Pacific Stars and Stripes information
for 3 BDE 101 ABN
For date 680121
3 BDE 101 ABN was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
South Vietnam
Location, Phouc Vinh
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "U.S. 'Phantom Force' Learns ."
Phouc Vinh (IO) - Furious fire fights artillery and jet attack turned a routine reconnaissance mission into a harrowing day for the 101st Airborne Div. 3rd Brigade "Phantom Force." As the paratroopers filtered through a government rubber plantation, the came upon a destroyed French villa. The walls of the building were covered with writing and pictures of the Communist AK47 rifle. The building was apparently used by the Viet Cong to give classes on the use of the rifle and the vehicular ambush. The patrol ceased to be routine as sniper rounds tore into the foliage. Scrambling for cover, the paratroopers returned the fire which grew more intense. After a fierce exchange of fire, the Viet Cong broke contact. Following cautiously, the paratroopers detained and enemy soldier left behind in the hasty retreat. Farther on, the patrol came under automatic rifle and light machine-gun fire from the front and right flank. Lt. Davis summoned his radioman to call in artillery support on the fixed VC positions. Just after the two paratroopers delivered the message, a burst of machine gun fire tore up the ground and nicked the radioman. Ignoring the incoming artillery rounds, the VC increased their fire and gradually encircled the smaller force. Another American was wounded by grenade splinters. When the enemy fire grew increasingly effective from the left flank as well, Davis ordered a rapid withdrawal under cover of rockets and machine gun fire from helicopter gunships. "Just as I called in artillery fire on the positions we had left, one of my men received a serious facial wound," said Davis. "I realized we would have to air-evacuate him fast." Fighting for the life of their wounded friend, the patrol quickly cleared and secured a landing zone between themselves and the enemy positions. Despite heavy enemy fire, a medical evacuation helicopter swooped down and picked up both the seriously wounded GI and the detainee. When the Phantom Force began receiving heavy fire from the other side of the clearing, they coordinated an air strike through the circling "Bird Dog" plane.
The source for this information was 6801pss.avn supplied by Les Hines
Additional information is available on CD-ROM.
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Last updated
02/21/2000
Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023