Roster1

WHAT A DAY

I am sitting here going thru the photos of D Co 1st /12th Cav. I was with 3/2 Dec 68 to Sept 69. I see pictures of a black guy they call "Fragman" I don't want to know his name. I know him as a COWARD! On June 5-6, 69 we were in the shit, with heavy loses and pulled back so it could be cleared by air, the Company was lifted and put in a light contact area. After the drop we moved a few Klicks stopped by a river and took time for us to enjoy the swim. Moved on and set up for that night. We didn't dig in for it was a "LIGHT CONTACT AREA". We were getting resupplied that afternoon but did not cut a clearing, just went to an "OLD NIGHT POSITION" and carried it to our position about 100 yards or so. That evening I had a NOP, it was quiet, in the A.M. we went in to eat, sent back out for day OP we set up in the same spot. It was on the same trail that the company walked into and set up are night perimeter. After about 1-2Hrs at the now Day OP, I was very aware of what I thought were birds or tall grass movement, I got up to investigate and relive myself. As I stepped into the trail we had made coming in, I confronted 2 NVA 15ft. in front of me AK's across there chest. To myself I said "I don't know them" always carrying my 16 pointing to the front, I was ready and switched on auto. Well that was two KIAs, "ALL HELL BROKE LOOSE". Had to have been at lease 10 more out in front of us; Ben, FRAGMAN HA-HA, AND Me. My 2nd mag jammed. I could not clear it. Dropping down informing the other two to backup we had to move back in so the platoon could return fire. Only! there was 'GOOD OLD BEN'. As I was pulling back maybe 12FT to a fallen tree that Ben got behind and was laying down fire for me, the grass was being mowed down to about a foot. I then got lower coming to Bens location and decided to go around the tree instead of over it. Just then it was washed with gun fire. Splinters flew up in to Ben's face I had to lead him back. The rest of the company when clear returned fire. At the same time when I opened fire, mortar's started to land in the middle of the OLD NIGHT POSITION. An OP from one of the other platoons on the trail to the supply LZ reported the mortar's hit all in it's perimeter. A sniper hit are only wounded, when it settled down we moved out with setting a fire with empty C ration boxes. The jets came in and hit the whole area. Later that day in came the LOCH and ARA choppers. It was reported that there was a body count of eight NVA .
RAY FERBER