This spring of 2009 marks several battle anniversaries. But they are of events we wish wouldn't have happened.
It was a time when the NVA were making a major push to re-supply their NVA and Viet Cong forces to the south. 4th Division Op reports estimated over 11,000 enemy in the area. The Central highlands, Kontum Provence, proved to be a nasty corridor of tribulation for U.S. Troops. In hindsight we can see the NVA’s increased activity as measured by Red Warrior Contact. From March through June of that year, every company in the battalion had fought with the enemy. But Bravo, Charlie and Delta companies sustained the most casualties during the period. There were 21 KIA’s from Bravo Company alone, 10 from Charlie Company, 11 from Delta. And in a significant, but sad milestone, the Battalion Commander, LTC Robert Carter was killed in combat on May 27.
One just needs to see the dates of these horrific fights. Alpha Company April 20. Bravo Company, March 9 and 10, April 24, and May 31. For Charlie Company April 24 May 27and June 5th. Both Delta and Echo company's saw action on March 8th, and Delta took a major hit again on June 5th.
Battalion Commander LTC Robert Carter
KIA May 27, 1969 while on the battle field with Charlie Company.
As a result of all the activity, Companies were severely under-strength. One Charlie Company grunt “Maddog” said that the entire company consisted of 40 men after their May 27 encounter, a fight which resulted in 37 WIA, and 10 KIA, including LTC Carter. One can only imagine the emotions of those in Bravo Company, who lost 10 men between March 8th through the 10th. Delta faired no better with 10 KIA on June 5, plus another casualty when an HHC medic assigned to Charlie company died while coming to Delta's aid.
These were bad times. It is only proper that we look back and remember our fallen brothers of this period. It’s only respectful that we should to go to our Casualty page to look and remember the names of our brothers, whether we knew them or not. Each of us who were there knows that it could have been our name on the wall too. Read the Battle Report written by CO Larry Boyd of Delta Company concerning his companies June 5 contact. Search each company, the dates, the names of these men, where they were from. View the Life Magazine article where we can see the faces of those Red Warriors from Charlie Company who died on May 27. Read a personal battle story from a wounded GI who thought he was going to die.
It’s not a period one looks back upon with nostalgic warmness. But we can respectfully look at these fallen soldiers as a place in history, a history we all shared in one way or another. Visit Red Warriors Costliest 5 Battles.
You Can Help Us - Share Your stories, Your Pictures
If you were involved in any battles from the above period, or from any other period of Red Warrior history in the Central Highlands, please send your recollections to Red Warriors Association historian Roger Hill, PO Box 210, Lena, IL 61048. Roger is always gathering data and personal recollections for the development of his ever growing history of the battalion, and his ongoing development of battle reports. Help preserve the history by providing your recollections and photographs. Other Red Warriors, their families, and generations to come will appreciate what you contribute now.
If you have a picture of a fallen Red Warrior, we would like to place it along side their name on their individual Casualty page. Help us by sending the photograph by mail, or electronically to Jim Daniels, 1410 E. Fillmore, Marshfield, WI 54449. Mailed pictures will promptly be returned.
