Khe Sanh
 | Khe Sanh "Always Prepared"
It seemed like every time I had to stay the night at Khe Sanh for Medevac or due to bad weather the Base was on Full Alert and it was "for sure man" going to be overun by 20,000 fully armed NVA. Well thank GOD it never happened, but it was taken very seriously by everyone!
Comment by: Charles Wood on Jun 17, 2008 11:25 AM
The young marine top left photo facing camera was my best friend Lcpl Bill W.Luke 3/26 . Wounded at Khe Sanh early 1968. He passed away a few years back of some god forsaken cancer that the doctors said was found only in south-east asia. Was killed there and he didnt even know it. I miss him. Thank you for posting the photo.
Posted by Admin on 2010-08-25 |  | CLOSE AIR SUPPORT KHE SANH FEB 68
Look close, this Marine Fixed wing is has just dropped two Napalm Bombs 50 yards outside the perimeter. Khe Sanh FEB 1968, The NVA were close, too close, but the Fixed Wing backed them off the perimeter.
The munitions being dropped from the A-4 are 500 lb napalm. Napalm only came in 500 lbs. Major Russ Black USMC (Ret) A-4 Driver// Russell M Black [rusblack@cox.net]
Comment by: George Otto on Sep 23, 2007 01:35 PM
Looks like the photo is taken looking west, near the western edge of Khe Sahn. I was flying with 262 at the time and we had aircraft their daily during Tet. Those grunts with the 26th Marines were one tough bunch.
Comment by: David J Veazey on Sep 23, 2007 01:59 PM
That might be Hill 881-S or 861-A up to the right, not sure which. Both hills appeared pretty high from ground level at the base. I also think we are looking west from the base.
Comment by: Jerry Norton on Sep 24, 2007 11:32 AM
I think the photo was taken looking north or north-northeast toward the mountain range with hill 950 and 1051. From having flown there quite a bit in '67 (HMM 363) the hills in the background appear too tall for the hill 861/881 area. Great photo!2L2R
Comment by: Wally Beddoe on Sep 24, 2007 12:37 PM
I contacted the individual that took this photo (and I replaced with a cleaner version with a much higher resolution). He is Bob Donoghue, Special Forces. His e-mail address is: BobDon911@aol.comBob's comments: Wally: I believe the A4 was dropping two 750 lb Snake Eyes, not napalm as mentioned on the web site. The photo is looking (East) towards Hwy 9 as it entered the Khe Sanh area. Bob
Comment by: Mike Doukas on Oct 9, 2007 05:39 PM
In regards to the bomb load and action at the Khe Sanh. It seems to me that a multiload of 250 pounders would allow more variety of payload. 750\'s would restrict time over target. We neeed to ask an ordance type (maybe from Chulai) what kind of loads were being used. Fmr Sgt USMC (avionics VMFA-314)...Even F-4 were maxed at 500 #.
Comment by: Dennis Mannion on Jan 20, 2008 07:21 AM
The post above by Jerry Norton has it right. This view is looking north-northwest from the combat base and the hill in view is USMC held 950. To its right would be Hill 1015. These two hills are clearly seen in other pictures in the Khe Sanh Section. Picture # 5056 is an example as is # 3776. The payload being dropped is not napalm...the drag arresters on the end of the bombs tell you that. S/F Dennis Mannion -- arty FO for Kilo 3/26 on Hill 861 during the Siege.
Comment by: George Lovell on Mar 2, 2008 07:21 AM
I was in Ordnance at VMO 2 and while we did not load napalm or snake eyes on our Huey’s we did load them in training before being assigned to our squadrons. If you look closely at the bombs coming off of the A4 you will see what looks like a “Cross” or an “X”. Those are snake eye fins deploying.
Comment by: Tom Griffin USAF Ret. on Nov 17, 2008 06:37 AM
These are hi-drag bombs, definitely not napalm. Nape starts to tumble as soon as they come off the racks. You can see the flat fins deployed on these.
Comment by: Jim Mago on Jul 10, 2009 12:38 PM
Those would be 500 pounders. There were no 750 pound snakes. Good photo of the Skyhawk. Troops should have been "heads down", as close as the strike was.
Posted by Admin on 2010-08-22 |  | The Wait
Marine leaving Khe Sanh waits for aircraft 1968.
by Fred Herrin CBMU301
Posted by fred herrin on 2010-08-17 |  | United States Air Force "Getting Some!" B52 Ark Light
This was a beautiful sight if you were at Khe Sanh for the siege in 68. Marines smiled their biggest smiles when this took place within sight of the base. A loud cheer could be heard every time they got an "ARK LIGHT FLIGHT" (USAF file photo)
Comment by: George Lovell on Oct 29, 2008 05:41 PM
We flew escort for a RECON ladder inset. Got them in OK but was called back about 5 hours later to get them out. Too many bad guys. They put an ARCH LIGHT on the area later that day. When we went back and put the RECON team in the next day the area was laid to waste. Awesome display of ordnance. Sure was glad we were on the delivery end. Being on the ground would have made for a real bad day. Semper FI - George Lovell VMO-2 Ordnance 68-69
Comment by: James W. Robbins on Jan 26, 2010 09:19 AM
You are right. This was a great sight when I was sitting on the base and looking out to see the bombs hit
Posted by Admin on 2010-08-16 |  | C130 Burns at Khe Sanh
This was a sight that will never be forgotten by those that were there! // On February 10 a USMC KC-130 from VMGR-152 was landing at Khe Sanh with a load of fuel in bladders and some Marine passengers when it was hit by ground fire while on final approach. One of the fuel bladders ruptured and the fuel was set on fire. Explosions ripped through the airplane during the landing roll and it erupted in flames when it came to a halt. The pilot, CWO Henry Wildfang, managed to escape through a side window, along with the co-pilot, a Major White. But two of the crew members and four passengers died in the fire, and a third crew member died later of injuries. The crash was filmed by military news photographers and footage was released to the press. That same shot appeared on the 6:00 O'clock News in the United States for weeks! Semper Fidelis, George T. Curtis MGySgt USMC Ret, GCURTIS@POPASMOKE.COM
the aircraft nbr was # 149813. The three lost crew members were L/CPL Davik, G/Sgt Dadamo, and Cpl Ferren. I was talking with Cpl Ferren a few days before this flight, and he told me that his wife had just had a baby , and he was due to rotate back to the states in 17 days. He survived the crash, but died in the San Antonio, TX Burn Center a few weeks later. My buddy Jack Lambert, watched the crash from the ASP 1 ammo dump. He said he'll never for get it. In April 68, we had a memorial service at the Futema Base, Okinawa, for our losses at Khe Sanh. Best Regards, Ron // Main, Ron G [Ron_Main@apl.com]
The navigator, Stanley Rank also survived this crash. After escaping from the burning plane. He returned into the plane to drag out the flight engineer who at the time was still alive (Cpl.Ferren). He recovered from his injuries and returned to flight duty. Several more photos and descriptions were published in LIFE magazine. thank you for your time Peter Timmer // Peter Timmer [petert@chartermi.net]
My father, SSgt William Leo Brown USMC, was one of the Marine passenger ities aboard this C-130. He was a combat photographer and was on his second tour of duty in Vietnam. I would be interested in talking to anyone who survived this tragedy or was there and may have witnessed the event. Hugh William Brown Brunswick, Georgia 31520 brownsbrood@aol.com (home) hbrown@glynncounty.org (work)
A Note from The Virtual Wall // The seige of Khe Sanh was well in place by February 1968, with resupply limited to aircraft, predominantly by Air Force C-123s and USAF/USMC C-130s. While a number of the resupply aircraft had been hit by enemy fire, the first loss occurred on 10 Feb 1968 when a USMC KC-130F (BuNo 149813) was heavily hit by .51 caliber antiaircraft fire while on approach to the runway. In addition to eleven aircrew and passengers, the aircraft was laden with rubber fuel bladders containing JP-4 fuel for the Khe Sanh helicopter fleet. The .51 caliber fire shot out the #3 engine and ruptured one of the bladders. The crew managed to get the aircraft on the ground, but the fuel leaking from the ruptured bladder ignited and the aircraft burst into flames. The pilot and copilot were able to escape the burning aircaft through the cockpit windows, but only one of the men in the fuselage survived. Five died in the crash itself, and three later died of injuries received: Aircrewmen, VMGR-152: MSgt John D'Adamo, North Arlington, NJ LCpl David R. Devik, Bellevue, WA LCpl Jerry W. Ferren, St Louis, MO (DOI 03/01/1968) Passengers: Col Carl E. Peterson, Kenwaunee, WI, H&HS-1, 1ST MAW SSgt George W. Walbridge, Huntsville, AL, H&HS-1, 1ST MAW SSgt William L. Brown, De Land, FL, H&HS-1, 1ST MAW 1stLt John K. Woods, Western Springs, IL, H&S 1/26 Marines (DOI 02/11/1968) Pfc Reggie L. Vance, Dayton, OH, Alpha 1/26 Marines (DOI 02/22/1968) // Semper Fidelis , George T. Curtis MGySgt USMC Ret, GCURTIS@POPASMOKE.COM
I served in the Marines from 4 Apr 1967 to 1 May 76, completing a little over 2000 flight hours in the "F" model as a Radio Operator/Loadmaster. I had the pleasure of serving in all three squadrons, though my Viet Nam tour was in DaNang with H&MS-11, flying the venerable C-117 as a radio operator/first mech. My C-130 experiences included three tours with VMGR-252 at Cherry Point, where I had the pleasure of numerous flights with Gunner Wildfang. Though the Gunner never discussed the incident himself, he carried numerous burn scars from the incident.
According to several different stories of the incident recounted to me, the activities inside the cockpit happened as follows:
The aircraft was on final approach when the fire started. It was generally believed that the fire was started when a tracer round (rather than a standard round) punctured the fuel bladder. The loadmaster and first mech were in the passenger compartment, ready to unload the cargo as soon as the plane commander gave the signal. The rest of the crew were in the cockpit. As the fuel drained out of the bladders and burned, much of it flowed under the cockpit area. Flame was coming up through the flight controls, but Gunner WIldfang kept his hands on the prop controls, flames searing his skin, until the plane landed.
The navigator, according to the story, descended from the flight deck to the cargo deck level and stood in the narrow door from the cargo area, with his back to the flames, attempting to keep the flames from the cockpit. I'm told he survived, but the burns were too serious and he was subsequently medically discharged.
(Former) SSgt Michael G. Harrell
mgharrell@direcway.com
Comment by: Darrel May on Mar 1, 2006 06:58 AM
I served with H & S Company, 81 mortars, 3/26. I was at Khe Sanh from November 67 until April 1968. I was at the runway when this C130 landed and was on fire. I remember how intense the heat was. Until today I had not heard of the casualties. It was a sad day for all the Marines that were there. I wrote to my Mother that day and told her what had happened. When life magazine came out with the picture on the cover, she remember my story and saved the magizine for me, which I have today.
To all who served at Khe Sanh and specially to those that risked their life re-supplyed us. I state you will never be forgotten.
Posted by Admin on 2010-08-15 |  | Khe Sanh TET 68, Gotta get out of this place...
Carrying a guitar and a M16 rifle, a Marine waits at a landing strip for a flight out of Khe Sanh, February 25th, 1968
It was the era of Rock & Roll and more people turned up for James Brown at the yearly USO extravaganza, than for Bob Hope. The AFRVN radio networking was grooving from the Delta to the DMZ. Accompanying the music of the era was a new mood towards the war and a lack of faith in the objectives became more common among the servicemen than ever before.
http://www.vietnampix.com/hippie.htm
Posted by Admin on 2010-08-13 |  | Medevac Khe Sanh "That Red Clay!"
Official USMC photo. This photo is without notes, however I have no trouble placing it. The" Red Clay" that covered everyones boots and 782 gear, as well as those green surrounding hills are evident in this photo.
Posted by Admin on 2010-08-13 |  | CH-53 Crash Khe Sanh 1968
CH-53 crashed at Khe Sanh 68
Comment by: Ed Evans on Jan 21, 2008 03:18 PM
This was not a crash. It had originally been hit on the runway by an RPG that tore up the cables in the tail. A Marine pilot and a tech-rep were sent up to repair it and fly it out. As it was taxiing for take-off, the stabilizer, or something came loose in the main rotor and the rotors on top, came forward and sliced both pilots out of their front seats. It happened right in front of where our and the MP bunker was. One blade came loose and went singing through the air like a giant sword over the MP bunker. I popped out of the bunker alongside the runway and began taking pictures, Chuck McCormick came out after me and ran toward the wreckage. The whole thing was jumping up and down like some pulsating animal, and the crew was frozen under the main rotor. Chuck pulled them out and got them to safety as it continued to pulsate and smoke. Chuck got a bronze star for his actions. When I got my film back, someone had poked a hole in each negative. Years later i destroyed many of the more grotesque photos I had taken during my two tours there, and if those photos had come out, I would have destroyed them, as well. The memories are bad enough.
Comment by: Patrick Murgallis on Jul 13, 2008 08:49 PM
For the correct information on this photo go to photo #1907 ..The information here is wrong..I was on the 53 in this picture and we did get shot down as a matter of fact YH21 was the 1st 53 shot down in VN and the only one at Khe Sanh. So the events you describe as happening did not happen with this helicopter. S/F Sgt P. Murgallis
Posted by Admin on 2010-08-10 |  | Photo was on the cover of Newsweek on March 18, 1968.
Vivid photo by ROBERT Ellison entitled "A Fiery Memory: An ammo dump exploded at Khe Sanh" Robert Ellison was truly a brave and excellent young photographer who "knew no fear".He was killed March 6, 1968, at Khe Sanh when a C- 123 airplane he was riding in was shot down by enemy fire.
Posted by Admin on 2010-08-07 |  | Khe Sanh 1968
by Fred Herrin CBMU301
Posted by fred herrin on 2010-08-04 |  | Napalm "TOO CLOSE!" HMM-363 Khe Sanh 1968
When you are trying to get into the zone to get the Recon team out and the Napalm is this close that is "TOO CLOSE! On this mission in 1968 just outside of Khe Sanh HMM-363 was trying to pull off an Emergency Extract for a Recon team in deep trouble. The crew unanimously volunteered after hearing the frantic radio pleas for an Emergency Extract, Lt Col Frankie E. Allgood , 1stLT Francis Wickersham, LCPL George T. Curtis, and Cpl Ronnie Shaw made four attempts to get in and the team had to relocate every time, dragging their wounded along. They got them out on the fourth attempt. the A/C took 19 hits and the team suffered two more wounded while relocating. Many Popasmoke members have shared this experience on similiar missions. Once you experience this, you never forget the sound, smell or sight of these missions. LtCol Allgood was KIA March 25,1968, Lt wickersham retired a LtCOL. LCPL Curtis retired a MGYSGT, Cpl Shaw got out and returned to TN. LtCOL Wickersham, MGYSGT Curtis and Ron Shaw are Popasmoke members.
Posted by Admin on 2010-08-01 |  | The NVA Aiming Point for Khe Sanh 1968
Here he is Ken Doss with that Confederate Flag that he would not take downfrom the 1/13 area. This flag was the aiming point for a lot of NVA rounds.
We Marines are a Brave? (subborn) lot!
Comment by: Richard Riddle on Aug 23, 2009 05:07 PM
I remember this guy. Please send me a copy. Thanks for the site.
Comment by: Wayne Kigerl on Sep 28, 2009 09:10 PM
Ken Doss, my old high school friend from Virginia Beach, Virgina. I last saw him in 1974. What the heck happened to him?
Posted by Admin on 2010-07-25 |  | U S Marine & Native American Robert Greenwood MEDEVACed
The wounded were treated with great care at Khe Sanh Base. Most MEDEVACS got out within 24 hours.The members of POPASMOKE can be very proud of their "Brother Helicopter Crews" for the risks taken to accomplish those MEDEVACS.,
U S Marine & Native American Robert Greenwood , a member of the Chickasaw tribe is Medevaced on 22 February 1968 from Khe Sanh.
Robert was serving with delta Company 1/9, he had been wounded previously on 14 Feb and was eventually Medevaced to the states spending 8 months recuperating from his wounds.Robert was Honorably Discharged as a CPL in 1970, he now resides in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma..
Posted by Admin on 2010-07-25 |  | Col David E. Lownds CO Khe Sanh 1968
A DOD Photo of Col. David E. Lownds CO of Khe Sanh in 1968. This is how we all remember Col. Lownds, constantly smoking those cigars, and of course the "Mustache". A real "Marines-Marine". Constanly looking out for his Marines. Col. Lownds was as concerned for the Air support groups as he was for his own Marines. Semper Fidelis, George T. Curtis (HMM-363 LCpl 67-68) MGySgt USMC Ret // GCURTIS@POPASMOKE.COM
Came across your photo of David Lownds and thought it was just terrific. I had the privilege of serving under Col. Lownds at Khe Sanh from mid-'67 to April, '68 as a somewhat naive junior Officer (1st Lt./Capt.) and thought the world of the man. From those days to now, I have never met anyone that I had more respect for. During some pretty dark times, he never, ever conveyed anything but a quiet, strong confidence in believing that things would work out. Around 2 AM, the night that Lang Vei was overrun (2/7/68), I found myself in a bit of a jam and Col. Lownds told me over the radio (PRC 25) that when (not if) I got back to the COC bunker he would give me one of his precious cigars. I did and he did. Your photo of him with the ever-present cigar brought back some incredible memories. Brian Traynor [traynor42@comcast.net]
have had the honor of knowing col lownds during the late 90s, and i so agree about what was written here about him. a true marine who just after a short time i grew to have such a deep respect for and proud to know that i could call him a close friend. what a great marine,american,father,husband and human being a true honor to know him..Howard Decker //HARVEYM133@aol.com
Comment by: Craig W. Tourte on Dec 15, 2008 05:22 PM
Lownd’s Mustache: I only saw Colonel Lownds on the Khe Sanh Combat Base a few times. I was impressed with his prominent large black mustache, ending in a twisted point. Even then he looked very distinguished with the authority of command, and often a big cigar protruding from his lips. I would say more like a movie character than a Marine Corps Infantry Battalion Commander.
Dennis Mannion sent me a link to an interview Colonel Lownds did some thirty years ago. The interview was thirty-five odd pages and quite interesting. Regarding the mustache, and I’ll paraphrase here, and not quote his exact wordings, you’ll understand what he is saying about this issue. Colonel Lownds said that a leader is recognized because he knows what he is doing and because people recognize who he is. In order that others know who you are and that you’re around you have to have something distinct. My standard trademark in the Marine Corps was to always carry a stick. It wouldn’t be anything fancy, it’d be a broom handle, or something I’d pick up and I’d say this is my stick. I didn’t use it as a walking aid but the young Marines would recognize me when I carried it around. If I happened to visit another battalion or another company I would sometimes inadvertently leave it there, they would always send someone to my unit after I left and say that the Colonel left his stick behind. This was one of the ways people would know that the Colonel was in the area. I didn’t have a stick at Khe Sanh, I couldn’t find one, that’s a good excuse, so I grew a mustache, and I guess it became quite famous. So that’s the story, the colonel grew his mustache because he couldn’t find a stick to carry around. I think the mustache was a good choice. I’d forget someone carrying around a stick back in 1967/1968 on a muddy combat base; I could not forget a very photogenic Colonel with a large black mustache. S/F Craig W. Tourte
Posted by Admin on 2010-07-25 |  | Khe Sanh " SANDBAGS SANDBAGS & SANDBAGS!"
The Marines at Khe Sanh spent a lot of time and energy filling sandbags. This photo shows the old French Fort in the background. UPI photo TET 68.
Posted by Admin on 2010-07-05 |  | Khe Sanh Aug 2000
Andy Harwood provided this photo it was taken from the airstrip Aug 2000
SAME RED CLAY!
Posted by User Deleted on 2010-06-29 |  | the rejected Ordnance Khe Sanh 1968
We actually used to stand and smoke in this area. Ignorance is Bliss!
Posted by Admin on 2010-06-27 |  | one of Khe Sanhs worst days "Ammo Dump goes up!"
The Ammo Dump at Khe Sanh took a direct hit! This was a very bad day for everyone at and around ( the Hill Outposts) the Khe Sanh Base.
Posted by Admin on 2010-06-27 |  | U.S. Armys 1stLT Longgear MEDEVAC out of Khe Sanh
U.S. Army 1stLT Longgear , one of 14 survivors of assault on Lang Vei by 11 NVA PT-76 TANKS on 6 FEb 68. The U. S. ARMY Special Forces Camp was west of Khe Sanh. He is being MEDEVACED out of Khe Sanh on Feb 7th after being rescued by Marine Corps Helicopters from Khe Sanh. WIDE WORLD Photo.
I recently accquired a AP wirephoto negative of this photo of Lt. Longgrear and became interested in the background of the photo and the individual in it. Do you know if Lt. Longgrear is still alive or anything about him? Your website is fascinating. I was also in the Marines and in some helicopter squadrons myself as a crewchief and first mech. I was in from 1975-1979. Great website. Best Regards, Dennis Valdepena // Natureboy [antonio56@cox.net]
read on a military web site that you asked if the troop in the pic was still alive. It was a pic of me being escorted to the aid station at Khe Sahn 7 Feb 68 after our excape from Lang Vei SF camp that was overrun by Russian tanks.
Paul
//
longgrearp@aol.com
Posted by Admin on 2010-06-15 |  | Heading to Khe Sahn
West bound, up the river valley to Khe Sanh. Khe Sanh can be seen at the end of the river in the center of the picture. 1967. Picture taken by Bob Houston, posted by John Dullighan
Posted by John Dullighan on 2010-06-14 |  | Khe Sanh TET 68 Sending some back!
Khe Sanh TET 68 , it wasn"t all incoming , we sent some back. Here is a great photo of the mortar crew giving some back!
Comment by: steven hamblin on Mar 23, 2006 02:52 AM
cool picture, putting some fire back on the enemy. i look up to the soldiers who came before me. i wish i could do my part in the current war.
Posted by Admin on 2010-06-12 |  | Hill 881
Picture was taken in the fall of 1967
Posted by User Deleted on 2010-06-11 |  | VMO-3 UH-1E " VT-21" KHE SANH 29 Jan 68
VMO-3s "VT-21" a UH-1E Huey Gunship at Khe Sanh 29 Jan 68 . "VT-21 was struck by a rocket just below the tailboom, "OOPS!" Photo by the PROUD son of LTCOL Hunter ( VMO-3 CO), Glenn Hunter. Glenn may be reached at >glenn.hunter@lmco.com>
Comment by: Rod Brittain on Jul 20, 2006 11:42 AM
I was the crewchief in the other bird VT-12 parked offset in front. It was struck on the left side of the tail boom, went down the middle of the aircraft, through the dash, and out the nose by the outer most HVAR rocket from the right side rockett pod of this a/c fired from static electricity from this blast.
Others there were Kuno, Jim Kennedy, and another guy I can not remember at the moment. He had taken a case of beer and a bottle of Jim Beam that we drank later in the morning. He was at the 1998 reunion doing the motorized hang glidder.
Comment by: Jason K on Dec 9, 2009 09:44 AM
Does anyone remember where "Jim Kennedy" was from?
Comment by: Andres Martinez on Jun 4, 2010 11:12 AM
Kennedy was Tennessee...Nashville or Knoxville.
Posted by Admin on 2010-06-07 |  | NVA & ELEPHANT SUPPORT "SOG" PHOTO
"SOG" photo of NVA troops using Elephant support to carry large loads of ammo while massing to destroy Khe Sanh, TET 68. You did not need to show the Marines at Khe Sanh this photo, they already believed! However "SOG" was tagged to go out and bring in the proof. "ALL" Marine Helicopter Squadrons provided valuable "SOG" support.Photo enhanced by John P. Dullighan, Popasmoke member.
Comment by: Chuck Nowotny on Jun 4, 2010 09:50 AM
And they were at times PINK too! I got yelled at once while flying in a FREE FIRE Zone just prior to TET of '68 in between Ashau and Khe Sahn near Laos somewhere. While overflying a clearning made by a recent ARC Light mission I was admiring thg handi work of the bombers.. The Green Juingle had been flattened and a red splattered clearing was now where thick Jungle had recently been. Suddenly, on the cusp of the forest I saw a string of PINK elephants sauntering along, in formation framed in the green bush. I guestimated they were about onehalf mile away. Ae were flying under 2000 feet so I began to cap at them with my usual load of APIT with my .50. After a short burst the Pilot admonished me by saying,"What are you shooting at Nowotny?" Being somewhat of a wise ass but in a respectful tone my retort was, "PINK ELEPHANTS Sir!" i thought it quite humorous at the time. To wit the pilot who also was the flight commander admonished me. "Quit shooting at the elephants, they probably belong to some rich farmer and he will sue us for damages???" Well I stopped the elephant hunt but thought very quietly..."A Rich Farmer in a FREE FIRE ZONE, RIGHT!
Pink elephants in the hills surrounding Khe Sahn weren't unusual, every thing was covered in RED Clay Poweder especially after a flight of B-52's converted the thickly covered valley into a Golf Course. The red dust on the gray elephant looked very PINK to me!
Actually the scene below looked like a Green Sand box diorama of painted green sand where a Jolly Green Giant had come by and kicked the sand leaving deep ruts, splatter marks and exposing the sub strata of red dirt below.
It could happen.... and actually it did!
Well at least I for one thought it funny at the time.
Posted by Admin on 2010-06-05 |  | Landing approach at Khe Sanh
View from helicopter before landing. by Fred Herrin of CBMU301
Comment by: David Bushlow on Sep 3, 2006 02:13 PM
Yep, that's how it looked alright. I remember making spiraling IFR apporaches into Khe Sanh so often with GCA talking us through the clouds it became routine, mundane, almost boring. Couldn't see sierra. Then came the day we broke out on the bottom just as an F-4 roared beneath our Huey. We got a little of that pendulum action, and I swear I could see the F-4 driver writing on his knee board. Just a quick flash, but the picture is still in my head almost 40 years later. After that I still couldn't see sierra, but it was never mundane or boring again!
Posted by fred herrin on 2010-05-30 |  | Khe Sanh Jan 68
Submitter: Larry Brogdon U S Army Commo
Posted by Admin on 2010-05-29 |  | Supplies from Heaven Khe Sanh
This is the way "Khe Sanh" got resupplied in Khe Sanh during the "SEIGE" TET 68. Photo enhanced by Popasmoke member John P. Dullighan.
Posted by Admin on 2010-05-17 |  | Khe Sanh 67
Bravo 1/26 from 4/67 to 11/67 at Khe Sanh.
Submitted by
Gene Weresow
from his web site at
http://www.zdh.com/vnpics/thumb4.html
Posted by Admin on 2010-05-06 |  | "Close Air Support" Khe Sanh TET 68
This photo clearly shows just how close the Air Support was at Khe Sanh during TET 68. The photo was copied from 8 mm film and retouched by HMM-165s Boeing Tech Rep, John P. Dullighan (Popasmoke member) to enhance the clarity using the Photoshop program. The Air Support was so close at Khe Sanh that many times you could feel the turbulance created by the Aircraft as it made the Bombing run. This photo is an example of just how close the NVA were and of the extraordinary effort put forth by everyone. Close air support was provided by Marine, Navy, and Air Force Fix Wing at Khe Sanh!
Posted by Admin on 2010-04-08 |  | Khe Sanh Aug 2000
Andy Harwood took these in Aug 2000
Posted by User Deleted on 2010-04-03 |  | HMM-164 KHE SANH FEB 67
YT-13 on of HMM-164s CH-46s at KHE SANH , FEB 67. Submitted by FARLEY.
Posted by Admin on 2010-04-01 |  | OVER RUN on 7 FEB 68 Lang Vei Special Forces Camp MAP
7 February 1968 the NVA struck at the Special Forces camp at Lang Vei. The Lang Vei Special Forces Camp was located astride Route 9 some nine kilometers west of Khe Sanh Village. Beginning about 1800 on 6 February, the camp was subjected to an unusually intense mortar and artillery barrage. The defenders immediately responded with counter fire from the camp and requested supporting fire from the Khe Sanh Combat Base.
When 7 February came to an end, the Lang Vei Camp was empty. Almost half of the 500 defenders were dead or missing. The survivors left behind them seven destroyed enemy tanks and at least as many enemy casualties as they themselves had suffered. The enemy attack stopped at the camp. It did not continue east toward Khe Sanh.
Posted by Admin on 2010-03-25 |  | Not Quite There, 2...
HMM161, Early 1969, near Khe Sanh. This 46 came up short of the platform on Hill ??, see next photo. It is laying in a minefield, having slid down there from the edge of the platform. You can see the platform in the center, with a dog and his handler standing on it.
The hill is 950 iin both! Two great pics especially the close up of the chopper up-sidedown. Semper Fi, Dennis Mannion [dmmkhesanh@hotmail.com]
I remember when we recovered the aircraft, there was twenty miles of wire wrapped up in the roter heads. I cut wire for a couple hours. JD CROSS /// JDCROSSENT@aol.com
From: Craig.Fitzgibbon@ngc.com, Dec 16, 2005 11:52 AM
Hi, My name is Craig Fitzgibbon I was a Cpl. With "C" 1/9, we were the next chopper going in, right after this bird flip off the pad. We landed and help the guys out, I remember how impressed the pilots were . They tried to land and the back wheels hit the edge of the landing platform and starting them to flip. The only reason the bird did not go down the hill is that it fell on a stump that went through the fuselage and held the bird in place. Semper Fi, Craig
From: Bob Webster , Date: Jan 9, 2006 8:31 AM
I was platoon commander of 2nd Platoon, “C” 1/9, when we were being choppered in to Hill 950 for what proved to be a fairly relaxing month of perimeter security duty. I actually got on this chopper at the departure LZ but was pulled off by the crew chief (fortunately for me!) to lighten the load. A section of 81 mm mortars was on board, as I recall, and it must have been hell inside when the bird flipped, with all that heavy metal flying around inside. I was on the next bird in along with Craig Fitzgibbon (previous post) and was astonished to see it lying there on its back. Luckily no one was killed. Semper fi, Bob Webster
Comment by: David Rice on May 3, 2007 02:52 PM
I was on 950 with Fox 2/4 in May of 1969. We had a night medivac and the 46 came up toward the interior LZ right above where the chopper in the picture is lying. I was on perimeter duty for security right below the 46 coming in and I thought I could have reached up and touched its belly it was so low. I thought it was going to crash on me. When I saw this photo I realized I came closer to being crushed than I knew at the time.
Comment by: Ken Bird MSG RET on Dec 29, 2008 11:25 AM
I served on hill 950 for CCN It was a radio relay site during 1968 thru 71 I was there just prior to the hill overran by NVA. Summer 68. Cavani recieved the Medal of Honor. I was replaced by him prior to his capture...
Posted by Fred Pratt on 2010-03-22 |  | "FNG" arriving Khe Sanh 68
FNGs arriving at Khe Sanh in 1968
Posted by Admin on 2010-03-18 |  | KHE SANH 1968
KHE SANH 1968
Comment by: Bob Craft on Apr 27, 2006 06:23 PM
I was there 27 Feb. 1968. Two airdrops. USAF
Comment by: Derek Chadderton on May 15, 2006 08:45 AM
visited whats left of the base 9 may 06 hard to imagine how it was at the time. lots of villlages close up. a museum has been built and a couple of choppers been dropped off for effect. said a prayer for your mates. DC (ex british army 74)
Comment by: Bill Hall on Mar 20, 2008 08:23 PM
I was there in \'71 (Lam Son 719) from early Feb into Apr, off and on with HHC 1/5 Inf (Mech) - I was in the 86th Chem Det (only 5 men) along with the Brigade Chem Sec (3 men). Though it doesn\'t say, I\'d say this picture is from \'68. In \'71 we didn\'t use the continuous trenches as appear here. We had separate machine gun emplacements - at least at the position where I was. The old trenches and emplacements were still quite evident though. We burned them out as best we could with flamethrowers and diesel and filled them in any time a bulldozer was near by, they were full of booby traps \'n stuff left over. Been trying to figure out exactly where I spent my time here and I have an idea - but I\'m not positive.
Posted by Admin on 2010-03-15 |  | USS NEW JERSEY Vietnam and more
The USS New Jersey provided excellent Fire Support for many other operations after September 1968. Photo enhanced by John P. Dillighan. The USS New Jersy also provided Fire Support for the 22 MAU (HMM-261) in Beirut 83-84.
I personally used fire support in 1966 on a search and destroy mission from the New Jersey, quite a show. Enjoyed your site. D.Boundy former G-2/7 // Hog Wash [hogwash@ec.rr.com]
This photo is was taken after 1983 and was provided by the USN PR dept.
Thanks The giveaway is the Phalanx (Close In Weapon System)on the left side of the bridge (the white dome-topped cylinder with the barrel facing outboard). Regards Adrian Webster Australia
Comment by: Dennis Mannion on Feb 5, 2008 07:43 AM
Every time I see this picture and the posts that go with it, I KNOW that there is an error. The USS New Jersey did not arrive off the coast of Vietnam until the late in Sept68. I was part of a Naval Gunfire FO team in a small observation post north of the Cua Viet River called Oceanview. Our team was scheduled to use the NJ when she first came onto the gunline 30Sept68, but at the last minute the mission was passed on to an AO. We provided ground comm between the ship & the AO. The comment by D. Boundy G 2/7 is not accurate unless he mistyped the date. He says that he used the NJ in 1966. Absolutely was not possible...unless the rounds from the NJ came from Philadelphia! Dennis Mannion
Posted by Admin on 2010-03-11 |  | HMM-163 Khe Sanh July 67
One of HMM-163s UH-34Ds landing at Khe Sanh Combat Base July 1967.
Comment by: Larry Price on Feb 24, 2010 02:09 PM
Wow, brings back memories, i arrived in KheSanh also in July 67. B Co. 3rd Recon
Posted by Admin on 2010-02-24 |  | Not Quite There, 1...
HMM161, Early 1969, near Khe Sanh. Overweight and underpowered at altitude was a bad combination for a tiny platform landing on Hill ?? This 46 managed to get the nose on the platform before the turns totally deteriorated and it rolled over and slid down the hill. If it slid a little further it probably would have kept right on going. See previous photo.
The hill is 950 iin both! Two great pics especially the close up of the chopper up-sidedown. Semper Fi, Dennis Mannion [dmmkhesanh@hotmail.com]
Posted by Fred Pratt on 2010-02-21 |  | Cooking with JP-5 - Khe Sanh Detachment - VMO-2
1967 at Khe Sanh Airfield - south side of runway
Comment by: robert davis on Jun 21, 2006 11:11 PM
note the picture on the door, i think this is a dragon, and this bird was monhof's mauler.
bob davis vmo-2 67-68
Comment by: Al Barbour on Feb 4, 2007 12:12 PM
Individuals in this photo are Tom Knowles (copilot seated in door), Bob Stone (gunner in camos) and Bart Hayes (crew chief and JP-5 chief cook). Overnight gunship standby at Khe Sanh. Photo by Al Barbour. Ammo can stove is filled with sand and JP-5 from the UH-1E gunship.
Posted by Al Barbour on 2010-02-17 |  | Khe Sanh 1966 prior to USMC "Improvements"
Khe Sanh 1966 prior to USMC "Improvements"
Submitted by:DJ Leighton
Relocated from COMBAT PHOTOS by George T. Curtis / OCT 2002
Comment by: Ron Osborne on Sep 3, 2006 10:04 PM
I flew into Khe Sanh in Dec '66 when it looked exactly like ths!! My left seat passenger was LtGen Krulak, CG FMFPAC. He was making one of his 50 or 60 visits to his Marines in Viet Nam. I was so very proud to fly him out here from Dong Ha with his 3 star placard on both sides of the Huey. OOO-RAHHH!
I was escorted by a huge entourage of helicopters for cover and SAR/medevac in case I went down with the general on board. If I remember correctly, I had 4 VMO-2 gunships and 2 H-34's tailing me very closely.
Semper Fi,
Ron
P.S. I had SOG missions out of this hell hole in Feb '67. Still have my Seiko with the red mud in the watch band.
Posted by Admin on 2010-02-17 |  | NVA Trenches & Fighting holes outside of Khe Sanh 1968
Photo taken (from a UH-34D) and submitted by the "LUCKY RED LIONS" ,HMM-363s (67-68) youngest pilot, LT Rich "The Kid" English // rke1432@yahoo.com
Posted by Admin on 2010-02-08 |  | HMM-364 Khe Sanh TET 68
HMM-364s "PURPLE FOXES" were heavily involved with the Helicopter support for Khe Sanhs surrounding hills during TET 68.
Posted by Admin on 2010-02-01 |  | Christmas day duty at Khe Sanh, 1967. YL-1, Curtis King, crew chief and Jack Piddington,
gunner.
Posted by Curtis T King on 2010-01-19 |  | Christmas at Khe Sanh
The pilots & crew of HMM-362 (The Ugly Angels) drew the short straw on Christmas Day 1967, and spent the day resupplying Hills 881 & 950, followed by night medevac.
Left to right: Capt. Ben (Santa Claus) Cascio, 1st Lt. (Duck) Nelson, Cpl. Bocanegra, Cpl. Kaiser & Corpsman Bob (Doc) Jones.
Submitted by: Ben Cascio
Posted by Cpl. Beddoe on 2010-01-10 |  | KHE SANH TOWER MATCU62 1968
Marine Air Tactical Control Unit 62s Tower for Airfield Operations at Khe SAnh in 1968.
The MATCU-62 in this photo stands for Marine Air Traffic Control Unit; not Tactical. I know because I was a member of MATCU-62 during Tet-68. We ran the airfields at Khe Sanh and Dong Ha; and later at LZ Stud. / Pdkeefe5925@aol.com
Comment by: Darrell Johnston on Jan 23, 2008 04:45 PM
Sir exelant pic, it is actualy an AN/TRC-131, 2 UHF ARC-51, 2 VHF ARC-101, 1 HF ARC-94, and 1 VRC-46. No I wasn\'t there I was in MATCU-62 in 74,75 in IWAKUNI Patching up holes in the gear. I was a 5956 RADAR repairman. The tower was the TSA-28. Thank you for all you did back then. I am a MGYSGT now and will be retiring in August. Semper Fi
Comment by: Bruce L. Blankenship on Mar 30, 2008 10:56 AM
Thanks to PdKeefe5925@aol.com for setting things straight and ensuring that future generations know the correct meaning of MATCU. As stated, MATCU stands for "Marine Air Traffic Control Unit." A former OIC, MATCU-66 and MATCU-61. Semper Fi!
Posted by Admin on 2010-01-06 |  | MAP of Northern I CORPS
MAP of Northern I CORPS
Comment by: GARY BONIGER on Aug 24, 2006 11:02 AM
served with 2-26 1968
Posted by Admin on 2009-12-30 |  | Portraits
This has always been a favorite shot for giving an excellent idea of the size of the H-34; taken in summer of 1967, EvilEyes just showing on the nose of the aircraft, parked just above Lang Vei.
Posted by hugh smith on 2009-12-22 |  | Ron Jogodka
Ron Jogodka was the crew chief of YL 39in the winter of 67-68. Among other distinctions, he was awarded a Single Mission Air Medal. Two birds were diverted to attempt the emegency medical evacuation of numerous (38) casualties from Khe Sahn Village while under heavy fire. Later they were diverted from their resupply mission to evacuate a CAP unit about to be over run. Again he exposed himself to enemy fire four more times. Later they returned to hill 881 where he carried several wounded Marines to the a/c, again under fire. The next day he was involved in recovering a downed bird.
Comment by: Chuck Robinson on Oct 24, 2008 12:16 PM
Knew Jogodka well. There is a picture of he and I in the Ugly Angels Squadron book. I went to Australia after he did and we swapped stories when I got back.
Posted by HMM-362 History Project on 2009-12-20 |  | KHE SANH 1968 from a UH-34D
This is a great photo of Khe Sanh taken by my good friend SEABEE Sam Messer CBMU301 from the inside of a UH-34D. This is a South East view of Khe Sanh. The base was 1/2 mile wide and 1 mile long not counting the Rock quarry and 1/9s area. The strip was 3,900 feet long and 300 feet to the outside of the perimeter. SAM was one of the first into Khe Sanh and helped to build everything from the runway to the shitters.
Posted by Admin on 2009-12-19 |  | for Aircraft Recovery Teams Khe Sanh "SUCKED!"
If you were one of the unfortunate Aircraft Maintenance Recovery Support troops trying to get anything done on this CH-46. Then Khe Sanh "SUCKED!". The A/C was being prepared for external out of Khe Sanh. These Aircraft Maintenance Recovery Crews did a huge amount of work in and around Khe Sanh. They did not get Air Medals or Combat Air Crew Wings, but they do have my everlasting respect! Photo enhanced by John P. Dullighan, Popasmoke member.
Comment by: Albert Slusser on Dec 15, 2009 10:43 AM
I did that January thru February 1968. Wasn't bad till the fixed wings tried to land.
Posted by Admin on 2009-12-15 |
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