Several veterans revisit a site where, in November 1966, they lost three buddies when their platoon was ambushed on the slopes of Nui Ba Den (Black Virgin Mountain), Tay Ninh, Vietnam.
The "Black Virgin Mountain" loomed over all of Tay Ninh Province! It was not far outside our perimeter at Tay Ninh Base! Believe the quarry was there in early 1967, seem to remember going past it on our way one day to an area we called "French Fort" in War Zone C. Co. C, 4th Battalion, 31st Infantry, 196th Light Infantry Brigade.
It was only the support from the artillery that allowed us to withdraw without more casualties. When our CO withheld fire support, our 3/82 FO, Lt. Osborne, gave us everything we needed. The WP smoke allowed us to move back from under heavy fire. Thanks for the support, the Arty was the best.
I Had four soldiers up there in 69-70. Bravo 125 th Sig BN. The day before I rotated my battalion commander had me accompany him there. I just wanted to stay tied to my bunk, but I went. We flew there in a Loach. All the other times I went there was by requirement a twin engine helicopter CH-47 Chinook.
I was there in the month of October with D Co 588th Cmbt engrs to clear away the mine fields from the premier of French fort. Many attacks during our mission killing two soldiers and wounding more. Sgt Gray Hansen was wounded in the butt and medi-vac out, I had small shrapnel on my left leg and treated and remained with joe Nigratte and Louie Young to clear all the mines while under constant attack. I sure brings many memories of danger and friend ship.
Thank you for the video. I was with A Co/3rd/22nd/25th on Operation Cliff Dweller in January 1970, and we were sweeping the base of the mountain. I remember some of the guys from my platoon going to get water from a stream similar to the one in the video. We were ambushed a well. My platoon was sent out into the rice paddies below the saddle between Nui Baden and Nui Cao, and we came under heavy fire as well. Some of the guys in my platoon died, many where shot , and a helicopter which came in for a rescue was shot down.
@JHSutherland1 Sure, Ed and I were in the same platoon and he took the "before" photos I used in the video. Ed and I were together the entire time we served in the Army and we still keep in touch occasionally.
My company, Delta, 3/22 25th Div. pulled security at the rock crusher at the base of the mountain for a week or so in 1967. I was at the relay station on top of the mountain for about a month in 1968. I went up there after it was overrun and left just days after it was overrun again in August. What a weird place.
my friend Eric Truelsen was wounded in that attack more than once,,he is doing fine to this day. I flew many helo missions on and around here is 68 ,, was always a tough area ,, many war stories come up when taking about this area ,,I am glad I was able to help a bit now and then
Actually Lt. Osborne was killed by a Chinese claymore while scouting out ahead of the company to pinpoint our location. A Sgt with him was wounded. We were hit by 2 more claymores after digging in for the night. We had about 13 wounded, including Lee, who made the trip back to Vietnam with me.
I was at Tay Ninh base camp from 6/69 to 6/70 and then we moved to Phouc Vinh. It seemed like the air force would bomb the "saddle" of that mountain once a week. I don't know if it did any good but it sure was a show for us while on bunker guard at night.
Thanks for the video and the commentary. I was the NCOIC for the HHC of the 1st Air Cavalry in communications on Nui Ba Dinh for about 6 months from about March of 1970 to about September of 1970. We passed all the secret helicopter missions to the surrounding Fire Support Bases to invade Cambodia on May 1, 1970. I am most sad about all the needless killings in Vietnam and the violence wreaked on so many people. I'm most happy that I spoke on the radio and TV against the war for Vietnam Veterans Against the War when I returned to Iowa City in late 1970, hopefully adding my effort to end the carnage a bit sooner...
I am a stepson of Edward Pascht and was looking for stuff in anticipation of the upcoming Memorial Day and found your video. I have not shown him this yet. Did any of you know him?
