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On
the 2nd of January at 1455 hrs B co. 4/3 11th LIB including 3 platoons of
infantry, 1 platoon of 81 mm mortar, and the company CP (Command Post)
approximately 80 men, moved to Hill 285 preparing to secure the hill as an
artillery position. The artillery position was needed to support the 11th
LIB southern operations 6 clicks south of the village of Duc Pho. Due to
their late arrival on Hill 285 a quick 100 meter perimeter was set up with
foxholes, claymore mines, and trip flares.
At
2330 hrs all hell broke loose they came under heavy grenade and ground
attack. The outer perimeter had been breached without anyone detecting it
(this is where the claymore mines and trip flares were), and in the fog
the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) was able to get to within a few yards of
the 1st and 2nd platoons position before they attacked (see map).
Initially the unit was over run as one battalion of NVA and VC ( Viet
Cong), (a total of 5 companies) had attacked Hill 285 (see Map).
Through
the night and into the early morning of 03 January Joey's unit received
continuing attack from chi com grenades and ground attacks. At 0125hrs and
0230hrs they spotted dinks trying to drag bodies and wounded away. At 0520
more dinks were seen dragging off their dead and equipment.
During this heavy firefight Joey's unit
received artillery support from LZ Debbie (155's) and LZ Bronco (8in). Air
support was from initial contact until 0230hrs by flare ships and sharks
and dolphins ( helicopter gun ships).
Additionally two sorties of
emergency re-supply were flow to Hill 285 at 0200hrs, Third sortie of
emergency re-supply arrived Hill 285 at 0430hrs.Contact continued until approximately 0520hrs, 03 Jan
1970 when the dinks retreated. (Click here to
see original Old Guard weekly news sheet, 4th Battalion 3rd Infantry,
Volume I, No. 17 dated January 8, 1970 for the story of this Firefight)
Joey loved his Family, all his Friends, The Beatles, and a Good Time.
"Until we pass in time again"
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