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Tet Offensive: The Battles of Bien Hoa and Long BinhBy John E. Gross | Vietnam | 16 comments | Print This Post | Email This Post The fog of war was especially thick on the morning of January 31, 1968. While much has been written about Tet and the political firestorm that resulted, in the hundreds of surprise battles and skirmishes that unfolded, individual units found themselves thrust into intense danger, turmoil, chaos, confusion, contradictions and outright lunacy as they responded to Viet Cong (VC) attacks. This is the story of one rifle company—comprised of some of the finest soldiers to ever wear the uniform of the U.S. Army—and what they all faced on that decisive day. Subscribe Today
In April 1967, I was a first lieutenant commanding a rifle company in the 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, N.C. In command for five months, I had been assured that I would be leading the company for one year, which suited me fine. My plan was to make captain and go to Vietnam as an experienced company commander. Since I was in an airborne unit, it seemed certain that I would go to the 173rd Airborne Brigade or the 101st Airborne Division. Consequently, I was disappointed when I received orders to join the 9th Infantry Division. Not only would I not finish my command tour, but I was also being assigned to a “leg” division. When I arrived at 9th Division in June, I was further shocked to learn that I was going to a mechanized battalion, rather than be assigned to one of the battalions in the Delta where I could use my light infantry and Ranger school experience. My only previous contact with M-113 armored personnel carriers (APCs) was during a training exercise at the officers’ basic course. At the headquarters of the 2nd Battalion (Mechanized), 47th Infantry (2-47), nicknamed the Panthers, the commander, Lt. Col. Arthur Moreland, asked me what job I wanted. I told him that I wanted to command a company. He replied that I would have to wait. I was to be a platoon leader again, in Charlie Company, commanded by Captain John Ionoff. After commanding 180 paratroopers, taking on four APCs and 40 troops seemed like a dream—except that now I was responsible for troops in combat, not training. In mid-September, when Ionoff moved to battalion headquarters to become the operations officer (S3), I assumed command of Company C. In October, the 2-47 was tasked to secure engineers as they cleared Highway 1 from Xuan Loc to the II Corps boundary near Phan Thiet. The battalion made only sporadic contact and suffered few casualties. As my airborne mentality faded, I learned to love the M-113—or “track.” We could haul more personal gear, live more comfortably and walk less than straight-leg troops. Each APC could carry almost as much ammunition as a dismounted rifle company. In a fight, the company had 22 .50-caliber machine guns, a 106mm and several 90mm recoilless rifles, and more radios and M-60 machine guns than a walking company could ever carry. We could ride, walk or be airlifted to war, and we arrived with many times the ammo and equipment that could be lifted in by helicopter. We could use our tracks as a base of fire or in a blocking position as the company maneuvered on foot. We carried concertina wire, sand bags and hundreds of Claymore mines and trip flares to make our defensive positions practically impenetrable. Gradually, I became a mechanized soldier. When offered the chance to go to II Field Force to help establish a new long-range reconnaissance patrol outfit, I turned it down to stay with the company. During December we made little enemy contact, probably because the Communists were lying low, preparing for Tet. In January 1968, our battalion relocated to the area between Xuan Loc and Bien Hoa, where intelligence had located a VC battalion. On January 23, during a battalion sweep through heavy jungle south of Highway 1, Alpha Company walked into a camouflaged, well-defended enemy bunker system and was badly mauled. Four men were killed and more than 20 wounded, including most of the officers. Charlie Company quickly reinforced Alpha, and a daylong fight ensued. At dusk, airstrikes had to be called in to blast the VC from the hill. The battle proved significant, as Alpha’s leadership was seriously depleted immediately prior to Tet. Pages: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7Help HistoryNet by bookmarking to
            Tags: 20th - 21st Century, Historical Conflicts, Vietnam War
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16 Comments to “Tet Offensive: The Battles of Bien Hoa and Long Binh”
I was stationed at Bien Hoa from July 67 through July 68; when Tet began we endured multiple, dialy rocket and mortar attacks and we hung the nickname ‘Rocket City’ on Bien Hoa. I also was assigned pipeline patrol from BH down to the Saigon Rover two days after Tet to mark every place the NVA or VC had ruptured the line. It was the scariest duty I pulled while in country because of the tall elephant grass and ‘luke the gook’ popping up from spider holes to shoot at us.
By Larry Garascia on Jun 26, 2008 at 9:39 am
The first platoon of Bravo Company (numbering 24 troops) of the 2/47, was the first to enter Widow’s Village. We ran into 200 NVA and held them off for almost three hours with no air support or artillery support. We were not “guarding” the PX. We were on the verge of being overrun when the Scout platoon showed up. There were very few survivors from our platoon and what remains of the platoon are very proud of our part that we played in holding off the enemy from getting into Long Binh where all the high ranking brass were located.
Sincerely,
John Driessler
By John Driessler on Sep 9, 2008 at 6:10 pm
I enjoyed reading your story “The Battles of Bien Hoa and Long Binh”. It brought back memories for me. I was with the 265th RRC (ABN) at HQ of the 101st Airborne Division close to the airfield at Bien Hoa. I remember the sound of mortars and rockets and the ammo dump going up in flames. We were hunkered down in bunkers, but I was able to get some photos of the action. The guys in the field did a great job protecting our camp.
Thanks for a Great Article,
Castello Domingo
By Castello Domingo on Dec 30, 2008 at 3:57 pm
I was in 2/47, 1st plt, 3td squad during the TET offensive. We were the second or third M113 in line entering Long Binh early in the morning. I remember the gunships looked like they were spraying a solid stream of orange water as they poured on surpressing fire all over the complex. First job was to relieve headquarters under heavy assult. We attacked in line and “Harrassment”, the Charlie 1 3 track took machine gun fire through the transfere case, we barley made it inside III Corp compound and I stayed there overnight after the VC batalion was driven off . This article reminded me of those days with more pride for my brothers and more reverance for the brothers who were killed there.
Great article
Thanks JON M. “TEX” Bowers
By Jon M Bowers on Jan 5, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Left Long Binh in Oct 67. Still feel bad I was not there for Tony and my other brothers. I was home and just moved on. One foot in front of the other.
thig
By Talmage aka thig on Feb 26, 2009 at 12:33 am
I was in the 4/39 9th Infantry Division and stationed at Bearcat near Ben Hoa and remember the operation that you are talking about in fact was were on patrol when the ammo dump was blown. The VC must to have had great intel because they slipped by us and got to the ammo dump. As I remember we didn’t engage them until after they were coming out . It funny but I was also supposed to be attached to the 2nd briadge of the 101 air borne Division ( I was also airborne quarlified). At any rate I remember well some of the things you are depecting in your story.
By Donald Williams on Mar 2, 2009 at 6:23 pm
I was in the 4/39 9th Infantry Division and stationed at Bearcat near Ben Hoa and remember the operation that you are talking about in fact was were on patrol when the ammo dump was blown. The VC must to have had great intel because they slipped by us and got to the ammo dump. As I remember we didn’t engage them until after they were coming out . It funny but I was also supposed to be attached to the 2nd briadge of the 101 air borne Division ( I was also airborne quarlified). At any rate I remember well some of the things you are depecting in your story.
ps there is a mistake in your posting the above statements are mine
Donald Willliams
By Donald Williams on Mar 6, 2009 at 2:30 am
I was in the 4/39 9th Infantry Division and stationed at Bearcat near Ben Hoa and remember the operation that you are talking about in fact was were on patrol when the ammo dump was blown. The VC must to have had great intel because they slipped by us and got to the ammo dump. As I remember we didn’t engage them until after they were coming out . It funny but I was also supposed to be attached to the 2nd briadge of the 101 air borne Division ( I was also airborne quarlified). At any rate I remember well some of the things you are depecting in your story.
By Donald Williams on Mar 6, 2009 at 2:36 am
Co B 4th Bn 39th Inf 9th Inf Div - We flew in to Widow’s Village air mobile and would like to thank some of you -
The two guys in the 2/47 jeep that was running through the village resupplying ammo - THANKS
The APC that provided us cover while we maneuvered to the church…
To the two (or more) APCs that fought through the village and set up a blocking force for us GRUNTS.
Welcome home one and all
By Steve Forcade on Mar 18, 2009 at 9:43 pm
I was on guard duty when the dump was blown up; two guards down the line were killed that night. I was from the 86th transportation ,6th bat. and still have nightmares
By danny smith on Apr 1, 2009 at 9:15 pm
i was station in long binh, my tour was up jan.31st 1968,but it was not to be,i stayed in hell, for 4 extra days. please contact me. nam 67/68
By derrick j young on Apr 26, 2009 at 3:27 pm
I arrived in Vietnam on the 3rd February 1968. I was a conscript in the Australian Army, attached to 104 Signal Squadron at 1ATF at Nui Dat in Phuc Toy province. On the 7th February I was deployed to an Australian FSPB (Andersen) as part of Operation Coburg, about 20 miles north east of Saigon. I was then sent on the same day to the Tactical Operations Centre (TOC) “Hurricane” at Bien Hoa. On the first night there the ammo dump almost next door to the 101st Airborne barracks was blown up. All the US troops were immediately put on “red alert”. The ammo dump was on fire for several hours.
You can imagine, not only Being attached to a different unit, but a different army, how I felt. I had no idea what was happening nor what I should do if the ‘proverbial hit the fan”. This was a great introduction to the war.
During my time in Vietnam I spent time with 11ACR at Blackhorse. I also spent time in Long Binh and with MACV in Xuan Loc.
By Gordon Taylor on May 26, 2009 at 2:57 am
I was on Guard Duty at II Field Forces HQ Bien Hoa when the ammo dump went up and mortars everywhere on our compound also, Oct 19,1967 to Oct 19th , 1968, Larry Stephenson
By LARRY STEPHENSON on May 31, 2009 at 12:18 pm
I am trying to find someone who was in Region 3 - Bien Hoa during the first half of 1969. Trying to find out more information on a family member….if anyone is out there please let me know! Thanks,
By Tanner on Jun 2, 2009 at 11:29 am
WAS IN THE 54TH ORD AMMO CO THE NIGHT THE AMMO DUMP WENT UP. WE HAD TO GO OUT IMMEDIATELY TO START SWEEPING FOR SATCHEL CHARGES WHEN MORE PADS STARTED GOING UP. AS I HIT THE GROUND I HAD A SHRAPNEL PIECE THAT WAS CHERRY RED LAND ON MY LEG. THAT IS ONE OF MY FEW MEMENTOS , BUT AS I SEE IT EVERYDAY THE MEMORIES COME FLOODING BACK.
By ED CARLSON on Jun 16, 2009 at 10:13 am
I was stationed with the II Field Force Hdqtrs company, SGS, under LT. Gen. Fred Weyand. Jan. 31st, we received rocket fire. the 11th Armored Cavalry came down from the border to pull perimeter duty for us. What a welcome site to see those quys. I was sitting in a sandbag bunker 3 feet high when VC blew the ammo dump. I could see the huge fire ball go up and ducked when the concussion came. shrapnel fell like confetti all night. saw the aviation unit under attack. saw infanty land across from us to do a sweep of Ho Nai village. The jets came in at tree top over us to rocket the NVA in the village. Witnessed the huge fire fight there. A few days later a group of us went to pick up dead bodies where ever we could find them to throw in the back of a deuce and a half. Gun jeep in front. I saw the NVA and 199th Lt. Inf.firefight up the Hwy from us as they briefly broke thru. I had 60 days to go on my tour. Never forgot man.
By Robert Sloss on Jun 19, 2009 at 3:25 pm