Battle of Song Be information
for B-34 SF DET
120 AVN

For date 650511


B-34 SF DET was a US Army unit
120 AVN was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Phuoc Long Province, III Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Song Be
Description: As part of MACV's reaction to the deterioting ARVN position, the SF B-34 Det was moved from Kontum to Song Be on 16 April. They joined the MACV team and established a fortified hill area. At 0145H the VC 761st and 763d Regts attacked. Even though the American positions were still being constructed, they were strong enough to save part of the city that night. The 120th Avn Co maintained a POW team at this location and they joined in the defense. At 0345H armed helicopters arrived overhead but the low clouds and smoke prevented them from rendering effective close support. They did silence some VC artillery and RRs to the west of the town. VC heavy machine guns repeatedly drove off the medevac helicopters until the guns were silenced by airstrikes. At 0800 16 WIAs were lifted out. The two VC regts occupied the center of Song Be until noon when the 36th ARVN Rangers finally cleared the area. The 34th ARVN Rangers reinforced and reoccupied the entire town that evening.
Comments: PFC Ward; 120 AVN POW TEAM; WIA;

The source for this information was Green Berets at War P:117


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Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023