After-Battle Poem Surfaces After 43 Years

On November 12, 1966 NVA contact was made at LZ Red Warrior. It was the battalions first major battle. For a long time the soldier in the picture was unknown. We now believe we know who he is. In Nov. 2010 Red Warrior Harry Brandt wrote us stating: "The unidentified soldier pictured on our website...look's very much like PFC James Watts, with whom I served, of the 1st Squad, 1st platoon, Company C, 1/12th. The location was in Kontuem province, Red Warrior LZ YA 596580" On Nov. 12, 1966 Watts puts his words on paper, his feelings at the time. He handed the hand written poem over to Chaplain Max Wilt and asked if he would submit it to Stars & Stripes to be published. It didn't make it. Chaplain Wilk held on to the poem all these years, and only recently, found it. He thought he would share the young mans words, and finally published here, over 40 years later. Thanks to Harry Brandt for identifying this soldier. Red Warrior Poet - PFC James Watts Fort Warrior LZ One hundred fighting men And the death, sadly, of five Was the answer, was the toll Of the men who gave their lives.   For they met their greatest challenge At Fort Warrior LZ. And it was most plainly proven They're the 4ths fighting pride By their courage, by their actions, By the gallant men who died, By their courage, by their actions, By the gallant men who died.   The unforgotten ten And the two who died that day Just before they killed but thirty Of the charging NVA. Though they found their broken bodies In the steaming grit and grime, Yet their names will be remembered In the turning leaves of time. Remembered for their courage, In the turning leaves of time.   Two companies of troops And eighty charging guns, The 12th did meet their challenge And they killed them one by one.   I beheld the burning woodlands From the many napalm bombs, And our automatic rifles Kicking dust up from the sand. And the 12th did take the battle In their stern and mighty hands By their fighting, took the battle In their stern and mighty hands.   A Victory to win And the 12th has surely won Though through all their many battles Their winning is just begun.   I have seen the 12th in battles Fighting regiments of men With two companies of troopers. And I've seen them win with three, But I've never seen such fighting By one company of troopers As the Battle of Fort Warrior LZ I've never seen such fighting As the Battle of Fort warrior LZ   Back to News Page

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