unit history information
for A/2/20 ARA
B/2/20 ARA
For date 660611
A/2/20 ARA was a US Army unit
B/2/20 ARA was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Operation HAWTHORNE
Kontum Province, II Corps, South Vietnam
Description: The battalion history states that the month of June brought two great expectations for the ARA. First was the beginning of the anticipated VC/NVA Monsoon Offensive in the Central Highlands. Second, member of the battalion who first landed in Vietnam in August and September, 1965 would begin departing for the U.S. In early June, the 1st Bde, 101st ABN was operating in Kontum Province and soon came into contact with regiments of the NVA. The enemy force had been newly introduced into South Vietnam and obviously intended to participate in the Monsoon Offensive. As they did in September, 1965, the 101st called for ARA support. A Battery departed immediately for Kontum. One of the most unique missions fired in support of these operations took place on the 11th. CPT Fredrick S. Beck was flying an area reconnaissance mission when suddenly two 12.7mm AA machine guns opened fire and four armor piercing rounds tore into the helicopter, setting the rocket pods on the right side on fire. Disregarding the natural inclination to jettison the burning rockets, the irate CPT Beck swung his aircraft sharply around and emptied the remaining 41 rockets into the enemy positions. The enemy weapons never fired again. For that valorous action, CPT Beck was recommended for the DFC. Shortly after A Battery arrived in Kontum, intelligence reports indicated that three NVA regiments were re-entering South Vietnam and B Battery was dispatched to that area.
Comments: CPT Beck, Fredrick S.; award; ;
The source for this information was 2/20 ARA History 1966 by MAJ Emil F. Moller
Additional information is available on CD-ROM.
Please send additions or corrections to: Gary Roush Email address: webmaster@vhpa.org
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Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023