Southern Cross information
for 11 BDE 23 INF
3/1 INF 23 INF
For date 700626
11 BDE 23 INF was a US Army unit
3/1 INF 23 INF was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Quang Ngai Province, I Corps, South Vietnam
Location, FSB 4-11
Description: The following is an edited version of an article titled "11th Inf Bde stops sappers" by SP4 Mark Geiser 11th INF BDE IO.
FSB 4-11 - Without an enemy round being fired, "Jungle Warriors" of the 11th Infantry Brigade here recently nipped a midnight sapper attack in the bud, killing 10 VC soldiers and detaining two. A large number of enemy weapons which included two rocket propelled grenade (RPG) launchers, two AK-47's, one AK-50, one 9mm pistol, 76 CHICOM grenades, 10 RPG rounds, 11 B-40 rockets, and one five-pound satchel charge were seized in the aborted attack on this 3rd Battalion, 1st Infantry firebase. Near Midnight three enemy sappers had advanced through the perimeter wire when a fourth member of the party, with an RPG launcher slung over his shoulder, touched off a trip flare. "I looked in front of me and there were a dozen of them just frozen in place," recalled SP4 Jerry D. Parker, Hickory, N.C., of Company D. With the enemy sighting, the bunker line opened up with rifle and machinegun fire. Hand grenade and claymore mine shrapnel showered the area. Constant illumination, intermingled with accurate mortar fire from the 81mm and 4.2 mortar sections, encircled the perimeter as the soldiers methodically dispatched the intruders in their sights. After the ravaging fire subsided, the second platoon was called upon to make an on-line sweep of the area. As the infantrymen made their way to the wire, the bodies of two sappers armed with RPG launchers were discovered. Uncovering no additional bodies or weapons, the search was discontinued until early morning. Direct artillery fire from D Battery, 6th Battalion, 11th Artillery continued to suppress any further enemy activity. Two platoons from Company D continued their push outside the wire uncovering eight additional bodies. The attacking force had consisted of 14 enemy sappers and supporting riflemen. According to CPT Harry G. Sheppard, Palmetto, Fla., commanding officer of Company D, "The sapper squad was extremely well armed."
The source for this information was 7006_323_scr supplied by Les Hines 12/19/2000
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Last updated
12/24/2000
Date posted on this site:
05/13/2023