Posted on 01/30/2021 4:17:04 PM PST by redcatcherb412
Dick Freeman, 40th PIO
In the early morning hours of 31 January 1968, the Brigade Main Base at Camp Frenzell-Jones (Bien Hoa/Long Binh) came under heavy 122mm rocket, mortar, and crew-served weapons fire.Following the artillery assault came waves of Viet Cong and North Vietnamese from the 274th and 275th Viet Cong Main Force Regiments.The mission of the enemy units were to overrun BMB on their way into Saigon. They were to replenish their supplies, weapons, and ammunition at BMB after destroying all components of the 199th!
The next morning after the all clear and in the days to follow, it was reported that over 500 enemy KIA’s were in and around the base camp's perimeter wire.Camp Frenzell-Jones had been hit hard but not breached.
Ho Nai Village, right across the road from BMB had been heavily infiltrated and overrun, however. For the next two days, elements of the 4-12th Infantry would be heavily engaged in clearing all enemy forces from the village.
There were so many AO's that got hit that night and so many on this site fought there. Doubt if anyone forgets good old TET '68.
I was on the perimeter wire that night.
Where were you? Let's hear it from TET survivor Freepers.
Red Catchers didn’t fold ... held off wave after wave. Took out the ones using the railroad. Most of the troops there were units back on rotation and Hq/support.
Thank you for your service!
I was seven then. I know you didn't always get a parade when you got stateside. I humbly salute you.
Chu Lai airfield. A long week.
FYI!
Missed it by 1 year four months. Now they’re inside the wire here at home.
ping
I never thought I would see the day where Vietnamese people had more freedom than we do.
“Chu Lai airfield. A long week.”
My father was in Chu Lai at the same time. He had a heck of a war story. He only told me about it because I found the letter he wrote my mother when he thought he was going to die. He did two tours. Like most real combat vets he did not talk about it except to tell funny stories.
I got there in June of 66.
VMA-223 Mag12. A-4 skyhawks.
Extended tour and was on perimeter guard but
had the night off. They hit us with 80mm mortars
and 122 rockets.
Words can not express my gratitude for your actions. Welcome Home.
Words can not express my gratitude for your actions. Welcome Home.
Words can not express my gratitude for your actions. Welcome Home.
Words can not express my gratitude for your actions. Welcome Home.
Just did my duty. Semper Fi!
Bttt.
5.56mm
The first rocket hitting our position killed 19 of our guys.
Most of us WEREN’T there. Felt sorry for those that were. This was a week after the USS Pueblo was captured. Our nation was spread too thin. The country turned against the war even tough it was a military victory on our side. Was it worth it to fight for the South? Our leaders thought so and 58k lives later the question is still unanswered. Following that there was the LBJ withdrawl from the election, 2 assassinations, and riots all over the place. I have no desire to discuss with veterans who were there. i’m just thankful we had a POTUS who put it our role in perspective.
Sophomore in High School.
11/14/1972 My draft number was 360. I enlisted in the Navy anyway. Went and worked the coast a few nights darkened ship on a patrol gunboat. USS Welch PG 93 Could see breakers on the beach (no fire), but did not receive the in country medal. That’s okay, we were in close, but you guys were the best!
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