This is the day my life changed

[squatting dog]

56 years ago was a turning point in my life. Death is burned in my memory and haunted me for all these years.
May 5, 1970... where was I?... Cambodia.

On May 5, 1970, parts of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade along with the 2-40 Artillery and elements of the brigade’s “Fireball” aviation unit, was released (fancy term for being Temporarily assigned to the operational control of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division) to participate in the "Cambodian incursion", operating in the Phouc Long Province.There until the June 30, 1970 withdrawal.

On 12-13 May, two companies of the Infantry were involved in heavy fighting against the veteran 174th NVA Regiment at Fire Support Base (FSB) Brown, a few miles over the border in Cambodia, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. (learned the smell of death up close and personal).

Several days later, on 21 May, another company of Infantry became embroiled in a firefight on Hill 428, several klicks northwest of FSB Brown.

These events came with a great loss. Approximately 354 Americans were killed and 1,689 were wounded during the entire incursion.

199th soldiers lost in combat.............
.
Sp4 Richard G. Desillier..... 5-13-70
SGT Arlie “Pete” Spencer Jr...5-15-70
Sp4 Robert J. Urbassik........5-19-70
Sp4 Donald G. Busse...........5-21-70
WO1 Robert E. Gorske..........5-21-70
SGT John W. Rich..............5-21-70
Sp5 Warren L. Scanlan Jr......5-21-70
PFC Daniel E. Nelms...........5-22-70
Sp4 Dannie L. Hawkins.........5-29-70
Sp4 Frederick R. Levins.......6-16-70
SGT Michael W. Notermann......6-19-70
PFC Ronald R. Stewart.........6-19-70
PFC Johnny M. Watson..........6-19-70
PFC Charles C. Cisneros.......6-22-70
PFC Raul De Jesus-Rosa........6-22-70
PFC Allen E. Oatney...........6-22-70

 

[hearlady]

56 years ago was a turning point in my life. Death is burned in my memory and haunted me for all these years.
May 5, 1970... where was I?... Cambodia.

On May 5, 1970, parts of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade along with the 2-40 Artillery and elements of the brigade’s “Fireball” aviation unit, was released (fancy term for being Temporarily assigned to the operational control of the 2nd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division) to participate in the "Cambodian incursion", operating in the Phouc Long Province.There until the June 30, 1970 withdrawal.

On 12-13 May, two companies of the Infantry were involved in heavy fighting against the veteran 174th NVA Regiment at Fire Support Base (FSB) Brown, a few miles over the border in Cambodia, inflicting heavy casualties on the enemy. (learned the smell of death up close and personal).

Several days later, on 21 May, another company of Infantry became embroiled in a firefight on Hill 428, several klicks northwest of FSB Brown.

These events came with a great loss. Approximately 354 Americans were killed and 1,689 were wounded during the entire incursion.

199th soldiers lost in combat.............
.
Sp4 Richard G. Desillier..... 5-13-70
SGT Arlie “Pete” Spencer Jr...5-15-70
Sp4 Robert J. Urbassik........5-19-70
Sp4 Donald G. Busse...........5-21-70
WO1 Robert E. Gorske..........5-21-70
SGT John W. Rich..............5-21-70
Sp5 Warren L. Scanlan Jr......5-21-70
PFC Daniel E. Nelms...........5-22-70
Sp4 Dannie L. Hawkins.........5-29-70
Sp4 Frederick R. Levins.......6-16-70
SGT Michael W. Notermann......6-19-70
PFC Ronald R. Stewart.........6-19-70
PFC Johnny M. Watson..........6-19-70
PFC Charles C. Cisneros.......6-22-70
PFC Raul De Jesus-Rosa........6-22-70
PFC Allen E. Oatney...........6-22-70


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I'm glad you made it.

 

[Pepper]

I'm glad you made it.

DITTO

 

[Been There]

Interesting. Only one question. We’re there any air strikes by the U.S. into that area?
Thanks for sharing.

 

[IrishEyes]

You are here and you are doing them honor by keeping their names remembered. It may not
feel like a big deal, but it is to many of those that served or were home waiting during that war.
Thank You!

 

[squatting dog]

Interesting. Only one question. We’re there any air strikes by the U.S. into that area?
Thanks for sharing.

There was intense B-52 bombing (that's an awe inspiring sight). Plus, multiple artillery divisions providing some cover fire along with helicopter gunships.
Speaking of B-52's, there was a time once where we were taking fire from a fairly large hill and they called in a B-52 air strike. They flew over us in a huge V formation and when they dumped their bombs, the ground shook. One would be amazed at how much of your body will fit in a steel helmet when face down in the dirt as shrapnel wizzed overhead. (and we were at least 1/2 mile away).

 

[Been There]

There was intense B-52 bombing (that's an awe inspiring sight). Plus, multiple artillery divisions providing some cover fire along with helicopter gunships.
Speaking of B-52's, there was a time once where we were taking fire from a fairly large hill and they called in a B-52 air strike. They flew over us in a huge V formation and when they dumped their bombs, the ground shook. One would be amazed at how much of your body will fit in a steel helmet when face down in the dirt as shrapnel wizzed overhead. (and we were at least 1/2 mile away).

I was going to ask about the B-52’s vibrating the ground, especially if a squadron went over dropping their payload. That had to be an awesome sight and feeling, especially to see those huge motherships in the air. My high school teacher used to tell the class that his parents would tell the kids in the house anytime their glass would rattle in the windows, the parents would tell them the B-52’s are going over.

 

[squatting dog]

Forgot to mention, when the bombing was over, the top half of that hill was gone.
But, not an hour later, those little devils threw some B-40 rockets at us, just to let us know we missed... (mole people don't you know)