Ripcord Reunion
'03 Charleston, S.C., October 8-12, 2003
Keith Nolan's research, his comprehension of the political as well as the military actions, his careful concern for those who were there, and, most of all, his writing, are superb. Indeed, I've never read a better account of a battle, and I've never been prouder of the American fighting man, nor more scornful of his political and high ranking military leaders. To those who want to know what it was like to be a grunt in Vietnam, I recommend Ripcord without stint or reservation.-Stephen E. Ambrose
A compelling book, and ultimately an edifying one which illustrates the valor of the American fighting solider during the withdrawal of U.S. forces from Vietnam.-Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore, USA (Ret.), author of We Were Soldiers Once ... and Young.
Keith W. Nolan is acknowledged as the foremost chronicler of the Vietnam War. He is the author of nine other Vietnam War combat histories, most recently the co-author of A Hundred Miles of Bad Road. Nolan lives with his wife and daughter near St. Louis, Missouri.
Note: The links below under "Battle History," are not Keith Nolan's book about Fire Base Ripcord. They represent my on-going effort to post the key detail and chronology of important events and persons involved in the battle. I and members of the Battle of Fire Support Base Ripcord Association encourage you to get a copy of Keith's excellent work. Published by Presidio Press in 2000, the ISBN is: 0-89141-642-0.
Ripcord Reunion
'03
Charleston, S.C., October 8-12, 2003
In thy faint slumbers I by thee have watched and heard thee murmur tales of iron wars. —Shakespeare
BATTLE HISTORY
(Note: Only the first three history links are completed as of August 7, 2001.)The Beginnings, March 11-July 1, 1970
In spring 1970, the 101st Airborne Division mounted a series of combat assaults into the mountains and triple canopy rain forest of western Thua Thien province. The deeper we pushed, the harder the North Vietnamese pushed back.
Hill 902, July 1-2
The siege begins the morning of July 1, and a key position is attacked by enemy sappers in the dead of night.
Hill 1000, July 6-8
Tension and casualties mount as vicious attacks against this dominant terrain feature are hurled back by the enemy.
Increasing the Pressure, Hill 805
"There aren't enough bullets and grenades in my rucksack to kill the enemy I'd like to see dead in a day."-Capt. Chuck Hawkins, A/2-506, in a letter home dated July 4, 1970.
Hill 1000 Redux
The Geronimo battalion fights its way up the back side of Hill 1000.
Blood Valley
With Hill 805 under repeated enemy attack, A/2-506 moves into the valley to the south of this key terrain to root out the enemy. Too little, too late, D/2-501 is finally withdrawn from Hill 805 after being bled white.
The 'Chinook' July 18
What the enemy could not accomplish with mortars and rockets is achieved by a 1/2-inch bullet from a heavy machine gun.
Trapped!
Thrown into the fight late, D/1-506 finds itself surrounded and outnumbered east of Hill 805.
Wire Tap
A/2-506 scores the biggest intelligence coup of the battle. But what good will it do?
Slaughter Pit, July 22
"We owned that damn valley."-Sp4 Jody Smith, A/2-506. But no longer.
Rescue and Withdrawal
"Don't worry, sir, we'll get out of this shit."-Sgt. John Penfold in a radio transmission to Brig. Gen. Sid Berry, July 23, 1970.
Aftermath
"We were dealt a bad hand, and we played it the best we could."-Capt. Gabe Rollison, D/2-506.
Units Involved in the Battle
This listing is incomplete, but illustrative. As the battle became more intense, more units of the division were sent into the "maw of the beast."
The Enemy
K-12 Sapper Battalion, 6th Independent Regiment, F5 Composite Division, Other
Casualties
Remember them. They did not shirk their duty nor stain their sacred honor.
Medal of Honor
Awarded posthumously to Lt. Col. Andre C. Lucas.
Memories
War stories 'n stuff.
