Pacific Stars and Stripes information
for 2/47 INF
IIFFV
Event = Tet 68 at Long Binh
For date 680209
2/47 INF was a US Army unit
IIFFV was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Bien Hoa Province, III Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Long Binh
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "Battle of 'Widows' Village' 47th Inf. Fights Off Red Attack."
Photo Caption - A helicopter gunship rakes an enemy position in Khu Gia Vien Village. The action occurred as 9th Inf. Div. troops swept through the village near Long Binh (USA Photo)
(Some of the most vicious fighting during the recent Tet offensive raged in the village of Khu Gia Vien, across Highway 1 from Long Binh. Reaction forces of the 9th Inf. Div. engaged an enemy force and prevented it from breaking into the headquarters compound of the II Field Force Vietnam).
Long Binh (IO) - They call it "Widows' Village." Its inhabitants, the families of deceased Vietnamese Army men, live peacefully on pensions and proceeds from washing clothes for Americans. On Jan. 31, this placid community was turned into a blazing battleground when elements of the 88th NVA Regt. swarmed into the streets and opened fire on II Field Force Vietnam headquarters. The 60 man enemy force used new AK47 assault rifles and RPG2 rocket launchers. As the first rockets landed near one of the II FFV perimeter bunkers, attacks were also launched on the Bien Hoa Air Base and the Long Binh ammunition dump. A platoon of the 2nd Mechanized Bn., 47th Inf. attached to II FFV headquarters, attempted to counter the enemy fire, but was beaten back after losing an armored personnel carrier and three men. While the enemy fire pinned down U.S. troops defending the headquarters area, Bangalor torpedoes deigned to blast holes in barged wire were being readied for launching into the compound. The final enemy push began as the recon platoon of the 2nd/47th joined a platoon from B Co. 2nd/47th, and rolled into the fight from Highway 1. Elements of the invading force were trapped along a narrow street as the APC's roared into the village, machine guns blazing. Enemy bodies soon littered the street and ditches. The fighting eased by noon, but a small enemy force remained in the village. At almost 1:30p.m. U.S. helicopter gunships began pounding the uncleared area in preparation for a final sweep by the infantrymen. The Reds fired at the helicopters, exposing their positions to ground troops, and resistance was crushed within an hour with 50 enemy killed and 10 captured.
The source for this information was 6802pss.avn supplied by Les Hines
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Last updated
02/21/2000
Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023