The Operation Harvest Moon 08 09 dec

The Operation Harvest Moon (08– 09 dec 65) Part 1 of 6 Series WARNING: Before getting into this section of my site I want to warn you that portions (various pages) use language that could be offensive and/or not suitable for younger viewers. I do not edit the various Marines’ stories. Some could be “colorful” and the wordage may be a bit crude to you. If you are squeamish please by-pass pages with: Warning! Warning this page has parts that could be objectionable! The VC/NVA really liked their ambushes. They usually only struck or fought when the were cornered or when they were in place for an ambush. Operation Harvest Moon was an operation that saw each of the 5 main allied combatants (the ARVN, ARVN Rangers, 2/1, 3/3 and 2/7) doing their major fighting because of a VC/NVA ambush.

The Military History of PFC T. Miller The 2/7 logo At the Qui. Nhon airbase in Aug. 1965. Kids, as in any situation, were innocent and loved the candy. I joined the 2 nd Battalion of the 7 th Marines on Sept. 25, 1964 and trained as a field radio operator (2531). I was assigned to a 14 -man Tactical Air Control Party (TACP). The remainder of my military service I would be a “ 2571 – Special Radio Operator” - nothing “special” about it besides I had to carry a big #$%@^%* radio and a. 45 pistol. In November I was assigned to the Tactical Air Control Party (“TAC Party” - and a party it was ). The PRC-25 radio above and the same type 1911 -A 1 Cal 45 ACP pistol that I carried.

Our Job in Vietnam as the 2/7 TAC Party Tactical Air Control Party (TAC Party) Our job while in Vietnam was to be the connection between the ground troops and air support. Our group consisted of 12 enlisted men and 2 officers. We generally went out as three man teams with two enlisted radio operators and an officer and the remaining 8 enlisted men, if needed, would be assigned to the battalion commanding officer (C. O. ) or battalion grunt company C. O. s in two-man radio teams. We controlled the resupply, troop movement, “fixed wing” attack runs, mail delivery and the all important beer runs. From left to right are PFC George Mc. Donald, PFC Wm. “Billie” Morgan, L/Cpl. Jack Swender (KIA - Operation Harvest Moon 18 dec 65), seated is myself - (WIA - Harvest Moon 18 dec 65), PFC Warren Pinter, PFC Larry Greer (WIA - Harvest Moon 18 dec 65), L/Cpl. James Carter, L/Cpl. Thomas Kiergaard, PFC Thomas Wardrop III (KIA - Operation Utah 4 mar 66). Not shown are PFC Stan Petriw, PFC Bilyeu, PFC Cook, L/Cpl Frank Lopez (KIA - Utah 4 mar 66), 1 st Lt, Robert Davis and 1 st Lt. Peter Amish (WIA - Utah 4 mar 66). Picture by: PFC Stan Petriw near Phu Tai(4) at the battalion CP.

Our Job in Vietnam as the 2/7 TAC Party Tactical Air Control Party (TAC Party) Here’s a better look at some of the team I worked with. I still stay in touch with some of them - not as much as I would like - while others I’ve completely lost contact with and still others had contact but lost it as they want it that way. Clockwise group from right top PFC Larry Greer (WIA - Harvest Moon 18 dec 65) and PFC Wm. “Billie” Morgan, PFC George Mc. Donald, L/Cpl. Thomas Kiergaard and myself, PFC Wm. “Billie” Morgan, PFC Larry Greer and L/Cpl. Thomas Kiergaard in our Phu Tai (4) control tower. Top clockwise 1 st Lt. Peter Amish (WIA - Utah 4 mar 66), PFC Thomas Wardrop III (KIA - Operation Utah 4 mar 66), L/Cpl Frank Lopez (KIA - Utah 4 mar 66) these three were the TAC team with Hotel 2/7 on 4 mar 66, in front of my Phu. Tai (4) “hootch” are PFC Stan Petriw, L/Cpl. James Carter, PFC Larry Greer and L/Cpl Dennis Curley with calf, L/Cpl. Jack Swender (KIA - Operation Harvest Moon 18 dec 65) at home in Kansas City 1965.

The Operation Harvest Moon Series On to the operation, but first: No, I wasn’t a helicopter crew chief nor did I work on helicopters. I was a ground to air radio operator with the 2 nd Battalion/7 th Marines’ TAC Party working directly with the fixed wing and helicopters. In the following sections I’ll try to explain from my view of an operation that I was wounded on, Operation Harvest Moon. I will also try to give a brief bit of history of what led up to this operation, mainly the Dagger Thrust operations, plus excerpts from others who were there. Also, during the battle of Heip Duc which took place in November the early parts were being put into place for Operation Harvest Moon. Myself in the crew chief seat on board one of the HMM 161 Squadron helicopters in August 1965 at the Qui Nhon Airstrip.

The Operation Harvest Moon Series “The Vietnam War was the event which blooded another American generation. It was for them what Bunker Hill, Gettysburg, Belleau Wood, and Guadalcanal were to earlier generations; and like those earlier generations, after the event they too are taking another small degree of inhumanity out of our way of life. ” The Grunts by Charles B. Anderson © 1976, Presidio Press page 202 The countryside during the battle of Heip Duc Lots of jungle, some dense some not, with rice paddies and heavy growth. The land was beautiful while being ugly at the same time. This battle would lead us to Operation Harvest Moon

The Operation Harvest Moon Series Operation Harvest Moon (OHM) was the second major battle that involved the U. S. Marine Corps. Operation Starlite was the first It happened 4 months prior in August of 1965. OHM was a complex battle and is complicated to report and to describe. There were three Marine battalions usually operating apart from each other but working toward the same objective - to trap the enemy. I found so much information on this operation I’ve had to break it down into at least 5, maybe 6 different sections with this being the first. Here is Operation Harvest Moon In Vietnam, as in any war, a person had to be ready No matter where you went the enemy was watching. They knew what you were going to do before you did.

The Operation Harvest Moon Series Dagger Thrust and Heip Duc. The Dagger Thrust incepts were handled by the 2 nd Bn of the 1 st Marine Regiment (2/1). They would play an important part in Operation Harvest Moon (OHM) especially on 10 and 11 December. 3/3 had seen battle in Starlite. These were limited engagements where 2/1 would be input for a short time in various places 300 miles up and down the South Vietnamese coast. It gave 2/1 the experience of battle in its probing. During the battle of Heip Duc which took place November 21 and 22 parts were being put into place O. H. M. . A few days before OHM, 2/1 carried out the last of the Dagger Thrust operations. 2/1 was headed for R&R and no more C-rations, at least they thought so. Life would be good. Not! Myself in the crew chief seat on board one of the HMM 161 Squadron helicopters in August 1965 at the Qui Nhon Airstrip.

Operation Thach Tru Information Operation Thach Tru On the night of 21 -22 Nov 1965 two ARVN units near Thach Tru were hit by NVA/VC attacks and the 2 nd ARVN Division requested a Marine sweep in the area in hopes of bringing the NVA/VC to bay. The 3 rd Bn, 7 th Marines were alerted and on the morning of 23 Nov air-assaulted into the area. After a two-day sweep which located and destroyed a number of enemy supply points, but which failed to locate the enemy forces themselves, the Marines were withdrawn. On Thanksgiving morning ( Nov. 23 rd) we (Amish, Greer, Kiergaard and I) were requested to go over 3/7’s CP to assist them on Operation Thach Tru battling NVA regulars. When the battle was finished the ARVN abandoned the outpost. (continued) The 3/7 Marines take a prisoner.

Operation Thach Tru Information Operation Thach Tru It was a boring way to spend Thanksgiving having the TAC Party called upon to assist 3/7 by providing a team. The higher-ups weren’t sure of what they would run into and wanted to be ready. We went over to the 3/7 CP area about 900 and waited to see if they needed us - and waited and finally, about 18: 50 we were told we weren’t needed. It wasn’t acknowledged as a disaster because we killed more of them than they did of us. Big F@$#ing Deal - still 350 KIA. The VC tactics were to divide the enemy and encircle them and then wipe them out. This worked for the VC on the 1 st Cav during this operation. Later in this series, we will see just how well it worked on the Marines during Operation Harvest Moon. Viet Cong Tactics About this time the battle for Il Drang had just ended. This battle of the Drang river (hence the name "Ia Drang") is described in Sheehan's fine book ("A Bright Shining Lie") in good detail. The battle, incidentally, besides being significant in military terms (the first major bloodying of US troops) It involved the 1 st Cav Division and was a disaster with the Cav loosing 350 soldiers. Captured VC on Operation Thach Tru.

Operation Thach Tru Information Operation Thach Tru Thanksgiving Dinner On Thanksgiving Day in Chu Lai while waiting to join 3/7 on an operation leading up to Harvest Moon we were put on “stand-by. ” We got the honor of standing in the rain for 4 hours before being given the news that we didn’t have to go. We would be told about 1830 and because it was too late to eat at our mess hall at 2/7 we were given “Thanksgiving dinner” at 3/7. Forget the rest as it was a wash! That was a low spot for any Thanksgiving Day for me. Every once in a while I’ll have a turkey potpie in honor of that day. They fed us in our mess kits - those “clinketyclank” metal double-sided cumbersome things. I remember eating the turkey as the washed out gravy and soggy potatoes floated over the side of the metal holder from the rain dripping off my helmet and if it missed the potatoes it ran down the backside and got my butt. The peas and corn bobbed up and down in the watery mixture they called gravy. Up and down the jungle hills. A horrible day but worse for the ARVNs!

The Operation Harvest Moon Warning this page has parts that could be objectionable! From here on just - Warning! Series Operation Harvest Moon C-rats Those wonderful C-rations. They don’t even begin to compare with the modern day MREs (Meals Ready to Eat). The main packages were: Ham and Eggs, Chopped Turkey Loaf Ham, Sliced Beefsteak in Gravy (That’s what they called it) Ham & Lima Beans (Ham and Muthafuckers!) Beans and Franks (Wieners) Some of the accessories were: Crackers and Cheese (cheddar and pimento) Crackers and Peanut Butter Candy (chocolate) Candy (coconut) Fruitcake, Pound cake White Bread, Cocoa powder Thanks to Dan “Doc” Mc. Carthy of Golf 2/7 (1965/’ 66) for the descriptions. As far as I recall, the smokes were: Winston, Pall Mall, Salem (or Kools) and Lucky Strike. Other stuff: Chicktlets, Toilet paper (John Wayne paper), Matches (coated), Coffee (instant) And a really crappy cheap spoon!, Toothpick? Most of our C-rats were from WWII (1943/44). Some illustrated here are newer than the ones we had.

The Operation Harvest Moon Series Operation Harvest Moon P-38*s There were four to a case of rats. . . usually the new ones were really tough to open and weren't as sharp as a well used one! We used the case sleeves and comm. wire to make small shelters in our base camps. *P-38 s” were named that because it took 38 twists to go around a can. From my friend Dan “Doc” Mc. Carthy (NM): “Damn, Bro. . . you guys towards the rear had it too good! I still recall those C-rats. . . actually enjoyed the Turkey Loaf, Ham and Eggs …I think they were termed "A-1 s, the Beans and crap were "B-2 s) and others I think were "C-3 s". . . bet some of the old timers would remember a bit more (but then WE ARE the ‘old timers’ these days, aren't we? ? ? ” Note: I wasn’t towards the rear but rather at the Bn. CP. The P-38 s were unique little pieces of machinery. Shown as they came in the package case of a dozen mixed “Rats. ” Shown at approx. 125% of actual size. Each P-38 was packaged with instructions on how to use them - right.

The Operation Harvest Moon Warning! Series Operation Harvest Moon C-rats I would guess that the most disliked of all the C Our Meal, Combat, Individual B-2 Units were -rations would have been the Ham & Lima from World War 2 (era 1944). They were Beans main meal. nothing like those of today. It was fondly referred to as “Ham & Mother@#$&ers, ” “Pig & Puke, ” and “@#$&. ” If the taste and texture didn’t get you then the gas would a few hours later – probably about the time you would have to stand watch not being able to stand yourself. This is not to mention one’s fellow Marine who would have to share the foxhole with. Those poor guys were stuck like being caught in church during the homily when the fat lady lets out a “sneaker. ” The “Rats. ” “decorative” tan cardboard box the “delicious” meal came in. Above, what was in later C -ration meals.

The Operation Harvest Moon Warning! Series Operation Harvest Moon Monsoon Rains It’s not hard to describe the monsoon rains of Vietnam. “Heavy constant downpours” is a good adequate description. A member of our communications section told me that while in the Phu Tai (4) CP in late October he remembers going to bed with a soft rain falling and waking up floating out of the tent on his “rubber lady” (air mattress) the next morning. The gulley washer created a small river that went right down into the tent and swept all items in its path away, including the Marine and bed. Poncho Raingear that was one piece and slipped over the head. It could be utilized as a tent if needed. It had a hole for head and hood. Olive green in color like the one to right. It tended to get sweaty when wearing it in the rain because the waterproof material couldn’t breath. It wasn’t pleasant either way wearing it or getting beat on by the rain. Then either way, the rain would drip off the helmet and hit you on the nose further pissing you off.

The Operation Harvest Moon December 08 - 19, 1965 The major U. S. Marine battalions involved with the operation were 2/1 st Marines, 3/3 rd Marines, and 2/7 th Marines plus units from Hotel 2/9, 1/7, 2/4, 11 th Marines. Fix-wing aircraft from MAGs 11 & 12 MAG-16 and MAG-36 plus helicopter squadrons HMM-363 from Qui Nhon, HMM-261 and HMM-161. This presentation is the third at this website and you can expect it to be updated during the course of the next few years as I finish various paintings of this subject. Also to be included are eye-witness accounts of the various actions of the units involved. This first section will deal with 08 -09 dec 65. It will mainly be about the ambush near Hill 43. The main company during this time was Lima 3/3. However, 2/1 & 2/7 were involved in other ways. It will also fill in some history of various military items and of my team, the Tactical Air Control Party (TAC Party) of 2/7. Series

The Operation Harvest Moon On December 7, we were informed that we would be going on an operation and told what to bring. They passed out C-rations and extra ammunition. We were to take two days meals. Most of us just picked through the C-ration cases and took just what we wanted (fruit [peaches/cocktail], pound cake, ham & MFs – you know, “the good stuff”). The majority of the Tactical Air Control Party (TACP) – if not the entire TACP – was going. We were all radio operators which meant that we would be assigned teams to be on. We all drew extra batteries (the blanking heavy ones). The teams were assigned with L/Cpl Jack Swender and I were assigned to our 2/7 Hotel Company. After getting the assignments we gathered our radios and batteries and located enough good rut sacks to hold all our gear. Series We packed and then hit the sack as we had to get up early to load up onto the 6 by 6’s (trucks) we would be taking to Tam Ky (the Provincial Capital of the area we would be in). They would be coming early – right! We had drawn enough C-rations and ammunition to last us well into three days. That the Colonel made sure of. The following morning we were up early and ready to move out at 0700. We were ready as Colonel Utter had prepared us well. Some of the 782 gear we would carry. Canteens, web belt, ammunition magazines, pistol and holster.

The Operation Harvest Moon The brief history of why the operation took place. It was created to try to eliminate the food source of the Viet Cong/North Vietnamese troops as well as to trap the enemy through the use of two South Vietnamese battalions and three U. S. Marine battalions (3/3, 2/1 and 2/7 th Marines). Everyone was kept in the dark on this operation except the VC. They seemed to know what was going to happen before our commanding officers. We were informed the night before so, we weren’t the leak telling the VC what was happening. The knowledge that the VC had did not surprise me after doing the research as there were a lot of sympathizers within the ranks of the ARVN troops. And Task Force Delta, who were running the operation, weren’t exactly the “cream of the crop. ” Series There was a light mist as we drove up Highway 1 but soon it had started to rain. The temperature was in the high 80 s to low 90 s and we were well into the monsoon season. Another typical day in Vietnam. Little did we know that when we got wet this day, most of us would stay that way for the next 10 days with terrible results of foot immersion (the rotting of the foot’s skin). The weapon of the Marines is the rifle. The rifle of those days was the M-14. Today they still utilize this weapon but in a modified style as a snipers rifle. The M-14 rifle. With every Marine a rifleman first, it was one of the Marines best friends.

The Operation Harvest Moon Series The plan for Operation HARVEST MOON/ LIEN KET 18 directed the 5 th ARVN Regiment, consisting of the headquarters group and 1 st Battalion, and the 11 th Ranger Battalion, to enter the Que Son Valley along the Thang Binh/Hiep Duc road on 08 dec 65. The objective for the first day was a point south of the village of Que Son, eight miles southwest of Highway 1. According to allied intelligence sources, the 1 st VC Regiment was west of this area; contact was not expected until the 2 nd day. On 09 December, Lt. Colonel Utter's 2/7 Battalion was to be inserted behind the enemy to force them eastward into the advancing ARVN. Lt. Colonel Dorsey's 3/3 Battalion would then be inserted to reinforce Utter's unit when needed. As Operation Harvest Moon began our commanding officer Lt. Colonel Leon Utter briefs the 2/7 staff on the operation. With him is General Henderson OIC. An AK-47 assault rifle used by the VC and NVA.

The Operation Harvest Moon Series The 5 th ARVN Regiment left Thang Binh on schedule with the 11 th Ranger Battalion on the right of the road, and the regiment's 1 st Battalion on the left. During the first few hours, the advance was uneventful. At 1330, about halfway to Que Son, the Ranger battalion was ambushed by the 70 th VC Bn. * The enemy allowed the ARVN to close within 20 meters and then opened fire. In the first 15 minutes of the battle, the Rangers lost nearly 1/3 of their personnel and were overrun. According to an American advisor who was with the ARVN force, “They attacked in a mass and hit us from all sides… …People were dropping around us right and left. ” The badly mauled Ranger unit was able to withdraw to a position 1, 200 meters to the NW and regroup for the night. * The 70 th, although not organic to the 1 st VC Regiment, was attached during this period. “D-Day” ARVN and ARVN Rangers are Ambushed 32” x 36, ” Acrylic on Canvas, © 2000

The Operation Harvest Moon Series According to an American advisor who was with the ARVN force, “They attacked in a mass and hit us from all sides…. ” This seemed to be the method that the VC/ NVA used in their battles – divide and conquer. The attacked and overwhelmed the enemy through fire power and surprise. Then, they split the unit in sections, encircled and tried to finish it off. It had worked on the First Calvary the month before. The newly arrived unit was cut up and in the following days lost over 300 of their soldiers due to their inexperience, poor choices and being caught by surprise. Now, they were doing the same to their ARVN brothers from the south and will try to do the same to our Marines but with less success. “D-Day” (Close-ups) 32” x 36, ” Acrylic on Canvas, © 2000

The Operation Harvest Moon Series D-Day (08 dec 65), Wednesday The operation information was severely restricted. The 5 th ARVN regimental CO, was told his mission was to be a routine 'sweep and clear' along Highway 1 to the vicinity of Ky Lam. On reaching the vicinity of Thang Binh, he was brought to the 'bunker' at Da Nang about 1500 on 07 Dec. and apprised of his actual mission. (3 PM the day before!) General Thi warned him not to discuss the operation with any of the ARVN except for a select few in his own headquarters and that of General Lam's. The fact that at 1330, 08 Dec. the 11 th ARVN Ranger Bn. walked into a prepared ambush is prima facie evidence that if [the regimental commander] was kept in the dark, the commander of the 1 st VC Regiment was not. * The 70 th VC Battalion opened up on the Rangers and ARVN troops utilizing various kinds of weapons. Insert ambush painting “Ambush 08 dec 65” & close-ups 16” x 20” Graphite on Illustration Board, © 2001

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day (08 dec 65), Wednesday Series This unsuspecting regiment size group got mauled. They broke and ran in places or found cover where ever they could and by the time the Viet Cong (VC) had broken off contact, 350 were dead and scores were wounded and missing. This set the “trap” that the Marine higher command was looking for. Setting out the “bait” had cost 350 of our allies their lives— another part of this great plan. The Marine General in charge of the operation had found the illusive Viet Cong. Thus, started Operation Harvest Moon/ Lien Ket 18. Viet Cong flag North Vietnamese flag. Viet Cong attacking.

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day (08 dec 65), Wednesday The Vietnamese were noted for carrying live chickens with them. The would tie the feet and dangle them from their packs. The chickens would be slaughtered at their rest area at the end of the day and made into soup or dinner. That wasn’t a bad idea for the food aspect of the march. It probably beat the hell out of C-rations. The main drawback of taking along live chickens was that you could tell when the ARVN’s were coming by the racket that the chickens made. This was especially not good when an ambush was to be sprung upon the unit hauling the chickens. Series

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day (08 dec 65), Wednesday So, here come the ARVNs and Rangers right into an ambush at point blank range. After it was done on 08 dec there were hundreds dead and after the VC attack the next morning over 350 had died in less than 24 hours. Not a good day for the allies. Series

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day (08 dec 65), Wednesday Series “We were going to celebrate Christmas in Okinawa, but then came Harvest Moon. The briefing we received on December 8 th, said we might encounter a couple of regiments or more of Viet Cong, and I believe it was more. ” Carl Kirksley 3. 5 Rocketman Foxtrot Company 2 nd Battalion/1 st Marines The VC ambushing and attacking

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day (08 dec 65), Wednesday Series “We were up early getting ready for our three day “hike in the woods. ” I was assigned to the 4 man TAC team that was to be led by Lt. Pete Amish. L/Cpl Tom Kiergaard and PFC Cook were also in our group. We were to be attached Foxtrot Company 2/7 and drew our extra batteries and C-rations. With everything in hand we packed and then waited for the trucks to arrive. About 10 AM our transportation arrived and the entire TAC Party boarded and took our ride to Tam Ky. It was overcast but only lightly raining as we rode up Highway 1 in our open-air vehicles with helicopter gunships above. ” Memories of PFC Larry Greer H&S 2/7 TAC Party member Typical truck convoy.

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day (08 dec 65), Wednesday Series As we moved to Tam Ky on 08 dec 65 it was lightly misting and it seldom stopped. There were not enough trucks to take all of us at one time, so 2/7 was split and two trips of four hours turn-a-round time were needed with Ontos covering our movements. The only saving grace was that we were on the first trucks up and had better pickings of the places to put our gear and “bunk-down. ” We however had to sit around for the entire day in a light mist, waiting. Through out the next ten days it would rain continuously. Greer, Morgan, Swender and I found a semiprotected place that wasn’t right out in the open, but wasn’t completely undercover. This was just the beginning of screw-ups that would result in the removal of the incompetent OIC General Henderson after the third day. Top - Ontos, the vehicle that ran “guard” for us up to Tam Ky. Bottom - The convoy.

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day (08 dec 65), Wednesday Series About 1500 that afternoon a jeep with several It was raining lightly as I walked around ARVN officers and an American officer shaking my head on the antics of these rushed up to our area. They hurried into see reporters. Colonel Utter. Shortly after that the H-34 s started up and took off. Later, we found out the Army of Vietnam (ARVN) Regiment and VN Ranger battalion were ambushed. The H-34 s were asked to ferry in reinforcements and did. Insert ARVN/VC Of course it was too late for the ARVN but that didn’t seem to bother the general. He had his VC and now chose to insert the Marines into the action and conquer the enemy—but he waited until the following day. Inserting us then might have saved some lives, but the general wasn’t for that. Now, I think of what it must have been like for The “Yankee November 6” UH-34 helicopter. The the Rangers and ARVN while we battled the same type craft that ferried in the reinforcements. rain that night.

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day (08 dec 65), Wednesday Series The only “excitement” if you want to call media reporters excitement, were the interviews they were doing. After walking around the parade field watching the various television and radio reporters talking to “those that would single-handedly later win the war. ” It made me laugh to see these young Marines become “hard-asses” when you knew they were scared crapless. Lights here and there, a snipers dream. It was surreal! I then decided to turn in. I “hit the sack” about 2300 and slept the best I could with rain drops hitting my helmet (plop, ping, plop, plop – it was enough to drive one crazy). The light rain would continue for days and it would take its toll. This is the layout of Operation Harvest Moon

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day (08 dec 65), Wednesday Series There was talk about how “Charlie” might hit us that night. There was sporadic firing during the night but basically, it was a quiet night. Still, nobody slept as the rumors started to fly about going into “hot zones” and the amount of VC troops out there waiting. Also, nobody slept very well because of the light drizzle. Later in the operation we would gladly give anything for the drizzle to replace what we were then experiencing. Waiting on 08 dec 65 at the Government complex for Operation Harvest Moon to begin for us.

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day (08 dec 65), Wednesday The New York Times, THURSDAY DECEMBER 9, 1965 South Vietnam Forces Battling Enemy Regiment By NEIL SHEEHAN Special to the New York Times SAIGON, South Vietnam, Thursday, Dec. 9 -Renewed violent fighting between several Government battalions, led by elite Ranger units, and an estimated regiment of about 2, 000 Vietcong broke out in the predawn hours today in the Quang Tin Province foothills near the central coast, 355 miles north of Saigon. A military spokesman said that at mid-morning a furious battle was still raging. The Communist guerillas, entrenched in an elaborate series of foxholes and bunkers, were reported to be hammering the Government troops with intense mortar and automatic weapons fire. Series Yesterday afternoon the Ranger elements in the Government force fought a five-hour battle with an estimated battalion of 600 to 700 dug-in guerillas. The spokesman said the Rangers suffered heavy casualties. During the night the fighting died down to sporadic encounters. The Government battalions began a second attempt to push forward through the foothills before dawn, and the renewed fighting erupted about 6 A. M. , this time with a much larger Vietcong force. Some fighting yesterday occurred at ranges as close as 20 yards, making it difficult for fighter bombers to pound the guerillas without hitting the Government troops. The fighting occurred near the outpost of Vitan, which has been under almost constant Vietcong attack for two weeks. Government battalions began moving through the rolling foothills yesterday morning and by noon they were facing heavy fire about four miles from their starting point. (continued)

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day (08 dec 65), Wednesday Series The New York Times, THURSDAY DECEMBER 9, 1965 South Vietnam Forces Battling Enemy Regiment By NEIL SHEEHAN Special to the New York Times (continued) United States Marine helicopter pilots from Danang, armed with machine guns and rockets, met intense ground fire while attacking the guerrillas' positions. In air action, two United States F-4 Phantom jet fighter-bombers were lost Tuesday----The Defense Department today listed 25 United States servicemen killed in action in Vietnam. . Those named included two marines--Lance Cpl. Norman J. G. Spenard of Springdale, Conn. , and Pfc. William M. Meglio Jr. , Branford, Conn. . This is what the machine guns and rocket pod looks like on the side of a Hu 1 e “Huie” helicopter.

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday Series The next morning, the VC attacked the mauled ARVN survivors and inflicted even more damage. The idiot of a general finally unleashed us at 0900 that morning— too late to save the 350 ARVN and Vietnamese Rangers. Our Chu Lai based 2 nd Battalion of the 7 th Marines (2/7) was heli-lifted to Landing Zone “Spruce” (LZ) west of the ARVN; the 3 rd Bn of the 3 rd Marines (3/3) who were in Da. Nang were moved to the ARVN’s north; and the 2 nd Battalion of the 1 st Marines (2/1) were aboard ship - the USS Valley Forge in the South China Sea. They were the reserve and would be held until the following day. The operation was getting messier, but we kept going. Semper Fi This was most of the TAC Party that was assigned to Foxtrot for Operation Harvest Moon. (L to R) 1 st Lt. Pete Amish or TAC Party Air Officer, L/Cpl Tom Kiergaard and PFC Larry Greer. Missing from the team is PFC Cook. Greer would be wounded on 18 dec 65 at Ky Phu.

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday Series 3 rd Battalion/3 rd Marines The 3 rd Battalion landed at 1400 hours (2 PM). An hour and a half later, the battalion's lead unit, Company L, made contact with elements of the ARVN battalion and pushed northwestward toward Hill 43. Before the Marines could reach the hill, they ran into a force of 200 VC. The firefight raged into the early evening. Supported by Marine air and artillery, Dorsey estimated that his battalion had killed 75 VC. Eleven Marines were dead and 17 wounded. The VC broke contact as darkness fell and the battalion established night positions. The next morning, the Marines took Hill 43, where they joined 40 South Vietnamese soldiers from the 1 st Battalion, 5 th Regiment. Here’s some of the descriptions of that day. Above, the 3 rd Battalion of the 3 rd Marine Regiment of the 3 rd Marine Division patch.

The Operation Harvest Moon Series D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday This excerpt written by Frank Parvone of Lima Company, 3/3 “It was a clear beautiful day on 09 dec 65, I remember Gunny Moe telling us that we are going where no American has ever walked, and too bring two combat meals; we should be back too base camp by this evening. Then we loaded on to the choppers, it was the start of operation, “Harvest Moon, ” we landed without any resistance. The Lima company CO was Captain De. Martino, he was a true leader, his marines of Lima would follow him too hell if he gave the order. Lima company was on line and began too search and destroy, there were three sniper's taking shots at us and then they would move back and fire, Bob Neener (0351) spotted enemy movement on our right flank, there were twelve (12) males dressed in black pajamas. Neener passed the word up about the men in black pajamas moving and following us on our right flank. The word came down and we were ordered too continue moving forward, Lima company was short handed (just like so many other Marine units) we were about 100 Marines strong. My machine-gun team some how managed too work our way to the right flank of Bob Neener and Jim Stead's rocket team, some how we managed too get cut-off from Lima company's main force. We came upon a cave, and there was a pith helmet laying at the mouth of the cave, I grabbed the helmet not even realizing that it could have been booby-trapped, I tied it too the back of my pack, then I heard a noise from the cave, I yelled to Art Winterfield to throw a grenade in the cave. (continued)

The Warning! Operation Harvest Moon D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday Art hurled a grenade right into the cave at the same time yelling, "fire in the hole", when the grenade exploded, a little girl came out, she was about seven years old, her arm was hanging from her body, I would never forget that sight, then a older lady stumbled out of the cave, it must have been her mother, she fell over and died. Then a NVA officer came out, he had brass all over his uniform, he had that gook smile on his face, I could not handle that this NVA officer was hiding behind a child and a women, I cut him in half with a short burst from my M-60 machine gun, and I wiped that gook's smile right off his face. Then, all hell broke loose, we found ourselves in a triangle ambush, we were completely surrounded. Series They were walking motars in on us from hill #43, when our gun team reached the ambush, we started too return fire, the Viet Cong were running ammunition and supplies to the main force that was dug in along this tree line. I dropped eight of them, they went down like bowling pins, then eight more Viet cong tried too resupply their main force, I dropped all of them. Now the mortars were definitely zeroing on my machinegun, Neener told Jim Stead, ‘We have too get Pavone's machine-gun, the team and ourselves out of here. ’ Then a 60 mm mortar round came crashing in, Neener was hit by shrapnel, Doc Croxen was killed instantly. We put our wounded and dead in this bomb crater. I was standing by this tree when I (continued)

The Warning! Operation Harvest Moon D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday Series heard this inner voice tell me too move two feet to the left just as I moved a burst from an AK-47, went right up the trunk of that tree, if I didn't move, it would have cut me in half. We had many wounded Marines in the rice paddy, I remember a Henry Hitchcock (0351) yelling my name, he also was from Chicago, we both transferred over from Charlie 1/9 to Lima 3/3 in August of 1965. I remembered yelling, “you mother fucker's”, and began running and shooting my machine gun at the same time, when I reached Henry, he was yelling, “they blew off my fucking arm, ” I rolled him over, and their was a piece of shrapnel protruding out of his forearm, I remember pulling it out. It burned my hand, I told Henry he had the million dollar wound and he would be going home, his whole attitude (continued on next page) Typical “grunt” walking through the rice paddies.

The Warning! Operation Harvest Moon Series D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday changed, he knew he was going to live, I carried him back to the bomb crater. I rescued two more wounded Marines, and brought them back to the bomb crater. Gunny Moe told my gun team too stay on this rice paddy dike and set up a base of fire, while they charged hill #43. or it could have been a turkey shoot, we were surrounded. Thank god for the good Marine Corps training of charging the enemy's position, while under fire. ” The fire fight lasted about two in a half hours, we had eleven (11) dead Marines and forty-one (41) wounded just from Lima Company. The last “med-avac” left at about 23 hundred hours, Neener was on that last chopper out. 1966 Frank Pavone Lima 3/3, Vietnam 1965 - I believe that when we came upon that cave, and I cut that NVA officer in half with my machine gun, that burst set their ambush off prematurely, VC waiting to spring ambush.

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday This excerpt written by 3/3 forward observer 1 st Lt Jack Swallows after his return from a trip to Vietnam. “On 09 December, Lima 3/3 was lifted by helicopter to rescue the remnants of one of those ARVN battalions. After landing we proceeded west towards Hill 43. Just at dusk we were attacked by the VC who were in the close -by tree lines and about 700 meters away at the base of Hill 43. Series Later, I determined that I was on the wrong side of the rock since most of the fire came from our rear. The next morning we proceeded to Hill 43 where we joined up with about 40 ARVN survivors. ” During this fight 11 Marines were killed and over 40 wounded. The first medi-evac helicopter was shot down about 100 feet from me and the pilot killed. During the fight I sheltered behind a large rock with several of my artillery forward observation team as well as the air liaison team. The mentioned rock that provided cover for about 7 to 10 of the Marines after being ambushed on their way to Hill 43 which is shown in the background.

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday Series Forward observer 1 st Lt Jack Swallows “On 9 Dec 1965, at approximately 1300 hours LIMA Company 3 rd Battalion, 3 rd Regiment, 3 rd Marine Division, was the lead Company, a spearhead, sent into the Que Son Valley to rescue the 5 th ARVN Regiment who had been under heavy attack since daybreak. ” Above is a current view of the bomb crater as shown on the diagram above. Jack Swallows diagram of that day.

The Warning! Operation Harvest Moon D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday This following excerpt was written by PFC Bob Neener ( 0351) of Lima Company 3 rd Bn/3 rd Marines “Wednesday morning 9 Dec 65 at 0500 (5 am). we mounted up, loaded onto 6 X's (big trucks to you non combatants) and headed south to a point where most of us had no earthly clue where we were. They never told us peons anything, a hell of a way to run a war don't you think? Series waves roll in and fighting off the Piss Ants that were crawling up our pant legs! I suspect that our staging area was somewhere a little north and east of Tam Ky, near Thang Binh. We arrived at the staging area shortly after sun up and sat there all day till around 1300, when a large number of choppers came into our LZ. If I were in charge, I would want every Swinging Dick to know exactly where we were going to go and what we were supposed to do when we got there. But back in the 60's we were still governed by a WWII mentality (the less the troops know the better). It seems that we were near Tam Ky, that's what all the official documents suggest, Tam Ky was the staging area later on in the Operation, but we were on the Beach, in the sand, watching the Above picture is a typical troop movement only most didn’t have armed VC “dogging” them.

The Warning! Operation Harvest Moon D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday We were again told very little, just enough to scare the shit out of junk yard dog! We were told that all the waiting was due to the fact that B-52's had spent the morning bombing several VC regiments that were assembling in the Que Son Valley, and that we were going in to rescue fragments of an ARVN Regiment (So. Vietnamese Troops) that were in serious trouble. (For the record, a regiment consists of approximately 2100 troops, 3 reinforced Battalions) Series along with a small H&S contingency, mounted up on Choppers and flew west for approximately 30 minutes. We landed just south of the village of Bong Son II, near the eastern mouth of the Que Son valley. The LZ was not hot, there were no problems landing or disembarking. From the LZ, we spread out into a company wide sweep, moving toward the highlands and Hill 43. (continued) Our Recon had estimated that there were 3, 500 plus VC's held up on a nice little defendable map grid called Hill 43. We initially went in with one company, Lima Company, with approximately 180 troops. So, at 1330 hours (1: 30 pm for all you civilians) Lima Company, along with it's FO (Forward observer 1 st Lt Jack Swallows) and his team 3/3 being briefed just prior to being transported by H-34 s in background.

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday I was an 0351 Assaultman (3. 5 Rockets) attached to 3 rd platoon was on the right flank of Lima Company as we were sweeping through the rice fields in the valley, I was on the extreme right flank of 3 rd platoon. Shortly after we began the sweep, I noticed a couple of fellows in black pajamas, following us, about 200 yards out. As we would stop, they would stop, as we picked up the pace, they would speed up their pace. It quickly became clear to me that they were following us. Series I understand the necessity for following orders, but there was a clear and present danger on our flank and the Lt. chose to ignore it and follow his orders. American lives were in danger, we had a clear target and I'll never understand why we didn't attack them. hell, I could have taken out most of them with one well placed rocket round. (continued) I immediately informed my platoon Sgt that we were being observed, but he chose to ignore the heads up. Ten minutes later I observed several more, maybe 15 to 20, and this time I clearly saw weapons. I again reported the sighting to the Platoon Sgt, and this time he took a look-see and promptly notified the Lt. . 3. 5 rocket sometimes known as a “Bazooka. ”

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday I blame the Lt. because the Sgt did use the radio, but I really don't know who the idiot was for sure. (This is the same Sgt who made me go to Catholic Mass the day before, a Korean War Veteran and maybe not the brightest bulb in the string, but a good Marine just the same). It may well have been our Company CO Capt. Di. Martino who nixed the flanking incident. As a result of ignoring the problem on our right flank, the VC had our position in constant observation. What the brass didn't know, was that they were walking us right into an ambush, and the VC on our right flank were spotting for a much larger force getting ready to hit us. Shortly before All Hell broke loose, we came upon a small hamlet at the end of this massive rice field. This hamlet was maybe 200 meters wide, so we split up. Series The 1 st Plt was on the left flank, so they took the high ground and went around from above and to the left of the hamlet. The 3 rd Plt took low ground and went through the hamlet from below and to the right flank. The 2 nd Plt stayed in the rear to act as a reserve force. (I guess at the time it didn't occur to the brass that it was strange that this little hamlet, with all of its huts in a nice row, wasn't occupied, not even the chickens came out to great us) (continued) Typical small hamlet

The Warning! Operation Harvest Moon D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday Series Most of us were uneasy as we passed through this little village, we had no real information, only what we saw and heard, or in this case what we didn't see or hear, our instincts told us something was happening or about to. As 2 nd platoon began to deploy to our aid, the VC closed the back door of the triangle and caught all of us in a cross fire. We were surrounded by machinegun fire and mortar rounds began dropping in all around us. What happened next was pure Military genius on the part of the enemy. We had walked right into a "Triangle Ambush" we were surrounded and attacked from all sides of the triangle, and the group of VC who had been following us were the ones who closed the back door completing the triangle. My gun team found a position, paddy dyke maybe 18” high and we took cover. The shit was really flying, (a historian says that we were up against 200 VC from the 80 th VC Battalion) These were the same bad guys we faced in Starlite 4 months earlier on August 18 th, and we killed a bunch of them then. (continued) As 1 st platoon and 3 rd platoon came out and around from this hamlet, we found approx. 500 meters of rice field and Hill 43 facing us. The VC opened up with mortars and machine guns from the base of hill 43 and the tree lines to our left and right flanks.

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday Series I have no idea how many of them there were this time, but the shit was definitely hitting the fan everywhere! target begging for incoming. I was so glad when we went to the LAWS Rocket (Light Assault Weapon System). We were surrounded, our entire Company was pinned down and we were deathly close to being overrun. S/Sgt. Cordova gave an order to charge the hill, which was by the book, when mortars are coming in, charge the mortars! My rocket team was told to stay back with an M-60 team and lay down cover fire, so we took position behind a dyke near the M-60 team. As Jim Stead was taking aim, an incoming mortar round exploded a few feet away from us, I was hit in the right shoulder by the up blast. I felt a punch and then a very warm liquid began oozing from my wound. The 2 nd platoon and the 3 rd platoon began to deploy into the rice field, 1 st Plt was holding the rear and the mortars kept coming, interrupted only by the constant enemy automatic weapon fire from Hill 43 and the surrounding tree lines. Jim Stead, Jim Knowles and I had just gotten the rocket launcher into position, that damm 3. 5 rocket launcher was long and bulky, it was a "CORPSMAN, CORPSMAN UP" the Doc made his way to me quick, I was one of the first group of wounded. The Doc stopped my bleeding and then ran to help the other two wounded. Several more incoming mortar rounds exploded in our immediate vicinity so Jim Stead decided to move. Just then the Doc came back to me and helped me back to a bomb crater some 110 feet to the rear where they were setting up a hospital staging area and gave me a shot of morphine. (continued)

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday My guys were somewhere between Hill 43 and where I was now. Before the morphine could do its stuff, I began freaking out, it was near dark, there was shooting and shouting everywhere, mortar and RPG rounds were going off within yards of my position and they took away my rifle, I was defenseless. By this time the USMC Air Wing had entered the fight and there were also the sounds of nearby 250 lb bombs capping off. The Corpsman worked masterfully even though they had lost one of their own to the battle. HM 1 Richard "Doc" Croxen, along with PFC John Miller, had been wounded by the same mortar round that got me. John Miller made it, Doc Croxen didn't. Our Senior Corpsman in an attempt to calm me down, asked me to look after a Lance Corporal who was badly wounded. The Doc told me that Series this guy probably wouldn't make it, but to do what I could to make him comfortable. In the mean time, the rescue choppers were on their way, but the VC had an ace up their sleeve for them as well. As the first Med-Evac chopper came in to rescue the more serious of our wounded, the pilot was shot at close range while attempting to land. CPL Joe Hennebery a red headed Irishman from Boston and a Scout Sgt attached to the FO team, were both badly burned from the chopper fuel, as they rescued the downed chopper crew. They were both awarded Silver Stars for their actions. (continued)

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday The pilot, Major Donald J. Reilly died from bullet wounds and was awarded the Navy Cross for his actions (see next page). After Major Reilly's chopper was shot down they decided to wait till well into the night before trying to evacuate the wounded, this unfortunate delay most likely contributed to the loss of some of our more serious wounded. So here I sit in a bomb crater that most likely didn't exist the day before, hell is at the doorstep and the morphine has just started to do its stuff. The nearby battle began to seem more distant and I was beginning to calm down, in retrospect, I was probably experiencing the first symptoms of PTSD. I was sitting next to this kid who was dying, (I don't think I really understood that he was dying Series at first) you have a hard time acknowledging death when your in the thick of it). He was most likely very medicated with morphine and he laid there very still, until suddenly he became agitated and began waving his arms in slow motion. The corpsman told me to calm him down best I could, so I grabbed his arm and hand held him. He had multiple chest wounds and had probably lost a lot of blood. He began to talk in a calm, almost surreal calm voice, he called out "Mama" three times, gasped once or twice and calmly passed. I remember thinking at the time that he was the only one who was safe. It was most likely around 2300 hours when I was finally heli-lifted out to the aid station. They were still shooting at us when the chopper lifted off. (continued)

The Operation Harvest Moon Major Donald J. Reilly USMC Series NAVY CROSS CITATION 9 DEC 1965 “For extraordinary heroism as a Helicopter Pilot in Marine Observation Squadron TWO in the Republic of Vietnam on 9 December 1965. With his squadron engaged in air support operations for Task Force Delta in Quang Tin Province, Major Reilly was designated as Tactical Aircraft Coordinator (Airborne). Reporting on station about 1800, he immediately answered an emergency request for support from Lima Company 3 rd Battalion 3 rd Regiment a Marine Rifle Company which was part of a mobile alert force that had been helicopter-lifted into a hostile area where it was heavily engaged by the Viet Cong using mortars, automatic weapons, and small arms. Although exposed to hostile rifle and machine-gun fire, he, with selfless determination and skill, fearlessly delivered devastating fire from low altitudes upon the Viet Cong who were encircling the company. Later, in response to a request for evacuation of eleven of the company wounded, he prepared to land. In darkness and under a 1200 foot overcast with three miles visibility he arranged for the company to guide him on the final approach with a flashlight. Directing his wingman to remain aloft and assist only if he were successful, he turned off aircraft lights and resolutely commenced his approach. Although encountering intense small-arms fire, he pressed on with determination and while slowing for landing, received a severe bullet wound. His copilot was unable to take over in time and the aircraft crashed on landing in the friendly zone. No further evacuations could be attempted due to enemy resistance until several hours later that night and by that time Major Reilly had succumbed to his grievous wounds. His self sacrificing action in the face of overwhelming odds sustained and enhanced the finest traditions of the Marine Corps and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life in the cause of freedom. ”

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday Some of the things that go through my mind since that day in December of 1965: And ever since that day, I've often wondered if, taking Catholic Communion on Tuesday had saved my life on Wednesday! Before I came over to Lima 3/3, I won a Bronze Star on 13 Sept 65, while I was with Golf 2/9, that was a bad day, but nothing like the first day of "Operation Harvest Moon"! The action in which I won the Bronze Star was a day patrol not more than a few miles from where Operation Harvest Moon began. The Que Son Valley was a hot spot that I would visit a 3 rd time before my tour of duty was completed. The photos are by Lt Colonel Jack Swallows USMC Retired. Jack was our FO and the photos were taken on his 2003 return trip to Vietnam. Series Jack Swallows informed me that he wasn't able to call in any artillery support that day because battalion took control of the fire missions. This command error was most likely due to the fact that we were sent in to help the ARVN troops and battalion didn't want us to kill any Friendly Forces by mistake. (the “can't shoot till shot at” rule of engagement got us again). The Kid who died in my arms that day, was L/Cpl Larry Dean Borschel a radioman from H&S Company who was attached to Lima Company's FO "Forward Observer". He may have been killed by the same mortar barrage that got me. I left his name out of this story when I first wrote it because I wanted to spare his family any new pain. I've since talked with two of his sisters and now feel that he should be named. (continued)

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday Most of the glory of Harvest Moon goes to 2/9 and 2/7. (2/9 had a Medal of Honor winner on the last day) But it is a fact that of the 407 total enemy killed during the entire 12 day operation, 92 were killed by Lima Company on the first day. Of the 45 Marine KIA's, 12 were from the first day. Of the 218 Marine WIA's, 41 were from the first day. Our Battle lasted hours, well into the early morning hours of 10 December, and for those lucky enough to make it to Hill 43 without a scratch the battle then evolved to hand combat. Series General Walt relieved General Henderson of his command on the afternoon of 10 Dec. 1965, one day after the Operation began (General Henderson was Regimental commander, his removal is a good indicator that I am correct about my theory that the brass screwed up big time). ” PFC Bob Neener ( 0351) Lima Company 3 rd Bn/3 rd Marines Note from Editor of this site: Hopefully, when this site section “The Operation Harvest Moon Series” is finished, viewers will see that everyone played an important roll in the entire operation. And yes, a few of the brass did screw up.

The Operation Harvest Moon D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday L/Cpl Larry Dean Borsch, Iowa Falls, IA L/Cpl Jose L. Callballero, Harlington, TX S/Sgt John B. Cordova, Houston, TX HM 1 Richard L. Croxen, Westminster, CA Captain George C. Drake, Kirkland, WA Pvt. Michael S. Harris, Kansas City, MO PFC Ronald L. Koehler, Vernon Center, MN PFC Larry D. Scarberry, Barboursville, WA L/Cpl Richie H. Schmitt, Tampa, FL PFC This is a list of the Marines and Corpsman who died that day or as a result of that action. Keep them in your prayers. Robert E. Emery, Granite City, IL PFC Series Dennis L. Weber, Mechanicsville, IA The helicopter pilot killed while assisting Lima Major Donald J. Reilly, St. Louis, MO There were also 41 WIA during this battle. 3/3 did have it tough during Operation Harvest Moon. “Flag” Formally folded flag 19” x 15 x 5” Ceramic, © 2000

The Warning! Operation Harvest Moon D-Day+1 (09 dec 65), Thursday Our TAC Party was usually “doing the loading” so it was a “different shoe” that day lifting off and going into a landing zone on the first wave. Jack Swender and I were attached to Hotel Company as the TAC Party section. As the battle started the day prior, we didn’t know if we were being inserted into the middle of a battle or not. We were like mushrooms – kept in the dark, and fed bullshit! As we flew west to our LZ many thoughts went through my mind. Would it be a “hot zone” (incoming fire at us) or not? What would we do in the face of the enemy? Have I taken care of all my needs (will, bank accounts, etc)? Well, what the hell, can’t live forever and God is on my side. As it turned out at 1040 that morning, LZ Spruce was not entirely cold, but very limited. Series Golf Co. Marines took care of the problem. Now, the operation was on its way for us. There was a problem with one of the helicopters after a hard landing. It sat in the LZ and a platoon from Delta 1/7 came to secure it with the repair crew. We left with Hotel Company heading east towards our objective “A. ” Got there and secured it. For us it was a quiet uneventful day. A downed helicopter due to a malfunction in the tail rudder.

The Operation Harvest Moon Series “So much happened on the 09 Dec 65, but there is so little written of it. ” Cpl. Frank Pavone Lima Company 3 rd Battalion, 3 rd Marines 1965 Shotgun - Jr. Walker And The All-Stars (#4 We Gotta Get Out Of This Place - The Animals (#13) (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction - The Rolling Stones (#1) In The Midnight Hour - Wilson Pickett (#21) Wooly Bully - Sam The Sham And The Pharaohs (#2) Baby, The Rain Must Fall - Glenn Yarbrough (#12) Eve Of Destruction - Barry Mc. Guire (#1) "Those that were there will never forget! Those who were not might never know!” This is the end of the 1 st installment of Operation Harvest Moon

The Operation Harvest Moon Books on Operation Harvest Moon Series For a better coverage on this operation I would suggest you obtain a copy of one or both of the following paperbacks, Last Ride Home A memoir of the Vietnam War by Danny M. Francis, 1 st Lt, USMC (retired) For more on the life in 2/7, of which I was part of read Alex Lee’s book. It is right on to my time while in 2/7 and has a section in it about Operation Harvest Moon. Utter’s Battalion: 2/7 Marines in Vietnam, 1965 -’ 66 by Alex Lee, Lt/Colonel (retired) See the following pages for book descriptions. The Vietnam countryside typical of the Operation Harvest Moon terrain that we encountered. The only difference was during the operation, it rained all the time.

The Operation Harvest Moon Last Ride Home Series Book Description History would come to know Vietnam’s Operation Harvest Moon as "the last big battle of 1965. " But for Dan Francis and many of his fellow Marines in the Second Battalion, First Marine Regiment, it was just the beginning of a long and difficult string of bloody battles with heavy losses. The events of Operation Harvest Moon, related from several points of view by the men who served there, set the stage for a series of named and unnamed operations in which the men of 2/1 would serve and die. Dan Francis offers a unique and thoughtful insight into the lives and experiences of the Marines whose sense of duty led them into a war doomed to failure. Sometimes touching, sometimes gritty, always brutally honest, The Last Ride Home is Francis’s account of two tours of duty in Vietnam—a remarkable chapter from his twenty-year career in the United States Marine Corps. Book Details Paperback: 296 pages Publisher: Amer Book Pub (Feb. 2004) Language: English ISBN-10: 1589821807 ISBN-13: 978 -1589821804

The Operation Harvest Moon Utter’s Battalion Series Book Description In May 1965, the entire 2 nd Battalion, 7 th Marines--lock, stock, and barrel--embarked for Vietnam. Captain Alex Lee was there. . Now combat-veteran Marine captain Alex Lee brings to gritty life the full tour of 2/7. From the search-and-destroy missions to the sudden violent ambushes in the hills and valleys west of Qui Nhon, Lee describes how Marines battled monsoons, malaria, and the enemy as they crept through terrain infested with Viet Cong caves and hideouts. After paving the way in Qui Nhon for the arrival of more American military, 2/7 was assigned to Chu Lai, where the battalion fought its most bitter, deadly battles. With the scalding ring of truth, Lee captures the conditions of the bone-weary 2/7 Marines as they slogged through jungles and spent night after night in dreary, rain-filled foxholes. Although they faced a life of constant danger and occasional mindless confusion, in their Book Details Paperback: 296 pages Publisher: Ballantine Books; 1 edition (Jan 4, 2000) Language: English ISBN-10: 0804116385 ISBN-13: 978 -0804116381 seemingly endless marathon of effort, agony, and sacrifice, the Marines of 2/7 never faltered, never stopped giving their best.

The Operation Harvest Moon Series Screen Play Portion A movie about Marines in Vietnam. In my studies at Fairleigh Dickinson University I took many different type courses. One of the interesting classes was one dealing with screenwriting (movies). I remember I had a class with Professor Toby Roberts on the morning of September 11 th, 2001 at 9: 40 am. By the time I got out of class both towers were down and the Pentagon had been hit. Flight 93 was being talked about but no final word was given as to it or any other planes in the air. This information is given to give you a time frame as to my creative thinking. When 9/11 happened I stopped my painting of the “Operation Harvest Moon Series” and started, “The 9/11 series. ” Myself in the crew chief seat on board one of the HMM 161 Squadron helicopters in August 1965 at the Qui Nhon Airstrip.

The Operation Harvest Moon Series Screen Play Portion A movie about Marines in Vietnam (continued) The next semester I took an independent study with Toby and wrote a 250 page (the run time is appoximately 2. 5 hours) screen play about my experiences while on the way and during my time in Vietnam. It would be titled, “The Few. The Proud. ” In the movie I created a mythical group of Viet Cong (VC) and pitted them against our group. Naturally, the VC weren’t true “happenings, ” but what happened to the Marines of my group actually did take place and some things were very humorous. The following are some excerpts from my screen play shown in the screen play format. In Utters Battalion, which we were called, the Colonel made it mandatory that we wore not only helmets while in the field but also flac-jackets. These rules I credit for saving my life.

The Operation Harvest Moon Series Screen Play Portion The Few. The Proud. A screenplay by Thomas F. Miller. © 2001 Not to be reproduced except with writen permission from me. Explanations are in red lettering. Names are centered in BOLD. Action is also BOLD Ext. - Countryside - night (Ext. means exterior shot the rest is selfexplanitory) The VC are about to attack Hiep Duc. It is dark as they wait in silence. Someone trips a flare and the battle begins. Within a matter of fifteen seconds, the sky lights up with flare parachutes. You HEAR explosions from 60 and 81 mm mortars as they flash and boom. A description of what is happening to help you visualize. These are flac-jackets. Bulky but did the job. One can make out figures as the run about inside the barbed wire compound. You see flashes of muzzles and hear the whiz of the bullets. Smoke temporarily obscures all but the glow of the flare. (continued)

The Operation Harvest Moon Series Screen Play Portion The Few. The Proud. (continues) INSERT TITLE: ARVN outpost, Hiep Duc, 17 Nov 65, 0400 Le (mythical named VC) (Subtitled; in Vietnamese) Be careful my friend Khoa. As they show a close-up of the hardened VC face he places his hand on the shoulder of a younger VC, KHOA. Both are about to charge the compound. Khoa (Subtitled; in Vietnamese) Yes, Le I’m right behind you. The VCs get up from their crouched positions and run towards the barbed wire. More explosions and machine gun fire. VCs are dropping or staggering forward. We follow Le as a group breeches the barbed wire. We see them running over the backs of fellow comrades who have laid on the barbed wire to form a bridge as they enter the compound. They battle the Army of Vietnam soldiers (ARVN) in hand to hand combat, throw sachet charges into bunkers and soon rout the ARVNs. The battle is over in a matter of minutes. There are occasional bursts of shots and explosions as the scene fades from the smoke, flashes and utter chaos. Our last view is an ARVN soldier dying on the barbed wire trying to flee. FADE TO BLACK FADE IN: Ext. - city - parade field - day The Marines have been ordered to convoy to Tam Ky while a plan is being set to trap the 1 st VC Regiment. Because of the lack of motor vehicles,

The Operation Harvest Moon Series Screen Play Portion The Few. The Proud. (continues) the battalion and it’s reinforcements have to be trucked to Tam Ky from Chu Lai in two separate convoys. Greer Yea, here we’re out of the way. INSERT TITLE: government district headquarters, Tam Ky, VN, 08 dec 65, 1145 Swender Right. Amish OK guys, grab some space for all of us, we’ll be here for awhile. Miller Let’s get comfortable, as Pete says, we’ll be here for a while. The Marines climb off the trucks and move towards a large athletic field adjacent to the government buildings. There are several H-34 helicopters parked in the middle of the field. One has its blades turning. Marines are parking themselves all over. Throwing their gear down and getting comfortable. The TAC Party Marines survey the situation and decide to move to the further side of the field. We see Greer and Miller unloading their heavy radios and plopping down in an attempt to get comfortable. Swender This looks better. If we’re going out on helicopters, they’ll have to land in the middle of those Marines. FADE OUT FADE IN: Ext. - countryside - near highway - day INSERT TITLE: NE of Que Son, VN, 08 dec 65, 1330

The Operation Harvest Moon Series Screen Play Portion The Few. The Proud. (continues) The 1 st VC Regiments Seventieth Battalion set up an ambush against the First Battalion of the Fifth ARVN Regiment and the Eleventh Ranger Battalion along a stretch of open highway called the Thang Bihn - Hiep Duc Road, just north of Que Son. The VCs allowed the ARVN to get to within twenty meters of their positions before they opened up on them. In the first fifteen minutes of the battle, the Rangers lost nearly one-third of their personnel and were over run. The VC attacked in mass and hit from all sides leaving the Rangers dropping right and left. CUT TO: Ext. - countryside - day The next morning the Sixtieth and Eightieth VC Battalions attacked the Fifth ARVN Regimental command group and its First Battalion. Heavy fighting occurred. The Marines were injected into the action. INSERT TITLE: NE of Que Son, 09 dec 65, 0644 Thoi give last minute directions to his group before attacking the ARVN. They are near a major highway but in the rough a long side the road. He looks at his watch and then at his men.

The Operation Harvest Moon Series Screen Play Portion The Few. The Proud. (continues) Thoi (Subtitled; in Vietnamese; nervous and whispering) We will attack in at the sound of the horn. When you get near the enemy, don’t stop, keep going and run right over them. If we must retreat, I will tell you. . Thoi points around as they all crouch down. The SOUND of SMALL ARMS is steady but not overbearing. Thoi (con’t. ) (Subtitled; in Vietnamese). . . When we are finished, we have (con’t. ) to police the area. Pick up all weapons and bring out all, all wounded and dead that you can. Is that understood? . . . He looks at his men who are nodding their heads. The horns blow and the SOUND of MORTARS picks up cadence. The small arms FIRE HEATS UP. The look on the men’s faces is of pure fright. Thoi (con’t. ) (Subtitled; in Vietnamese). . . Let’s go men and don’t stop. Le (Subtitled; in Vietnamese; voice breaking) Khoa, careful. As Thoi leads, Le and Khoa and the three of Le’s squad are seen attacking the ARVN. Le has a slight limp. The battle thickens. CUT TO: Ext. Battlefield - day INSERT TITLE: Rice paddys, Dong Son, vn, 09 dec 65, 1045

The Operation Harvest Moon Series Screen Play Portion The Few. The Proud. (continues) The VC are moving south away from the battle field staying as much in the cover of trees and jungle as possible. They are carrying their wounded with them and some have extra weapons. Many have signs of being wounded but most are moving rapidly. It’s ten forty-five in the morning. CUT TO: Ext. - Countryside - Landing Zone - Day INSERT TITLE: LZ Spruce, 1045 The Marines have been injected into the action. Colonel Utter’s battalion is landing and then fanning out and covering for the next wave to come in. There is a river next to some of the TAC Party as Colonel Utter comes and confers with one of HIS LIEUTENANTS, First Lieutenant Nick Grosz. Utter (pissed) Those dumb jerks landed us on the wrong side of the river. We have to take Objective A which is about two thousand meters to our north east. Across the damn river. Grosz (helpful) I’ll send the scouts out and find a good crossing place. We’ll need a squad on the other side to clear and cover for us. Utter Do it Nick. ISSOLVE TO: INSERT TITLE: A Tributary of Song Ly Ly River, 1105

The Operation Harvest Moon Series Screen Play Portion The Few. The Proud. (continues) We see MARINES crossing a river, four feet deep, carrying their weapons above their heads along with whatever else they are trying to keep dry. FADE TO WHITE FADE IN: Ext. - village - Day The view is of grey sky as the VC enter a village next to a high hill. After the battle, the first VC Regiment breaks contact and moves south. Later in the day they arrive at Hill 407 designated that for it’s height in meters. The prepare defense perimeters based on the information that their operatives that they have in the ARVN higher echelon have given to them. INSERT TITLE: Cam Lai (1) (Five miles south of Que Son), VN, 09 dec 65, 1700 Le’s leg is bothering him as they move south and Khoa relieves him of some of his load. The men are jubilant as they move. Thoi (Subtitled; in Vietnamese) You and your men did well Le. Are you all right, I noticed that you are limping? Le (Subtitled; in Vietnamese) Nothing to worry about Sergeant. I’ll be alright in a day. Thoi (Subtitled; in Vietnamese) Khoa, it is good of you to help Le the way you do. Thoi nods approvingly, smiles and turns to see about his other men. Khoa beams.

The Operation Harvest Moon Series Screen Play Portion The Few. The Proud. (continues) DISSOLVE TO: Ext. - Countryside - Hill - Twilight The VC are building defensive positions on Hill 407. INSERT TITLE: Hill 407, South of Cam Lai (1), VN, 09 dec 65, 1845 Le and his squad are digging in when ANOTHER VC approaches and talks to Thoi directs him towards Le and nods approvingly. He is with several meters of Le. VC (Subtitled; in Vietnamese) Is this where I will find Khoa Pham? Khoa (Subtitled; in Vietnamese; confused) I am Khoa. VC (Subtitled; in Vietnamese) I have been assigned to bring you to meet your brother, Vinh. He is about one hundred meters to the west. It has been approved by your sergeant. Khoa looks over to Thoi who nods and replys. Thoi (Subtitled; in Vietnamese; loudly) That’s for the help you gave Le to day. Khoa (O. S. ) (Subtitled; in Vietnamese) Thank you, sergeant. I won’t be long. Khoa smiles at Le who pats him on the back. The two then quickly move to the west through the rocky hillside.

The Operation Harvest Moon Series Screen Play Portion The Few. The Proud. (continues) CUT TO: Ext. - Hillside - Day A warm embrace between the Khoa and his brother. From a distance the brother introduce Khoa to his guide and several other members of his group. Smile abound as the brother shows Khoa the 12. 4 mm machine gun which he is a ammunition bearer for. FADE TO BLACK This portion of the screen play I wrote in 2001 is from an early draft. The final did change somewhat but not to a great degree. At the end of each section or installment of this series I will add the section of the screen play that pertains to the dates which are talked about. Me with Tom Kiergaard at our control tower near Phu Tai (4), VN - 1965

The Military History of PFC T. Miller The medals and ribbons I rate for the military service with the 2/7 th Marines while in Vietnam. Some of these were for being there and some of the heroic action of 2/7 during Operation Harvest Moon. Many of our 2/7 family rate these and more. The ribbons as displayed above Purple Heart • Combat Action Ribbon Presidential Unit Citation • Navy Unit Commendation • National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Medal • Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry • Vietnam Campaign Medal Sharp Shooters Rifle Badge PFC (E-2) Chevron 1911 -A 1 45 Calibre pistol I carried.

The Military History of PFC T. Miller Giap's memoirs*. . . (to bad it’s not true) (Giap was the top General in the N. Vietnamese Army. ) General Giap has published his memoirs It was the same at the battles of TET. You and confirmed what most Americans knew. defeated us! We knew it, and we thought you The Vietnam war was not lost in Vietnam -- knew it. But we were elated to notice your it was lost at home. media was definitely helping us. They were causing more disruption in America than we By the exposes the enormous power of the could in the battlefields. We were ready to media to cut out the heart and will of the surrender. You had won!' American public. The following quote is said to be from his A truism worthy of note: memoirs currently found in the Vietnam war Do not fear the enemy, memorial in Hanoi: for they can take only 'What we still don't understand is why your life. Americans stopped the bombing of Hanoi. Fear the media far more, You had us on the ropes. If you had for they will destroy your pressed us a little harder, just for another honor. day or two, we were ready to surrender! *Although portions are true, eg. “The Vietnam war was not lost in Vietnam -- it was lost at home, ” this would have been a great quote had it been said, but, it wasn’t. “Snopes” confirms this.