July 5, 1970, Rangers 101st airborn devision in the Ashau vally. The Morning was a cool one the mosquitos were a pain as they always were. James woke up at 0500 hours. He came out of his tent and met his commanding officer, David.
David was about 5 foot 11 he was this skinny guy, he looks like he isnt strong at all but he has the strenght of a bear. He is the best at ledership, he is one of the best CO's (Commanding Officer's) James ever knew.
David Liked to have fun but when it was time to get serious he dident mess around.
"Hey David, whats up?" asked James.
"We have gotten new orders James, we are going back into the Ashau vally for recon. We are set to move out at 1800 hours, so get your shit together and pass the word on to the rest of the team, There will be a brefing at 1600 hours." Said David then walked away.
The Ashau Vally was Located in South Vietnam and mostly controlled by the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) but reacently there has been heavy movment. The Rangers were mostly send on missions into the Ashau Vally to set up OP's (Observation Points) and to pull back to let the Marines do there job.
Sometimes they were sent on missions of grat importance, such as disabeling bridges, Capturing NVA, Looking for Paths reacently used and missions of that sort. The Rangers mostly operated in small teams of 5 to 12 people.
James was a 27 year old Ranger he is now on his secound tour to Vietnam. He has one purple hart, when he was on his first tour a granade exploded near him and he got shrapnel in his leg which ended his first tour in Vietnam. James was a lose guy who liked to joke alot, He was 5 foot 9 and he had short dark hair, He was very well built like a football player although he did not like football much. He has dedicated to the Rangers they were his life. He wasnt very found of the war but he did admit from time to time that he did have good times there.
He lived in a small town just outside of New York. As a kid James always wanted to be in the army, when he was 16 he made up his mind on joining the army. at 18 years of age he joined up for 2 years. He liked it there, he heard after that about the Ranger devidon, special forces teams. He knew then that this was his goal.
When he was 23 he signed up for selection but he dident pass, then at the age of 24 he tried again and got in. He has been with the Rangers ever since.
At 1600 hours James, David, Jon, Peterson, and Hawkens meat up at a tent for a brefing.
"Ok men, we have been sent into another shit storm. Intellegence reports that there is heavy movment on this Hill about 25 klicks North of where we did recon last time. Intellegence tells us that there is something heavy going on out there and they asked us to check it out." explained David.
"So just another sit and shit mission." said Jon.
"The area is hot gentilmen, NVA have been moving through that area like flyes around shit. We will be picked up by one huey and one cobra attack helicopter and droped off 3 klicks West off our OP. We will remain there for 48 hours and request a pick up at the next clearing. thats it boys get your shit and be out at the pad at 1730 hours. Dismissed." Said David.
Everyone left. James walked to his quarters to get his stuff when Peterson walked up to him.
"So, what you thing about this mission?"
"It stinks to me Pete, I have a bad feeling about this one." Said James.
"Yea even David looked worried to me." said Peterson.
Peterson was a pretty well built guy, he was born in Poland but moved to the U.S. when he was 10. He loved to make jokes, but he dident care for his life much he always put the other Rangers before himself. Peterson wanted to join the Navy Seals and he even joined up but he dident make it he tried again after 2 years but he failed again. So he decided to go for the Rangers. Peterson was a good friend there wasnt anything he wouldent do for you he always did his best. He was about 5"10 with short brown hair. James met Peterson On his first tour. He was always so quiet and alone. But once you get to know him he is a swell guy but he never thought so himself.
James and Peterson Packed there gear when Jon came in and started to dig around in his stuff.
" God damnit, Has anyone seen my cigarets?" He asked.
"Sorry Jonny boy, You know we dident take them we dont smoke."
Said James.
"Well where the fuck are they? I need a smoke bad. Shit yea! Hawkens should still have some on him." and with that Jon ran out.
Jon was a cool guy but he smoked too much he was like a factory always had to suck on a cigarete. He always was chasing after pussy, always asking if anyone wanted to go to the nearest town to have some fun. He was 5 foot 9 and had a face build like a rock he had muscles like Stalone. He never had troubles with any kind of woman, if one dumped him he would go out and find another one.
Hawkens was much like Jon, Smoked a lot although not as much and was always chasing after pussy and he had a problem with arcohol once he got a glass he couldent stop drinking untill he was puking his guts out. He was a short guy from texas. Never really worried about anything and loved to kick ass and take names just like Jon, they both did 3 tours together and were the best of friends they always watched eachothers backs.
At 1735 everyone was out on the pad waiting for the Huey to come in and pick them up.
15 minutes later the Huey came and landed on the pad they all put there stuff in and waited for there escort.
20 minutes passed and still noghing.
"Fuck! where the hell is that damn Cobra?" mumbled David to himself.
"Shit, David we cant wait here for ever." said Hawkens.
"Hey, Speak for yourself, Hawkens, I dont want my ass to be caught high and dry out there." Said James.
"No, Hawkens is right. Mount up we are getting out of here." Said David.
The Huey started its engiens and the roters started slowly to get speed. Jon as always started a conversation with the door gunner about pussy. That guy could never get enough.
As they flew over the mountiens James looked down into the deep jungle. He could never get enough of the land it was so beautifull and yet so many of good men have spilled there blood on this land.
After 25 minutes they arrived at there LZ (Landing Zone). Everyone got there weapons cocked and ready.
When the chopper came down on the LZ the Rangers stood on the skids and the door gunners cept a look out for any unfriendlies. When the chopper was not even 1 meter of the ground the Rangers started to pile out and headed for cover. The helicopter dident tuch the ground, it all took 15 secounds and the chopper was off. The sound of the helicopter faded away and the Rangers started to move to there original OP.
They all walked in scilence in single file, Peterson was on point with his M-16 pointing infront of him, Hawkens was behind him holding his M-60 at the ready. Behind him Jon, David and James.
Stormy Clouds started to build above them and thunder could be herd far away. About
a click from there OP, Peterson stoped and put up his fist and kneeld down. David Came up to him and asked what was going on. Peterson Showed him that there had been a trip wire right infront of him.
They had stumbled onto something.
"Pete Disable it and lets ceep moving but be carfull for any more, where there is one there is bound to be a shit load of them." said David in a wisper.
"Got it, sir" and with that Peterson moved up while everyone else spread out incase of a attack.
Peterson got to the Trip wire and followed it to its sorce which was a granade.
These traps were very common but simple granades were only lade incase someone like a groupe of Rangers would stumble onto them and they would have to call for medevac (Medical Evacuation). Peterson cut the wire and took the granade with him. These traps were very easy to disable but very affective if someone would step on one. Peterson gave the signal that it was clear and they continued on. After they moved 30 meters Peterson Now knew why that trap was layed. There was a trail leading through the forest It looked like it was reacently used and the tree tops had been tied together so that the trail could not be seen from any U.S. aircraft. David walked up to Peterson again while the others scatterd.
"They must be moving some heavy shit through here to take all these percatiouns." Said Peterson.
"Fucken right they are, lets inform HQ of our position and SITREP (Situation Report)"
Peterson went for cover while David went to James who had the radio.
The static from the radio could be heard as David talked into the mouth peace.
"This is Leader five to HQ come in."
"HQ to Leader five what is your sitrep?" asked a officer at the radio at HQ.
"We have stumbled on a hevaly covered trail, come in contatct with traps." reported David.
"Roger that, whats your position?"
"Position as follows, 107o Latitude, 14o longtitude, about 2 licks west of our Drop off point."
"Got you marked, Continue with your mission. Good luck, HQ out." and the radio was out.
The Rain started to pour down on them and the thunder was enourmous. Night was aproaching and they were a klick away from there OP. It was hard to move up the mountien in this rain but they had to ceep on moving. after 45 minutes its still was pouring down hard it dident look like the rain would stop but they reached there OP.
Jon and Hawkens set up a small camp perimiter with claymors. They would spend the night there then in the morning at 0330 hours they would head half a click west of there perimiter and see what they could see.
At 2400 hours it stoped raining and a heavy fog build up. Everyone was sleeping, James had the watch but he couldent see anything but he listened. At 2446 hours he heard what sounded like foot steps.
James woke up David and everyone was put on red alert for the rest of the night. The night went by without any further incident. at 0330 hours James, Peterson and David moved out half a click West. Jon and Hawkens stayed behind. 25 minutes Later James, Peterson and David got to a heavy bush. Then they heard people talking in Vietnamese. David Noticed a cigarete light up not more then 10 meters of there position.
A big mistake, a sniper could take the NVA out without a problem but the Rangers arent there for that and they dident know how big of a force they were dealing with. after a wile David said he would take a closer look. Peterson and James coverd David as he moved closer through the havy bush. after 10 minutes they heard Choping and they couldent see David anymore. It sounded like they were building a defencive position. Then they heard something. At full red alert they pointed there weapons into the direction the sound came from, It was David crawling back.
"So what are we dealing with?" asked James.
"Shit, they have a full fucken regiment here it looks like they are preparing for a big attack.
They are patroling this whole area day and night, we were lucky that they dident stumble on us during the night. We better get the fuck out of here and call for imediet evacuation, this area is too hot for us. We wont stand a chance if we saty here one more night." said David.
They started to head back to there perimiter.
When they got back it was day already and the fog had cleared up.
David filled in the rest of the team on there situation.
"shit man, we always have to get the hottest area." Said Hawkens.
"Fuck that i need a smoke." said Jon.
"Just wait till we get back to base, im calling for evacuation." said David and grabed the Headset of the radio.
"HQ, this is Leader five come in."
"Go ahead Leader Five."
"Requesting imediet evacuation area hot, i repeat area is hot."
"Whats your Sitrep?"
"Descovered a NVA base half a klick west of our position. they have a whole regiment here it looks like they are preparing for a big attack."
"Understood, head 3 klicks south to a clearing at cordinets 106.634o latitude, 13.356o longtitude."
"Roger that over and out." said David and handed the headpeace back to James.
"Ok guys we are moving out."
They Packed there stuff and Jon and Hawkens went and gathered up the claymors and started to move out.
They were moving through the jungle very quietly and slowly but fast enoguht to make it to there LZ (Landing Zone). David Was on point. They were about 1 klick away from there LZ when David looked to his left and saw a NVA looking straight at him, the NVA must have been at least 10 meters away. David Lifted his weapon and put two bullets into the NVA. As soon as the bullets hit there target a dozen of fire arms started to go off from the NVA's Position. David went for cover behind a tree, and so did everyone else. They all spread out to make a half circle to suround there enemy. James Ran to David with the radio ready.
"HQ this is Leader Five!!" Shouted David over all the noise of fiering.
"Leader Five Go ahead"
"We are engaged with strong enemy forces about 1 klick West of our LZ. Request Fire support and a imediet evacuation."
"Roger that firesupport on its way"
"Leader five out"
With that David changed his clip on his M-16 and opened up on the enemy positions. They couldent see exactly the enemy all they saw was the flashes from their AK47's. Hawkens was shooting from left to right with his M-60 but dident seem to have hit anything.
"We have walked straight into a fucken Ambush." Said Jon.
"Fucken right we did and now its time to kick ass" Replied Hawkens.
David started yelling everyones name to check if everyone was ok.
"James!"
"IM ok sir"
"Hawkens!"
"Im Still in action, SIr"
"Jon!"
"God damn where the fuck is the air support?"
"Peterson!"
No answer. "PETERSON!!!"
there still came no answer.
"James go check on Peterson's Position maybe he's been hit." Said David.
"Im on it sir."
James ran from tree to tree to get cover from the incoming fire. When James got to Peterson's Position, Peterson Wasnt there.
"Pete!!!!" Yelled James.
Nothing.
"Where the fuck are you Pete?" wispered James.
"SIR SIR, THE FUCKERS ARE TRYING TO FLANK US!!" Yelled Hawkens.
"Ok People pull back and close into a small perimiter, and wait for the Firesupport and our ride." Yelled David.
James still was trying to find Peterson but he couldent get his head up or he would catch a bullet.
The NVA were going for suicide they really dident want the rangers to get out alive. They were running straight at the Rangers position. One got so close to Jon that if he had a Byonete he could stab the bastard.
Then James Saw something moving to his left. He Looked and Fired off 4 rounds at the incomming enemy. When the body dropped it droped almost on Jameses Lap. James just pushed it aside and cept on fireing.
When he was changing his clip on his M-16 he got first real glimps at the body.
"Oh my god!!!" He wispered tohimself
"PETERSON!! NOOOO!!! NOOOO!" James Started yelling.
James hit Peterson Twice in the chest missing his hart and one round went into his throut and the other hit his head.
Peterson was Dead.
"GOD WHY??? PETERSON!!!." Yelled James.
He grabed the body his hands filled with blood and held it close to him crying.
Bullets cept wizing by him when he saw a soldier coming up on him but James dident move.
When A dozen of shots came from Hawkens Position and put the enemy soldier on his knees.
James got hit in the arm but he dident feel anything he was in deep shock. At that moment a cobra flew over head.
"This is air bird to Leader five. Move out to a clearing 200 meters south of your position then pop smoke."
David gave the pilot of the Cobra on what position to lay down his havy fire.
"DAVID!! JAMES BEEN HIT HE IS IN SHOK, GET YOUR ASS OVER HERE." Yelled Hawkens.
David and jon ran over while the cobra stared its fire runs.
"Jesus crist James Let go of him he is dead!" Said Hawkens.
"LEAVE ME, LEAVE ME" James cept yelling.
"LETS GO JAMES OR WE WILL BE SHOT TO SHIT" yelled David.
"JUST LEAVE ME!!!"
"NO JAMES NOT ONE OF MY MEN IS LEFT BEHIND DEAD OR ALIVE." said David.
"I KILLED HIM, I KILLED HIM, I THOUGH HE WAS A ENEMY SOLDIER IM THE ONE WHO KILLED HIM. MY BEST FIREND DIED BY MY HAND. I CANT LIVE WITH THAT JUST LEAVE ME!!!!!"
Jon grabed James and picked him up on his feet.
"Get the fuck moving ill be behind you with Peterson's Body." Siad Jon.
David Grabed James and helped him get to the Secondery LZ, while Hawkens gave them Covering fire with his M-60. By now a secound Cobra showed up and started to lay down its havy fire on the NVA.
When they got to the LZ David took out a smoke granade, pulled the pin and tossed it into the middle of the clearing. The Huey started to come in, when it was 1 meter off the ground everyone started to run towards it.
Jon Ran to the chopper when it settled down on the grownd and put Peterson's Body on the huey's floor, and ran back to give Hawkens a hand. David was helping James into the chopper when James was inside a round went right through his chest. James droped out of the helicopter to the ground. The doorgunners gave Jon and Hawkens time to pull back to the chopper while the cobras were running low on ammo the first cobra already had left to rearm. David Pulled Jameses body into the choper. He was still alive. Hawkens and Jon jumped in and the helicopter started to lift off. David riped open Jameses shirt and started to dress his wound. James was bad and cept telling David to let him die Besied Peterson. The Huey started taking ground fire. When the chopper was 9 meters off the ground the co-pilot got hit right through the neck, the bullet went through the floor of the Huey and into the co-pilots neck and into his brain. The Pilot lifted the choper higher and started to fly away. The secound Cobra stared to go back too.
"Hawkens and Jon Relaxed and looked at james who wasnt doing too well. When The chopper started to sudently lose altitude. It droped very fast.
"SHIT WE ARE HIT, WE ARE GOING DOWN EVERYONE GRAB A HOLD OF SOMETHING." Yelled the Pilot.
"Rescue chopper to HQ, RESCUE CHOPPER TO HQ. We are going down, I repeate We are going down." Yelled the pilot into the head phone. At that secound the Chopper Impacted on the trees and down into the ground.
David Woke Up on the ground about 2 meters from the Downed Chopper. He got up and looked himself over for any injuries. He had a cut on his hand but it wasnt serious. Then he looked at the chopper.
It was upside down. David ran towards it and checked where everyone else was. When he looked inside he saw that one door gunner was dead with his neck broken. Peterson's body was gone, it must have been tossed somewere. James wes dead. He ither bleed to death or the impact killed him. Jon and Hawkens were gone. The other door Gunner was getting councious. The Pilot was alive but he was traped. both his legs were broken when all the equiptment smashed into his legs on impact. David Grabed the dead door gunners Gun of the mount and went over to the other side of the chopper to check on the other Door Gunner.
"You ok?" asked David.
"OH shit, yea im fine."
"Whats your name?" asked David.
"Im Steve." answered the door gunner as he began to take his gun of the mount.
"Im David, Go check on the pilot see how he is doing ill go look for our two passengers. When you see any enemy movement just shoot."
David started to walk in the direction the chopper had come through. He spotted Peterson's Body laying against a tree. Then He heard some Leaves move.
"Ohh Fuck, why does this kind of shit happen to me."
It was Hawkens.
"Hawkens, Where is Jon? are you ok?" asked David.
"yea im fine, I dont know Jon was tossed out with me when we hit the tops of these trees."
"Get back to the Chopper and get a weapon ill go look for Jon." Said David.
"No, Let me go, he is my friend, you take Peterson's Body back to the choper and stay there." Said Hawkens.
"Who is in command Hawkens?" asked David.
"You are but he is my friend, Just let me go."
"Fine but if you cant find him come back, Dont you fucken wonder off i dont want to go out and look for you."
"Thanks, David" and with that Hawkens went into the bush to look for Jon.
David Went to Peterson's Body and grabd him by the belt and put him over his shoulder then started to walk back to the choper. He put Peterson's Body on the ground beside the chopper and put James Beside him and the other gunner man. They couldent get the Co pilot out because his legs were smashed too.
"How is hte Pilot?" asked David.
"Not good, he is loosing lots of blood." said Steve.
"How's the radio?"
"Its dead, you think they will find us?" asked Steve.
"yea they should have a good idea of were we went down the problem is when will they come in."
The weather was getting bad again the clouds cloasing in it was going to be a hell of a storm.
"These clouds arent good, When this storm hits us there is no chance of a rescue." said David.
David grabed a M-16 and checked the clip. It was half full.
"You got any more ammo on this bird?" asked David.
"Yea, Just behind you there is a box there are M-16 clips and some boxes for the M-60's."
After a wile Hawkens showed up with Jon. Jon was bleeding from his right hand.
David bandaged it and they set up a small perimiter. It started to pour down on them.
"Well we cant expect the rescue tonight." said Jon.
"Yea and the NVA arent far i can feel them clousing on our position." said David.
Everyone stayed on red alert for that night. the night went on without incident but it was still raining and thundering.
Steve stayed in the choper with the pilot through out the night.
At about 0400 hours it was still raining but it looked like it was letting up. Hawkens went to take a piss when he spotted a NVA about 30 meters. It dident look that the NVA saw him but Hawkens got his weapon and went back to the Choper.
"Shit man, I just spoted a NVA about 30 meters from here."
"Did he see you?" asked David.
"I dont know but i dont think so."
"ok everyone get your weapons ready, YOu spot them, you take them out." Said David while he cocked his M-16.
They set up positions around the downed Choper behind trees and hoped that the NVA wouldent spot them.
All of the sudden Shots were comming from the Daves Position. The choper seemed to be the main attention of the fire.
Steve Looked inside of the choper and saw that the Pilot was dead he got hit by the firts wave of fire.
Steve Lost his whole air crew now. He got out of the choper and started to fire frenticly.
Then all hell broke lose. Fire started to come in from every direction. if this cept up they were dead meat.
It was still raining very hard but they dident get there hopes up. Then Steve Got hit.
"AAGGHHH, IM HIT!!! IM HIT!!!" yelled Steve.
Hawkens crawled up to Steve and looked at his wound. It wasnt serious the bullet went clean through but it shatterd his shoulder bone. He would have damage but he would live, if they would get out at all.
Hawkens pulled Steves sleve up and gave him a shot that would ceep him awake.
Hawkens then returned to his position to hold back the enemy.
"JON I NEED A CLIP" Yelled David,
"ITS THE LAST ONE MAKE EVERY SHOT COUNT" yelled Jon.
Then The NVA Started to run from the West like crazy right into them they dident even fire they just ran.
Then Artilary shells started to come in.
"WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON" Yelled Hawkens.
"IT MUST BE THE 21st Compay they Operated in this area, They are here to get us out but lets hope the artilary wont get us." said David.
They cept on cutting the NVA down as the ran by there position. the Weather was now clearing up.
The NVA ither had been shot or ran away everything went quiet the Artilery stoped fireing. all that could be heard was the rusteling of leaves. Then Someone yelled.
"DONT FIRE THIS IS THE 21ST COMPANY HERE TO GET YOU OUT!"
One man came forward and told them not to fire. After a cuple of minutes the rest of the company moved up and called in for a bird to get the Rangers out of there and take anything usefull to the NVA off the Downed Huey. After 15 minutes a Huey came in and Jon, Hawkens and David Put Steve in the Choper and got in. They were air lifted back to there Base Area. Exausted, Hungry they went back to get a shower have something to eat and go out again into another NVA area In the Ashau Vally.
