Looking for the other guys any help would be appreciated. After that our nights were spent in a bunker on the runway until I left for home in February. see less The CAP Marines and their South Vietnamese Popular Force (PF) counterparts took the PAVN/VC flanks and rear under fire, calling for air and artillery support. Post-military, Frew became a salesman and a banker, and was actively involved in the Marine Corps League Desoto Detachment 588 and Toys for Tots. An Hoa Valley, Qung Nam Province. I was wounded May 16, 1969 at An Hoa combat base by the rocket attack and, unfortunately, your brother must have been the KIA I never knew. This bridge had been a prime target for the Viet Cong and it would be destroyed and rebuilt many times over throughout the war. I made so many great buddies with 2/5. Ha! https://youtube.com/watch?v=PIm5nVFFcwU&feature=share, I was on the south end of the runway. Not sure why that worked. In the act of saving this Marines life Ray ultimately sacrificed his own. Only in Que Son Valley there were at least fifteen firebases on different sites at some point in time. He was stationed at An Hoa when he was wounded by mortar on July 4, 1967. David Ray Medal of Honor Citation. 2512. One morning before lunch, one of the boys (who had been taking out our garbage and cleaning our clothes) was coming into the compound. Motor scooters and pedestrians still cross on ferries. The bridge opened on March 27, 1928, following a 5-mile (8.0 km) vehicle parade from the southern suburbs. He served as a platoon leader Im doing some research on his time in-country and am hoping to find someone who might remember him. About a third of the temples are still standing in various condition. GENERAL ORDERS: CITATION: The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Hospital Corpsman Second Class David Robert Ray (NSN: B-308634), United States Navy . It underwent several changes but was finally destroyed when the North Vietnamese were victorious over the South. An Ha Combat Base (also known as c Dc) is a former U.S. Marine Corps and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) base west of Hi An in Qung Nam Province, Vietnam. As his tour in Vietnam came to a close Ray requested an extension which was granted on March 4, 1969. Semper Fi. Didnt realize until today the toll it took on the kids. 69. I saw my buddy that I had gone to boot camp with get hit by a burst of machine gun fire. | View Image Page. I recall referring to the lake where the German hospital was located as Spider lake. I had been wounded on 27 February at our outpost at My Loc 2. There was a stone monument built at the spot. Just found this site and thought Id say HI. Third platoon. tuckga@carolina.rr.com Would like to find out who he was. The "Arizona Territory" was located south and west of Da Nang and got its nickname due to the wild west nature of the fighting and the area being a free fire zone. Done. had a Xeon light and 90 mm after seeing how small hot and with the mud This bridge had been a prime target. I got to Vietnam in May 1969, to a little town called An Hoa, and went to the Liberty Bridge. Bob, thank you for the kind words. I returned home sept 6. beginning in 1966. I was there when the CBs built us a hooch and the tent went away. And he raised his hand (Im sorry, I still get emotional thinking about this) and I popped him square in the chest. I believe. Golden Bridge, also known as the Giant Hand Bridge is located on the top of Nui Chua Mountain, Ba Na Hills, Da Nang. Semper Fi.Doc! KIA May 10, 1969 at Liberty Bridge. It was built We may have seen each other and dont even know it. He was a Sgt. First impressions are forged early in Marine units and those who served alongside Ray took note of his dedication and great humility. Rupnik, E.J. With recon for 1 month on top of some mountain top with a 1st Lt. forward observer to watch over a big valley that had been cleared out, to call in arty if we spotted anything. Liberty Bridge 1 was built by the US SeaBees in the 1960's it was the longest wooden bridge in southeast asia. comm. My first combat operation was Operation Newcastle in the Arizona in March 1967. I was there when the nurses were abducted. The book is replete with battle maps, seldom-seen photos, an array of. Overall we really recommend a visit to this old base. Always busy. SF. Thank you for your comment Michael. S/Sgt Greg Smith H&S 2/5. I can be of help with some suggestions. According to some accounts it was here at the western perimeter, that PFC Dan Bullock was killed in 1969 during an attack on the base, making him the youngest American casualty of the war. Thanks for your service Don and Welcome Home Brother !!! Thanx. 71 killed. That didnt last long unfortunately. Vietnam (way remote N.W. Bulkeley, John. 2023 Knowledge WOW - All Rights Reserved I became a Cobra pilot and retired as a LtCol in 94. Ha! [1], On the night of 21 November 1968, a PAVN/VC battalion attacked the base. The hill is located 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) northeast of the confluence of the Yen, Ai Nghia, and La Tho Rivers and was a United States Marine Corps base during the Vietnam War. until 0400 est. I didnt know if there were any caualties and didnt know why. South end of the runway by the artillery battery. Qung Nam Province I am happy you made it out. During my tour of Vietnam, my world revolved around the lives and actions of the forty-seven men in a Marine infantry platoon. I also worked in 5th Marines COC He even fought off an attack of two NVA soldiers before he himself was wounded. Hey Mike I Hate to bring it up but were you guys involved in the Heavy fighting down in the Que Son valley from the end of May through September of 1967? The reason you were moved around so much was probably that you were very good at your job (2531) and could be trusted! This disambiguation page lists articles about roads and streets with the same name. Most of these photos were taken while on patrol in the An Hoa Valley, which we called "Happy Valley", in Qung Nam Province. I was there. He left the field alive but traumattically wounded. Feel free to send me an email if you have any questions about the base and surrounding areas. The 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines handed over the base to the ARVN 1st Battalion, 51st Regiment on 15 October 1970.[5]. What a dammed waste of Americas finest. Spent 9 mo. Beautiful country Laos. The road is still there so possible to travel along. He blamed the Doc. Babb, W.A. It was February 13, 1968. Believe he was from Texas. BUMED Archives. Going though some of his papers and found his Navy Achievement Medal with a V . I too was stationed at An Hoa with H&S. Liberty Bridge Today, Quang Nam, Vietnam WarSpecter 64 subscribers Subscribe 57 5.2K views 3 years ago We visit the remnants of a bridge formerly constructed by US Marines in an area of high. Looking for a Lt. who came to Fox 2/5 2nd Platoon on 11 July 69 And stepped on a box mine less than 12 hours later. Nadine Dymond Trcka. I was there with you. In less than an hour we had air support through the night until early morning. We never slept when in from the bush. Da Nang. All the area operation data has been unclassified and easy to Google. The total length (including longest elevated ramp) is 2663 feet with the height of the deck at 44.4 feet near the piers. I was a radio relay operator at An Hoa in fall of 69,we were next to the air traffic control tower.I remember those 175mm guns.The mess hall served peanut butter,jelly, bread,and warm goofy grape kool aid every evening! I too worked in the the COC as a watch sgt for the FSCC. [2]:209 It was decided that a bridge would be built to shorten the route. Decimal coordinates: 15.787721 108.077795. Fuentes, Gidget. The Arizona Territory saw large concentrations of PAVN and Viet Cong troops during the whole war, especially up around Charlie Ridge in the north west part of the area. The 2,040' "Liberty" bridge built by CB 4 over the Song Thu Bon river in 1967. He requested transfer to the Field Medical Service School (FMSS) in Camp Pendleton, Calif., and after graduating on June 25, 1968, was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Reinforced) destined for Vietnam. Ray was awarded a scholarship to the University of Tennessee in 1963, but this same sense of service weighed heavily on him. Set us up on rifel range to scope our weapon. Will always admire the grunts and docs who did so much! Alpha 1/7 and Hotel 2/5 were attached to 3/26 for the three-day battle, December 7, 8 and 9, 1968. He kept coming and kept coming, making like he was drinking from the can, and he wouldnt put it down. Liberty Bridge-Longest Timber Bridge in Vietnam at 2,040 Feet and 35ft Above the Thu Bon River. God Bless, My father was also corpsman Robert Dymond he passed about 10 years ago. . There were 28 of us We built our camp from scratch replaced the runway and-started with the rest of the base hospital-chow hall I extended for 6 month leaving in December of 68. We did a Medcap at the orphanage the day before. There is no question that in his formative years the native of McMinnville, Tenn., built an impressive resume of accomplishments. Done. Liberty Bridge is long gone There in 2000. Colonel Ernie Cheatham was our battalion commander. From Jon. 1967 with the 7th Marines remaining there for most of their deployment in VietNam. I ended up in Hue City, where I got hit for the third time during my tour of duty. Not a nice place slept with flack jacket and helmet all the time ! Many thanks to all the veterans out there! Ahhh the Memories!!! I was bleeding from the ears, nose, and mouth. Thanks for posting! I was rations. I remember you ,Webster , Star ,Gunny Flanagan and the Lee Marvin fellow but not his name ,he was a kick. I remembered one time farmers brough young rice plants to wash in the river upstream and the solders fired recoiless canon at them. The An Hoa Combat Base was first used in January 1966 during Operation Mallard as the Marines needed a firebase in support of the operation. I was with the Engneers that operated the ferry there and was located just across the river from where you were when your position was over run . So, I got a Bronze Star because they said I stopped a possible problem that could have happened if the bomb had gone off and blown up a bunch of people. Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein) FMF. The following year, Bobby Rayor as he is better known to us today, David Robert Raywas posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "af98acf6452e90a09f2cbde13b3e267d" );document.getElementById("c08a1a06c7").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. During an attack on our base two of the German male nurses where driving their white painted (with red cross) jeep near the village and where attacked and one was killed and the seriously wounded. BUMED Archives. It was an honor to be taken in by grunts like you ,dont regret one minute of our time together. Hey Mark why dont I remember you. I arrived at An Hoa on 25 January, 1967. Ken Nielsen of the 2/5 (1st Division) recently passed. Since the appearance of this amazing bridge, it has become more and more magnetic. I was attached to Echo Company as the 81 FO. This includes, but not limited to: The Arizona, The Phu Lacs, Liberty Bridge, Duc Duc, Antenna Valley, The Indian Country, Go Noi Island, Dodge City, Henderson Hill, Mau Chanh and the Que Son Mountains of South Vietnam. Joseph L knew the people i arrived with but he was the first to take us and show us around and draw M16 and other gear. If I ever get there, I hope I can figure out about where my bunker was. From April to September 1967 Seabees of Mobile Construction Battalion 4 built a 2,040 feet (620m) "Liberty bridge" (T Do bridge, now the Giao Thy bridge) over the Thu Bn river. When he fell down, the can went BOOM! Casualties and losses. We swept the Que Son Valley with other Marines from 1/5 for a week, but made very little contact with the NVA. E- 2/5 69-71, Your email address will not be published. The base was located approximately 28km west of Hi An and 4km west northwest of the M Sn temple complex, near to the Tnh Yn River (Thu Bn River) and the An Ha industrial complex. Then the entire hedgerow came alive with NVA fire. The day the doc released me from the hospital, I went on an ambush patrol that same night.. A bridge guard threw frag at something in the water. The Liberty Bridge was constructed over a period of 12 months by Taylor and Murphy Construction Co. of Asheville, N.C., designed by bridge architect Miquel Rosales of Boston, and engineered by Schlaich Bergermann. I was there with you. Grim Reaper 14 was the ground unit call sign requesting the medevac. I remembered seeing tanks with flame thrower keep burning the area. The original proposal for the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge in New York City, referred to as the "Liberty Bridge". I watched the whole thing from my foxhole and listened to the Marines crying out on my radio. 1st Marine Division Operations There was a visible sign of better times in Quang Nam province when, on 30 March, the 825-foot Seabee-constructed Liberty Bridge was opened across the Thu Bon river just south of Dai Loc. Flooded Bridge Liberty Bridge was flooded out during the Monsoon Season several times. Remember helping me pass out malaria pills. Remember to check out the Hue City article on this website also, you might recognize a few places. Please take a look at some of the links below to learn more in detail about Liberty Bridge and other places of interest in the Quang Nam region in Vietnam. I was in Vietnam in from April 1968-April 1969 with the USMC. The lake might have been called Alligator Lake . As time went on, it was clear that a more effective way of protecting the airbase was to start patrolling the areas west and south west to clear out any threats before they could reach the airbase. The Marines and Corpsman I served with were all incredible men. It crosses the Monongahela River and intersects Interstate 579 (the Crosstown Boulevard) at its northern terminus. However, I served with Fox, Golf, and Hotel companies as well. Built in 1967 by Navy Seabees (nickname based on the pronunciation of C-B, for Construction Battalion) , under constant harassment from enemy forces, it was 2,040 feet long, 32 feet above the low water level. there were 6 or 7 of us at a time at Anhoa with the Airwing3 Air Traffic Controllers and repair/maintenance men for the radar equipment and generatorsNormal cleared to land & cleared to take off stuff plus advise the pilots on which batteries were firing & what direction/grid.Remember the night we were supposed to get over-run.& instead the It was in 1968 while at Long Beach that Ray learned of the Tet Offensive and the growing challenges in Vietnam. 4th Plt was also at An Hoa, We had 10 tanks split between An Hoa and Liberty Bridge. I have a picture of your gun with the round in the air I was at An Hoa 69 70, attached to 2/11 Hq, field radio operator. I dont have any of the information you seek but, I would like the same info, if you come across it I hope we can share it. Thanks to you and all my grunts that touched my life. [2]:41 The base was first used by the Marines in January 1966 during Operation Mallard when the 1st Battalion, 12th Marines established a firebase there while the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines and a Company from the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines swept the surrounding area. Taken at Hospital Corps School San Diego, Calif., in October 1966, it is a heavily cropped image that conceals the fact that at 66 Ray towered over his classmates and he typically shied away from getting his photograph taken. Still remember all the rockets all too well. Young orphans killed laying out on the front of the temple. I read years later in a book about Robert Garwood that some nurses and doctors from a German hospital were brought in to the camp where he was being held, just west of the An Hoa base. Would like to know the name of the area on the map, where Operation Mead River and Operation Arizona Territory took place?? 3/1 comm plt. Principal Address at USS David Ray Christening, 13 October 1975. BUMED Archives. We believe it might be interesting also for the general traveler thanks to its proximity to other interesting tourist destinations and to Hoi An. By days end 36 of the Marines were dead. Hi Boone, This is Doc Vek. I was at An Hoa from 68-69. Heres an aerial view I found on YouTube. read more, Photo By Andr Sobocinski | In the early morning of March 19, 1969, a Marine combat base at Phu Loc 6 near An Hoa, Vietnam, became the scene of a surprise enemy attack. We were told he came from 81 Mortars at Phu Loc and his Father was a navy Admiral.I have no name as only several Squad leaders were introduced and they are either gone or never knew him. I do remember one guy at Mike Battery . Say Ashley, question for you?where did you start you trek in Lao? Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Found an old bugle and they sent a chopper to An Hoa to pick me up to play taps at a ceremony for a fallen Marine in Danang. Lao you will be stopped by the Lao police/army from that area? South of the west end of the runway are remnants of concrete structures, perhaps command bunkers. I was great working for the Marines, both in and around Da Nang, An Hoa and at FSB C-1 a few miles south of the DMZ just off Hwy 1. first of 1968 went to Hill 55 until pulled off for Hue. On March 19, 1969, a battalion-size enemy force stormed the Marine outpost . That night the orphanage was mortared and VC in our lines at An Hoa. [1] On the night of 21 November 1968, a PAVN/VC battalion attacked the base. AC-47 gunships held back the PAVN/VC while a platoon of Marines mounted in amphibian tractors, with tanks and helicopter gunships escorting, attacked east from An Hoa to reinforce the hamlet and bring an ammunition resupply. A docent who was familiar with the history of the air craft told me that the plane had been flown of An Hoa at the same time period that I was flown out of An Hoa! https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=An_Hoa_Combat_Base&oldid=1123027739, Military installations of the United States Marine Corps in South Vietnam, Installations of the Army of the Republic of Vietnam, Military installations closed in the 1970s, Buildings and structures in Qung Nam province, Short description with empty Wikidata description, Wikipedia articles incorporating text from the United States Marine Corps, Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License 3.0, This page was last edited on 21 November 2022, at 09:46. We used to patrol Dodge City day and night with just squad size patrols, Keep in mind in late part of 1968 the 2 NVA Division which hung out on Go Nio island moved a regiment of NVA hard core the 36 NVA regiment into Doge city M bro was with 3/5 Lima company in operation Meade river lots and lots of bunkers. These kids were told they had to protect their families from being killed, and they were just doing what they were told to survive. As we got 20 to 30 yards into the paddy Kinh and the other Chieu Hoi had killed a half dozen NVA that had dug spider holes in the rice paddy and hid. Required fields are marked *. 3 MOH (one was a Chaplin, KIA) earned by Marines that were there and 1,000 Marine KIA during that Summer in those battles and Know Body has ever heard of them! Their initial task was to provide security for the Da Nang airbase. I was on gate duty with another guy. Visions never leave my Ming. I heard sometime later that in total they had killed 32 NVA before the hedgerows came alive with automatic weapons fire. Hi Marine, I was a radio relay tech at An Hoa from About August or September 1968 to June 1969. My mom kept bringing them out until the last day we were there. I think of An Hoa every day of my life want to say SEMPER FI to all who served there. feature in the 9th Marines TAOR, it was eventually cleared of mines and boody traps. So many memories of An Hoa, I was the 2/5 Bn Armorer from May thru December 69 at AnHoa. It was against the 36th NVA Regiment. We would be choppered back to An Hoa while other Marines chased the NVA. I was with the 5th Marines in An Hoa area 11/68 4/69. 5 faves. Have any thoughts/advice on that? Thu Bon River It crosses the Monongahela River and intersects Interstate 579 (the Crosstown Boulevard) at its northern terminus. For the general traveler there are certainly reasons to visit the area. Did make it to the Goi Noi Island; bad place! When was the Liberty Bridge built in Pittsburgh? Hill 41 was the sister hill to Hill 10. His name was LCpl Billy Daugherty. I Served at An Hoa with 2/5, in January 1967 to 15 January 1968. Over the years the base grew and incorporated large Marine units as well as a 1000 meter runway able to take the large C130 transport aircraft. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Discovering the hidden places from the Vietnam War, Copyright 2023 Vietnam War Travel Activation WordPress theme by. Additionally, Delta 1/5, which had been on our right flank, was also badly mauled. I once attended a Catholic service in a bunker by regiment and had this beautiful blond sit down next to me and later discovered she was from the German Hospital outside our wire. They thought some guy was to get General Discharge for drugs when MACV canceled the I had seven days left in my tour when it happened. My best friend (we grew up together and both became Corpsman and went to Vietnam together} was killed while we were on patrols in the valley. Posted by Dave at 6:38 PM. as the Marine build up began in VietNam, Hill 55 eventually became a Command Post for various Regimental Commands Marine PFC Dan Bullock, the youngest American serviceman killed in action in the Vietnam War died at An Ha on 7 June 1969. The $4.5 million structure was funded by the City of Greenvilles Hospitality Tax, which must be spent on tourism-related facilities. To look back on Rays life in 1966 most would say he was destined for great things. I was short by that time. But I can only say, it was more than enough for me.
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