Today is the 2nd Anniversary of National Vietnam War Veterans Day. It would seem like an appropriate day for a recollection of an action from that war.
As 1968 became 1969 in Vietnam, my New Year's eve was spent filling sandbags, not all the way because you have to fold over the end or the dirt may spill out. The sandbags were being used to build bunkers for an NDP (Night Defensive Position). Some other guys set up the concertina wire forming the perimeter of the base. The NDP may have been Remagen II - we were at Remagen I in November. In the Big Red One, NDP's were often named after battles the Division fought in during past wars, WWII, etc.
It was probably about 30 years ago that my mother gave me about 20 letters that I had written to her from Vietnam. There was only 1 letter from January 1969. The following is from that letter:
1/7/69 to Ma "Sorry that I didn't write sooner but it was impossible. We spent 5 days out in the boonies, getting in late this afternoon. On the 4th, we had our first really hard rainfall since the monsoon ended. Everyone got soaked to the skin. Right now I'm waiting in line to get a shower. It's been 10 or 11 days since my last one. On New Year's Day, just after I mailed your letter, the chaplain came so I got to M&C. We moved out on the morning of the 2nd."
Early in 1969, I was part of a squad size ambush. I'm sure it was in January but can't recall the exact date. It was most likely after I wrote the letter. (from Rocket's Commendation - see below - I now know it was January 22, 1969.) It's hard to believe it was 50 years ago. Charlie Company of the 1/28 Infantry Battalion, 1st Infantry Division (the Big Red One) was out in the field. One squad was sent out from the rest of the company to set up an ambush on a narrow trail about a few clicks away. It was believed to be an active trail. The squad leader had only recently arrived from the states where he had attended NCO school. Graduates were sometimes referred to as "instant NCO's" or "shake n' bakes". The squads of Mike Platoon were designated as Mike Uniform, Mike Victor and Mike Whiskey. I was normally in Mike Whiskey. I don't know if Rocket Houckes was in Uniform or Victor.
In our usual way of setting up ambushes, the squad, platoon or company would be set up on one side of the trail. Claymore mines would be set out and concealed near the trail. The men at each position along the trail would be far enough back of the claymores so that they were in no danger of being killed or injured by the back blast. The detonators wired to the mines would be positioned so the man on guard could set off the mine. In a classic 3 position ambush, the men on either end would let the enemy through to the middle position. At the middle, the bush would be blown. Survivors then could be killed by the bushes at either end position. I don't recall this ever happening during my time in Nam but it seems like a good plan.
I don't know if it was our new sergeant's idea or he had been instructed by a higher up but he had us straddling the narrow trail, a few of us on the left and a few on the right. In effect we formed a line across the trail but none of us were actually on it. If the enemy got in the middle of us, we could be shooting at each other. Facing away from the rest of the company, the sergeant was set up on the left. Our group was on the right. There were no claymores set out. (Rocket's Commendation - see below- mentions a ring of claymores so I may have mis-remembered that.) I don't recall that we had a machine gunner with guys to carry the ammo cans. Maybe no contact was expected and we were there to provide an early warning should any enemy approach. Spec IV Rocket Houckes was set up practically on the trail as he began his watch just as darkness had set in. It was wooded in front of us on both sides. Only the man on guard could see down the trail at all. Shortly after Rocket was in position and I was on the ground next to him, an enemy soldier silently appeared right in front of Rocket. He blew the man away with his M-16.
Rocket really took charge. While we were concealed from any enemy approaching us, we really had little protection. We didn't know if it was just the one man Rocket had shot in front of us or if there were more enemy soldiers with him. We didn't know for sure if that one man was dead. If merely wounded, he still may have been able to kill or wound some of our men. After Rocket shot him, we didn't hear any movement in front of us. Rocket, our most experienced man with about 6 months in the field, decided to toss a hand grenade down the trail in front of us. He waited a short while and then tossed another. We generally only carried two fragmentary grenades or "frags" (we also carried smoke grenades which were used to mark our position) so he told me to give him mine. I did and he tossed them too. We still didn't hear any movement in front of us. I never saw the dead (I presume he was dead) enemy soldier and I'm pretty sure that "Rocket" was the only one who did, even though it was probably only for a brief few seconds.
Rocket then decided to go back along the trail to where the rest of the company was to let them know what had happened. He had to be careful so that he didn't get shot by one of our own men. I don't recall who had the radio, probably someone on the sergeant's side of the trail. Was any radio contact made? My guess is yes but I don't know for sure. I had been carrying the radio as Mike Whiskey Kilo since about a week before Christmas but I usually was not in the same squad as Rocket. Who were the other squad members that night? At the Gatlinburg reunion in November of 2016, I think Rocket mentioned that Watson (can't recall his first name) was there. Maybe Rocket will remember more after reading this. Even if he doesn't, he was clearly the hero that day.
12/20/19
Just received a copy of Maurice Houcke JR's (Rocket's) Award of the Army Commendation Medal with "V" device (for actions occurring on 22 January 1969), General Orders Number 9539 dated 31 August 1969.
For heroism in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam: On this date, Specialist Houckes was serving as a fire team leader during a squad size ambush patrol northeast of Phouc Vinh. His squad was deployed across a small trail paralleled on both sides by high grass and dense jungle when, at approximately 2045 hours, an undetermined size insurgent force was engaged. Under cover of darkness and in complete silence, the enemy approached within a few meters of the friendly position before being detected. Specialist Houckes was the first to see the insurgents. Realizing that they were within the ring of claymore mines surrounding the ambush position, he immediately opened fire on them with his personal weapon. Ignoring the withering hail of enemy rounds which was directed at him, Specialist Houckes then maneuvered from man to man repositioning his team and directing their fire for maximum effect. His exemplary courage, skillful leadership and presence of mind throughout the conflict were major contributing factors in the decisive defeat of the insurgent force while no friendly casualties were sustained. Specialist Four Houckes' actions were in keeping with the finest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army.
Authority: By direction of the Secretary of the Army, under the provisions of AR 672-5-1.
Congratulations to Rocket.
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