The battle of 506 Valley (as it has come to be known), was the costliest of Delta Company engagements during the entire Vietnam War. Seventeen Delta troopers were killed. Delta Company second and third platoons went from 65 men to 35 in one day. The 1/12th Battalion suffered over 30 KIA and many more wounded. The action involved all Companys of the 1/12 and was one of the 50 largest engagements of the Vietnam War; yet it is seldom recognized. The NVA stood their ground and even began maneuvering a second regiment south to trap the 1/12th troopers.
There were many acts of heroism recorded that day. Ultimately three DSC's were awarded in the 1/12th, one of which was in Delta Company (Roger Hattersley) and also SP4 Alton Kennedy who was supporting Delta as a Medic at the time. The Delta carnage occurred during a frontal, on-line, attack by Delta on a system of bunkers manned by a Battalion of well concealed NVA with machine guns. The NVA waited until Delta was within point blank range and then opened up. At the time of this attack, the Delta Company Commander CAPT Barnett was on leave.
The Delta troopers, when ordered to get on line and attack, did so without any hesitation. Some say that in this rare case, their bravery and dedication may have been squandered by what, in retrospect, appears to be an error in judgement. Others disagree with that. We know that hindsight is 20/20.
The Platoon Sergeants and the acting Company Commander were KIA.
We honor our brave brothers who died that day, and will never forget them.
Michael Noone recovering in a hospital in Japan, after the battle of the 506 Valley, where he was wounded, searched, and left for dead by the NVA.
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