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Posted on 08/06/2004 10:40:05 PM PDT by snippy_about_it
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 are acknowledged, affirmed and commemorated.
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| Our Mission: The FReeper Foxhole is dedicated to Veterans of our Nation's military forces and to others who are affected in their relationships with Veterans. In the FReeper Foxhole, Veterans or their family members should feel free to address their specific circumstances or whatever issues concern them in an atmosphere of peace, understanding, brotherhood and support. The FReeper Foxhole hopes to share with it's readers an open forum where we can learn about and discuss military history, military news and other topics of concern or interest to our readers be they Veteran's, Current Duty or anyone interested in what we have to offer. If the Foxhole makes someone appreciate, even a little, what others have sacrificed for us, then it has accomplished one of it's missions. We hope the Foxhole in some small way helps us to remember and honor those who came before us.
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 Vietnam - Summer 1970 Rodger "Chip" Collins is a witness to hidden history. As a 19-year-old Army private first class, Collins fought at the heart of America's last major battle in Vietnam. His unit - 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry of the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), gave up 40 of the 77 soldiers killed during the siege of Fire Support Base Ripcord, a mountaintop artillery position deep in North Vietnamese Army territory, from July 2-23, 1970. When you add the battles required to take the hill and establish the firebase, beginning in mid-March, the cost of controlling and eventually giving up Ripcord becomes 114 dead and nearly 700 wounded. But almost no one knows about what happened at Ripcord - except for the survivors, a few others who fought nearby and a handful of military historians. By the time the battle at Ripcord began, the vast majority of American troops could see the end of their Vietnam war in sight, and most American civilians were more than ready to forget that Vietnam even existed. For 30 years, almost no literature existed about the 101st's significant role in 1970, as America's war petered out.  Now this gaping hole is about to get filled. With the help of veterans like Collins - who founded the Ripcord Association to maintain links between survivors - author Keith William Nolan has completed a book detailing the battle and its previously ignored importance. "Ripcord: Screaming Eagles Under Siege, Vietnam 1970" was published in July by Presidio Press Inc. Among the most important sources influencing Nolan's decision to write, and filling in the story's details, was the "Ripcord Report," the association newsletter founded by Collins and continued by former 101st company commander Chuck Hawkins. Firebase Ripcord was a bald lump of dirt on a mountain jutting up in the middle of Thua Thien Province, near South Vietnam's extreme northwest corner.  I Corps, the military region including Thua Thien, was best known to the American public for three battlefield events. One was the vicious battle for the provincial capital, the city of Hue, during the enemy's 1968 Tet Offensive. Another, only a few weeks later, was the bitter months-long siege of a Marine base at Khe Sanh. The third took place 10 miles south of Ripcord, in May 1969, and made international headlines. It was a bloody battle for a mountain called Dong Ap Bia, in the A Shau Valley, not far from the Laotian border. For nine days, the 101st, nicknamed the Screaming Eagles, tried to root North Vietnamese Army forces out of mountaintop strongholds before finally taking control, at the cost of 56 killed and more than 400 wounded. Dong Ap Bia became known to the troopers and the American public as Hamburger Hill. The fact that it was abandoned almost immediately after being taken at such a terrible price came to symbolize the war's seeming futility. Two months later, President Richard Nixon ordered the start of "Vietnamization," his policy of gradually pulling out U.S. forces and turning the war over to their South Vietnamese allies. Only two events from the war in 1970 stick in the minds of most Americans - the April to May invasion of Cambodia, and the fatal shooting of four Kent State University students when an anti-invasion protest became a riot. At the same time, the 101st was working its way back toward the A Shau to pound the North Vietnamese Army one last time before handing responsibility to the South Vietnamese.  But the division faced one key difference from a year before. Hamburger Hill had sapped the commanders' willingness to suffer terrible casualties and to do whatever it took to master the valley, which the North Vietnamese Army now owned completely. Trying to fight the enemy in his back yard, but avoid casualties, was contradictory. It backfired. Chip Collins had barely arrived in Vietnam in March 1970 when the 2/506th was sent to help prepare Ripcord. They walked into the fire right away, getting nailed to the hillside under mortar attack on April Fool's Day, as Collins chronicled in a 1986 Ripcord Report. The 2/506th and related battalions were nicknamed Currahee, a Cherokee word for "stand alone."  The Currahees and other 101st units eventually carved out bunkers, artillery positions and communications complexes on the mountain. Ripcord would provide the big guns to support a push south into the A Shau as part of Operation Texas Star, the last mostly-American offensive of the war. Or would it? Collins notes there's evidence in the Texas Star operational plan that the brass may have never intended to go back to the A Shau's death trap. Instead, they would set up an exposed firebase to draw the North Vietnamese Army like honey on an anthill.  Collins was among roughly 300 troopers who would alternate between providing security on Ripcord and venturing to look for the enemy among neighboring hills and valleys. Meanwhile, the push to the A Shau never happened. Beginning July 2, the Screaming Eagles were too busy trying to stop a nearly constant rain of North Vietnamese Army mortars and artillery shells smashing Ripcord. The hilltop bristled with firepower and was ringed with an elaborate wall of wire - razor wire, concertina wire, barbed wire.  Commanders were certain this intricate maze would hold off full-scale North Vietnamese Army infantry assaults and infiltration attacks, Collins said. As a squad leader, he explained, "I was the guy who had to fill the (perimeter defense) positions each night." After days and days of relentless bombing, the troops were exhausted. "I know the NVA could come through the wire if they wanted to," he said.  The 101st also needed to secure two prominent nearby peaks the enemy controlled, Hill 805 and Hill 1000. But after several failed attempts Collins had to help haul dead and wounded off Hill 1000.  Commanders put some troops atop Hill 805, but not enough to hold it. Collins witnessed the firefights from Ripcord as the North Vietnamese Army mauled an undermanned unit on Hill 805 for days, because Brig. Gen. Sidney Berry was unwilling to risk more deaths and woundings to send reinforcements. "I watched every night as a company got reduced to a platoon," he said. Collins also was among those who, on the 18th day of the siege, were witnesses as the North Vietnamese Army shot down a giant Chinook supply helicopter. It crashed into an ammunition dump that blew up with such force it tore the top off much of the hill. Ultimately, Ripcord was surrounded by North Vietnamese anti-aircraft artillery and mortar positions that could fire on it virtually at will, Collins said. Down below were hillsides and valleys that hid endless enemy bunkers, which Collins only recently learned were all interconnected. On July 21, one of Hawkins' riflemen shot a young North Vietnamese courier and found on him a map outlining plans for a massive ground attack on Ripcord. Two days later, commanders decided holding the hill wasn't worth the cost. A seemingly endless relay of helicopters lifted the Eagles to safety a half-dozen at a time.  When everyone was gone, fighter jets and bombers smashed the abandoned firebase back to an anonymous pile of dust. Collins later fought with a reconnaissance squad, unwilling to waste away the last months of his tour with undisciplined troops in the safer rear areas of the war zone. He left in February 1971, but not before watching the buildup of South Vietnamese troops, assisted by 101st helicopters, preparing for the ill-fated Lam Son 719 assault on North Vietnamese Army hideouts in Laos.  The South Vietnamese got their tails kicked badly, hinting at the failures that would let North Vietnamese tanks roll into Saigon four years later. As Nolan wrote, "Vietnamization had failed."      |
Join us at the rally we call:
What: A peaceful remembrance of those with whom we served in Vietnam - those who lived and those who died.
We will tell the story of their virtues and how that contrasts with the lies told by John Kerry.
When: Sunday, Sept. 12, 2004 @ 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM EDT
Where: The West Front of the U.S. Capitol Building, Washington, DC
All Vietnam veterans and their families and supporters are asked to attend. Other veterans are invited as honored guests. This will be a peaceful event--no shouting or contact with others with different opinions. We fought for their rights then, and we respect their rights now. This is NOT a Republican or a pro-Bush rally. Democrats, Republicans and independents alike are warmly invited.
Our gathering is to remember those with whom we served, thereby giving the lie to John Kerry's smear against a generation of fine young men. B.G. "Jug" Burkett, author of "Stolen Valor," will be one of our speakers. Jug has debunked countless impostors who falsely claimed to be Vietnam veterans or who falsely claimed awards for heroism. Jug recommends that we refrain from dragging fatigues out of mothballs. Dress like America, like you do every day.
Dress code: business casual, nice slacks, and shirt and shoes. No uniform remnants, please. Unit hats OK.
Selected members will wear badges identifying them as authorized to speak to the media about our event. Others who speak to the media will speak only for themselves.
The program will be controlled in an attempt to stay on-message. Speakers are encouraged not to engage in speculative criticism of John Kerry but (1) to stick to known and undisputed facts about John Kerry’s lies while (2) reminding America of the true honor and courage of our brothers in battle in Vietnam.
Send this announcement to 10 or more of your brothers! Bring them by car, bus, train or plane! Make this event one of pride in America, an event you would be proud to have your mother or your children attend.
Contact: kerrylied.com
Something politicians still haven't learned. Good Thread to day Snippy.
Thanks Sam. Goodnight. ;-)
Today BTW is August 6th, 2004.:-D
Saturday Bump for the Foxhole
Glorious day here in K.C. yesterday, high was 76 on a bright sunny day. I am sure that summer will be back in a week or so when the children start school, always seems to get extra hot the first couple of weeks of school.
Off to work we go...rats
Regards
alfa6 ;>}
On This Day In History
Birthdates which occurred on August 07:
317 Constantius II Roman emperor (337-61)
1598 Georg Stiernhielm "father of Swedish poetry" (Hercules)
1742 Nathanael Greene American Revolutionary War General
1779 Carl Ritter cofounder of modern science of geography
1783 John Heathcoat inventor (lace-making machinery)
1829 Thomas Ewing Jr, Major General, Bvt (Union volunteers), died in 1896
1833 Powell Clayton, Brig General (Union volunteers)/(Gov-R-Ark)
1836 Evander McIvor Law, Brig General (Confederate Army), died in 1920
1876 Mata Hari dancer/courtesan/spy (WW I)
1885 Billie Burke Washington DC, actress (Glinda-The Wizard of Oz)
1886 Louis Hazeltine inventor (neutrodyne circuit, making radio possible)
1903 Louis Leakey anthropologist (1964 Richard Hooper Medal)
1904 Ralph J Bunche a founder & UN diplomat (Nobel 1950)
1921 Karel Husa Prague Czechoslovakia, composer (Trojan Women)
1926 Stan Freberg LA Calif, satirist/ad executive
1927 Edwin W Edwards (Gov-La)
1927 Carl Switzer, IL, actor (Alfalfa-Our Gang)
1928 Amazing "James" Randi Toronto Ontario, skeptic magician
1929 Don Larsen pitcher (NY Yankees), on what must have been a perfect day
1929 Ruth Carter-Stapleton Plains Ga, 1st sister/evangelist
1933 Jerry [Eugene] Pournelle, US, sci-fi author (Mercenary, Red Dragon)
1938 Helen Caldicott Melbourne Australia, physician/anti-war activist/moral midget
1940 Marlyn Mason San Fernando Cal, actress (Making It, Peyton Place)
1942 B.J. Thomas singer (Raindrops, Growing Pains Theme)
1942 Garrison Keillor PBS radio personality/world class jerk (Prairie Home Companion)
1945 Alan Page defensive tackle (Minn Vikings)
1956 Kent V Rominger Del Norte Colo, US Navy Lt Commander/astronaut
1958 Alberto Salazar marathoner (NYC Marathon Winner)
1960 Jacquie O'Sullivan rocker (Bananarama-Venus)
Good Morning Aeronaut.
Morning E.G.C.
Ooops. ;-) Thanks for pointing the date out. I missed it completely.
Morning alfa6. We're supposed to get the heat back today. Had some beautiful rainbows yesterday with on and off rain.
MMMMMMMM Strawberries! Morning GailA.
The original Purple Heart, designated as the Badge of Military Merit, was established by General George Washington by order from his headquarters at Newburgh, New York, August 7, 1782. The writings of General Washington quoted in part:
"The General ever desirous to cherish a virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of Military Merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings over the left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry, but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with a due reward".
b. So far as the known surviving records show, this honor badge was granted to only three men, all of them noncommissioned officers: Sergeant Daniel Bissell of the 2d Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Line; Sergeant William Brown of the 5th Connecticut Regiment of the Continental Line, and Sergeant Elijah Churchill of the 2d Continental Dragoons, which was also a Connecticut Regiment. The original Purple Heart depicted on the first page is a copy of the badge awarded to Sergeant Elijah Churchill and is now owned by the New Windsor Cantonment, National Temple Hill Association, PO Box 525, Vails Gate, NY 12584. The only other known original badge is the badge awarded to Sergeant William Brown and is in the possession of The Society of the Cincinnati, New Hampshire Branch but differs in design by not having any lettering embroidered on the heart and the leaves are at the top only with a larger spray of leaves at the base.
c. Subsequent to the Revolution, the Order of the Purple Heart had fallen into disuse and no further awards were made. By Order of the President of the United States, the Purple Heart was revived on the 200th Anniversary of George Washington's birth, out of respect to his memory and military achievements, by War Department General Orders No. 3, dated 22 February 1932. The criteria was announced in War Department Circular dated 22 February 1932 and authorized award to soldiers, upon their request, who had been awarded the Meritorious Service Citation Certificate or were authorized to wear wound chevrons subsequent to 5 April 1917.
d. During the early period of World War II (7 Dec 41 to 22 Sep 43), the Purple Heart was awarded both for wounds received in action against the enemy and for meritorious performance of duty. With the establishment of the Legion of Merit, by an Act of Congress, the practice of awarding the Purple Heart for meritorious service was discontinued. By Executive Order 9277, dated 3 December 1942, the decoration was extended to be applicable to all services and the order required that regulations of the Services be uniform in application as far as practicable. This executive order also authorized award only for wounds received.
e. Executive Order 10409, dated 12 February 1952, revised authorizations to include the Service Secretaries subject to approval of the Secretary of Defense. Executive Order 11016, dated 25 April 1962, included provisions for posthumous award of the Purple Heart. Executive Order 12464, dated 23 February 1984, authorized award of the Purple Heart as a result of terrorist attacks or while serving as part of a peacekeeping force subsequent to 28 March 1973.
f. The Senate approved an amendment to the 1985 Defense Authorization Bill on 13 June 1985, which changed the precedent from immediately above the Good Conduct Medal to immediately above the Meritorious Service Medals. Public Law 99-145 authorized the award for wounds received as a result of "friendly fire". Public Law 104-106 expanded the eligibility date, authorizing award of the Purple Heart to a former prisoner of war who was wounded before 25 April 1962.
g. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year1998 (Public Law 105-85) changed the criteria to delete authorization for award of the Purple Heart Medal to any civilian national of the United States while serving under competent authority in any capacity with the Armed Forces. This change was effective 18 May 1998.
h. Order of precedence and wear of decorations is contained in Army Regulation 670-1. Policy for awards, approving authority, supply, and issue of decorations is contained in AR 600-8-22.
Snippy's been complaining about my "slave driving" again hasn't she? I'm not really that hard on her. ;-)
Read: 2 Tim. 1:1-7; 2:1-2
The things that you have heard from me . . . commit these to faithful men. —2 Timothy 2:2
Bible In One Year: Psalms 72-73; Romans 9:1-15
Whenever I meet a Christian for the first time, I'm interested in learning how he came to trust Jesus as his Savior. Each person has a different story to tell, but they all testify that they learned the truth because of the efforts of others—their parents, pastors, Sunday school teachers, Bible club leaders, friends, writers. Someone has rightly observed that the body of Christ grows through "an unbroken chain of teachers."
In today's Scripture we learn that Timothy became a believer through the influence of his grandmother Lois, his mother Eunice, and the teaching of Paul (2 Timothy 1:5; 2:2). The apostle told Timothy to become part of that chain and "commit these truths to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (v.2).
The "faithful men" Paul had in mind were probably church elders, yet he was expressing a principle that applies to every believer. We had to receive the truth from someone; now it is our gracious privilege and solemn duty to transmit that truth to others.
Think of yourself as a link in the living chain that extends from the time Jesus lived on earth to the present. We must keep that chain strong by telling others about Him so that the gospel will reach to future generations. —Herb Vander Lugt
"The General ever desirous to cherish a virtuous ambition in his soldiers, as well as to foster and encourage every species of Military Merit, directs that whenever any singularly meritorious action is performed, the author of it shall be permitted to wear on his facings over the left breast, the figure of a heart in purple cloth or silk, edged with narrow lace or binding. Not only instances of unusual gallantry, but also of extraordinary fidelity and essential service in any way shall meet with a due reward".
Well that let's kerry out of the picture.
I cut my finger once north of the Imjim river (combat zone) Do I get a Purple Heart? It was terrible, I had to put a bandage on and everything, must of lost .003 grams of blood!
Good Morning Mayor.
I hear these guys are also good at getting Purple Hearts claims approved.
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