Southern Cross information
for 196 BDE 23 INF
4/31 INF 23 INF
For date 700605
196 BDE 23 INF was a US Army unit
4/31 INF 23 INF was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Quang Tin Province, I Corps, South Vietnam
Location, Hiep Duc
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "Night attack fails, NVA lose Bn CO" by SGT Dave Mckeen 196th INF BDE I0.
LZ CENTER - An NVA battalion commander and 18 of his men died in a futile attempt to overrun a 196th Infantry Brigade company's night position near Hiep Duc, 23 miles northwest of Tam Ky. The action began when elements of a NVA Main Force Regiment moved into the Hiep Duc area. Alpha Company was air-lifted from their fire support base, LZ Center, to a point southwest of Hiep Duc to reinforce the Recon Platoon of the battalion which had been in heavy contact for five hours. After linking with the beleaguered platoon, the two moved towards Hiep DUC tightening the circle of America and ARVN forces surrounding the NVA. "We were looking for a day laager position on high ground to set up as a blocking force northwest of the village," said SSG Dale Sievert, El Cajon, Calif. While in the process, the lead element received a burst of automatic weapons fire. The "Charger" soldiers spotted two NVA in spider holes and cut them down with small arms fire capturing one AK-47 rifle. An artillery fire mission was called into the area, after the barrage, Alpha Company swept the area killing another soldier. The men then moved from their blocking position and began to prepare night defensive positions. Then, according to 1LT Michael Decoudres, Sandy Lake, Pa. "We received last minute instructions to move further northeast towards Delta Company, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry who was in contact. We were all packed up with our claymores and trip flares in and ready to move at seven in the evening when we received six rounds of 60mm mortar fire." As darkness approached, the first of two enemy ground attacks began with a barrage of incoming small arms fire, and CHICOM grenades. "Just at dusk I saw several enemy stand up, their figures were silhouetted against the sky, and throw their grenades," said SSG Sievert. The remainder of the night was spent in an uneasy calm interrupted by an occasional mortar round or CHICOM grenade - and by two enemy probes. Two hours before the dawn, the now acting company commander, Lieutenant DeCoudres, ordered his company to be on a 100% alert. Thirty minutes later, according to SP4 Dennis Dunn, Seal Beach, Calif., "They hit us again with CHICOMs and small arms fire. The attack lasted until dawn. With the coming of daylight, the weary but victorious soldiers of Alpha Company surveyed the scene of the battle. Nineteen enemy soldiers were dead - one of them carrying identification indicating that he was an NVA battalion commander. The remainder of the day, Alpha remained in their blocking position. Late in the afternoon they moved to a position just north of the battle-torn village at Hiep Duc where they linked up with an ARVN battalion. The following afternoon Alpha Company was extracted to LZ West; their job was done.
The source for this information was 7006_320_scr supplied by Les Hines 12/14/2000
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Last updated
12/25/2000
Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023