Army Reporter information
for 213 ASHC
11 CAB
5 SF GRP

For date 680106


213 ASHC was a US Army unit
11 CAB was a US Army unit
5 SF GRP was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
South Vietnam
Location, Bu Dop
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "Heli Co Resupplies Beleaguered Outpost" dated 6 Jan 1968. Guided by two small lanterns, personnel from the 213th ASHC, 11th CAB recently performed an emergency resupply mission enabling the 5th Special Forces outpost at Bu Dop to withstand an intense VC attack. When the emergency call was received, two Chinook helicopters scrambled to Quan Loi where essential supplies were loaded and made ready for the run to Bu Dop. The camp was being assaulted by 82mm mortar and 122mm rocket fire. The first drop was made during a lull in the action, and CPT William Wiard, heading the operation, performed an emergency medevac for the tiny outpost while he returned to Quan Loi for a second load of ammunition. Wiard returned to the scene of the battle with an external load of small-arms ammunition and an internal cargo of illumination flares. The external load was dropped with little problem, but before the flares could be unloaded, mortar rounds began dropping around the Chinook. Double-time became the order of the day as the crew struggled to get the flares off the ship while Charlie's rounds came closer and closer. Wiard returned to Quan Loi for an additional load of supplies where a third chopper joined the resupply mission. By the time the three helicopters arrived at Bu Dop, darkness had set in. Because of the intensity of the situation, the outpost could provide only two small lanterns to direct the Chinooks in their descent into the area. Even with minimum lighting, the VC, guided by the engine sounds from the aircraft, began lobbing mortar after mortar into the landing zone. One round landed close enough to the lead Chinook to lift SP5 Dilmar Leedon from his prone position on the floor of the ship where he was directing the descent and slam him against the side of the chopper. A hurried unloading was accomplished, enabling the outpost to withstand the VC attack.
Comments: CPT Wiard, William; pilot; ; SP5 Leedon, Dilmar; FE; ;

The source for this information was 6801AR.AVN supplied by Les Hines


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Date posted on this site: 05/13/2023