13 "The Marine Combined Action Program," National Archives; FMFPAC Monthly Operations Reports and Command Chronologies, 1965-1967 (these reports are of such questionable veracity that they are still known as "Krulak"s Fables"); III Marine Amphibious Force, Command Chronologies, 1965-1966, all copies in author"s possession, courtesy of Annette Amerman; Major R. D. King, "Future of Combined Action," October 12, 1970; Corson, "Combined Action Program, Vietnam," both in Reference Branch Files, USMCHMD; T. P. Schwartz, "The Combined Action Program: A Different Perspective," "The Marine Combined Action Program," National Archives; FMFPAC Monthly Operations Reports and Command Chronologies, 1965-1967 (these reports are of such questionable veracity that they are still known as "Krulak"s Fables"); III Marine Amphibious Force, Command Chronologies, 1965-1966, all copies in author"s possession, courtesy of Annette Amerman; Major R. D. King, "Future of Combined Action," October 12, 1970; Corson, "Combined Action Program, Vietnam," both in Reference Branch Files, USMCHMD; T. P. Schwartz, "The Combined Action Program: A Different Perspective," Marine Corps Gazette Marine Corps Gazette, February 1999, pp. 64-68; Palm, "Tiger Papa Three: The Fire Next Time," p. 76; Sherman, "One Man"s CAP," p. 62; Donovan, "Combined Action Program," pp. 31-32; Kopets, "The Combined Action Program," pp. 8-9; Donovan interview; Klyman, "An Alternative Not Taken"; James Trullinger, Village at War: An Account of Revolution in Vietnam Village at War: An Account of Revolution in Vietnam (New York: Longman, 1980), pp. 115-32; Westmoreland, (New York: Longman, 1980), pp. 115-32; Westmoreland, A Soldier Reports A Soldier Reports , p. 166; Cosmas and Murray, , p. 166; Cosmas and Murray, Vietnamization and Redeployment, 1970-1971 Vietnamization and Redeployment, 1970-1971, pp. 148-49; Walt, Strange War, Strange Strategy Strange War, Strange Strategy, p. 105; Hemingway, Our War Was Different Our War Was Different, pp. 56, 83, 177-78; Peterson, The Combined Action Platoons The Combined Action Platoons, pp. 86-94. The North Vietnamese Army official history, Victory in Vietnam Victory in Vietnam, is completely silent on the combined action platoons. Given the propagandistic tone that is prevalent in much of the work, perhaps this absence of commentary on the CAPs is a veiled recognition that they had some success.
Chapter 7.
1 4th Infantry Division, "Battle of Dak To," After Action Report (AAR), Record Group (RG) 472, Records of the 29th Military History Detachment, Box 200, Folder 2; General William Westmoreland, National Press Club Press Conference, November 21, 1967, RG 319, Records of the Office of the Chief of Military History, William C. Westmoreland Papers, Box 32, Folder 4; General William Westmoreland message to Admiral Ulysses Grant Sharp, November 22, 1967, RG 319, Records of the Office of the Chief of Military History, William C. Westmoreland Papers, Box 32, Folder 5; General William Westmoreland to Admiral Sharp, December 10, 1967, Records of the Office of the Chief of Military History, William C. Westmoreland Papers, Box 33, Folder 1, all at National Archives, College Park, MD; William Westmoreland, 4th Infantry Division, "Battle of Dak To," After Action Report (AAR), Record Group (RG) 472, Records of the 29th Military History Detachment, Box 200, Folder 2; General William Westmoreland, National Press Club Press Conference, November 21, 1967, RG 319, Records of the Office of the Chief of Military History, William C. Westmoreland Papers, Box 32, Folder 4; General William Westmoreland message to Admiral Ulysses Grant Sharp, November 22, 1967, RG 319, Records of the Office of the Chief of Military History, William C. Westmoreland Papers, Box 32, Folder 5; General William Westmoreland to Admiral Sharp, December 10, 1967, Records of the Office of the Chief of Military History, William C. Westmoreland Papers, Box 33, Folder 1, all at National Archives, College Park, MD; William Westmoreland, A Soldier Reports A Soldier Reports (Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1976), pp. 236-38; Victor Krulak, (Garden City, NY: Doubleday & Company, Inc., 1976), pp. 236-38; Victor Krulak, First to Fight: An Inside View of the U.S. Marine Corps First to Fight: An Inside View of the U.S. Marine Corps (Annapolis, MD: Naval Inst.i.tute Press, 1999), p. 201; Ted Arthurs, command sergeant major of the 4th Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry, claims in (Annapolis, MD: Naval Inst.i.tute Press, 1999), p. 201; Ted Arthurs, command sergeant major of the 4th Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry, claims in Land with No Sun: A Year in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne Land with No Sun: A Year in Vietnam with the 173rd Airborne (Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006) that the soldiers of his unit coined that unhappy moniker for Dak To; Robert Barr Smith, "A Lousy Place to Fight a War," (Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006) that the soldiers of his unit coined that unhappy moniker for Dak To; Robert Barr Smith, "A Lousy Place to Fight a War," Vietnam Vietnam, October 2005, pp. 28-30; Dale Andrade, "Why Westmoreland Was Right," Vietnam Vietnam, April 2009, offers a spirited defense of the general and his attrition strategy. The official People"s Army of Vietnam (NVA) history, Victory in Vietnam: The Official History of the People"s Army of Vietnam, 1954-1975 Victory in Vietnam: The Official History of the People"s Army of Vietnam, 1954-1975 (Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas, 2002), hardly mentions the 1967 Dak To battle. Some historians believe that the NVA lured the Americans to Dak To so that they would not be in place to oppose the ma.s.sive Tet Offensive of 1968, which mainly focused on populated areas. The NVA history does not specifically confirm this, though. (Lawrence, KS: University Press of Kansas, 2002), hardly mentions the 1967 Dak To battle. Some historians believe that the NVA lured the Americans to Dak To so that they would not be in place to oppose the ma.s.sive Tet Offensive of 1968, which mainly focused on populated areas. The NVA history does not specifically confirm this, though.
2 4th Infantry Division, AAR; 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, December 9, 1967, AAR, Box 200, Folder 5; 5th Special Forces Group, November 6-December 3, 1967, AAR, Box 200, Folder 6; 173rd Airborne Brigade, "The Battle of Dak To," AAR, Box 200, Folder 3, all in RG 472, Records of the 29th Military History Detachment; General William Peers, briefing to MAC-V commander"s conference, December 3, 1967, RG 319, Records of the Office of the Chief of Military History, William C. Westmoreland Papers, Box 33, Folder 1, this and all previous sources at National Archives; William Peers, oral history, Box 1, Folder 1, William R. Peers Papers, United States Army Military History Inst.i.tute (USAMHI), Carlisle, PA; Barr, "A Lousy Place to Fight a War," p. 28; Shelby Stanton, 4th Infantry Division, AAR; 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, December 9, 1967, AAR, Box 200, Folder 5; 5th Special Forces Group, November 6-December 3, 1967, AAR, Box 200, Folder 6; 173rd Airborne Brigade, "The Battle of Dak To," AAR, Box 200, Folder 3, all in RG 472, Records of the 29th Military History Detachment; General William Peers, briefing to MAC-V commander"s conference, December 3, 1967, RG 319, Records of the Office of the Chief of Military History, William C. Westmoreland Papers, Box 33, Folder 1, this and all previous sources at National Archives; William Peers, oral history, Box 1, Folder 1, William R. Peers Papers, United States Army Military History Inst.i.tute (USAMHI), Carlisle, PA; Barr, "A Lousy Place to Fight a War," p. 28; Shelby Stanton, The Rise and Fall of an American Army: U.S. Ground Forces in Vietnam, 1965-1973 The Rise and Fall of an American Army: U.S. Ground Forces in Vietnam, 1965-1973 (New York: Ballantine Books, 2003), pp. 136-38, 166-69; Edward Murphy, (New York: Ballantine Books, 2003), pp. 136-38, 166-69; Edward Murphy, Dak To: America"s Sky Soldiers in South Vietnam"s Central Highlands Dak To: America"s Sky Soldiers in South Vietnam"s Central Highlands (New York: Ballantine Books, 2007), pp. 56-81, 133-34; (New York: Ballantine Books, 2007), pp. 56-81, 133-34; Victory in Vietnam Victory in Vietnam, p. 212.
3 4th Infantry Division, AAR; 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, AAR; Major John Ramsay, G3 Air, AAR, Box 200, Folder 6; 4th Infantry Division, Artillery, AAR, Box 200, Folder 3; General Order #404, PFC Clinton Bacon, Army Commendation Medal Citation; General Order #361, Spec-4 Cecil Millspaugh, Bronze Star Medal Citation, Box 205, Folder 6, all in RG 472, Records of the 29th Military History Detachment; 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Presidential Unit Citation (PUC), RG 472, U.S. Army Vietnam, Adjutant General, Awards Branch, Box 9, Folder 4, this and all previous sources at National Archives; Bill Vigil, interview with the author, April 7, 2008; Steve Edmunds, unpublished memoir, pp. 1-2, copy in author"s possession, courtesy of Mr. Edmunds; 4th Infantry Division, AAR; 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, AAR; Major John Ramsay, G3 Air, AAR, Box 200, Folder 6; 4th Infantry Division, Artillery, AAR, Box 200, Folder 3; General Order #404, PFC Clinton Bacon, Army Commendation Medal Citation; General Order #361, Spec-4 Cecil Millspaugh, Bronze Star Medal Citation, Box 205, Folder 6, all in RG 472, Records of the 29th Military History Detachment; 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, Presidential Unit Citation (PUC), RG 472, U.S. Army Vietnam, Adjutant General, Awards Branch, Box 9, Folder 4, this and all previous sources at National Archives; Bill Vigil, interview with the author, April 7, 2008; Steve Edmunds, unpublished memoir, pp. 1-2, copy in author"s possession, courtesy of Mr. Edmunds; www.ivydragoons.org Web site. Web site.
4 4th Infantry Division, AAR; 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, AAR; General Order #4563, PFC Nathaniel Thompson, Bronze Star with "V" for Valor Medal Citation; General Order #4561, PFC William Muir, Bronze Star with "V" for Valor Medal Citation; General Order #320, Spec-4 John Kind, Bronze Star with "V" for Valor Medal Citation; General Order #94, PFC John Trahan, Bronze Star with "V" for Valor Medal Citation, all citations in RG 472, Box 205, Folder 6, Records of the 29th Military History Detachment; 1st Brigade, 4th Division, PUC, RG 472, U.S. Army Vietnam, Adjutant General, Awards Branch, Box 9, Folder 4, this and all previous sources at National Archives; Bob Walkowiak, e-mail to the author, March 25, 2008; Robert Babc.o.c.k, ed., 4th Infantry Division, AAR; 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, AAR; General Order #4563, PFC Nathaniel Thompson, Bronze Star with "V" for Valor Medal Citation; General Order #4561, PFC William Muir, Bronze Star with "V" for Valor Medal Citation; General Order #320, Spec-4 John Kind, Bronze Star with "V" for Valor Medal Citation; General Order #94, PFC John Trahan, Bronze Star with "V" for Valor Medal Citation, all citations in RG 472, Box 205, Folder 6, Records of the 29th Military History Detachment; 1st Brigade, 4th Division, PUC, RG 472, U.S. Army Vietnam, Adjutant General, Awards Branch, Box 9, Folder 4, this and all previous sources at National Archives; Bob Walkowiak, e-mail to the author, March 25, 2008; Robert Babc.o.c.k, ed., War Stories: Utah Beach to Pleiku War Stories: Utah Beach to Pleiku (Marietta, GA: Deeds Publishing, 2001), pp. 566-71. (Marietta, GA: Deeds Publishing, 2001), pp. 566-71.
5 4th Infantry Division, AAR; 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, AAR; G3 Air, AAR; 4th Infantry Division, Artillery, AAR; 4th Aviation Battalion, Box 200, Folder 3; 52nd Combat Aviation Battalion, AAR, Box 200, Folder 3; 4th Infantry Division, Outline and Statistical Summary, Dak To Operation, Box 200, Folder 4; General Order #4502, Captain John Falcone, Silver Star Medal Citation; General Order #370, Lieutenant William Gauff, Bronze Star with "V" for Valor Medal Citation; General Order #4285, Staff Sergeant Raymond Ortiz, Silver Star Medal Citation; General Order #1187, Captain John Mirus, Silver Star Medal Citation; General Order #148, Spec-4 Stephen Edmunds, Bronze Star with "V" for Valor Medal Citation, Box 205, Folder 6, all in RG 472, Records of the 29th Military History Detachment; 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, PUC, all at National Archives; Walkowiak e-mail; Steve Edmunds, unpublished memoir, pp. 1-3; Larry Skogler, interview with the author, April 18, 2008; Babc.o.c.k, 4th Infantry Division, AAR; 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, AAR; G3 Air, AAR; 4th Infantry Division, Artillery, AAR; 4th Aviation Battalion, Box 200, Folder 3; 52nd Combat Aviation Battalion, AAR, Box 200, Folder 3; 4th Infantry Division, Outline and Statistical Summary, Dak To Operation, Box 200, Folder 4; General Order #4502, Captain John Falcone, Silver Star Medal Citation; General Order #370, Lieutenant William Gauff, Bronze Star with "V" for Valor Medal Citation; General Order #4285, Staff Sergeant Raymond Ortiz, Silver Star Medal Citation; General Order #1187, Captain John Mirus, Silver Star Medal Citation; General Order #148, Spec-4 Stephen Edmunds, Bronze Star with "V" for Valor Medal Citation, Box 205, Folder 6, all in RG 472, Records of the 29th Military History Detachment; 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division, PUC, all at National Archives; Walkowiak e-mail; Steve Edmunds, unpublished memoir, pp. 1-3; Larry Skogler, interview with the author, April 18, 2008; Babc.o.c.k, War Stories War Stories, pp. 571-77; www.ivydragoons.org; www.virtualwall.org, John Falcone entry. Lieutenant Colonel Belknap was killed in a helicopter accident a couple weeks after the Battle of Hill 724. Several Ivy Dragoons told me that the crash destroyed many of the battle records, making 724 somewhat anonymous in the history of the Dak To campaign. I hope that my account has redressed that anonymity somewhat.
6 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR, RG 472, Records of the 29th Military History Detachment, Box 200, Folder 3; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Presidential Unit Citation, Dak To, RG 472, Adjutant General Award"s Branch, Box 5, Folder 9; 1st Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Operation MacArthur, AAR, RG 472, Box 1101, Folder 1, all at National Archives; Thomas McElwain, interview with the author, March 2, 2008; Ken Lambertson, interview with the author, April 9, 2008; David Watson, interview with the author, January 25, 2008; Terrence Maitland and Peter McInerney, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR, RG 472, Records of the 29th Military History Detachment, Box 200, Folder 3; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Presidential Unit Citation, Dak To, RG 472, Adjutant General Award"s Branch, Box 5, Folder 9; 1st Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Operation MacArthur, AAR, RG 472, Box 1101, Folder 1, all at National Archives; Thomas McElwain, interview with the author, March 2, 2008; Ken Lambertson, interview with the author, April 9, 2008; David Watson, interview with the author, January 25, 2008; Terrence Maitland and Peter McInerney, The Vietnam Experience: A Contagion of War The Vietnam Experience: A Contagion of War (Boston: Boston Publishing Company, 1983), pp. 170-71; Arthurs, (Boston: Boston Publishing Company, 1983), pp. 170-71; Arthurs, Land with No Sun Land with No Sun, p. 159; Murphy, Dak To Dak To, pp. 56-81, 174-84. Every Task Force Black veteran with whom I spoke was effusive in their praise for McElwain.
7 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, National Archives; Jerry Cecil, interview with the author, January 10, 2008; Ken c.o.x, interview with the author, April 21, 2008; McElwain interview; Jerry Cecil, e-mail to the author, February 16, 2009; Rick Atkinson, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, National Archives; Jerry Cecil, interview with the author, January 10, 2008; Ken c.o.x, interview with the author, April 21, 2008; McElwain interview; Jerry Cecil, e-mail to the author, February 16, 2009; Rick Atkinson, The Long Gray Line: The American Journey of West Point"s Cla.s.s of 1966 The Long Gray Line: The American Journey of West Point"s Cla.s.s of 1966 (New York: Owl Books, 1989), p. 241; Murphy, (New York: Owl Books, 1989), p. 241; Murphy, Dak To Dak To, pp. 184-88; Maitland and McInerney, Contagion of War Contagion of War, pp. 170-71.
8 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, National Archives; McElwain, Cecil, and c.o.x interviews; Murphy, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, National Archives; McElwain, Cecil, and c.o.x interviews; Murphy, Dak To Dak To, pp. 187-89; Maitland and McInerney, Contagion of War Contagion of War, pp. 170-71. The critique on the strategic implications of the defensive tactics is purely my interpretation. McElwain advanced no such opinions.
9 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC; 1st Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Operation MacArthur, AAR, all at National Archives; Ed Kelley, interview with the author, April 4, 2008; Jerry Curry, interview with the author, April 15, 2008; McElwain, Lambertson, Watson interviews; Murphy, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC; 1st Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Operation MacArthur, AAR, all at National Archives; Ed Kelley, interview with the author, April 4, 2008; Jerry Curry, interview with the author, April 15, 2008; McElwain, Lambertson, Watson interviews; Murphy, Dak To Dak To, pp. 190-91; Maitland and McInerney, Contagion of War Contagion of War, pp. 171-72. Kelley told me that he has never forgiven himself for bypa.s.sing the machine gun and, as of 2008, he still felt enormous guilt about it.
10 John Barnes, Medal of Honor citation material, RG 472, Medal of Honor Awards, Case Files, Box 2, Folder 11; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, all at National Archives; McElwain, Cecil, c.o.x interviews; Murphy, John Barnes, Medal of Honor citation material, RG 472, Medal of Honor Awards, Case Files, Box 2, Folder 11; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, all at National Archives; McElwain, Cecil, c.o.x interviews; Murphy, Dak To Dak To, pp. 193-94. Cecil received the Distinguished Service Cross for his actions.
11 Barnes, Medal of Honor citation material; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, all at National Archives; Kelley, Curry, McElwain, Lambertson, c.o.x, Watson interviews; Murphy, Barnes, Medal of Honor citation material; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, all at National Archives; Kelley, Curry, McElwain, Lambertson, c.o.x, Watson interviews; Murphy, Dak To Dak To, p. 193. To make sure that the vaporized men would not be listed as missing in action, Curry later signed a sworn statement attesting to the fact that he had seen them die. The after action reports claim that Hardy was. .h.i.t twice in the chest, rather than three times in various places, as Watson recalled. Because Watson was so close to the captain when he was. .h.i.t, I have relied on his account.
12 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC; sworn statements of Lieutenant George Brown, Sergeant Robert Lampkin, Spec-4 James Townsend, and Spec-4 Robert Ferry, located within Barnes Medal of Honor citation material, all at National Archives; Jim Stanzak, interview with the author, January 28, 2008; Lambertson, Curry, Watson, Kelley interviews; Maitland and McInerney, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC; sworn statements of Lieutenant George Brown, Sergeant Robert Lampkin, Spec-4 James Townsend, and Spec-4 Robert Ferry, located within Barnes Medal of Honor citation material, all at National Archives; Jim Stanzak, interview with the author, January 28, 2008; Lambertson, Curry, Watson, Kelley interviews; Maitland and McInerney, Contagion of War Contagion of War, pp. 171-73. The grenade that killed Barnes was a Chinese "Chicom" pineapple grenade. By this point in the battle, though, the NVA were also using American grenades. They had captured them when helicopter crews attempted to resupply hard-pressed Task Force Black but, under heavy fire, dropped their loads outside the perimeter, in terrain controlled by the enemy. The Task Force Black survivors have nothing but deep respect for the bravery of the aviators that day, especially Warrant Officer Gary Ba.s.s (code-named Flower Power), who routinely risked his life to help the grunts.
13 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC; 1st Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Operation MacArthur, AAR, all at National Archives; Chuck Clutter, interview with the author, January 15, 2008; Jacques "Jack" deRemer, interview with the author, February 8, 2008; McElwain, Kelley, Curry interviews; Murphy, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC; 1st Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Operation MacArthur, AAR, all at National Archives; Chuck Clutter, interview with the author, January 15, 2008; Jacques "Jack" deRemer, interview with the author, February 8, 2008; McElwain, Kelley, Curry interviews; Murphy, Dak To Dak To, pp. 191-93. Every Task Force Black survivor with whom I spoke expressed considerable dislike for Schumacher. In my interview with McElwain, he was quite forthright in describing his disdain for the battalion commander. He also told me that he did not have a very high opinion of Captain Jesmer, whom he thought of as overly cautious and a bit disingenuous. McElwain, and some of his men, resented Task Force Blue"s inability to provide any help on November 11. From the Task Force Black point of view, Jesmer"s unit was only dealing with moderate sniper fire and should have put forth a much more aggressive effort to relieve Task Force Black. Some of the men even told me that, a couple weeks after the battle, a grieving McElwain picked a fight with Jesmer and beat him up at the officer"s club.
14 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, National Archives; Mike Tanner, interview with the author, April 18, 2008; Mike Tanner, unpublished memoir, pp. 67-68, 168, copy in author"s possession, courtesy of Mr. Tanner; Bill Connolly, interview with the author, July 2, 2008; Lynne Morse, interview with the author, June 17, 2008; McElwain, deRemer interviews; Murphy, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, National Archives; Mike Tanner, interview with the author, April 18, 2008; Mike Tanner, unpublished memoir, pp. 67-68, 168, copy in author"s possession, courtesy of Mr. Tanner; Bill Connolly, interview with the author, July 2, 2008; Lynne Morse, interview with the author, June 17, 2008; McElwain, deRemer interviews; Murphy, Dak To Dak To, pp. 200-204; Maitland and McInerney, Contagion of War Contagion of War, pp. 173-75. Task Force Black actually lost at least twenty-two killed because the two missing men were the machine gunners whom Staff Sergeant Curry saw disintegrated by a rocket. Apparently two more men were missing as well and many of the survivors were tormented by guilt for years because they thought the missing men might have become POWs. These two men were later confirmed as killed, though. The artillery support on the evening of November 11 disfigured some of the Task Force Black bodies that were lying throughout the battle area. Several of the men said that Captain Hardy"s body was headless when they recovered it the next day. Ivan Pierce, the forward personnel officer, later confirmed this. His job was to process and account for all casualties. He personally saw Hardy"s remains and wrote about this in his memoir, An Infantry Lieutenant"s Vietnam An Infantry Lieutenant"s Vietnam (El Dorado Springs, MO: Capsarge Publishing, 2004), pp. 78-79. (El Dorado Springs, MO: Capsarge Publishing, 2004), pp. 78-79.
15 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, National Archives; McElwain, Kelley, Stanzak, Watson, Curry, Cecil, deRemer, Lambertson, Clutter interviews; Murphy, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, National Archives; McElwain, Kelley, Stanzak, Watson, Curry, Cecil, deRemer, Lambertson, Clutter interviews; Murphy, Dak To Dak To, pp. 204-06; Maitland and McInerney, Contagion of War Contagion of War, p. 174. In the weeks following the battle, McElwain quarreled again with Schumacher when the colonel tried to turn down PFC Barnes"s Medal of Honor citation because "we don"t decorate people who commit suicide." Fortunately, McElwain did not back down in the face of such disrespectful idiocy and the young soldier received the medal he so richly deserved. McElwain later told me: "I"m kind of surprised that he didn"t relieve me."
16 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Operation MacArthur, AAR, RG 472, Box 1125, Folder 1; Carlos Lozada, Medal of Honor material, RG 472, Medal of Honor Awards, Box 14, Folder 3; 5th Special Forces Group, Dak To, AAR; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, all at National Archives; Leonard B. Scott, "The Battle for Hill 875, Dak To, Vietnam 1967," paper prepared for Army War College, USAMHI; 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Operation MacArthur, AAR, RG 472, Box 1125, Folder 1; Carlos Lozada, Medal of Honor material, RG 472, Medal of Honor Awards, Box 14, Folder 3; 5th Special Forces Group, Dak To, AAR; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, all at National Archives; Leonard B. Scott, "The Battle for Hill 875, Dak To, Vietnam 1967," paper prepared for Army War College, USAMHI; Combat Zone: Hill 875, Vietnam Combat Zone: Hill 875, Vietnam, Military Channel doc.u.mentary, 2007; Murphy, Dak To Dak To, pp. 248-58; Maitland and McInerney, Contagion of War Contagion of War, pp. 179-80. Typical of many battalion commanders in Vietnam, Steverson was in a helicopter above the action and thus did not have much feel for what was happening on the ground.
17 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, AAR; sworn statements of Spec-4 James Kelley, PFC Anthony Romano, and First Lieutenant Joseph Sheridan, in Carlos Lozada Medal of Honor material; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, all at National Archives; 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, AAR; sworn statements of Spec-4 James Kelley, PFC Anthony Romano, and First Lieutenant Joseph Sheridan, in Carlos Lozada Medal of Honor material; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, all at National Archives; Combat Zone: Hill 875 Combat Zone: Hill 875; John Steer, "True Valor at Hill 875," Vietnam Vietnam, June 1990, pp. 42-43; Murphy, Dak To Dak To, pp. 261-64; Maitland and McInerney, Contagion of War Contagion of War, p. 180. Lozada left behind a young wife and baby girl.
18 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, AAR; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC; sworn statements of First Lieutenant Bryan McDonough, Staff Sergeant John Gentry, Sergeant Paul Ramirez, Sergeant Jimmy Stacey, and Lieutenant Colonel John Hulme, RG 472, Medal of Honor Awards, Box 23, Folder 18, all at National Archives; Scott, "Battle for Hill 875," USAMHI; 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, AAR; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC; sworn statements of First Lieutenant Bryan McDonough, Staff Sergeant John Gentry, Sergeant Paul Ramirez, Sergeant Jimmy Stacey, and Lieutenant Colonel John Hulme, RG 472, Medal of Honor Awards, Box 23, Folder 18, all at National Archives; Scott, "Battle for Hill 875," USAMHI; Combat Zone: Hill 875 Combat Zone: Hill 875; Kelley interview; Murphy, Dak To Dak To, pp. 266-67, 269, 274-75. Scott claims that eleven out of thirteen of the 2nd Battalion medics were killed and the other two wounded. There is no way to be sure when the eleven were killed.
19 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, AAR; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC; 4th Infantry Division, G3 Air, AAR, all at National Archives; Scott, "Battle for Hill 875," USAMHI; 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, AAR; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC; 4th Infantry Division, G3 Air, AAR, all at National Archives; Scott, "Battle for Hill 875," USAMHI; Combat Zone: Hill 875 Combat Zone: Hill 875; Clarence Johnson, interview with the author, February 1, 2008; Steer, "True Valor at Hill 875," pp. 43-44; Lawrence Okendo, Sky Soldier: Battles of Dak To Sky Soldier: Battles of Dak To (self-published, 1988), pp. 107-08; Atkinson, (self-published, 1988), pp. 107-08; Atkinson, Long Gray Line Long Gray Line, pp. 248-50; Murphy, Dak To Dak To, pp. 272-82; Maitland and McInerney, Contagion of War Contagion of War, pp. 180-81. As of this writing, the ident.i.ty of the pilot and plane that made the tragic mistake at Hill 875 is still not definite. 2nd Battalion records claim that F-100 Super Sabres and A-1Es provided the close air support that day, indicating that the Air Force was responsible. Other accounts claim that the plane was a Marine jet. Because there is still no certainty over this, I felt that my account should reflect that. In the summer of 2008, while researching the friendly fire bombing at the National Archives, I met Joe Nigro, a Vietnam veteran and retired police officer who is also investigating the incident, but without definitive information. For the sake of closure for the veterans, he is hoping to find the elusive answers.
20 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, AAR; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, all at National Archives; Captain Ron Leonard, oral history, Vietnam Company Command Oral History, Box 21, Folder 8 (Leonard commanded Bravo Company); Scott, "Battle for Hill 875," both at USAMHI; 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, AAR; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, all at National Archives; Captain Ron Leonard, oral history, Vietnam Company Command Oral History, Box 21, Folder 8 (Leonard commanded Bravo Company); Scott, "Battle for Hill 875," both at USAMHI; Combat Zone: Hill 875 Combat Zone: Hill 875; 4th Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Battle of Dak To, Hill 875, AAR, copy in author"s possession; Johnson interview; Rocky Stone, e-mails to author, January 8 and 10, 2008; Murphy, Dak To Dak To, pp. 277-94.
21 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, National Archives; 4th Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Hill 875, AAR; Scott, "Battle for Hill 875," USAMHI; Connolly, Morse interviews; Stone, e-mails to author, January 8 and 10, 2008; Murphy, 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, National Archives; 4th Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Hill 875, AAR; Scott, "Battle for Hill 875," USAMHI; Connolly, Morse interviews; Stone, e-mails to author, January 8 and 10, 2008; Murphy, Dak To Dak To, pp. 298-03; Maitland and McInerney, Contagion of War Contagion of War, p. 182.
22 4th Infantry Division, AAR; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, all at National Archives; Scott, "Battle for Hill 875"; Leonard, Peers, oral histories, all at USAMHI; 4th Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Hill 875, AAR; Connolly, Morse, Tanner interviews; Tanner, unpublished memoir, pp. 75-77; Stone, e-mails to author, January 8, 10, and 12, 2008; Murphy, 4th Infantry Division, AAR; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, all at National Archives; Scott, "Battle for Hill 875"; Leonard, Peers, oral histories, all at USAMHI; 4th Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Hill 875, AAR; Connolly, Morse, Tanner interviews; Tanner, unpublished memoir, pp. 75-77; Stone, e-mails to author, January 8, 10, and 12, 2008; Murphy, Dak To Dak To, pp. 304-11; Maitland and McInerney, Contagion of War Contagion of War, p. 182.
23 4th Infantry Division, AAR; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, all at National Archives; Scott, "Battle for Hill 875"; Leonard, oral history, both at USAMHI; 4th Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Hill 875, AAR; George Wilkins, interview with the author, March 10, 2008; Larry Cousins, interview with the author, February 26, 2008; Hal Birch to the author, March 14 and May 4, 2008 (Birch was the commander of 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry); Connolly, Tanner interviews; Tanner, unpublished memoir, pp. 83-87; Stone, e-mails to author, January 10 and 12, 2008; Al Undiemi, e-mail to author, January 11, 2008; "Dak To: The Battle for Hill 875, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division," after action report and firsthand accounts compiled by Roger Hill, copy in author"s possession, courtesy of Mr. Hill; Murphy, 4th Infantry Division, AAR; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, all at National Archives; Scott, "Battle for Hill 875"; Leonard, oral history, both at USAMHI; 4th Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Hill 875, AAR; George Wilkins, interview with the author, March 10, 2008; Larry Cousins, interview with the author, February 26, 2008; Hal Birch to the author, March 14 and May 4, 2008 (Birch was the commander of 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry); Connolly, Tanner interviews; Tanner, unpublished memoir, pp. 83-87; Stone, e-mails to author, January 10 and 12, 2008; Al Undiemi, e-mail to author, January 11, 2008; "Dak To: The Battle for Hill 875, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division," after action report and firsthand accounts compiled by Roger Hill, copy in author"s possession, courtesy of Mr. Hill; Murphy, Dak To Dak To, pp. 315-20; Maitland and McInerney, Contagion of War Contagion of War, pp. 182-83.
24 Public Statements of General William Westmoreland, RG 472, Box 42, Folder 1; General William Westmoreland, National Press Club, Q&A, November 21, 1967, Box 32, Folder 4, both in Records of the Office of the Chief of Military History, William Westmoreland Papers; 4th Infantry Division, AAR; G3 Air, AAR; Division Artillery, AAR; Peers Briefing; Outline and Statistical Summary; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, all at National Archives; Scott, "Battle for Hill 875"; Leonard, Peers, oral histories, all at USAMHI; 4th Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Hill 875, AAR; Bill Ballard, interview with the author, January 22, 2008; Tanner, Morse, Connolly, Wilkins, Cousins interviews; Tanner, unpublished memoir, pp. 88-89; Dennis Lewallen, e-mail to author, January 9, 2008; Hill, "Dak To: Battle for Hill 875"; Birch to author, May 4, 2008; Stone, e-mails to author, January 8, 10, and 12, 2008; Undiemi, e-mail to author, January 11, 2008; Major George P. Long, S3, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, "Battle for Dak To," pp. 41-43, in Lieutenant Colonel Albert Garland, Public Statements of General William Westmoreland, RG 472, Box 42, Folder 1; General William Westmoreland, National Press Club, Q&A, November 21, 1967, Box 32, Folder 4, both in Records of the Office of the Chief of Military History, William Westmoreland Papers; 4th Infantry Division, AAR; G3 Air, AAR; Division Artillery, AAR; Peers Briefing; Outline and Statistical Summary; 173rd Airborne Brigade, Dak To, AAR; PUC, all at National Archives; Scott, "Battle for Hill 875"; Leonard, Peers, oral histories, all at USAMHI; 4th Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Regiment, Hill 875, AAR; Bill Ballard, interview with the author, January 22, 2008; Tanner, Morse, Connolly, Wilkins, Cousins interviews; Tanner, unpublished memoir, pp. 88-89; Dennis Lewallen, e-mail to author, January 9, 2008; Hill, "Dak To: Battle for Hill 875"; Birch to author, May 4, 2008; Stone, e-mails to author, January 8, 10, and 12, 2008; Undiemi, e-mail to author, January 11, 2008; Major George P. Long, S3, 1st Battalion, 12th Infantry, "Battle for Dak To," pp. 41-43, in Lieutenant Colonel Albert Garland, A Distant Challenge: The U.S. Infantryman in Vietnam A Distant Challenge: The U.S. Infantryman in Vietnam (New York: Jove Books, 1983); Murphy, (New York: Jove Books, 1983); Murphy, Dak To Dak To, pp. 321-32; Westmoreland, A Soldier Reports A Soldier Reports, pp. 238-39; Maitland and McInerney, Contagion of War Contagion of War, pp. 182-83. Rocky Stone was one of the men who adamantly opposed the turkey dinner as an insult to the memory of dead comrades. For the next forty years, he had trouble even eating turkey, much less sitting down to Thanksgiving dinner with his family. After the pa.s.sage of several decades, he could finally bring himself to enjoy a Thanksgiving meal with the family, but he insisted that they eat ham.
Chapter 8.
1 United States General Accounting Office, "Report to the Ranking Minority Member, Committee on Commerce, House of Representatives: Operation Desert Storm, Evaluation of the Air Campaign," pp. 19-41 (June 1997); Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Bolger, "What Happened at Khafji: Learning the Wrong Lesson," paper prepared for the Army War College, United States Army Military History Inst.i.tute (USAMHI), Carlisle, PA; Rick Atkinson, United States General Accounting Office, "Report to the Ranking Minority Member, Committee on Commerce, House of Representatives: Operation Desert Storm, Evaluation of the Air Campaign," pp. 19-41 (June 1997); Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Bolger, "What Happened at Khafji: Learning the Wrong Lesson," paper prepared for the Army War College, United States Army Military History Inst.i.tute (USAMHI), Carlisle, PA; Rick Atkinson, Crusade: The Untold Story of the Persian Gulf War Crusade: The Untold Story of the Persian Gulf War (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1993), pp. 227-28; Alex Vernon, (Boston: Houghton Mifflin, 1993), pp. 227-28; Alex Vernon, Most Succinctly Bred Most Succinctly Bred (Kent, OH: Kent State University Press, 2006), p. 44; Adrian Lewis, (Kent, OH: Kent State University Press, 2006), p. 44; Adrian Lewis, The American Culture of War: The History of U.S. Military Forces from World War II Through Operation Iraqi Freedom The American Culture of War: The History of U.S. Military Forces from World War II Through Operation Iraqi Freedom (New York: Routledge, 2007), pp. 367-74; Stephen Bourque, (New York: Routledge, 2007), pp. 367-74; Stephen Bourque, Jayhawk! The VII Corps in the Persian Gulf War Jayhawk! The VII Corps in the Persian Gulf War (Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army, 2002), p. 455; Richard Hallion, (Washington, D.C.: Department of the Army, 2002), p. 455; Richard Hallion, Storm over Iraq: Air Power and the Gulf War Storm over Iraq: Air Power and the Gulf War (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Inst.i.tution Press, 1992), p. 1. For a reasonably balanced, albeit slightly air-centric look at air power in the war, see Lieutenant Colonel Jerome Martin, "Victory from Above: Air Power Theory and the Conduct of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm." As of this writing, Bolger is a two-star general in command of the 1st Cavalry Division. (Washington, D.C.: Smithsonian Inst.i.tution Press, 1992), p. 1. For a reasonably balanced, albeit slightly air-centric look at air power in the war, see Lieutenant Colonel Jerome Martin, "Victory from Above: Air Power Theory and the Conduct of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm." As of this writing, Bolger is a two-star general in command of the 1st Cavalry Division.
2 Robert Scales, Robert Scales, Certain Victory: The U.S. Army in the Gulf War Certain Victory: The U.S. Army in the Gulf War (Washington, D.C.: Office of the Chief of Staff, United States Army, 1993), pp. 15-36; William Hartzog, (Washington, D.C.: Office of the Chief of Staff, United States Army, 1993), pp. 15-36; William Hartzog, American Military Heritage American Military Heritage (Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, 2001), pp. 220-24; Frank Shubert and Theresa Krauss, general eds., (Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, 2001), pp. 220-24; Frank Shubert and Theresa Krauss, general eds., The Whirlwind War: The United States Army in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm The Whirlwind War: The United States Army in Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm (Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, 2001), pp. 208-15; Allan Millett, (Washington, D.C.: Center of Military History, 2001), pp. 208-15; Allan Millett, Semper Fidelis: The History of the United States Marine Corps Semper Fidelis: The History of the United States Marine Corps (New York: Free Press, 1991), pp. 644-52. For a close look at what the transformation to an all-volunteer force was like in one mechanized infantry unit, see my own (New York: Free Press, 1991), pp. 644-52. For a close look at what the transformation to an all-volunteer force was like in one mechanized infantry unit, see my own The 7th Infantry Regiment: Combat in an Age of Terror, the Korean War Through the Present The 7th Infantry Regiment: Combat in an Age of Terror, the Korean War Through the Present (New York: Forge, 2008), pp. 170-74. (New York: Forge, 2008), pp. 170-74.
3 U.S. Army Field Manual 3-21.71, "Mechanized Infantry Platoon and Squad (Bradley), available on U.S. Army Field Manual 3-21.71, "Mechanized Infantry Platoon and Squad (Bradley), available on www.globalsecurity.org; Kurt Dabb, rifleman, Alpha 2-7 Infantry, Desert Storm, interview with the author, June 13, 2001; Rick Averna, commander, Charlie 2-7 Infantry, Desert Storm, interview with the author, June 25, 2001; Bradley Fighting Vehicle, personal knowledge; Daniel Bolger, Death Ground: Today"s American Infantry in Battle Death Ground: Today"s American Infantry in Battle (Novato, CA: Presidio Press, 1999), pp. 126-29. (Novato, CA: Presidio Press, 1999), pp. 126-29.
4 Colonel Michael Krause, Ph.D., "The Battle of 73 Easting, 26 February 1991"; 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, After Action Report (AAR), Gulf War Collection, Box 1, Folder 5, both at USAMHI; Richard Bohannon, "Dragon"s Roar: 1-37 Armor in the Battle of 73 Easting," Colonel Michael Krause, Ph.D., "The Battle of 73 Easting, 26 February 1991"; 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, After Action Report (AAR), Gulf War Collection, Box 1, Folder 5, both at USAMHI; Richard Bohannon, "Dragon"s Roar: 1-37 Armor in the Battle of 73 Easting," Armor Armor, May-June 1992, pp. 11-17; Daniel Davis, "2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment at the Battle of 73 Easting," Field Artillery Field Artillery, April 1992, pp. 48-53; Vince Crowley, "Ghost Troop"s Battle at 73 Easting," Armor Armor, May-June 1991, pp. 7-12; Douglas Macgregor, Warrior"s Rage: The Great Tank Battle of 73 Easting Warrior"s Rage: The Great Tank Battle of 73 Easting (Annapolis, MD: Naval Inst.i.tute Press, 2009), pp. 139-81. Macgregor was S3 of Cougar Squadron, the parent unit for both Eagle and Ghost Troops; Alberto Bin, Richard Hill, and Archer Jones, (Annapolis, MD: Naval Inst.i.tute Press, 2009), pp. 139-81. Macgregor was S3 of Cougar Squadron, the parent unit for both Eagle and Ghost Troops; Alberto Bin, Richard Hill, and Archer Jones, Desert Storm: A Forgotten War Desert Storm: A Forgotten War (Westport, CT: Praeger, 1998), pp. 193-99; Thomas Houlahan, (Westport, CT: Praeger, 1998), pp. 193-99; Thomas Houlahan, Gulf War: The Complete History Gulf War: The Complete History (New London, NH: Schrenker Military Publishing, 1999), pp. 325-32; Atkinson, (New London, NH: Schrenker Military Publishing, 1999), pp. 325-32; Atkinson, Crusade! Crusade!, pp. 441-48; Scales, Certain Victory Certain Victory, pp. 1-5; Bourque, Jayhawk! Jayhawk!, pp. 325-31. McMaster holds a Ph.D. in history from the University of North Carolina and is a leading scholar on the American war in Vietnam. As of this writing, he is a brigadier general with a distinguished record of combat command, not just in the Gulf War but in the Iraq War as well.
5 Father (Captain) David Kenehan, personal diary, February 26-27, 1991, Box 1, Folder 1, David Kenehan Papers; Lieutenant Colonel James Hillman, "Task Force 1-41 Infantry: Fratricide Experience in Southwest Asia," Army War College Paper; "1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division Desert Shield/Desert Storm History," all at USAMHI; Captain Douglas Robbins, "Operation Desert Storm: Battle of Norfolk, Scout Platoon, Task Force 5-16, 1ID"; First Lieutenant Donald Murray, "Desert Storm Monograph"; Captain James Petro, "Operations of the 5th Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment (1st Infantry Division) During Breaching Operations of the Iraqi Main Defenses, 24-28 February 1991," all at Donovan Library, Fort Benning, Columbus, Georgia; John S. Brown, "Desert Reckoning: Historical Continuities and the Battle for Norfolk, 1991," U.S. Naval War College, Newport, RI; Colonel Lon Maggart, "A Leap of Faith," Father (Captain) David Kenehan, personal diary, February 26-27, 1991, Box 1, Folder 1, David Kenehan Papers; Lieutenant Colonel James Hillman, "Task Force 1-41 Infantry: Fratricide Experience in Southwest Asia," Army War College Paper; "1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division Desert Shield/Desert Storm History," all at USAMHI; Captain Douglas Robbins, "Operation Desert Storm: Battle of Norfolk, Scout Platoon, Task Force 5-16, 1ID"; First Lieutenant Donald Murray, "Desert Storm Monograph"; Captain James Petro, "Operations of the 5th Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment (1st Infantry Division) During Breaching Operations of the Iraqi Main Defenses, 24-28 February 1991," all at Donovan Library, Fort Benning, Columbus, Georgia; John S. Brown, "Desert Reckoning: Historical Continuities and the Battle for Norfolk, 1991," U.S. Naval War College, Newport, RI; Colonel Lon Maggart, "A Leap of Faith," Armor Armor, January-February 1992, pp. 24-32; Steve Vogel, ""Fast and Hard": The Big Red One"s Race Through Iraq," Army Times Army Times, March 25, 1991, pp. 2, 13; "h.e.l.l Night: For the Second Armored Division It Was No Clean War," Army Times Army Times, October 7, 1991, pp. 8, 14-18, 24, 69; Scott Rutter, commander, Charlie 2-16 Infantry, Desert Storm, interview with the author, February 10, 2008; Houlahan, Gulf War Gulf War, pp. 333-54; Scales, Certain Victory Certain Victory, pp. 276-84; Bourque, Jayhawk! Jayhawk! , pp. 331-37. Houlahan"s study is particularly strong on the fratricide incidents. Rutter was not in the Norfolk battle, but his perspective as an infantry company commander in the same division enhanced my understanding of the battle. , pp. 331-37. Houlahan"s study is particularly strong on the fratricide incidents. Rutter was not in the Norfolk battle, but his perspective as an infantry company commander in the same division enhanced my understanding of the battle.
6 Captain Daniel Stempniak, "The Battle of the Al Mutlaa Police Post, 26 February, 1991," Donovan Library, copy in author"s possession, courtesy of Ms. Genoa Stanford; J. Paul Scicchitano, "Eye of the Tiger," Captain Daniel Stempniak, "The Battle of the Al Mutlaa Police Post, 26 February, 1991," Donovan Library, copy in author"s possession, courtesy of Ms. Genoa Stanford; J. Paul Scicchitano, "Eye of the Tiger," Army Times Army Times, June 10, 1991, pp. 18, 61; Stephen Bourque and John Burdan, "A Nervous Night on the Basrah Road," Military History Quarterly Military History Quarterly, Autumn 1999, pp. 88-97; Al Santoli, ed., Leading the Way: How Vietnam Veterans Rebuilt the U.S. Military, an Oral History Leading the Way: How Vietnam Veterans Rebuilt the U.S. Military, an Oral History (New York: Ballantine Books, 1993), pp. 337-39; Richard Swain, (New York: Ballantine Books, 1993), pp. 337-39; Richard Swain, "Lucky War": Third Army in Desert Storm "Lucky War": Third Army in Desert Storm (Fort Leavenworth, KS: U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Press, 1997), p. 265; Bolger, (Fort Leavenworth, KS: U.S. Army Command and General Staff College Press, 1997), p. 265; Bolger, Death Ground Death Ground, pp. 118-52.
7 Lieutenant Colonel John Garrett, CO, and Major Craig Huddleston, XO, interview with Lieutenant Colonel Charles Cureton, March 5, 1991, Box 170, Folder 3; Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Hannigan, CO, and Major Brad Washabaugh, S3, interview with Lieutenant Colonel Charles Cureton, March 5, 1991, Box 170, Folder 4; Task Force Ripper, group interview with Lieutenant Colonel Charles Cureton, March 11, 1991, Box 165, Folder 7; Task Force Papa Bear, combat engineers, interview with Lieutenant Colonel Charles Cureton, no date, Box 165, Folder 15, all at oral history collection, U.S. Marine Corps History and Museums Division, Quantico, VA; John Admire, "The 3rd Marines in Desert Storm," Lieutenant Colonel John Garrett, CO, and Major Craig Huddleston, XO, interview with Lieutenant Colonel Charles Cureton, March 5, 1991, Box 170, Folder 3; Lieutenant Colonel Timothy Hannigan, CO, and Major Brad Washabaugh, S3, interview with Lieutenant Colonel Charles Cureton, March 5, 1991, Box 170, Folder 4; Task Force Ripper, group interview with Lieutenant Colonel Charles Cureton, March 11, 1991, Box 165, Folder 7; Task Force Papa Bear, combat engineers, interview with Lieutenant Colonel Charles Cureton, no date, Box 165, Folder 15, all at oral history collection, U.S. Marine Corps History and Museums Division, Quantico, VA; John Admire, "The 3rd Marines in Desert Storm," Marine Corps Gazette Marine Corps Gazette, September 1991, pp. 69-71; Major General Michael Myatt, "Close Air Support and Fire Support in Desert Shield and Desert Storm," Marine Corps Gazette Marine Corps Gazette, May 1998, pp. 72-73; Staff Sergeant Lee Tibbetts, "Squad Leader Awarded Medal for Gallantry," Marines Marines, March 1992, pp. 23-24; Otto Kreisher, "Marines" Minefield a.s.sault," Military History Quarterly Military History Quarterly, Summer 2002, pp. 6-15; Otto Lehrack, ed., America"s Battalion: Marines in the First Gulf War America"s Battalion: Marines in the First Gulf War (Tuscaloosa, AL: The University of Alabama Press, 2005), pp. 168-95; Bin et al., (Tuscaloosa, AL: The University of Alabama Press, 2005), pp. 168-95; Bin et al., Desert Storm Desert Storm, pp. 159, 165-71; Santoli, Leading the Way Leading the Way, pp. 322-26.
8 Lieutenant Colonel Frank Hanc.o.c.k, personal narrative, Frank Hanc.o.c.k Papers, Box 1, Folder 2; Lieutenant Colonel Frank Hanc.o.c.k, "North to the Euphrates: Part One, the Taking of Cobra," Army War College Paper; Colonel Tom Hill, 1st Brigade, 101st Air a.s.sault Division AAR, Gulf War Collection, Box 1, Folder 6, all at USAMHI; Captain Mark Esper, "The Screaming Eagles of Desert Storm," Donovan Library; Sean Naylor, "Flight of Eagles: The 101st Airborne Division"s Raids into Iraq," Lieutenant Colonel Frank Hanc.o.c.k, personal narrative, Frank Hanc.o.c.k Papers, Box 1, Folder 2; Lieutenant Colonel Frank Hanc.o.c.k, "North to the Euphrates: Part One, the Taking of Cobra," Army War College Paper; Colonel Tom Hill, 1st Brigade, 101st Air a.s.sault Division AAR, Gulf War Collection, Box 1, Folder 6, all at USAMHI; Captain Mark Esper, "The Screaming Eagles of Desert Storm," Donovan Library; Sean Naylor, "Flight of Eagles: The 101st Airborne Division"s Raids into Iraq," Army Times Army Times, July 22, 1991, p. 14; Lieutenant General Edward Flanagan, Lightning: The 101st in the Gulf War Lightning: The 101st in the Gulf War (Washington, D.C.: Bra.s.sey"s, 1994), pp. 165-201; Thomas Taylor, (Washington, D.C.: Bra.s.sey"s, 1994), pp. 165-201; Thomas Taylor, Lightning in the Storm: The 101st Air a.s.sault Division in the Gulf War Lightning in the Storm: The 101st Air a.s.sault Division in the Gulf War (New York: Hippocrene Books, 1994), pp. 305-79; Houlahan, (New York: Hippocrene Books, 1994), pp. 305-79; Houlahan, Gulf War Gulf War, pp. 241-51; Santoli, Leading the Way Leading the Way, pp. 332-33; Bolger, Death Ground Death Ground, pp. 75-97.
9 Bolger, "What Happened at Khafji," Army War College Paper, USAMHI; Lewis, Bolger, "What Happened at Khafji," Army War College Paper, USAMHI; Lewis, The American Culture of War The American Culture of War, pp. 374, 386-91. Modern insurgent groups have often employed jungles and mountains quite effectively. Usually, they only come to power, though, when they seize control of cities or waterways. Fidel Castro"s Cuban revolutionary movement and the Viet Cong are cla.s.sic examples of this.
Chapter 9.
1 Owen West, "Dispatches from Fallujah," July 30, 2004, Owen West, "Dispatches from Fallujah," July 30, 2004, www.slate.com. Most of this pa.s.sage is derived from a mixture of common knowledge and my own opinion. The Cheney quote is at www.wikiquote.com. The best single book on the planning and initial execution of the Iraq War is Tom Ricks"s Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq Fiasco: The American Military Adventure in Iraq (New York: Penguin Press, 2006). The Schwarzkopf quote is from page 83 of that book. (New York: Penguin Press, 2006). The Schwarzkopf quote is from page 83 of that book.
2 Gunnery Sergeant Mark Oliva, "Shutting Down Fallujah," Gunnery Sergeant Mark Oliva, "Shutting Down Fallujah," Leatherneck Leatherneck, June 2004, p. 18; Jonathan Keiler, "Who Won the Battle of Fallujah?" Naval Inst.i.tute Proceedings Naval Inst.i.tute Proceedings , January 2005, pp. 1-2; Bing West, , January 2005, pp. 1-2; Bing West, No True Glory: A Frontline Account of the Battle for Fallujah No True Glory: A Frontline Account of the Battle for Fallujah (New York: Bantam Books, 2005), pp. 26-63; David Danelo, (New York: Bantam Books, 2005), pp. 26-63; David Danelo, Blood Stripes: The Grunt"s View of the War in Iraq Blood Stripes: The Grunt"s View of the War in Iraq (Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006), pp. 88-90; Robert Kaplan, (Mechanicsburg, PA: Stackpole Books, 2006), pp. 88-90; Robert Kaplan, Imperial Grunts Imperial Grunts (New York: Vintage, 2005), pp. 345-48. Like most religions, Islam also forbids the mutilation of bodies. At the prodding of the Americans, Fallujah"s sheiks, imams, and elders publicly condemned the mutilations, but they refused to denounce the terrorists in their midst. This reflected popular opinion in Fallujah, which was quite anti-American and, at this point, supportive of the insurgents. (New York: Vintage, 2005), pp. 345-48. Like most religions, Islam also forbids the mutilation of bodies. At the prodding of the Americans, Fallujah"s sheiks, imams, and elders publicly condemned the mutilations, but they refused to denounce the terrorists in their midst. This reflected popular opinion in Fallujah, which was quite anti-American and, at this point, supportive of the insurgents.
3 Eric Schmitt, "Marines Battle Guerrillas in Streets of Fallujah," Eric Schmitt, "Marines Battle Guerrillas in Streets of Fallujah," New York Times New York Times, April 9, 2004; Sergeants Earl Catagnus, Jr. & Brad Edison & Lance Corporals James Keeling & David Moon, "Infantry Squad Tactics: Some of the Lessons Learned During MOUT in the Battle for Fallujah," Marine Corps Gazette Marine Corps Gazette, September 2005, pp. 80-82; Ross Simpson, "Fallujah: A Four-Letter Word," Leatherneck Leatherneck, February 2005, pp. 16-19; Captain Michael Skaggs, "Tank-Infantry Integration," Marine Corps Gazette Marine Corps Gazette, June 2005, pp. 41-42; Patrick Finnigan, interview with the author, February 23, 2008; West, No True Glory No True Glory, pp. 63-68; Kaplan, Imperial Grunts Imperial Grunts, pp. 360-66. Several years after being wounded in Fallujah, Finnigan was still finding fragments in his body. I told him that I knew many World War II veterans who still had pieces in their bodies sixty years after the fact.
4 Bing West, "The Road to Haditha," Bing West, "The Road to Haditha," Atlantic Monthly Atlantic Monthly, October 2006; Christine Hauser, "War Reports from Civilians Stir up Iraqis against U.S.," New York Times New York Times, April 14, 2004; Christine Hauser and Jeff Warzer, "Siege Defined on Stones Set in Haste in the Dirt," New York Times New York Times, April 28, 2004; Edward Wong, "Battle for Fallujah Rouses the Anger of Iraqis Weary of the U.S. Occupation," New York Times New York Times, April 22, 2004; John Burns, "U.S. Pummels Rebel Positions as Fierce Clash Shakes Fallujah," New York Times New York Times, April 28, 2004; Ilario Pantano with Malcolm McConnell, Warlord: No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy Warlord: No Better Friend, No Worse Enemy (New York: Threshold Editions, 2006), pp. 197-99; West, (New York: Threshold Editions, 2006), pp. 197-99; West, No True Glory No True Glory, pp. 68-73, 90-93, 118-21.
5 Ross Simpson, "In the Crosshairs: USMC Snipers in Iraq," Ross Simpson, "In the Crosshairs: USMC Snipers in Iraq," Leatherneck Leatherneck, June 2004, pp. 24, 27; Jeffrey Gettleman, "Marines in Fallujah Still Face and Return Relentless Fire," New York Times New York Times, April 14, 2004; Finnegan interview; Milo Afong, Hogs in the Shadows: Combat Stories from Marine Snipers in Iraq Hogs in the Shadows: Combat Stories from Marine Snipers in Iraq (New York: Berkley Caliber, 2007), pp. 98-112; West, (New York: Berkley Caliber, 2007), pp. 98-112; West, No True Glory No True Glory, pp. 172-77. For a good discussion of the moral struggle inherent in sniping, see Dave Grossman, On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society On Killing: The Psychological Cost of Learning to Kill in War and Society (Boston: Little, Brown, 1996), pp. 108-10, 254-55. For his effective sniping, Finnigan earned a Navy Commendation Medal with a Combat "V" for Valor. (Boston: Little, Brown, 1996), pp. 108-10, 254-55. For his effective sniping, Finnigan earned a Navy Commendation Medal with a Combat "V" for Valor.
6 Adnan Khan, "After the Siege," Adnan Khan, "After the Siege," McLean"s McLean"s, May 17, 2004; Paul Quinn-Judge, "Life on the Front Lines," Time Time, May 10, 2004; Finnigan interview; Pantano, Warlord Warlord, pp. 199, 232; Kaplan, Imperial Grunts Imperial Grunts, pp. 368-69; Afong, Hogs in the Shadows Hogs in the Shadows, pp. 111-12; West, No True Glory No True Glory, pp. 208-25. Bellon was a high school cla.s.smate and football teammate of mine at Chaminade College Preparatory in St. Louis.
7 Lieutenant Colonel Willard Buhl, interview with Captain Steven "Joe" Winslow, October 28, 2004, decla.s.sified oral history at U.S. Marine Corps History and Museums Division (USMCHMD), Quantico, VA; Lieutenant Colonel Dave Bellon to Dad, November 8, 2004, originally posted at Lieutenant Colonel Willard Buhl, interview with Captain Steven "Joe" Winslow, October 28, 2004, decla.s.sified oral history at U.S. Marine Corps History and Museums Division (USMCHMD), Quantico, VA; Lieutenant Colonel Dave Bellon to Dad, November 8, 2004, originally posted at www.thegreenzone.com, copy in author"s possession; Gunnery Sergeant Matt Hevezi, ""Battle for Fallujah: They"ve Chosen a Path of Violence,"" Leatherneck Leatherneck, December 2005, pp. 40-42; Lieutenant General John Sattler and Lieutenant Colonel Daniel Wilson, "Operation Al Fajr: The Battle of Fallujah, Part II," Marine Corps Gazette Marine Corps Gazette, July 2005, pp. 12-14; Keiler, "Who Won the Battle of Fallujah?"; "The Battle for Fallujah," at www.talkingproud.us; Donald Wright and Timothy Reese, On Point II: Transition to the New Campaign, the United States Army in Operation Iraqi Freedom, May 2003-January 2005 On Point II: Transition to the New Campaign, the United States Army in Operation Iraqi Freedom, May 2003-January 2005 (Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Inst.i.tute Press, 2008), pp. 345-51; West, (Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Inst.i.tute Press, 2008), pp. 345-51; West, No True Glory No True Glory, pp. 227-32.
8 Major General Richard Natonski, interview with Lieutenant Colonel John Way, March 16, 2005; Colonel Craig Tucker, interview with Major Steven "Joe" Winslow, August 11, 2006; Lieutenant General John Sattler, interview with Lieutenant Colonel John Way, April 8, 2005; Buhl interview, all at USMCHMD; Keiler, "Who Won the Battle of Fallujah?"; "Battle for Fallujah," at Major General Richard Natonski, interview with Lieutenant Colonel John Way, March 16, 2005; Colonel Craig Tucker, interview with Major Steven "Joe" Winslow, August 11, 2006; Lieutenant General John Sattler, interview with Lieutenant Colonel John Way, April 8, 2005; Buhl interview, all at USMCHMD; Keiler, "Who Won the Battle of Fallujah?"; "Battle for Fallujah," at www.talkingproud.us; Kendall Gott, ed., Eyewitness to War, Volume I: The U.S. Army in Operation Al Fajr, an Oral History Eyewitness to War, Volume I: The U.S. Army in Operation Al Fajr, an Oral History (Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Inst.i.tute Press, 2007), pp. 4-8, 159; West, (Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Inst.i.tute Press, 2007), pp. 4-8, 159; West, No True Glory No True Glory, pp. 250-60. By the time of the Tucker interview, Winslow had been promoted to major.
9 Colonel Michael Shupp, interview with Lieutenant Colonel John Way, March 27, 2005; Sattler, Natonski, Tucker interviews, all at USMCHMD; Richard Oppel, Jr., "Early Target of Offensive Is a Hospital," Colonel Michael Shupp, interview with Lieutenant Colonel John Way, March 27, 2005; Sattler, Natonski, Tucker interviews, all at USMCHMD; Richard Oppel, Jr., "Early Target of Offensive Is a Hospital," New York Times New York Times, November 8, 2004; Keiler, "Who Won the Battle of Fallujah?"; Sattler and Wilson, "Operation Al Fajr," pp. 14-19; Matt Matthews, Operation Al Fajr: A Study in Army and Marine Corps Joint Operations Operation Al Fajr: A Study in Army and Marine Corps Joint Operations (Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Inst.i.tute Press, 2006), pp. 13-36; David Bellavia with John Bruning, (Fort Leavenworth, KS: Combat Studies Inst.i.tute Press, 2006), pp. 13-36; David Bellavia with John Bruning, House to House: An Epic Memoir of War House to House: An Epic Memoir of War (New York: Free Press, 2007), pp. 47-48; Gott, ed., (New York: Free Press, 2007), pp. 47-48; Gott, ed., Eyewitness to War, Volume I Eyewitness to War, Volume I, pp. 8-10; Wright and Reese, On Point II On Point II, pp. 344-52; West, No True Glory No True Glory, pp. 257-67. The Americans used several names for the Iraqi Army soldiers who fought with them at Fallujah: Iraqi Intervention Force, Iraqi National Guard, and Iraqi Armed Forces. For the sake of simplicity, I have chosen to call them the Iraqi Army.
10 Shupp interview, USMCHMD; Lieutenant Colonel Pete Newell, interview with the author, January 11, 2008; Task Force 2-2 Infantry, "Operation Phantom Fury," AAR; Unit Journal and Timeline, copies in author"s possession, courtesy of LTC Newell; Lieutenant Colonel Dave Bellon to Dad, November 20, 2004, Shupp interview, USMCHMD; Lieutenant Colonel Pete Newell, interview with the author, January 11, 2008; Task Force 2-2 Infantry, "Operation Phantom Fury," AAR; Unit Journal and Timeline, copies in author"s possession, courtesy of LTC Newell; Lieutenant Colonel Dave Bellon to Dad, November 20, 2004, www.thegreenzone.com, copy in author"s possession; Hevezi, ""They"ve Chosen a Path of Violence,"" pp. 42-43; Sattler and Wilson, "Operation Al Fajr," pp. 20-23; Patrick O"Donnell, We Were One: Shoulder to Shoulder with the Marines who took Fallujah We Were One: Shoulder to Shoulder with the Marines who took Fallujah (New York: DaCapo, 2006), pp. 62-63; Gary Livingston, (New York: DaCapo, 2006), pp. 62-63; Gary Livingston, Fallujah with Honor: First Battalion, Eighth Marines in Operation Phantom Fury Fallujah with Honor: First Battalion, Eighth Marines in Operation Phantom Fury (North Topsail Beach, NC: Caisson Press, 2006), pp. 37-38; Matthews, (North Topsail Beach, NC: Caisson Press, 2006), pp. 37-38; Matthews, Operation Al Fajr Operation Al Fajr, p. 39; Bellavia, House to House House to House, pp. 60-62, 73-75; Gott, ed., Eyewitness to War, Volume I Eyewitness to War, Volume I, pp. 92-94; Gott, ed., Eyewitness to War, Volume II Eyewitness to War, Volume II, pp. 250-52. Command Sergeant Major Faulkenberg was killed on the first night of the battle. He was leading a group of Iraqi soldiers into the city, under intense fire, when a bullet caught him just above the right eye. He later died at the battalion aid station.
11 Gunnery Sergeant Duanne Walters, interview with Captain Stephen "Joe" Winslow, January 6, 2005; Shupp, Tucker, Natonski interviews, all at USMCHMD; TF 2-2 Infantry, AAR, journal and timeline; Newell interview; "Battle for Fallujah," at Gunnery Sergeant Duanne Walters, interview with Captain Stephen "Joe" Winslow, January 6, 2005; Shupp, Tucker, Natonski interviews, all at USMCHMD; TF 2-2 Infantry, AAR, journal and timeline; Newell interview; "Battle for Fallujah," at www.talkingproud.us; O"Donnell, We Were One We Were One, pp. 73-77; Wright and Reese, On Point II On Point II, pp. 352-55; Bellavia, House to House House to House, pp. 74-96; Matthews, Operation Al Fajr Operation Al Fajr, pp. 39-45; Gott, ed., Eyewitness to War, Volume I Eyewitness to War, Volume I, pp. 9-10, 52-57, 91-95, 144-45; Gott, ed., Eyewitness to War, Volume II Eyewitness to War, Volume II, pp. 229-31, 251-54; Livingston, Fallujah, with Honor Fallujah, with Honor, pp. 44-45. For the diagnosis of acoustic trauma, I consulted my wife, Nancy, an audiology clinician with a doctorate (Aud.) in her field. The Americans took significant criticism in world media reports for using white phosphorous, as if they were employing some sort of new and heinous chemical weapon. The criticism only increased when the State Department ignorantly denied that the commanders at Fallujah were using it. Army and Marine spokesmen readily admitted its use, and they were anything but apologetic about it. For those who knew anything about modern American military history, the employment of white phosphorous was nothing new.
12 TF 2-2 Infantry, AAR, journal and timeline; Newell interview; Michael Ware, "Into the Hot Zone," TF 2-2 Infantry, AAR, journal and timeline; Newell interview; Michael Ware, "Into the Hot Zone," Time Time, November 22, 2004, p.