unit history information
for 57 AHC
Tet-68 in Kontum
52 CAB
Tet-68
For date 680205
57 AHC was a US Army unit
52 CAB was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Kontum Province, II Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Kontum
Description: The 57th Assault Helicopter Company after action report states that an estimated enemy battalion moved within 3Kms of the MACV compound during the early hours and were engaged by artillery and gunships. Activity was on a small scale and their compound received six unidentified rounds that failed to explode and penetrated to a depth of six feet (assumed to be 105mm illumination). Flare coverage was reduced to a standby status and the unit went on 50% alert.
In the Significant Factors section of the report stressed that the NVA intelligence on the local defense appeared to be the same as for the 10 Jan attack. This was possibly due to control of civilian traffic around the compound and using local hires outside the compound only. The 35 man security force provided to the 57th after the 10 Jan attack was instrumental in improving the defensive facilities during the 20 days between attacks. The NVA/VC body count reached a total of 203 but this figure did not include all the 52d CAB action around Kontum. A search of the battle area around the perimeter revealed numerous satchel charges, bangalor torpedoes, wire cutters and 60mm mortars. Continuous illumination of the battle area was a major factor in the successful defense of all US and ARVN compounds. Night employment of gunships in a final protective fire role was a significant factor in preventing enemy penetration of compounds on at least two occasions. The major impact of personnel losses for both attacks (Tet and 10 Jan) is in the maintenance area. The 57th suffered no loss of damage to major items of equipment other than aircraft and all aircraft damaged appear to be repairable. The parking area for O-1 and O-2 aircraft (south side of the airfield) was destroyed. The physical location of U.S. and ARVN compounds are such that any mutual support is denied except by artillery and gunships. The organic fire power was capable of defending against a substantial attacking force. However, manning the perimeter on 50% alert during the hours of darkness degraded immensely the aircraft maintenace effort and resulted in a slow recovery to full operational capacity. The inclosure listed the 26 personnel WIAs between 30 Jan and 5 Feb.
Comments: MAJ Burnison, George E.; 57th AHC CO; ;
MAJ Sullivan, Kenneth J.; 57th WIA evaced; ;
CW2 Leslie, Jean F. Sr.; 57th WIA evaced; ;
SP4 Sopuch, Herbert N.; 57th WIA evaced; ;
SP4 Blankenship, Marvin; 57th WIA evaced; ;
SP4 Little, William H.; 57th WIA evaced; ;
PFC Washington, Thomas; 57th WIA evaced; ;
PFC Hills, William P.; 57th WIA evaced; ;
PVT Fanning, William M.; 57th WIA evaced; ;
SSG Nash, John C.; 615th TC WIA evaced; ;
SP4 Shirritt, James C. Jr.; 615th TC WIA evaced; ;
PFC Elias, John H.; 615th TC WIA evaced; ;
The source for this information was 57th AHC After Action Report dated 5 Feb 68
Additional information is available on CD-ROM.
Please send additions or corrections to: Gary Roush Email address: webmaster@vhpa.org
Return to panel index
Return to Helicopter Pilot KIA index
Return to VHPA Home Page
Copyright © 1998 - 2023 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association
Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023