Comments on: Deadly Sapper Attack on Fire Support Base Mary Ann During the Vietnam War http://www.historynet.com/deadly-sapper-attack-on-fire-support-base-mary-ann-during-the-vietnam-war.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=deadly-sapper-attack-on-fire-support-base-mary-ann-during-the-vietnam-war From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:00:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: Vfraley http://www.historynet.com/deadly-sapper-attack-on-fire-support-base-mary-ann-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-787309 Vfraley Sun, 22 Jan 2012 17:10:22 +0000 #comment-787309 All of you are a hero to me. I was about 5 miles SE with ARVN Infantry Company on that horrible night. I could see the flares and knew from MACV radio traffic that something terrible was happening. I was an Advisor to an ARVN infantry company and was assigned to MA from just before Thanksgiving, 70 until late Feb. 71. We defended sector NW of supply helipad past trash dump to point NE parallel with river. Enemy activity was low and I do believe both American & ARVN were not as alert as we should have been. I did not, however, think that drug & alcohol use was out of control. NVA sympathizers may have been on MA that night as part of the ARVN defense. But I doubt there could have been any advance communication between sympathizers & Sappers. All of you are a hero to me.

I was about 5 miles SE with ARVN Infantry Company on that horrible night. I could see the flares and knew from MACV radio traffic that something terrible was happening.

I was an Advisor to an ARVN infantry company and was assigned to
MA from just before Thanksgiving, 70 until late Feb. 71. We defended sector NW of supply helipad past trash dump to point NE parallel with river. Enemy activity was low and I do believe both American & ARVN
were not as alert as we should have been. I did not, however, think that drug & alcohol use was out of control. NVA sympathizers may have been on MA that night as part of the ARVN defense. But I doubt there could have been any advance communication between sympathizers & Sappers.

]]> By: kyle bynum http://www.historynet.com/deadly-sapper-attack-on-fire-support-base-mary-ann-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-785199 kyle bynum Sat, 24 Dec 2011 13:44:27 +0000 #comment-785199 my father told me he was at firebase mary ann. He would never talk to me about it that much. His names was James Wade Byunm does any body remember him. He died of cancer in 2000. please email if you do orlad129@mail.com thank you to all for serving your country my father told me he was at firebase mary ann. He would never talk to me about it that much. His names was James Wade Byunm does any body remember him. He died of cancer in 2000. please email if you do orlad129@mail.com thank you to all for serving your country

]]> By: Ralph Bowling http://www.historynet.com/deadly-sapper-attack-on-fire-support-base-mary-ann-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-784554 Ralph Bowling Wed, 14 Dec 2011 00:57:00 +0000 #comment-784554 Thanks, Jim on Tien Phouc. I didn't mean to come off the wrong way, but I was wounded that night and I lost a lot of good friends including Capt. Richard Knight who happened to be the best Capt. to work for. I also think the families of the ones there that night deserve some respect. Again I thank you. Thanks, Jim on Tien Phouc. I didn't mean to come off the wrong way, but I was wounded that night and I lost a lot of good friends including Capt. Richard Knight who happened to be the best Capt. to work for. I also think the families of the ones there that night deserve some respect. Again I thank you.

]]> By: Jim on Tien Phouc http://www.historynet.com/deadly-sapper-attack-on-fire-support-base-mary-ann-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-784527 Jim on Tien Phouc Tue, 13 Dec 2011 20:06:34 +0000 #comment-784527 Howdy Ralph, I was at Tien Phouc the night Mary Ann got hit. I worked with the 26th eng, and all I could tell anyone was that in the early morning darkness the long toms and Iam pretty sure the 8in opened up over the top of us , almost all at once & ran hot for 30-45 min...Our whold damm tent contracted &expanded like something Ive never been in before. it literly sucked & blasted 1/2 of us right out of our bunks....that ones been with me for quite a long time...we heard what was going on and just wondered if we might not be next..yea there were more than a few heads around..but truthfully most of the guys worked pretty well with the juicers....not a lot of a**holes really...we know Ralph we know.......sorry We couldnt have been air dropped in there, might have saved a few...thanx brother. Howdy Ralph, I was at Tien Phouc the night Mary Ann got hit. I worked with the 26th eng, and all I could tell anyone was that in the early morning darkness the long toms and Iam pretty sure the 8in opened up over the top of us , almost all at once & ran hot for 30-45 min…Our whold damm tent contracted &expanded like something Ive never been in before. it literly sucked & blasted 1/2 of us right out of our bunks….that ones been with me for quite a long time…we heard what was going on and just wondered if we might not be next..yea there were more than a few heads around..but truthfully most of the guys worked pretty well with the juicers….not a lot of a**holes really…we know Ralph we know…….sorry We couldnt have been air dropped in there, might have saved a few…thanx brother.

]]> By: Ralph Bowling http://www.historynet.com/deadly-sapper-attack-on-fire-support-base-mary-ann-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-781262 Ralph Bowling Sat, 12 Nov 2011 16:07:29 +0000 #comment-781262 To Gerald Cutts, sure some of the guys there smoked some weed or maybe did something a little worse but I was there that night and was awake when it started. We were playing cards and had stepped outside to take a leak. It was a little foggy and I think that aided the attackers. I really am getting tired of all the comments about the drugs being the cause of so much destruction. Drugs were not as rampant in our Company as you might think. C co. 1/46 196th LIB. I thing everyone on Maryann that night, living or deceased, deserve a little more respect. Thank You To Gerald Cutts, sure some of the guys there smoked some weed or maybe did something a little worse but I was there that night and was awake when it started. We were playing cards and had stepped outside to take a leak. It was a little foggy and I think that aided the attackers. I really am getting tired of all the comments about the drugs being the cause of so much destruction. Drugs were not as rampant in our Company as you might think. C co. 1/46 196th LIB. I thing everyone on Maryann that night, living or deceased, deserve a little more respect. Thank You

]]> By: Brad Shelbourn http://www.historynet.com/deadly-sapper-attack-on-fire-support-base-mary-ann-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-781216 Brad Shelbourn Sat, 12 Nov 2011 02:12:07 +0000 #comment-781216 I am the son of a soldier wounded in the attack on FSB Marry Ann. His name is Sgt. Earl Shelbourn (Company C, I believe). Understandably, he has never really been inclined to talk about those events. First, I want to thank the author of the article and those who have commented, for keeping the story alive and shedding light on it for many of us. But also, I'd like to hear from any of you who were there or are family of someone who was there. Your thoughts and stories would go a long way in informing me and my family as to what happened that night. I look forward to hearing from any of you...and thank you all for your service. zenslackdaddy@yahoo.com I am the son of a soldier wounded in the attack on FSB Marry Ann. His name is Sgt. Earl Shelbourn (Company C, I believe). Understandably, he has never really been inclined to talk about those events.

First, I want to thank the author of the article and those who have commented, for keeping the story alive and shedding light on it for many of us. But also, I'd like to hear from any of you who were there or are family of someone who was there. Your thoughts and stories would go a long way in informing me and my family as to what happened that night. I look forward to hearing from any of you…and thank you all for your service.

zenslackdaddy@yahoo.com

]]> By: David G. Batton,Jr. http://www.historynet.com/deadly-sapper-attack-on-fire-support-base-mary-ann-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-780959 David G. Batton,Jr. Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:37:18 +0000 #comment-780959 have to type large eyes failing me! as you know quad 50 bunker took A direct hit from mortar a Lz Center Al Driggers lost leg and Reed came in to replace me that same night Reed was killed in same spot I would have been if I had not been dusted off that day with Malaria! I Guess The Lord was watching out for me That Night! I Will Never Forget The Convoy Ride That was a Bad Experience As Well! It Has Been A Long Time But Seems Like Only Yesterday! I Guess it is because Many of us Relive it most days! Take Good Care My Friend! I Will Never Forget You and All Our Brothers In G-Btry 55th Arty! have to type large eyes failing me! as you know quad 50 bunker took A direct hit from mortar a Lz Center Al Driggers lost leg and Reed came in to replace me that same night Reed was killed in same spot I would have been if I had not been dusted off that day with Malaria! I Guess The Lord was watching out for me That Night! I Will Never Forget The Convoy Ride That was a Bad Experience As Well! It Has Been A Long Time But Seems Like Only Yesterday! I Guess it is because Many of us Relive it most days! Take Good Care My Friend! I Will Never Forget You and All Our Brothers In G-Btry 55th Arty!

]]> By: Jase http://www.historynet.com/deadly-sapper-attack-on-fire-support-base-mary-ann-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-780931 Jase Thu, 10 Nov 2011 04:18:06 +0000 #comment-780931 Does anyone remember Ken gates from the 1st battalion 46 infantry, He is a very good friend of mine. his son and I are best friends and kenny is like a father to me. I though it would be intresting if anyone knew him or remembered the name. He was on Mary ann when it was over run. He recieved 2 silver stars for his efforts and attends the 46th infantry reunion every year at Ft. Benning. The reunion used to be held at Ft. Knox but was move to Ft. benning a few years ago since the 1st. battalion had moved there. any info would be appreciated! Does anyone remember Ken gates from the 1st battalion 46 infantry, He is a very good friend of mine. his son and I are best friends and kenny is like a father to me. I though it would be intresting if anyone knew him or remembered the name. He was on Mary ann when it was over run. He recieved 2 silver stars for his efforts and attends the 46th infantry reunion every year at Ft. Benning. The reunion used to be held at Ft. Knox but was move to Ft. benning a few years ago since the 1st. battalion had moved there. any info would be appreciated!

]]> By: Don Chandler http://www.historynet.com/deadly-sapper-attack-on-fire-support-base-mary-ann-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-779489 Don Chandler Sat, 15 Oct 2011 04:44:32 +0000 #comment-779489 Hope you are doing well Hi Pockets. Have you heard from any of the guys like Driggers,Pop,Willy Horn ar any of those Guys?Send an E-mail if you have time. Wonder what happened to Lt. O'malley? Boy it's been a long time! Hope you are doing well Hi Pockets. Have you heard from any of the guys like Driggers,Pop,Willy Horn ar any of those Guys?Send an E-mail if you have time. Wonder what happened to Lt. O'malley? Boy it's been a long time!

]]> By: Gerald Sims Cutts http://www.historynet.com/deadly-sapper-attack-on-fire-support-base-mary-ann-during-the-vietnam-war.htm#comment-778580 Gerald Sims Cutts Sun, 25 Sep 2011 01:50:59 +0000 #comment-778580 I arrived at the Americal in the summer of 1971. I was a pilot for the Warlords B/123rd I was in the Cobra platoon. All we heard in our in-country orientation was FB Mary Ann. The SFC who gave some of the classes stated there was strong evidence that drugs were the root cause of the over-running of the FB. From the men who lived thru this, it appears this was a contributing factor. But there are other factors this web site has opened my eyes too. That is the true story and the sacrifices the men went thru..Welcome Home Men. G.S."Gerry" Cutts Warlord 15 I arrived at the Americal in the summer of 1971. I was a pilot for the Warlords B/123rd I was in the Cobra platoon.
All we heard in our in-country orientation was FB Mary Ann. The SFC who gave some of the classes stated there was strong evidence that drugs were the root cause of the over-running of the FB.

From the men who lived thru this, it appears this was a contributing factor. But there are other factors this web site has opened my eyes too. That is the true story and the sacrifices the men went thru..Welcome Home Men.

G.S."Gerry" Cutts
Warlord 15

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