Tet Offensive
 | ROOF TOP MEDEVAC HUE TET 68
Official USMC photo of a wounded( lower left leg) Marine being helped ( while under fire) down from a roof top in HUE City TET 68. This is the "BROTHERHOOD" at work.
Comment by: Greg Buchanan on Apr 14, 2007 06:12 PM
This looks a lot like it was taken at the Hue University.
Posted by Admin on 2010-07-25 |  | HUE TET 68 a Tough one for Everyone
Hue TET 68, this was HELL in the city. No one was trained for this type of House to House fighting. The Korean Vets said it was just like Seoul Korea all over again. All squadrons participated in one way or another. Popasmoke members that were there will remember all the confusion. It was overwelming for a while, but once we got it figuered out, the city was ours.
Posted by User Deleted on 2010-07-25 |  | GRUNTS "The Brotherhood"
This is what the Aircrews saw in every zone. The Grunts were hanging in there for all the y were worth during TET 68. We MARINES were a BROTHERHOOD to be proud of!
Photograph by SSgt. Donnie Shearer, 1968 3rd, Mar. Div. Combat Photo
Posted by Admin on 2010-07-25 |  | HUE "THE WALL" TET 68
Our BROTHER Marines spent a lot of time fighting the NVA from behind this wall in HUE during, TET Feb 68.
The MEDEVAC zone was just south of the wall, this is the view most Aircrews saw when flying in support of HUE.
I flew in and out of this zone with HMM-363s Lucky Red Lions " YZ-14" , a UH-34D, on many trips. The first few days ( FEB 68) nothing seemed to change except the faces. The NVA were on the far side of the wall and we were on this side. We brought in tons of Ammo and pulled out too many MEDEVACS.
Comment by: Cynthia BEckman on Mar 5, 2006 09:55 PM
I wrote earlier. My father was in the TET at HUE and I am writing his memoirs. This is a fantastic photo. Any of the 155mm or 8" howitzer? I would like a copy of this PHOTO.
Comment by: Larry Franke on Jul 30, 2006 11:13 AM
I was a FAC (forward air controller) with 1st Bn, 1st Marines (1/1) and was with the first unit to go into Hue on the first day of the Tet Offensive, 1/31/1968. We ended up with 2 Companies of Marines and the Battalion Staff that day, and despite overwhelming odds made it through the south side of the City, re-took the bridge over the river and attacked the Citadel.
I remember coming up on Guard Frequency several times that day asking for air support and/or emergency medevac, neither of which was readily available. We had a large number of casualties, and kept moving them back to the rear until we could get them transported.
Being the old imperial capatal of VN, there was concern by some (don't know who) that we shouldn't bomb or otherwise destroy the city (at least not that day), so we did the best with what we had. In the proudest Marine tradition, we commandeered an ARVN tank that was boogying south (the wrong direction), blasted our way north, appauded Navy gunboats that were obliterating structures on the north side of the river, took the bridge and tried like hell to find a way to start moving into the Citadel. All on the first day!!!
About 6pm, we were loading two trucks with dead and wounded, when one of the trucks was hit with an RPG (or something else bad). A number of us were standing close to the truck guarding the area when the explosion occured. I was hit several times by schrapnel, and ended up being medevac'd out sometime in the middle of the night in a CH-46 (Thanks Guys!). Ended up back in the States where I instructed in advance jets with VT-25 at NAS Chase Field in Beeville, TX, then another trip to RVN flying F-4's before saying adios.
One of the surreal things I remember while laying in the back of a truck that night waiting for evacuation was watching Puff the Magic Dragon hosing down the Citadel with a red ribbon of fire. Those C-47 (DC-3) gunships were pretty awesome!
God Bless everyone I served with, and God Bless the Marine Corps!
Posted by Admin on 2010-07-25 |  | Never too much ammo
An M-60 machine gunner and his assistant provide cover fire in the streets of Hue during TET 68. As the photo clearly shows the assistant gunner carried every round he could. Everyone knew that you never wanted to be out of ammo.
Posted by Admin on 2010-07-25 |  | 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 2010-07-25 |  | Con Thien "Hell on Earth!" TET 68
Con Thien was "Hell on Earth!" This is how my cousin LCpl. Stephen Hinkley ( KIA Con Thien 6 May 68) described it in his last letter home dated 5 May 68. Stephen loved the Corps and I had visited with him two days prior to his death. He was in good spirits but he was sure to tell me that Con Thien was the most dangerous place on earth. Stephen died attempting to save a Brother Marines life. Stephen had sent this Stars & Stripes photo home in one of his letters.
Comment by: peter stephen hinkley III on Apr 11, 2006 12:26 PM
how are u doin man, my name is peter hinkley im 21 and stephen hinkley was my uncle his brother peter is my grandfather i am leaving for the marines on august 28 2006 and my other brother is already in the marines and leaving for iraq in june he is currently being trained at camp pendleton. and i would like to know more about stephen and what u know of his duties in vietnam
he is a HERO to me for his sacrafice he was a good man and he gave his life to save that of other fellow marines. if u could please send me an email about stephen and how u know him i would appreciate it thank u very much and semper fidellis!
Posted by Admin on 2010-07-25 |  | USMC KIAs VIETNAM
This is a photo of Marines under Heavy NVA gun fire in HUE durring TET 68 getting a Brother "KIA" Marine to the rear. Many Marines risked thier lives to get thier KIA BROTHER MARINES to the Medevac zone so they could get home to thier families.(USMC photo)
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 |  | the FLAG at HUE TET 68
the flag flew high for all to see
Posted by Admin on 2010-07-02 |  | 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 2010-06-27 |  | 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 |  | OUR FLAG ALWAYS GOES WITH US!
HUE TET 68, Marines show the FLAG! Photo enhanced by John P. Dullighan, Popasmoke member.
Comment by: Brett Elcock on Jun 25, 2010 08:37 PM
When I first saw this photo I was in the University on a 4 year ride; this photo, moved me to dropping out and enlisting in the USMC in 1969. I served with 1/5 and 1/1 as a grunt with a radio in the Que Sons and A Shau Valley.
For me, this photo taught me more about the Corps then my father or boot camp. Semper Fi !
Posted by Admin on 2010-06-26 |  | HMM-164 RECON INSERT, JANUARY 19, 1968
My bird was YT-6 and my wing was YT-1. I was lead bird and the pilot was Maj Robert Nelson and co-pilot was Lt. Tim Timmons. MY GUNNER was Jerry Siudzinski. YT-1 was crewed by Doug Lanford and Jim Nylander. I don"t recall the pilots. We set this recon team in and later pulled them out after a deadly fight. There are more photos of course but these three were the most poignant to me. From 1968 to present, I have been haunted by something. The Marine looking at me snapping the picture was later wounded and presumably died of his wounds. We pulled this team out later in the afternoon after they were almost immediately involved in a fight and were caught in interlocking fields of fire from the NVA in the small valley. I have posted the photo's here to see if any one can Identify further the Marines in the Photos as I believe they were of the 1st Recon Battalion. Post insertion lift off.As the team departed via the side hatch due to the grass being too thick to lower the rear ramp, I grabbed my 35 mm color slide Nickorex camera and began snapping some shots, as the LZ was quiet. As we lifted off I snapped this last shot and didn't realize that over 20 years later a Friend of mine, Jim Tyler and an ex-Recon himself with two Silver Stars would spot the NVA in the grass above the teams position. Later in the afternoon, we had to go in the Valley three times, under heavy fire to retrieve the team that was pinned down only a few yards from original LZ. The covering HUEY'S were being fired on by the NVA and were driven out of the Valley. The THIRD time in, after being shot out twice before, Major Nelson did a 180-degree turn just before setting down. This went unnoticed by me as I was dumping my armor so as to run out and get the team myself. I wasn't in the mood to leave them there as had been threatened if they were unable to move. I lowered the rear ramp and went in with ramp down to crush the grass. Ergo, as I ran out the rear after disconnecting my com.cord I ran to my left to what I thought was the team's position when actually I was now going the wrong way into Indian Country. That too led to an adventure that cannot be adequately be described here. Needless to say, the team reluctantly came out and clamored aboard YT-6 followed by the NVA etc. Some how we got out and thanks to the 180 maneuver earlier by the Pilot, we flew directly out of the Valley and didn't have to bank sharply to avoid the hills (and the heavier weapons emplaced there). The Marine looking at me is Ronnie Williams according to Gunny Hagar later wounded and died the following day from shrapnel wounds in left shoulder and chest. (Worked on him all the way back to Alpha Med Phu Bai) Team is deploying in the bush just above the clearing. They didn't get any farther! Submitted by:Chuck Nowotny, CNOWOTNY@msn.com
UPDATE: In November of 2000 I met Retired Master Gunnery Sergeant Jim Hagar. Jim had been my Nephew, Nick Watson"s Drill Instructor at M.M.A. The Marine Military Academy at Harlingen Texas @ http://www.mma-tx.org/, My brother in Law, Gary thought he recognized the Gunny from one of the photos I had posted on Popasmoke"s Combat Photos link. I was able to contact Gunny Hagar and to my surprise he named most of the men in the photo and explained his version of what happened that day. That was the last mission YT-6 would ever fly. This was the first and last mission on that day with a lot of "Shinning Brass" in-between. But that is another chapter.
Gunny Hagar wrote: Chuck, Here we go:
#1. Mike Foster #2. Ray Garner #3. Chuck "Whistle Dick" Owens #4. Andy Finlayson #5. ME-- Jim Hager #6. Ronny Willams (Died Next day of Blood Loss and Cardiac Shock) 7, 8, & 9 Don"t remember, they were relatively new to the company. YOU"VE GOT DAMN GOOD RECOLLECTION, VERY ACCURATE. Couldn"t move to the birds too much interlocking fields of fire. Later we found out they were supposed to be NVA 482nd SAPPER BN. Semper Fi Jim Hager
Submitted by:Chuck Nowotny, CNOWOTNY@msn.com
Comment by: Wally Beddoe on Mar 5, 2006 03:34 PM
[more from Chuck Nowotny]
If you magnify the first photo below, a couple of times (2X) you can clearly see the Marines positions. I plut white X's under some of them. I recall there was a NVA in pith helmet on the left of the photo and a bunker somewhere in the middle upper where I put yellow X''s. They, the NVA were close, very close and later one of the little fellers and I had an exchange of sorts but memory plus time does add and at times subtract various points of actuality or clarity it seems.
View the first image below and try to identify Marines or NVA in the photo. Then view the marked photo here:
http://www.popasmoke.com/images/3087b.jpg
Comment by: Maggie Poinski on Mar 6, 2006 07:25 AM
Just one of many amazing storys from the war, Chuck. Only, this one has great pictures! God bless you and all who served bravely over there. Mags
Comment by: roger zinkhon on Jun 24, 2006 12:47 AM
Ist force from Jan 67 to sept 68, 1st Force was attached to Recon Bn, Remember Hager, Novotney, but we called him Nick was a Sgt, We had a bad ass patrol in elephant valley Corpsman was shot up real Bad, members included Ross Gainey, a guy named Chilton and Novtney was a Comm Man, radios blown, up, but Sgt Novotney rewired them, we was with out Comm for serveral Hours and they sent a OV looking for us, The bad guys surrrounded us, but the USMC choppers got our ass,es out of there after some very intense hours, can't remember the date, 3 or 4 were wounded was going to walk out because of no comm. Gainey climbed a tree and shot my penflare and a OV spotted it, and the USMC choopers came and got our asses out.
Comment by: WILLIAM A. SELL on Feb 10, 2007 02:57 AM
these are good flicks. I was with Cco.4th plt .teams.. Stonepit & Datepalm.....through-dec'68
Posted by Admin on 2010-06-15 |  | HUE TET 68
Marines of Company L, 3a Battalion, 5/A Marines use walls and the sides of houses to refer their advance on a key North Vietnamese pwition in hitter street fighting in the Citadel. On 21 February, the company reinforced the 1st Battalion. 5th Marines, reliefing the 1st Battalion's Company B.
Department of Defense (USMC) Photo A371416
Comment by: Dennis Freed on Feb 18, 2009 07:09 PM
I was with Lima 3/5 in Hue. The Marine with the M79 is me. Photo was taken 2/22/68 by Cpl. John Pennington during the final assault on the Thoung Thu Gate in front of the Imperial Palace. I understand John was KIA 6/9/68. As the picture was taken we came under intense NVA fire. Tom Falk and John Allison were KIA in the first barrage of enemy fire. Many others were wounded. Brian Mayer of Long Island NY came to our aid on a mule. He evaced many Marines while under heavy fire. Brian was finally awarded the Silver Star in 1995 during a ceremony at 8th and I by the Asst. Commandant. Lima Co. Vietnam Vets were honored to witness the ceremony.
Posted by Admin on 2010-06-15 |  | 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 |  | 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 |  | Hot Re-Fuel/Re-Arm team VMO 2 TET 69
LCpl Roger Collins on right, with unknown Marine on line the morning after an assult on An Hoa, Feb 24 1969. The morning after the ammo dump was hit and blew.
I was an ambush that night on the SE quadrant as a Doc (Navy Corpsman) when the ammo dump blew. I remember the "hot" rounds going off all the next day, and I was hit the next day by an incoming 122mm rocket. I was a Alpha 1/5 from Oct 68 until June 69, then did my last 4 months at 1st Med Bat in Danang. I have just finished a novel about my tour with Alpha 1/5, called "The Names NOT On The Wall". Semper Fi, Doc Hutch, docnlinh@bellsouth.net
Oh, we were called in from the Bush to protect An Hoa from a possible human wave assault in early Feb. (Around the 12th, I think, but not positive, and went back to the bush the morning after Liberty Bridge got overrun. Doc
Not a clarification...just a clarification. The dump that blew February '69 was ASP 1 somewhere near Danang. At the time, i was in 1MarDiv (on the hill above Dai Loc pass). Later, we worked out of An Hoa Combat Base (August to December) and i remember being by the chopper pad when the dump started blowing in An Hoa. We were a bit short on "beans, bullets & bandages" for quite a while 'cause they were busy replenishing ammo for the big guns (155s, 8" and so on that 2/11 used to support us). Thanks for the web site, memories and photos! jim chilton, former sergeant USMC, RVN class of '68 & '69 // jim [jchilton2@cfl.rr.com]
From: george lovell, Saturday, December 03, 2005 6:00 PM
The person on the left may be Julius Parks Evring III. If I am correct he was from Atlanta, GA. George Lovell, VMO 2 1968-1969. george49341@charter.net
Comment by: Richard Sawyer on May 7, 2009 09:06 PM
ASP # 1 blew up on April 27-28-29th, 1969. I was on top of hill 327 when it went up. "C" Btry 1st LAAM. Richard
Posted by Roger Collins on 2010-04-20 |  | "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 |  | NVA on the Attack on "Lang Vei Special Forces Camp" 8 Feb 68.
This photo was released by the Vietnamese Government. It is believed to have been filmed on 8 February 1968 durring the NVA Tank attack that captured the Lang Vei Special Forces Camp located 8 miles from Khe Sanh. This event was very disturbing to all servicemen at Khe Sanh. The Marines did NOT answer the request for assistance from the Green Berets at Lang Vei. It was correctly seen as a trap to draw the Marines outside the Khe Sanh Base down Rte 9. At the time it was cause for tensions with both the Army on the north end of Khe Sanh and amongst the Marines themselves. Now we all recognize that this was the correct decision.
Posted by Admin on 2010-04-08 |  | HUE TET 68 Radio Operator Calls Medevac
Good photo of a radio operator calling in a Medevac.
As you can see from the beard there was no time to shave in HUE durring TET 68.
Posted by Admin on 2010-03-25 |  | HUE TET 68 a tough one for everyone
Hue TET 68 was an offensive house to house, street to street DOG FIGHT. We can all be proud of those Marines that endured the constant stress of this Block by Block fighting. These Marines show that grayish color on all their gear from all the rubble dust off buildings being blown up and then crawled through.
Posted by Admin on 2010-03-25 |  | American Flag flying high over the WALL in HUE TET 68
This photo show the WALL in HUE City TAT 68 and the FLAG flying high for all to see. (USMC file footage)
Photo enhanced by John Dullighan
Comment by: selwyn h taitt on Mar 27, 2006 02:13 PM
I was there to see the flag fly that day; one beautiful sight. We were all yelling. sgt taitt, delta1/5
Posted by Admin on 2010-03-25 |  | USMC Tank " Medevac Cover Fire" Hue TET 68
This USMC Tank is providing cover fire for Marines and Navy Corpsman moving wounded Marines to the Medevac zone. Thank GOD for that Tank.
Comment by: John Wear on Sep 23, 2007 01:57 PM
This is either Yankee 5-1 or Yankee 5-2. One of the two H&S Co, 3rd Tank Bn gun tanks that got caught up in the early fight to free the city of Hue during Tet of 1968. S/F John Wear Sgt 3rd Tanks RVN 1968 - 1969 New Hope, PA
Comment by: Dennis Freed on Feb 18, 2009 07:28 PM
This tank was about 40 yards ahead of us parked in front of a Citadel gate leading from the palace grounds and across a moat bridge to the business district along the Perfume River. The tank was taking rocket fire from the Palace while providing Lima 3/5 with cover fire during the assault on the Thoung Thu Gate. They were firing rokets from a second floor window. The window was dark, then suddenly lit up as the rocket fired. You could see it coming out the window at the tank. I fired my M79 at the window but was unable to put a round through the window. Too far. This happened moments after Falk and Allison were KIA. This tank crew had big ones. I saw the tank hit at least twice and they stayed put covering our butts.
Posted by Admin on 2010-03-09 |  | Intense fighting!
The fire over that WALL , both incoming and outgoing was non stop intense.
(USMC file footage)
Posted by Admin on 2010-01-18 |  | Marines leaning against the wall of the citadel, 1968
Marines against the wall of the Citadel, Battle of Hue, February 1968
Copyright © Catherine Leroy
http://www.pieceuniquegallery.com/index.html
Catherine Leroy was 21 years old when she set out to Vietnam in 1966 with a one-way ticket to Saigon and a Leica camera. In less than two years, her intrepid reporting made her one of the most published photographers in the Vietnam war.
Posted by Admin on 2010-01-18 |  | 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 |  | Khe Sanh TET 68
A few of my brother Marines keeping warm while eating breakfast in the morning. Some days were cold and wet while others were hot and dry. The weather was always changing.
Posted by Admin on 2009-12-07 |  | Khe Sanh 19 KIAs
The ammo dump was hit there were 19 Brother Marines KIA. There were too many sad days , this was one of the sadest at Khe SAnh. Many fine young Marines were lost.
Comment by: Robert G. Mitchell on May 16, 2006 06:52 PM
I would like to see more information if available. Perhaps the date of the incident, and maybe the company or units involved. I'm always searching for information on my fellow corpsmen and Marines that were KIA. Thanks. "Doc" Mitchell
Comment by: Kreig "Hip" Loftin on Jan 17, 2007 09:42 PM
HMM 262 '68 - Khe Sanh Siege Routine. Upon completion of the day's resupply missions in and out of the hill positions, the last thing we would do would be to land at Khe Sanh's Charlie Med and pick up the KIA's. Some days there would be one or two, other days it would take mulitple a/c loads. It was always a somber ride out to Dong Ha for drop-off. It's been 39 years and I can still feel those rides. Semper Fi, Kreig "Hip" Loftin, HMM 262 - 67/68 - Crew Chief
Comment by: michael "doc" pipkin on Mar 9, 2008 03:17 AM
I have a gut feeling this happened on the 19th of May 1968. Fox 2/1 met with 300 NVA, 19 marines were killed an 30 plus wounded, 3 tanks were destroyed with one damaged. It was Ho Chi mins birthday and he didn't get the present he wanted, 66 plus NVA KIA
Posted by Admin on 2009-10-21 |  | TET 68 and the Vietnamese Forces
During TET 68 the call went out for ALL able bodied men to report and there was no age limit, units used everyone, young and old. Many complete families fought and died side by side.
Posted by Admin on 2009-09-22 |  | KHE SANH 68 MED SUPPLIES
Medical Supplies were delivered to Khe Sanh by the pallet load , TWICE daily. Photo enhanced by John P. Dullighan.
Posted by Admin on 2009-08-02 |  | TET 68 HUE
This photo is of an ARVN soldier fighting in HUE, Feb 68, I saw a lot of dual service fighting ( ARVN & USMC) in HUE durring the spring 68 TET offensive while flying as a UH-34D Crew Chief with HMM-363. The ARVNs I saw fought very well, I can not say that about all ARVNs units I witnessed in my four years in Vietnam.
Comment by: terry egan on Mar 15, 2006 03:00 AM
SOLDER IN PHOTO, ARVN HEC BAO.THE BEST
Posted by Admin on 2009-07-17 |  | A thousand words "HUE TET 68" the day after!
They say a photo is worth a thousand words, well, here are a thousand words for you about HUE TET 68 the day after we secured the city! If you really want to know how bad is was just spend a minute looking at this photo.You will pick out the Marine jeep and other support equipment. Things not clearly showing that I remember are 782 gear that was everywhere along with the empty ammo boxes, bandoliers, spent cartridges, empty M60 ammo belts, spent smoke grenades and torn pieces of military clothing.Every Marine I flew out was covered in gray "Rubble Dust" and was completely exhausted!
Posted by Admin on 2009-07-13 |  | Khe Sanh "Life Underground" TET 68
This is used as a USMC history photo. It was taken by the outstanding photographer " Christian Simonpietri" for Sygma. Christian did all he could to get the emotion of Khe Sanh into his photos. This photo shows just how we were living more underground than above ground. All Helicopter Squadrons made it to Khe Sanh at some point during 68. Thank you Christian for letting us share your photo.
Posted by Admin on 2009-06-19 |  | The NVA were within 100 yards of Khe Sanh ( Siege) TET 68
The NVA were within 100 yards of the outer perimeter at Khe Sanh durring the 77 day siege of TET 1968. OUTSTANDING Close Air Support from both Helo & Fixed Wing along with Great ARTY Support helped to keep them from overunning the perimeter. Photo enhanced by John P. Dullighan, Popasmoke member.
Posted by Admin on 2009-04-09 |  | "B52" Close Air Support at Khe Sanh TET 68
When you look just outside the perimeter and you are getting B52 Support, the little hairs go up on the back of your neck as you realize how many" NVA" are out there and how Close they are to you! Khe Sanh during the "SIEGE" TET 68. Photo enhanced by Popasmoke member , John P. Dullighan.
Posted by Admin on 2009-02-25 |  | New York Times Khe Sanh Feb 68
The New York Times Front Page reports on "Khesanh" in FEb 1968.
Posted by Admin on 2009-01-31 |  | "NAPALM NAPALM NAPALM!"
"NAPALM", sometimes they dropped "Tons" of it. Then you knew it was a "HOT ZONE! This is just outside the Khe Sanh perimeter, TET 68.
Posted by Admin on 2009-01-31 |  | "DO NOT DESTROY " HUE 68
The Marines were tasked to " DO NOT DESTROY" these temples in HUE durring the reoccupation of HUE TET 68.
This is Emporer KHAI DINH"s Mausoleum in HUE City
We flew over these many times
Posted by Admin on 2009-01-02 |  | CH-53 Khe Sanh
A CH-53 sits at Khe Sanh after being hit by NVA Mortars. Photo Info at http://www.popasmoke.com/kia/incidents.php?incident_id=117 Photo enhanced by John P. Dullighan, Popasmoke member.
I am Patrick Murgallis 1st Mech of YH-21 Nov.1967to 1968.
The only living suvivor of the crash of YH-21 at KheSanh on Feb. 22,1968.
>
>I was searching on line the other day and came across this article on
>YH-21's fateful flight into KheSanh on 2-22-68. Over the years I've kept
>in contact with Mike McConaugney, who lives outside Houston,we were good
>friends in and out of VIET NAM our wives worked together in Santa Ana and I
>even named my first son after him. A few years ago he put me in contact
>with LT. Cary Smiths nephew from Florida. He wanted some information on
>his uncle as he lost both uncles in VIET NAM. Mike called me one day and
>said there was a picture of YH-21 in the book VIETNAM by WILL FOWLER on
>pages 94 and 95. I've found some pictures in NEWSWEEK of March 18,1968 and
>my wife was watching a history channel program years ago and there was a
>segment on KHE
>SANH with footage of the crash, me in a fox hole and then running to
>Charlie Med bunker. The program was called Gallant Breed.
>
> When I got to VN I was assigned to Bob Miller as his 1st mech. I
>was very impressed with Bob he knew his job, was always thorough in
>pre-flights and I learned a lot from him. I always tried to be as thorough
>as he was when flying as a crew chief, thanks Bob! We flew into Khe Sanh a
>lot. At first, in the early months of November and December of 67 it was a
>cake run. We even took in french Nuns who were loaded with fresh french
>bread for the village of Khe Sanh. But with the new year things changed,
>the Tet.
>
> In mid january we did a typical re-supply, cork screw, into the
>base left off cargo and picked up about 8 or 10 marines and flew straight
>down the valley. I remember the pilot was Capt Scott and he had a rookie
>LT and I heard him say " this is usually a hot area I'll just sit back in
>the seat ( which were armored plated for protection). I was on my M60
>pointing it down when we started taking heavy fire from all over the
>valley. My gun was pointed directly at one of NVA positions I emptied the
>1st can of ammo and Bob Miller was there loading the second can on my gun.
>As I looked around every Marine on board was firing there M16s out every
>opening we had. The NVA must have thought we were some kind of gun ship,
>little did they know these guys were on there way home and weren't planning
>on staying. We took a number of hits and some went through the blades, so
>we made it to Dong Ha and left the bird there until the next day when we
>flew back with new blades, I say new they were probably cannilblized from
>some other bird.
>
>
> The last flight of YH-21. We were flying in a group of three birds
>that day on one of the other 53s was my friend Mike McConaugney and they
>got word it was to hot at Khe Sanh to fly in but we were carrying fuel
>bladders under our bird and the Marines were in desperate need of fuel.
>The other two 53s landed at Dong Ha or Camp Carroll and continued on with
>other runs. We flew into Khe Sanh. Sgt Sullivan was standing in for Bob
>Miller that day. Sully was a real pleasant guy and very sharp in avionics.
> He was laying down looking out the hell hole to dump the cargo and it was
>too cumbersome to wear the heavy flack jackets that flight crews were
>issued. So he removed it for easier movement. After we dropped our load,
>which only took seconds due to the heavy incoming, we lifted off and
>circled. Khe Sanh control radioed saying they had Med-Evacs to get out.
>
> So instead of leaving we kept circling trying to set down. Every
>time we got close to setting down the NVA gunners zeroed in on us and we
>lifted off. This happened about 6 or 7 times. All during this time Sully
>was in the back of the helicopter and had not put his bullet bouncer back
>on, it would be a difficult task at the time. Sully was standing in the
>back with the ramp half way down to expedite the loading of the Med-Evacs
>and I was at the front door at my gun.
>
> THE CRASH.. With Sully standing in the back, ramp part way down I'm
>looking at him eager to get the hell out of here, all I can see is incoming
>all around us, then a big flash and explosion at the back of the plane.
>Sully falls to the floor the hydraulic lines are raining red fluid down
>like a monsoon storm and thing seems like slow motion at this point. Capt
>Riley wants to know what happened. I tell him we took a hit in the tail,
>hydraulics are raining down, Sully has been hit we need to set it down
>right now. I start to the back to help Sully and either Capt Riley did not
>hear me or felt there was some other alternative but we are up in the air
>50 feet or so off the deck going with our starboard side almost facing the
>ground and I can see Marines looking and waving frantically at us as we
>were very close to there bunkers. The last thing I remembered was making
>my way back to Sully.
>
> The next thing that went through my mind was " now I'm dead laying
>inside this Helicopter",I really thought I was dead. From the back of the
>plane to being smashed against the front bulkhead in less then a second.
>Then Sully grabs my arm and says " let's get out before this blows up". We
>get to the door, which has greatly decreased in size due to the crash, and
>Sully collapses. I carry him a few feet to a fox hole for protection as
>the NVA has yet to cease firing. I call for a corpsman and some Marines
>come to our aid, I told them there was one more guy inside( I can not
>remember who he was since he just came to our squadron and was new to us)
>The corpsman took Sully away on a stretcher and put a flack jacket on me.
>Sometime between the crash and getting out my flack jacket came off. I
>looked back at the helicopter and saw the pilots with most of the heads
>crush or cut off, I'm sure I was in shock by then. A couple of Marines
>grabbed me and we went running to Charlie Med, my wounds were limited to
>some shrapnel in the head and leg, Sully took the brunt of the shrapnel in
>the stomach. The other door gunner took a piece in the leg. I was in
>Charlie Med for a few hours and watched as they worked on LT Smith to no
>avail, he was in real bad shape. I never saw Sully again until some time
>later in the States. I remember making back to the squadron late that
>night and Mike McConaugney heard we were all killed, he thought he saw a
>ghost when I came walking in.
>
> Recently my brother gave me a book called "WEST DICKENS AVENUE..A
>MARINE AT KHE SANH' On page 141 it describes YH-21 being shot down and
>crashing in detail apparently we got hit twice according to this account.
>Also he mentions finding another CH-53 a couple miles out side the base in
>tack. It appeared to have made some kind of emergency landing as the
>wheels were down. Vines were already growing on and around it but no
>evidence of crew or passengers. He mentions this when the Marines were
>leaving the base after the siege of Khe Sanh was over. As I recall we were
>missing two
Helicopters that were never found.
> I've been to the wall and taken pictures of both Capt Riley and LT
>Smith , also my good friend Gary Gordon, a quiet guy, who was killed in a
>53 over DaNang. I am going to look into getting William Sullivan's name on
>the wall since he eventually died due to his wounds and qualifies to be
>among those remembered there on the WALL.
>
> SEMPER FI
> Patrick Murgallis Sgt. USMC
> Murgallis@hotmail.com
Cell Phone 408-836-3992 (California)
Posted by Admin on 2008-12-30 |  | HUE TET 68 Never too much ammo
This M60 machine gunner understands that in HUE durring TET 68, there was never too much ammo. The
M60 could keep a lot of heads down long enough to get a MEDEVAC in and out safely.
Posted by Admin on 2008-12-21 |  | Sam Messar, Seabee Khe Sanh 67-68
I submit this photo out of the deepest respect for my "Brother Marines" that endured Khe Sanh full time. Flying in and out with HMM-363 as a L/Cpl Crew chief I could not understand how they hung in for so long with so little. I often tell friends that Khe Sanh was my turning point. After observing the Marines at Khe Sanh and the surrounding hills, I knew I was a LIFER, I understood what the title "MARINE" was really all about. This is a photo of my friend Sam Messar ,Seabee, Sam was there from the early start in 67 until he was badly wounded in 68. Sam was not a Marine, but like our Navy Corpsman, to we few that were there he is "OUR BROTHER". Sam is a Life Member of the Khe Sanh Veterans Association , an organization I am proud to be a member of.
Posted by Admin on 2008-12-14 |  | Throne Room Hue " DO NOT DESTROY" TET 68
This is the Thai Hoa Palace Throne Room in Hue , it was a DO NOT DESTROY AREA for TET 68
Posted by Admin on 2008-12-10 |  | hot "STABO" Rig "SOG" 68
U S Army photo of a Marine Helicopter doing hot "STABO" Rig during "SOG" Extract TET 68.
Photo enhanced by John Dillighan, HMM-165s Boeing Tech Rep.
Posted by Admin on 2008-09-01 |  | TET 68 416 KIAS in one week
These were not the numbers we wanted. Too many KIAS. This article was mailed to me from my dad out of the Boston Record American ( Feb 68 I think).
Posted by Admin on 2008-06-23 |  | "YES" there was a basketball court at Khe SAnh
This is the very well used basketball court at Khe Sanh.
l
Comment by: Louie A. Robbins (Tony) on Jun 11, 2006 07:45 PM
I know two of the guys in this photo one is me shooting ball the other under goal is Kenneth Sapp the one in middle I don't remember who it is. This photo is also in the viedo called The Seige of Khe Sanh. We were members of Alpha Company 3rd Shore Party (HST Teams) assigned to different units. Sapp and myself was with Echo 2/26 on Hill 861 Alpha the morning of February 5 1968 as it came under heavy attact (over run).
Posted by Admin on 2008-05-13 |  | U S & Vietnamese Marines work togeather TET 68
Marine Captain Franklin P. Eller, advisor to the 4th Vietnamese Marine Battalion, coordinates with other American-advised units operating nearby. (USMC Photo A183570).
Posted by Admin on 2008-03-16 |  | Fixed Wing Support Khe Sanh TET 68 TOO CLOSE
This USMC A4 Pilot has just been rescued by one of HMM-364s CH-46s YEA! Purple Foxes with HML-367 (Scarface) Flying gunship cover. He was shot down just outside (1000 yards) of Khe Sanh while providing Close Air suppport, TET 68. Yes, it is true there was never a dull moment at Khe SAnh! Photo enhanced by POPASMOKE Member, HMM-165s Boeing Tech Rep, John P. Dullighan.
Posted by Admin on 2008-01-03 |  | C130 Burning Khe Sanh TET 68
C130 Burns after a direct hit by NVA Fire at Khe Sanh during TET 68. This photo shows the Light Water" Foam" being applied by Khe Sanh Crash Crew. Everyone tried to stop the fire anyway they could.
Comment by: bob falkner on Oct 29, 2007 01:41 PM
Still haven't found the famous Time-Life photo. But I know the guy that pulled them out. But I only know him as Sarge and to quote him at the urinal.."You know what today is Bob..it's an anniversary of the start of the battle of Khe Sanh..I was there for the whole sss77 days..I even shared whiskey with Charles Kurault!" I didn't know that Sarge. Yeah..a mortar or rocket about every 30 seconds..hell when I got to Phubai..they had about two come in..and they called that..a rocket attack! He's retired now along with the F100 Voodoo pilot from the Cuba days..last seen with his gig line still straight. Looks like I'm next! BTW #1 C-130 son..all over Iraq..USAF!
Posted by Admin on 2007-10-29 |  | U.S. Army Black Cats MMAF morning after tet 68
The U.S. Army Black Cats flight line was next to HMM-363s flight line. This photo was taken by L/Cpl George T. Curtis Crew Chief HMM-363 the morning after TET 68.
Posted by User Deleted on 2007-10-15 |
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