1LT THOMAS E. TODD
I arrived in Lang Vei the afternoon of 5 February for the purpose
of repairing the Special Forces air strip [sic]. At 1800 hours 6 February
the new Special Forces camp at Lang Vei received heavy bombardment from
enemy artillery. 40-50 rounds were counted landing within the perimeter
of the camp in approximately one hours time. At 2330 hours 6 February
the camp came under heavy attack by enemy artillery, mortar and small
arms fire. I was in supply bunker #1. At 0100 hours 7 February, I observed
an enemy tank drive in front of my position heading in the direction
of the TOC. I went to the rear of the bunker to secure some grenades
that were located in the American living quarters. My position took
a direct hit from an enemy artillery round while I was trying to locate
said grenades. I immediately vacated the now destroyed bunker and proceeded
to the emergency medical bunker located across from supply bunker #1.
I had just reached the medical bunker when an enemy tank stopped in
front of the entrance of said bunker and fired one round point blank
into the stairway, enemy grenades were then placed into the remaining
opening. Another tank had positioned itself in front of the rear exit
of the medical bunker and it fired into the rear door. The two tanks
then departed. I observed another tank drive past the front entrance
of my position heading toward the TOC, this tank was followed by about
50 enemy troops. I decided to remain in the bunker until morning and
then see what the situation was. It appeared that the enemy had control
of the area around my position if not the entire camp. From about 0230
hours to 1600 hours, the tanks were quite active in the area. At 0630
hours 7 February, all small arms fire had quit and no tanks were seen
or heard. I did observe enemy troops walking and talking in my area;
the appeared normal. I figured that the camp was now controlled by the
enemy. I planned to wait till night and try to E & E to Khe Sanh.
At about 0300 hours American air strikes were started on the camp itself.
The enemy would constantly harass the planes with automatic weapons
and small arms fire from within the camp. At 1400 hours I observed helicopters
circling the camp, this led me to believe that there were Americans
still alive in the TOC and that they had radio contact with the planes.
Between 1400 hours and 1700 hours the bombing and strafing increased.
At 1700 hours I left the medical bunker and ran to the TOC in hopes
that some Americans would be in that area. I drew automatic weapons
and small arms fire from my rear only. I reached the TOC and found that
the Americans had either left prior to my arrival or had been killed.
The TOC was completely destroyed and a large hole blown through one
side. One American was found buried in the debris; he appeared dead.
I immediately went outside and saw a helicopter leave the air strip
located near the old Special Forces camp about ½ mile away. I
then proceeded in the most direct route to the air strip. I received
small arms fire from the top of the camp, but once I was over the side
of the hill on which the camp was situated I did not encounter anymore
enemy fire. At the air strip I found four Americans from C & C detachment
and was told that a helicopter would pick us up in a few minutes. (During
my stay at the S.F. camp I did not see any enemy bodies, I did see three
or four CIDG bodies, one located a few meters behind the medical bunker
and the others located in the road going from the new S.F. camp to the
air strip. I did not see any enemy tanks destroyed in the area). [sic]
I was transported from the air strip to Khe Sanh were I received medical
attention for a minor wound received by the tank that destroyed the
rear exit of the medical bunker. I left Khe Sanh about 1800 hours and
arrived in Danang around 2000 hours 7 February.
/s/Thomas E. Todd
/t/ THOMAS E. TODD
1LT, [Service Number]