In the early morning hours of 6 February 1968, the marines hunkered down at Khe Sanh could hear the anticipated NVA armor attack against the small SF camp at Lang Vei a few miles to the west. Lang Vei's request for the commitment of the planned marine reaction forces received no response. When SF recon personnel at Khe Sanh confronted Colonel David Lownds, the CO of the 26th marines, he declared; he "would not sacrifice any American lives." Major Jim Stanton, Khe Sanh's marine artillery coordinator conceded, "It is true we had an agreement to go to the aid of Lang Vei in the event it was threatened with being overrun, but the situation at the combat base deteriorated so quickly and completely that it should have been obvious to anyone that we could no longer guarantee their security." That morning General Westmoreland flew to Danang and ordered General Robert Cushman to provide helicopter support to lift a small, 50 man SF and Montagnard, reaction force to Lang Vei. He had to issue orders to Cushman's subordinates, violating the marine chain of command, to get it done.
and ordered General Robert Cushman to provide helicopter support to lift a small, 50 man SF and Montagnard, reaction force to Lang Vei.
These guys got in and got out with no real problems,and rescued a couple of SF guys who were still alive and holed-up in the camp dispensary or radio room. This was below the famous photo where the NVA tank was spinning it's threads over the entrance to try and bust in. Unfortunately,they didn't get there in time to save all of them,and some of that A team dissapeared into captivity.