Southern Cross information
for 196 BDE 23 INF
For date 700626
196 BDE 23 INF was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Quang Tin Province, I Corps, South Vietnam
Location, LZ PROFESSIONAL
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "PIG PROBLEM TACKLED" by SP4 Larry Granfield 196th INF BDE IO.
LZ PROFESSIONAL - The scene was reminiscent of a "greased pig" contest at any American country fair...uproarious laughter as squealing porkers scrambled in every direction from the out stretched arms of pursuing soldiers. The curious event began when Company B, 1st Battalion, 46th Infantry, patrolling the highlands 15 miles southwest of Tam Ky, approached a large enemy shelter nestled among a clump of shade trees. "We can't see any people, but there are a lot of pigs and chickens running around down here," radioed PFC Allen Wulff, Salem, D.C., to the headquarters element. "Set up security and make a sweep," came the reply from commanding officer, 1LT William J. Ambrose, Boston," and don't step on any booby traps." Minutes later it was evident that the only things the "Chargers" had to worry about stepping on were 150 frightened pigs and 50 chickens. It presented a puzzling situation. "We moved in prepared to fight VC, not a bunch of squawking chickens," said SP4 John P. Sehnitz Beaumont, TX. "What are we going to do with all of them? We can't leave them here for the VC." Down came another order from Lieutenant Ambrose. "Get the pig team ready," he said dryly. "We are going to have some fun" The next two hours were filled with comedy as some men were seen racing after darting animals, others holding large mail bags open to receive the squirming pigs and chickens when they were caught, and still others directing the loading of the extraction helicopters and trying to explain to the bewildered Pilots. When the last chopper lifted off with its unusual payload bound for the Vietnamese refugee camp in Tien Phuoc, the men sat down for a much needed breather. Summing up the situation, SGT Lee Varoz, Dez, N.M., point man, commented, "It may sound crazy, but I think I would rather fight the enemy than catch pigs. I'm pooped."
The source for this information was 7006_323_scr supplied by Les Hines 12/19/2000
Additional information is available on CD-ROM.
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Last updated
12/24/2000
Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023