An Loc 5th Special Forces Group, working with
Popular Forces (PF) and Montagnards 2 platoons I each, 3 SF Lt Combes,
Sp/4 Fronterhouse and myself. On recon mission. No contact was to be
made. We were suppose to locate supply line in the area. Large Weapon,
and Food supplies destroyed on stream bank , 3 Clicks from our ambush
site...Ambush set up on bank that nighresulings in no contact. This
was 2 days before, we were ambushed.
Were out maybe 3 days when ambushed by appox company size force. Was
separated from Lt and Rto. PF platoon I was with as the rear was under
HEAVY Fire. Machine Gunner on my Right took a round directly on left
front of forehead. His brains splatter on me and looked as if they were
still alive pumping on me. His asst gunner was apparently dead next
to him. Next came a flash in front of me that apparently hit another
PF directly in front of me, I was flipped backwards and to my left on
to another PF who appeared to be in almost cut in half. I must have
been stunned for a few minutes I felt like I had needles and pins in
my face, shoulders, and chest. Must have been the blast, and a stinging
pain in my left arm and shoulder, and back.(fragments). I returned fire
and directed remaining PF*s to continue fire in direction of gun flashes,
in thick brush appox 30 meters out.
We (appox 20 PF) then tried to regroup with the lead platoon maybe 150-200
meters behind our position. I carried the PF who was hit in front of
me and he was bleeding badly from face and chest. My uniform top was
shredded and soaked with other men*s brains and blood. In the effort
to reunite with the lead platoon we encountered a group (maybe 5 Montyards
and 4 PF*s) They had four (4) what appeared to be VC prisoners, two
were squatting hands behind back, and two slumped over apparently executed.
There were no weapons around the suspects. I tried to make radio contact
with Lt. for assistance or information on what to do. I was told that
they were making there way to a clearing so the WIA and KIA could be
winched up thru the trees to evacuate them and myself. I asked again
about the prisoners what to do about them. No Answer. There were a lot
of noises and rustling noises from the area were we were just hit at.
The LT must have called for a Fire Mission from two 155mm howitzers
that were lifted to the Base camp the day we were inserted. Because
I remember hearing the shrapnel hitting the trees and brush that sounded
like heavy rain. I looked at the PF and Yards, and they gave me the
look as to say* Go ahead waste them, lets go*. I was scared to hell
and was not sure if we were goAing to hit by these two VC buddies or
what. I made what I think was a bad decision, I pointed the out of dated
45 cal Grease gun (used for knock down power in thick brush, the A Team
had given me) at the first suspects head about 12 inches away, and squeezed
off a single shot. I turned about 2 feet to the right and pointed at
the 2nd VC and the gun did not fire, the terror in his eyes was (WHY).
I unjammed and fired closer this time. That few moments between reloading
seemed like a lifetime instead of a few moments. At this time I didn*t
know if the PF*s were going to turn and take me out or what would happen.
We made our way back to the rest of the team quickly, Summary 2 KIA,
2 WIA. Two PF KIA, 1 PF WIA, 1 American WIA. Next day encountered large
battalion VC Force from 292nd VC Regiment. Made no contact, and let
them pass. Called Artillery and air strike 1 hour later.
Signed _ Robert A. McDowell . DATE December 19, ,1967