June 14 Memorial to Fallen Soldiers (Neil)

Having dragged my feet for a week, it's time to share my views on our June 5 journey to Nhi Ha/Gio Linh, a stone's throw from the DMZ. Even being my sixth return trip, this place will never be a comfortable spot to visit. Like other memory-evoking, gut-knotting spots in Vietnam, horrific experiences in these tiny hamlets never seem to fade. For better or worse, 1968 was a molding year that, simultaneously, haunts and strengthens. Vietnam Magazine's article, "Nightmare Battle of Nhi Ha" pretty much sums it up.  Not just May 6...May 2-16, 1968 was a meat grinder.  We were up against the largest North Vietnamese force ever assembled for a battle during the entire war....well-equipped infantry, flame throwers, tanks, and constant artillery barrages. Assault wave after assault wave. We were in a fight for survival with no chance of the cavalry riding over the hill. It was just, pure and simple, unrelenting down and dirt infantry combat. 16 days straight of pure hell....blood, bodies, and hell.  I'm extremely proud of the bravery of my 3/21 196th Infantry comrades, who endured this bloody cauldron.

NVA Artillery Pounding Our Position

As evidenced by this LA Times article, the arrival of the 196th Infantry was pivotal to the successful defeat of the massive NVA force.  In personally speaking with Brigade commander Col. Gelling in 1989, it was learned that Gen. Westmoreland sent in the Army's 196th Infantry because he felt us to be "battle ready and seasoned".



 Along with Mr. Ba, Viet Cong commander in the Nhi Ha area during the war, we visited the cemetery containing the remains of fallen NVA, VC, and French resistance soldiers native to Nhi Ha area. There we lit incense at the center memorial and at many of the individual graves. Enemy or not, respect must be given to soldiers who died fighting for their beliefs. Many graves revealed a KIA date of May 6, 1968.

Kira- Nhi Ha NVA/VC Cemetery

Neil- Nhi Ha NVA/VC Cemetery

At the newly-constructed May 6 battle memorial, we lit incense in memory of my A 3/21 196th comrades who perished in that ugly battle. Walking into Col. Tha's entrenched, concealed 300-man battalion, our two exposed platoons were vastly outnumbered and, although fighting with selfless ferocity, stood little chance of prevailing. That any of us made it out of that bullet-ridden kill zone borders on miraculous. It was two days later that it was possible to recover the bodies of our fallen.

Neil & Kira-May 6 Nhi Ha Battle Memorial

Katie & Kira-May 6 Nhi Ha Battle Memorial
Mr Ba & Neil Leaving May 6 Memorial

The bravery of 196th soldiers during the course of this brutal battle cannot be overstated. Enduring withering NVA fire and greatly outnumbered, the heroism was exceptional. Even with survival unlikely, our men stood their ground and repeatedly leaped to assault the NVA bunkers. One such man was Sydney Klemmer, who perished when a grenade that he tossed into an enemy bunker was returned, killing him. I have been in touch with his family & friends, who asked that I hold a special memorial for their loved one. Sydney was in my platoon. I helped extract his body from the battlefield. Incense was lit for Sydney and all of my fellow soldiers who perished.


Memorial to Sydney Klemmer

Memorial to Sydney Klemmer

Memorial to Sydney Klemmer

It was a short traverse across a narrow rice paddy dykes to Jones Creek, a memorable feature to all of my comrades. Due to a fluke when moving out from our entrenchments May 6, my squad ended up on our 2nd platoon's left flank instead of in point position. Bill Baird's squad and mine essentially switched positions, which placed his squad on point and mine on the left flank....should have been reversed. His squad was shredded with Bill being captured and held as a POW for 5 1/2 years. My squad, led by Sgt. Haddock, was afforded a degree of cover from the bank of Jones Creek. When Bill moved out first as point for his squad, Lt. Smith ordered me, on point for mine, to assume the left flank position. It seemed innocuous at the time....

Kira & Neil-Waking to Jones Creek


At Jones Creek-My Squad's Approximate May 6 Position


 And that's how it goes....

My Hastily-Built Bunker-Nhi Ha

May 5 Digging in at Nhi Ha

Air Support May 3

Air Support May 3

Neil in Foxhole May 3 -Letter Home














Comments

  1. Johna HemmelgarnJune 14, 2018 at 7:35 AM

    .................so much to take in..............You made it out of that battle to be here today and DO exactly what you are doing.....Thank you and your comrades thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  2. UnknownJune 14, 2018 at 8:18 AM

    "Speak my name and I will live forever"

    If there is a place beyond for warriors you can be certain you'll have an honored place among them.

    ReplyDelete
  3. UnknownJune 14, 2018 at 8:31 AM

    Johna summed it up perfectly. Thank you Neil. You are so very appreciated.

    ReplyDelete

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