... SEPTEMBER-OCTOBER 1970, U-MINH FOREST, ARMY RSVN FIRE SUPPORT BASE...
The sun was setting as our UH1B Huey Gunship lifted from Song On Doc Naval River Base where detachment six operated out of. Our single bird was to join up with detachment three based at Ca Mau longstrip northeast from our location. We flew in and waited for Det 3's bird at the fuel rack as we topped off and got ready to fly cover for a flotilla of various Army and Navy River Boats carrying troops and supplies as they proceeded up the river to a remote RVAN fire base deep in the U-Minh forest. We took our position as trail bird, flying dark as we followed Det 3's gunship out.There was no moon in the night sky, just masses of stars reflecting on the river surface below as it snaked off northwest of us. We flew overhead cover in a slow figure eight pattern just east of the boat convoy where our assistance could be very rapid if called into action because of an ambush or mine explosion. I was stationed in the left door of the rear bird, observing as well as listening to the sporadic radio chatter between the boats and an Army Advisor at the Fire Base. At one point while looking towards the Fire Base I observed small arms AK-47 tracer bullet fire and instantly alerted my pilot that it appeared the base had come under a ground attack. The Pilot called this in to the Army Advisor, who radio'd back that he was not aware of any assault on their position, then almost immediately shouted back in the radio that , YES, they had come under a ground attack and needed, HELP, immediately. Our Gunship team alerted, we responded to this cry and in we went. We caught the enemy off his guard and as our war birds came in low and fast I opened fire killing and driving back the Viet Cong assault in this night fight action. We poured mini-gun, rockets and M-60 machine gun upon the enemy force breaking their attack against the base and saving the lives of the soldiers defending below. The enemy hit back at us with heavy automatic fire time after time as we assaulted and drove them off from their attack on the base. The result of our rapid response and swift actions was saving the Fire Base from being over-run and the safety of the soldiers from a Viet Cong and North Vietnamese regulars engaged in this battle. We flew all night returning to refuel and rearm as required staying in the support of the boat convoy and Fire Base till past dawn, and with the arrival of the boat convoy and being cleared from station we returned to detachment. Many days later I arrived at this Fire Base and along with others, I received the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Bronze Star Devise from , Nguyen Van Thieu himself, the President of the Republic of South Vietnam , along with a handshake too..
I have a few more story's... Still if this bothers anyone , feel free to fill out a complaint card ...
kidding aside this is one nights journey for this Seawolf doorgunner and hoping I got it close for you all.
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