrounded and being overrun by what was later estimated to be an NVA battalion. As he spoke to his battalion commander the voices of the screaming, charging enemy could be heard over the radio. The Company Commander called an air strike on his own position - "Theyre all around us and in us - lets take them with us - put it right on top of us." The only thing in the air at the time was napalm but the enemy attack was broken and the company was saved. However, it was still surrounded until "A" Company pressed through the thicket of bamboo and heavy enemy fire to relieve the pressure on "C" Company.



Still another drama was to take place. A provisional company of troopers of the 2/502d was quickly organized from men at the Phan Rang base camp. There was tangible evidence of the esprit de corps, courage, and fighting heart of the Screaming Eagles. These volunteers were either on orders to go home, recuperating from previous wounds, or about to go on "R&R" out of the country. This company would take the high ground above Companies "A" and "C" and hold the landing zone to permit helicopter extraction of their dead and wounded. The enemy strength was fixed as a well-trained NVA regular Regt., probably reinforced. Their heavy weapons were strategically placed in sturdy bunkers which were spread out along the fingers and draws of the mountainside. As the battered but courageous 2d Bn., 502d Inf. companies regrouped on Ncoc Run Ridge and the 1st Bn., 327th Inf., continued their relentless attack from the south, a decision was made - bring in the big ones - let the B-52 bombers batter Dak Tan Kan Valley before the Brigade moved in for the final kill. By now the battle was seven full days old and the whole world knew of the fight. The artillery had pounded the enemy, the air strikes had constantly pelted him and now B-52 bombers would set the stage for the final destruction of the 24th NVA Regiment.

On Monday morning, June 13th, while the mountain mist was slowly rising from the valley, 24 waves of bombers created a maze of craters below. As the 1/327 and the 2/502 swept into the hills to clean up what was left, they found a systematic series of tunnels, some going as deep as 50 feet, but they also found among the dead and dying, several score who fought on. The final of Operation Hawthorne was ferreting out and killing or capturing the diehards.



Maj. Gen. Stanley R. Larsen, Commanding General, I Field Force Vietnam, then on a trip to the United States, publicly stated that the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Div., was "the best fighting unit in Vietnam." When he addressed the troops at Dak To, Gen. W. C. Westmoreland, COMUSMACV, first saluted the men of the brigade, then in stirring words praised their gallantry and heroism. Following Captain Carpenters heroic action in the battle, the White House Press Secretary said, "The President finds it an inspiring chapter in the Vietnam story."

Highlights - As a result of its fierce determination and extraordinary heroism on the field of battle, the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, succeeded in accomplishing its mission to find, fix, and destroy North Vietnamese and Viet Cong forces in the Dak To, Tan Canh, and Toumorong area. In a brilliant scheme of maneuver, two battalions executed a double envelopment against an entrenched NVA Regiment, the 1st Battalion, 327th Infantry, attacking north, and the 2d Battalion, 502d Infantry, attacking south with both battalions supported by a massive expenditure of firepower, including 27,000 rounds of artillery and bombs from 473 sorties. This equaled 1.6 KTs of ordnance. During the hours of darkness and periods of reduced visibility resulting from the southwest monsoons, around-the-clock close air support was provided by 160 radar-controlled air strikes.

During the operation the equivalent of nearly 15,000 troops were airlifted in 33 separate airmobile operations evidencing the speed and mobility of the Brigades operation in maintaining heavy pressure on the enemy during 16 days and nights of continuous contact. The Brigade successfully exploited a massive B-52 strike employed in a close support role with an airmobile assault into the center of the target area 30 minutes after the strike.



Operation Hawthorne was one of the most viciously contested battles of the Vietnam war. Once the battle was joined, the fighting was continuous. Day and night the battle raged, moving from bunkers to trench line, to spider hole, to bamboo thicket, to stream bed, and finally - to victory.

At the conclusion of Operation Hawthorne, the 24th NVA North Vietnamese Army Regiment was rendered ineffective as a fighting unit., suffering over 1200 casualties by body count. By comparison, friendly casualties were 48 dead and 239 wounded. The ratio of enemy to friendly dead was 10 to 1 and the capture of 86 individual and 24 crew-served weapons resulted in a body count to weapons ratio of 4.3 to 1. Most significantly, a major North Vietnamese offensive to seize the North Central Highlands was blunted with a classic spoiling attack.

[SAMWolf]

AFTERGLOW

In early June of 1966 two battalions of the 101st Airborne Division were engaged in one of the most highly contested battles of the entire Viet Nam War. It was a slugfest, toe to toe, bitter, bloody fight, from beginning to end. Named "Operation Hawthorne", it unfolded in the triple canopy jungled mountains in the central highlands near Dak To. Our mission was to relieve the beseiged Special Forces camp at Toumorong that was being threatened by the crack North Vietnamese Army's 24th Infantry Regiment. Their mission was to draw in a U.S. brigade and annihilate it, on their own well prepared turf and under their own terms.

Dak To, South Vietnam. An infantry patrol moves up to assault the last Viet Cong position after an attempted overrun of the artillery position by the Viet Cong during Operation Hawthorne. Photo taken 06/07/1966

Thirty two years have passed since those awful, bloody days of carnage and devastation. As a young PFC, nearing the end of my tour, I had no idea of the effect this battle would have on the rest of my life. For two and a half decades I struggled to keep the events of that time tucked neatly away, in the recesses of my mind. It was a wasted effort, for every day my mind was invaded by intrusive thoughts and flashbacks. My nights were no better, filled with restless, sleepless hours or unwanted, dreaded nightmares.

During this twenty five year period, I read nothing of the reports on this battle nor had I made contact with anyone who had fought there. I knew nothing of what had been documented or what had transpired in the lives of my fellow combatants. Then in 1989 I attended my first Army reunion. There I had the great honor and privilege to, once again, make contact with some very special people, the veterans of the 1st Brigade. This opened the door to several more reunions and of course, to many spirited and lively conversations. To my elation I found that all veterans, enlisted men, NCO's, officers, and yes, even general officers were now interrelating, as if devoid of rank. It was and still is, a most thrilling and special occasion to talk to some people whom I used to ( and still do) consider, next to God or at least God like. Over time I discovered that I was even capable of carrying on conversations with them, in a relaxed manner; instead of just replying, "Yes Sir or No Sir!"; while I snapped to Attention! Since 1989 I have enjoyed the company of these very special people, veterans of all ranks, at every available opportunity.



As my exposure to personal and written accounts of Dak To became more available, my curiosity and thirst for knowledge as to what actually happened there grew. I wanted to learn all I could about the battle. I wanted an overall view of the entire battle, not just the personal, narrow remembrances of my own limited experience. As a result I have read many old newspaper accounts, magazine articles, and several books. I visited the National Archives, read and copied official Army documents including maps, daily journals, battle logs and lessons learned.

After digesting all this, I have come to believe that the battles of Dak To, as recorded, are nearly as confusing in print as experiencing it at ground level as a PFC. This should not come as a surprise to anyone simply because of the very nature of the operation. It was extremely intense and complex because so many small units were engaged simultaneously throughout the area of operation. One thing does stand out clear and precise, it was a chaotic melee of heavyweight bouts, clear and simple!

Some of the material that I have read has addressed the decision making processes employed in this fierce and savage operation. Tactics and deployments have been questioned. I have even read where some people consider earned " glory and recognition" went to the wrong units or individuals. They are entitled to their opinions and conclusions whether reasonable or not. My purpose is to relate feelings from the heart and soul, not to second guess anyone or to be a "Monday Morning Quarterback".



Perhaps the most controversial incident to occur during Operation Hawthorne was the napalm drop. I have talked to several troopers of "C" company who were there. Some feel it was an over-reaction, others feel that without it they wouldn't be here to discuss their feelings and thoughts on the subject. The majority opinion seems to go with the later. For a fact, many of the major players involved have little doubt that "C" company would have certainly died on that ridge without it. I know, some will say that I wasn't at "ground zero", and because of that fact, my conclusion is faulty and open to criticism, but the proof is written at the "bottom line". Yes, friendly as well as enemy casualties did result, but the drop did break off that enemy assault and allow time for "C" company to regroup and reorganize. The only credible, tangible evidence as to the success of this extraordinary decision is the results on that "bottom line", ie: SURVIVORS!



The other point of controversy that I noted was that Company "A", of the 1/327th Infantry, while attempting to rescue "C" company of the O'deuce, was the real enemy target, and that they bore the brunt of the fighting; without proper credit or recognition in the press. To me, this, whether true or not is irrelevant and does not matter for I know these soldiers are highly respected by their peers. Press recognition is nice but is not the ultimate acclaim. The only fact that really matters is that all our units were heavily engaged in bitter fighting and performed admiralbly. Our overall military mission was to seek out and destroy the enemy and personally..., to SURVIVE, not to worry about honorable mention. Some will ask, "how can I honestly and sincerely make this statement?" My answer is pure and simple, I, along with the rest of my weapons platoon was attached to that company and faced that enemy buzzsaw along with those very brave troops. This fact has never been mentioned in declassified print before and remains irrelevant to the history of that illustrious sister company of gallant warriors.



After studying all these accounts and considering the various facts, opinions and views contained therein, I have reached some basic conclusions. Amazingly, they are from the perspectives I had all along, before I did any research. They are from my own personal observations at dirt level as a PFC.

First and foremost, there is no doubt in my mind that every individual soldier engaged in Operation Hawthorne gave the upmost of himself for the successful completion of the mission. That every individual, no matter what rank, made the best possible decisions under the disjointed and confusing circumstances presented. Many hard and serious decisions had to be made without time for second guessing. I don't think there is a combat veteran alive that wouldn't admit that. We all have to live with our own decisions, made in combat, that had an effect on the lives of others. Undoubtably, command decisions bore the greatest risk and responsibility. I thank God that He provided the great commanders and NCO's we had during those turbulent and deadly encounters.



I am still amazed by the extraordinary stamina displayed by our troops and cadre. To exhibit such strength and endurance under such terrible conditions and stress staggers the imagination. To fight so aggressively and bravely for such long periods of time without rest and basic sustenance is almost incomprehensible. Sleep deprivation seemed to have no negative effect on the ability of our soldiers or leaders. The heavy monsoon rains did not seem to dampen their spirits or abilities either. On the other hand, it certaining aided our enemies by providing cloud clover which restricted our medivacs, artillery, airstrikes and resupply of ammo and other much needed supplies. No doubt, they very cleverly took this into consideration before attempting to take on such a formidable opponent as the 1st Brigade.

Operation Hawthorne also offered me the opportunity to observe, first hand, other magnificent units in action. The artillerymen at Toumorong who put up such a tenacious fight have left an indelible respect in my mind that will last forever. I will never forget those beehive rounds tearing into the enemy as they viciously charged their emplacements. The combat engineers fought bravely as infantrymen protecting the defensive perimeter from many concentrated attacks. Later they cut out landing zones with chainsaws under deadly enemy fire to extract our dead and wounded, with little concern for their own safety. The many aviation units as they risked all above the triple canopy jungles, under intense enemy fire, to provide the many services needed in support of the beleaguered ground troops. The Recondos as they stealthily made their way through the dense bamboo to provide much needed intelligence. The Tiger Force as they fearlessly took on an overwhelming superior enemy force at great risk and peril. All the units, all the men, God bless them all, "the long, the short and the tall"....



The troopers of these individual units took on this well equipped, numerically superior enemy force, on their terms, on the well prepared ground of their choosing and under the protective cover of the monsoon season. Despite these many significant disadvantages they fought courageously and they prevailed. When it was all over the 24th NVA Regiment was rendered unfit as a fighting unit.

I have yet to meet a veteran of Dak To who has not been dramatically affected by what transpired there, all are humbled by the magnitude, dedication, unselfish efforts and sacrifices made there by our fellow soldiers. Many brave Screaming Eagles fell accomplishing this mission. Their efforts and sacrifices will never be forgotten. They are etched into the hearts, minds and souls of all who survived this ferocious battle.



Perhaps it truly is most fitting that the napalm drop be remembered as the single most significant event of Operation Hawthorne.... The explosive, searing, oxygen stealing , blasting inferno has long ago dissipated into oblivion, but in its' wake it has left one brilliant incandescent legacy. This AFTERGLOW is the indomitable fighting Airborne spirit of the soldiers of the 1st Brigade, (separate) 101st Airborne Division, Viet Nam, 1965-68. I am most proud to be counted within your ranks, it is a great honor to have served with you. God bless you all.

Peter S. Griffin

[SAMWolf]

Calculated Risk or Military Gamble?
Operation HAWTHORNE, Dak To, Vietnam

At 0230, 7 June 1966, a battalion of the 24th NVA (North Vietnamese Army) Regiment attacked an artillery firebase manned by elements of 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, beginning the battle of Dak To. While the forces at the firebase defeated this attack, two battalions of the 101st Airborne were lifted in by helicopters to envelop the 24th NVA Regiment in the Dak To area. One battalion, 1/327th, attacked north up Dak Tan Kan valley, while the other, 2/502d, attacked toward the south. The 1/327th encountered the NVA first and fixed them. The 2/502d established a blocking position initially but then began a sweep south to link up with 1/327th.



The 2/502d used its famous "checkerboard" technique in its advance, breaking down into small units, with squad-size patrols searching designated areas into which the battalion had divided its AO. This technique covered ground, but the squads were too weak to face stiff opposition. Company commanders had to assess indicators, decide when they indicated the presence of heavy enemy forces, and assemble their companies for action. As C Company advanced on 12 June, its commander, CPT William S. Carpenter Jr., sensed those indicators and concentrated his company, but it was surrounded and in danger of being overrun by an estimated NVA battalion. As he spoke to his battalion commander, LTC Hank Emerson ("the Gunfighter"), the sounds of the screaming, charging enemy could be heard over the radio. CPT Carpenter reportedly called for an air strike "right on top of us." The only air support available was armed with napalm; when it hit, it broke the enemy attack and saved the company. A day later, another company linked up with C Company, and they continued the mission. The battle of Dak To was a staggering defeat for the NVA.



CPT Carpenter’s action can be considered a justified military gamble. The survival of his force was at stake. The NVA would have destroyed C Company before another company could relieve it. CPT Carpenter later stated privately that he realized the survival of his company was at stake, but that he did not actually call the air strike directly in on his position. Instead, he told the forward air controller to use the smoke marking his company’s position as the aiming point for the air strike. He knew that using conventional air strike techniques and safe distances would not defeat the enemy. He also reasoned that the napalm would "splash" forward of his position, causing more enemy than friendly casualties. The air strike did just that. Thus, CPT Carpenter exercised judgment based on experience. CPT Carpenter believed he was taking a calculated risk, although a high risk from the standpoint of troop safety. But he accepted that risk, made a decision, and acted. His actions saved his company and contributed to a major NVA defeat. CPT Carpenter and his first sergeant, 1SG Walter Sabaulaski, received the Distinguished Service Cross for their heroism.

Additional Sources:

www.grunts.net
www.adtdl.army.mi
www.army.mil
history.searchbeat.com
www.pieceuniquegallery.com
www.siraiservizi.com
pzzzz.tripod.com
www.multied.com

[SAMWolf]

Presidential Unit Citation (Army),
Streamer embroidered
DAK TO, VIETNAM 1966

Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division cited in Department of the Army General Orders 59, 21 October 1968 (along with other attached units):

The 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) and attached units distinguished themselves by extraordinary heroism in action against a hostile force in Dak To, Republic of Vietnam, during "OPERATION HAWTHORNE", 2 through 20 June 1966. "OPERATION HAWTHORNE" began on 2 June 1966 when the Brigade was directed to relieve the beleaguered mountain outpost of Tou Morong. The 1st Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry teamed up with elements of the 24th Tactical Zone Command (42d Army of the Republic of Vietnam Regiment and the 21st Ranger Battalion) to accomplish this phase of the operation. Intelligence reports received at Brigade Headquarters indicated a major enemy drive was under way to overrun the Central Highlands.

At 0230 hours on the morning of 7 June 1966, and estimated North Vietnamese battalion of the 24th North Vietnamese Army Regiment savagely attacked an artillery position in the valley west of Tou Morong. The position was manned by Battery B, 2d Howitzer Battalion (Airborne), 320th Artillery; Company A, 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry; and elements of Company A, 326th Engineer Battalion. The charging enemy was able to penetrate the artillery’s perimeter. The battle that had the winner-take-all climax saw the valiant Americans secure their weapons and fire point-blank into the still charging North Vietnamese Army ranks. As dawn brought light to the exhausted warriors, 86 enemy bodies were counted, 13 of them inside the artillery position. After relieving the Tou Morong outpost, the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry, moved north. Another bitter battle erupted, this time engaging all three of the infantry companies of the Battalion at one time, each in a separate fire fight. As the battle raged, the Battalion’s elite Tiger Force was hard hit and almost overrun by an estimated two companies of heavily armed, well trained North Vietnamese Army Regulars.

On 7 June 1966, the 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry, was helilifted into a blocking position where it began a sweep south to link up with its heavily engaged sister Battalion. Throughout the battle, the enemy strength was fixed as a well trained North Vietnamese Army Regiment. Their heavy weapons were strategically placed in sturdy bunkers which were spread out along the fingers and draws of mountainside. As the battered but courageous 2d Battalion (Airborne), 502d Infantry companies regrouped and the 1st Battalion (Airborne), 327th Infantry, continued their relentless attack from the south, a decision was made to have B-52 Bombers strike Dak Tan Kan Valley before the Brigade moved in for the final kill. "OPERATION HAWTHORNE" was one of the most viciously contested battles of the Vietnam War. Day and Night the battle raged, moving from bunker to trench line, to spider hole, to bamboo thicket, to stream bed, and finally to victory.

At the conclusion of "OPERATION HAWTHORNE" the 24th North Vietnamese Army Regiment was rendered ineffective as a fighting unit, suffering 1200 casualties by body count and estimate. By comparison, friendly casualties were 48 dead and 239 wounded. A major North Vietnamese offensive to seize the North Central Highlands was blunted.

Throughout "OPERATION HAWTHORNE" the extraordinary heroism, dogged determination, gallantry, and indomitable spirit with which the 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division, successfully accomplished all assigned missions were in keeping with the finest traditions of the United States Army and reflect great credit upon all members of the Brigade who participated in this remarkable combat action.

[SAMWolf]

Veterans for Constitution Restoration is a non-profit, non-partisan educational and grassroots activist organization. The primary area of concern to all VetsCoR members is that our national and local educational systems fall short in teaching students and all American citizens the history and underlying principles on which our Constitutional republic-based system of self-government was founded. VetsCoR members are also very concerned that the Federal government long ago over-stepped its limited authority as clearly specified in the United States Constitution, as well as the Founding Fathers' supporting letters, essays, and other public documents.

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Tribute to a Generation - The memorial will be dedicated on Saturday, May 29, 2004.

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Actively seeking volunteers to provide this valuable service to Veterans and their families.

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[radu]

center>

Good morning to all at the Foxhole!

To all our military men and women, past and present,
THANK YOU for serving the USA!

[snippy_about_it]

FALL IN to the FReeper Foxhole!



Good Thursday Morning Everyone

Dear Readers, Our server appears to still be down. They have some of our pics on a temporary server. I've posted the thread again with pictures from the temporary server starting at post 6.

Once the main server comes back on line we hope the pictures will appear in the opening and then we can just delete the duplicate posts of 6, 7 and 8.

Thanks to everyone for their patience while we wait for this all to be fixed.

If you would like added to our ping list let us know.

[Aeronaut]

Good morning Snippy.

PBY Catalina

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning Aeronaut, that's a pretty painting. The wing span looks awfully long compared to the engines. Thanks for another neat plane post!

[E.G.C.]

Good morning, Snippy and everyone else at the Foxhole.

[The Mayor]

I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. —Galatians 2:20

God loves you as much as if you were His only child.

[snippy_about_it]

It was then that one of the most heroic actions of the war took place. Captain William S. Carpenter, Commander of Co. "C", 2d Battalion, 502d Inf. found his unit surrounded and being overrun by what was later estimated to be an NVA battalion. As he spoke to his battalion commander the voices of the screaming, charging enemy could be heard over the radio. The Company Commander called an air strike on his own position - "Theyre all around us and in us - lets take them with us - put it right on top of us." The only thing in the air at the time was napalm but the enemy attack was broken and the company was saved. However, it was still surrounded until "A" Company pressed through the thicket of bamboo and heavy enemy fire to relieve the pressure on "C" Company.

Perhaps the most controversial incident to occur during Operation Hawthorne was the napalm drop. I have talked to several troopers of "C" company who were there. Some feel it was an over-reaction, others feel that without it they wouldn't be here to discuss their feelings and thoughts on the subject.

...friendly as well as enemy casualties did result, but the drop did break off that enemy assault and allow time for "C" company to regroup and reorganize.



And then this;
The combat engineers fought bravely as infantrymen protecting the defensive perimeter from many concentrated attacks. Later they cut out landing zones with chainsaws under deadly enemy fire to extract our dead and wounded, with little concern for their own safety.

There are no words to sufficiently describe my feelings when I read stories such as these. So many times Americans performed these heroic acts in so many places. There are none like US. We are blessed.

Thank you Sam for bringing Operation Hawthorne to us.

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning EGC.

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning Mayor. We are expecting some bad weather today. I hope this winter doesn't last too long!

[snippy_about_it]

Good morning radu.

[Valin]

On This Day In History


Birthdates which occurred on February 05:
1626 Madame Marie de Sévigné Paris, celebrated letter-writer (Portrait in Letters)
1723 John Witherspoon clergyman/signed Declaration of Independence
1748 Christian Gottlob Neefe German composer/conductor/tutor of Beethoven
1788 Sir Robert "Bobbie" Peel British PM (1834-46), founded Tories
1810 Ole Bull composer
1833 John Watkinson founder of British Chess Magazine (oldest chess magazine)
1837 Dwight Lyman Moody US, evangelist (Student Volunteer Movement)
1840 Hiram Stevens Maxim inventor (automatic single-barrel rifle)
1840 John Boyd Dunlop Scotland, developer (pneumatic rubber tire)
1891 Karl L Schmidt German/Swiss theologist (Urchristentum)
1900 Adlai E Stevenson (Governor-D-IL), presidential candidate (D) (1952, 1956)
1906 John Carradine Greenwich Village NY, actor (Grapes of Wrath, Howling)
1914 William S Burroughs St Louis, novelist/junkie (Naked Lunch)
1917 Zsa Zsa Gabor [Zsa Sari], Budapest Hungary, actress (Queen of Outer Space)
1919 Red Buttons [Aaron Chwatt], Bronx New York NY, comedian/actor (Sayonara, Poseidon Adventure)
1922 Bernard Kalb State Dept spokesman/actor (Dave)
1923 Stephen J Cannell TV producer/writer(Rockford Files, A-Team)
1934 Hank Aaron baseball player (record 755 home runs, 1957 NL MVP)
1939 Jane Bryant Quinn newscaster/financial writer (Everyone's Money Book)
1941 Rick Laird jazz musician (Gerry Niewood & Timepiece)
1942 Roger Staubach NFL quarterback (Dallas Cowboys)
1944 Al Kooper rock keyboards/vocalist (Blood Sweat & Tears-When I Die)
1964 Duff [Michael] "Rose" McKagan rocker (Guns & Roses-Sweet Child of Mine)
1978 Kristina Cherina Miss Croatia-Universe (1997)

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Deaths which occurred on February 05:
0045 -BC- Cato Roman patriot & philosopher, commits suicide
1721 James Stanhope 1st earl of Stanhope English General, dies at 47
1867 Salomon Munk published Arabic edition of Maimounides, dies
1881 Thomas Carlyle historian/essayist, dies in London at 85
1946 George Arliss actor/writer (Dr Syn, Voltaire), dies at 77
1947 Ganzefles Dutch Nazi spy/Jew hunter, executed
1961 Anthony G de Rothschild British philanthropist, dies at 73
1991 Dean Jagger US actor (Mr Novak, Rawhide, Oscar), dies at about 87
1993 Joseph L Mankiewicz US writer/director (All about Eve), dies at 83
1994 Hermann Abs German banker to Hitler & Adenauer, dies at 92
1995 Doug Mcclure US rodeo rider/actor (Trampas-Virginian), dies at 59
1997 Pamela Harriman US Ambassador (to France), dies of stroke at 76

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Reported: MISSING in ACTION

1966 ASMUSSEN GLENN EDWARD---WASHINGTON DC.
1966 MC CONNAUGHHAY DAN DAILY---ARTESIA CA.
[DIED IN HELI CRASH]
1966 SPARENBERG BERNARD JOHN---BALTIMORE MD.
[DIED IN HELI CRASH]
1968 CLEVER LOUIS J.---WESTMORELAND CITY PA.
1968 EDGAR ROBERT J.---NOKOMIS FL.
1968 GODWIN SOLOMON H.---HOT SPRINGS AR.
1968 LASITER CARL W.---INDIANAPOLIS IN.
[03/14/73 RELEASED BY DRV, ALIVE IN 98]
1968 POTTER WILLIAM T.---GRAND FORKS ND.
1968 ROLLINS JAMES U.
[02/12/73 RELEASED BY PRG INJURED]
1969 SWIGART PAUL E. JR.---SEAL BEACH CA.
1970 DELUCA ANTHONY J.
[02/28/70 RELEASED TUNNEL RAT, ALIVE AND WELL 1998]
1970 GLENN THOMAS PAUL
[02/28/70 RELEASED]
1970 HEFEL DANIEL---GUTTENBURG IA.
[03/27/73 RELEASED BY PRG, ALIVE IN 98]
1970 HUNSUCKER JAMES
[02/28/70 RELEASED]
1970 KOBASHIGAWA TOM Y.---HONOLULU HI.
[03/27/73 RELEASED BY PRG, ALIVE IN 98]
1970 LYON JAMES M.---INDIANAPOLIS IN.
1970 LEHNEN GARY ROBERT
[02/28/70 RELEASED]
1970 PARSELS JOHN W.---BRADENTON FL.
[03/27/73 RELEASED BY PRG]
1970 STEPHENSON RICHARD C.---HAMILTON OH.
1970 WALKER MICHAEL JAMES
[02/28/70 RELEASED]
1971 PAUL JAMES L.---RIVERVIEW MI.
1973 BERNHARDT ROBERT E.---RICHMOND VA.
[02/73 REMAINS RECOVERED]

POW / MIA Data & Bios supplied by
the P.O.W. NETWORK. Skidmore, MO. USA.

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On this day...
0816 Frankish emperor Louis grants archbishop Salzburg immunity
1428 King Alfonso V, orders Sicily's Jews to attend conversion sermons
1572 Beggars assault Oisterwijk Netherlands, drive nuns out
1576 Henry of Navarre abjures Catholicism at Tours
1631 Rhode Island, founder, Roger Williams arrives in Boston from England
1644 1st US livestock branding law passed, by Connecticut
1649 Prince of Wales becomes king Charles II
1736 Methodists John & Charles Wesley arrive in Savannah GA
1778 Articles of Confederation ratified by 1st state, South Carolina
1782 Spanish take Minorca (western Mediterranean) from the English
1783 Sweden recognizes US independence
1783 Earthquakes ravage Calabria, killing 30,000
1816 Rossini's Opera "Barber of Seville" premieres in Rome
1817 1st US gas company incorporated, Baltimore (coal gas for street lights)
1825 Hannah Lord Montague of New York creates 1st detachable shirt collar
1846 "Oregon Spectator" is 1st newspaper to be published on the West Coast
1850 Adding machine employing depressible keys patented, New Paltz NY
1861 Louisiana delegation except Mr Bouligny withdraws from Congress
1861 1st moving picture peep show machine is patented by Samuel Goodale of Cincinnati
1864 Federals occupy Jackson MS
1865 Battle of Hatcher's Run, VA (Armstrong's Mill, Dabney's Mill)
1870 1st motion picture shown to a theater audience, Philadelphia
1879 Joseph Swan demonstrates light bulb using carbon glow
1881 Phoenix AZ incorporates
1885 News of fall of Khartoum reaches London
1887 Giuseppe Verdi's opera "Otello" premieres at La Scala in Italy
1887 Snow falls on San Francisco
1901 Loop-the-loop centrifugal RR (roller coaster) patented by Ed Prescot
1901 Pierpont Morgan forms US Steel Corp
1916 Enrico Caruso recorded "O Sole Mio" for the Victor Talking Machine Company
1917 Congress overrides Wilson's veto, curtailing Asian immigration
1917 Present Mexican constitution adopted
1918 1st US pilot to down an enemy airplane, Stephen W Thompson
1918 Separation of church & state begins in USSR
1921 Yankees purchase 20 acres in the Bronx for Yankee Stadium
1922 Reader's Digest magazine 1st published
1923 Mass arrests of socialists & communists in Italy
1927 Buster Keaton's movie "The General" released & bombed
1937 FDR proposes enlarging Supreme Court, "court packing" plan failed
1937 1st Charlie Chaplin talkie, "Modern Times", is released
1940 Glenn Miller & his Orchestra record "Tuxedo Junction"
1945 British premier Churchill arrives in Yalta, the Krim
1945 US troops under General Douglas MacArthur enter Manilla
1948 Dick Button becomes 1st US figure skating Olympics champion
1953 "Peter Pan" by Walt Disney opens at Roxy Theater, NYC
1957 Dmitri Shostakovich completes his 2nd Piano Concert
1958 Gamel Abdel Nasser nominated 1st President of United Arab Republic
1962 French President de Gaulle calls for Algeria's independence
1962 Sun, Moon, Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter & Saturn within 16º
1963 Maarten Schmidt discovers enormous red shifts in quasars
1967 "The Smothers Brothers Comedy Hour" premieres on CBS (later ABC, NBC)
1967 Anastasio Somoza elected President of Nicaragua
1969 US population reaches 200 million
1969 Vince Lombardi, becomes part owner, vice president, general manager & head coach of Redskins
1971 Apollo 14, 3rd US manned Moon expedition, lands near Fra Mauro; Alan Shepard & Edward Mitchell (Apollo 14) walk on Moon for 4 hours
1972 US airlines begin mandatory inspection of passengers & baggage

1973 Funeral for LC William Nolde, last US soldier killed in Vietnam War

1973 Juan Corona sentenced to 25 consecutive life terms for 25 murders
1973 Comic strip "Hagar The Horrible" debuts
1974 US Mariner 10 returns 1st close-up photos of Venus' cloud structure
1974 Maximum speed on Autobahn reduced to 100 kph
1977 "Up Your Nose" by Gabriel Kaplan peaks at #91
1980 Egyptian parliament votes to end boycott of Israel
1981 Military jury in North Carolina convicts Robert Garwood of collaborating with enemy
1981 Largest Jell-O made (9,246 gallons of watermelon-flavor) in Brisbane
1983 Former Nazi Gestapo official Klaus Barbie brought to trial
1988 1st prime-time wrestling match in 30 years-Andre beats Hulk Hogan
1988 Panamanian General Manuel Noriega indicted by US grand jury for drugs
1988 Arizona House of Representatives vote to impeach Republican Governor Evan Mecham
1989 Kareem Abdul-Jabar becomes 1st NBA player to score 38,000 points
1991 A Michigan court bars Dr Jack Kevorkian from assisting in suicides
1992 Jury selection begins in the Los Angeles cops beating Rodney King case
1994 "Where On Earth Is Carmen San Diego" debuts on Fox TV
1994 Medgar Evers' murderer Byron De La Beckwith sentenced to life, in Jackson MS, 30 years after the crime
1997 3 Swiss banks create $70 million Holocaust fund
1998 Author Tom Clancy confirms he signed agreement to purchase Minnesota Vikings for slightly more than $200 million, an NFL franchise record

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Holidays
Note: Some Holidays are only applicable on a given "day of the week"
World] International Clergy Appreciation Week (Day 5)
Finland : Runeberg Day (1804)
Japan : Japanese Martyrs Day (26 martyrs-1597)
México : Constitution Day (1857 & 1917)
Roman calendar : Nonae Februarius
San Marino : Liberation Day
Tanzania : Birth of the Afro Shirazi Party
World : Boy Scouts Day (1910) (Sunday)
US : Muffin Mania Week (Day 5)
Blah Buster Month

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Religious Observances
Baptist : Roger Williams Day
Roman Catholic : Memorial of St Agatha, virgin/martyr
Roman Catholic : Commemoration of St Jeanne de Valois, French foundress
Anglican, Lutheran : Commemoration of 26 martyrs of Japan killed by Tagosama
old Roman Catholic : Feast of St Philip of Jesus, 1st Christian martyr in Japan

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Religious History
1631 English clergyman Roger Williams first arrived in America. He soon began questioning Massachusetts' religious policies which fused church and state matters. Williams was banished to Rhode Island five years later, where at Providence he established the first Baptist church in America.
1736 The English Wesley brothers, John (32) and Charles (28) first arrived in America at Savannah, GA. They had been invited by Georgia governor James Oglethorpe as missionaries to the American Indians.
1812 American missionary Adoniram Judson, 23, married schoolteacher Ann Hasseltine, 22. Two weeks later the couple set sail for India under sponsorship of the American [Congregational] Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions.
1887 The Chicago Evangelization Society was organized by evangelist D. L. Moody, 50. Two years later, the Society established the Bible Institute for Home and Foreign Missions. Moody died in 1899, and in 1900 the school was renamed Moody Bible Institute.
1944 German theologian and Nazi martyr Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote in a letter from prison: 'Much that worries us beforehand can afterwards, quite unexpectedly, have a happy and simple solution... Things really are in a better hand than ours.'

Source: William D. Blake. ALMANAC OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH. Minneapolis: Bethany House, 1987.

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Thought for the day :
"A real patriot is the fellow who gets a parking ticket and rejoices that the system works."

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Question of the day...
If peanut butter cookies are made from peanut butter, then what are Girl Scout cookies made out of?

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Murphys Law of the day...(Clopton's Law)
For every credibility gap there is a gullibility fill.

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Amazing Fact # 610,765...
You share your birthday with at leas nine million other people around the world.

[Soaring Feather]

Good morning everyone in The FOXHOLE!

[SAMWolf]

Good Morning Radu.