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These are some interesting items related to Company D, 2nd Bn, 7th Cav,
the Phan Thiet area and the 1966-1969 Vietnam War period.
Khe Sanh - This article appeared in Life magazine, April 19, 1968. It shows 1st Cavalry Division and Co. D, 2nd Bn, 7th Cavalry participation in the relief of the siege at Khe Sanh. The photos have been slightly edited from those in the magazine in order to display them on this site. The magazine was provided by courtesy of Jack Stevenson, who was Commanding Officer of D-2/7 at the time of the siege.
Khe Sanh Relief - COL Joseph E. Abodeely, USA (Ret.) was a 1LT with Delta Company and 2nd Platoon Leader when the company was sent to Khe Sanh to relieve the units that were there under siege. He wrote this memoir based on General Tolson's report of "Airmobility" in Viet Nam Studies and based on his own diary, recollection and newspaper clippings. He has dedicated it to the Sky Troopers of Delta Company--especially to the Second Platoon.
Operation Pegasus - (Video). This is actual video, originally shot by Ken Burington on a personal 8mm film camera. There is no sound. It begins with a fire mission by the Mortar Platoon of Co. C, 2nd Bn, 5th Cav. It covers a combat assault into LZ Tom and LZ Stud, and a fly-over of both the Old French Fort and Khe Sanh in early April, 1968. If you don't already have it, you will need the free Real Player to use see this video. (Scroll down to the bottom right hand corner of the Real Player site to get the free version.)
I tried to ask for written permission to use the movie on this web site, but was unable to make contact with the owners. I am taking the chance that they will not object to its use here. However, I will remove it, if requested. The site where I found this video is http://www.tallcomanche.org/media.htm.
On the Move Through LZ Betty - (Video). Grimaldo Urlich-Vivar (3/506th) filmed some scenes around LZ Betty and Phan Thiet in 1968 from an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) and I have converted a small piece from his video tape. The clip shows the perimeter at LZ Betty as the APC passes by bunkers, buildings, mortar pits, tanks and other common sights. I appreciate Grimaldo allowing me to use it here.
The Sounds of Vietnam - (Audio). This web site has an excellent selection of music clips from the Vietnam War period. Listen to clips from Armed Forces Radio, Radio Hanoi, sounds of the War, sounds of life locally and clips from other period events.
Map of LZ Betty (1970) - Bryan "Frenchy" Lagimoniere (B-1/50) drew a map of LZ Betty the way it was in 1970. The major differences between the way it was in 1970 and the way it was in earlier years are related to the units occupying the different areas. Battalion headquarters buildings, airfield, aid station, entrance gate, guard towers, roads, LST landing area, access to the beach, etc. obviously didn't change much.
Phan Thiet 2005 - A visit to Phan Thiet and LZ Betty in January 2005 by Frenchy Lagimoniere is summarized in this account.
Captain Qualified on ARVN - This article appeared in Cavalair in late 1967. Captain Oscar O'Conner was the commanding officer of Co. D, 2nd Bn, 7th Cavalry and well-liked by his men. At the time, the Army was promoting cooperation between U.S. troops and the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) troops.
Byrd Task Force Supplied by Sea - Phan Thiet did not have overland Army supply route access. All supplies were flown in or brought by ship. This story was printed in the April 15, 1967 issue of Cavalair.
Delta Unit Outbattles Vietcong - In March 1968, Cavalair published the report of the battle near Phan Thiet where the 2nd Bn, 7th Cavalry fought against 402nd Vietcong Battalion on November 22, 1967. It was said to be the most significant encounter since the Battle at Ia Drang up to this point in the war.
List of Battalion Commanders - This is a list of the commanding officers of the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry in Vietnam from 1965 to 1969.
Presidential Unit Citation (Army) - The Presidential Unit Citation (Army) was awarded to the 2nd Battalion, 7th Cavalry and it's attached units by President Richard Nixon in 1972. The award was for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations in Binh Thuan Province from August 25, 1966 through April 4, 1967. Operations were conducted mostly in the Phan Thiet area of Vietnam.
Stories of Co. D, 2/7th Cavalry by Peter Cole
Peter Cole, who has researched Delta Company's role in Vietnam and was a member of the unit, provided some stories about it. Particularly humorous is the story Roger Meeks told of his first experience in burning outhouse waste in Aug. 1967. There is also a compelling S2/S3 Daily Journal account of a battle between Co. D and the NVA on Dec. 3, 1968.
Stories of Co. D, 2/7th Cavalry by Joe Danielson
After the Company left Phan Thiet in 1968, they encountered heavy action many times during the year in various places throughout Vietnam. On December 3, 1968, an important battle was fought near Quan Loi with a well-trained North Vietnamese army and many men were lost on both sides. Joey Danielson, a forward observer with Co. D in the mortar platoon was one of the survivors. He has written of his experiences that fateful day.
My Account of December 3,
1968
The Medic
Stories of Co. D, 2/7th Cavalry by Joe Sanchez
Joe Sanchez, a rifleman in one of the line platoons tells the story of the patrol on January 16, 1967 when he and three others were wounded by a Vietcong grenade. His platoon killed four Vietcong that day and captured the wounded enemy soldier who had thrown the grenade.
Stories of Phan Thiet and Vietnam by R. Thom Jefferson
Thom Jefferson was a crewchief/doorgunner with Co. A, 227 AHB in 1966-1967 in An Khe, Bong Song and Phan Thiet. His unit was one of the companies that provided transportation support to the 2/7th Cavalry. His stories will bring back many memories to those who served in the area as well as in other places of Vietnam.
The Other Side
Allocations n Appropriations
Old Glory
Rock Fight
Don't Trust a Kid with Matches
A Bad Day
The Jesus Nut
Helicopter Fight
Angel In Uniform
F U Lizards
"The Bomb"
Stories of Vietnam by Steve Richey
Steve Richey was with HHC, 8th Engineering Battalion in Vietnam. He has written a great number of stories about his experiences in Vietnam which tell of day-to-day events and of people whom he met during his tour of duty. Anyone who served in Vietnam can relate to many of his stories since they poignantly recount activities similar to ones everyone encountered at one time or another.
Steve welcomes questions via e-mail: d9dozer@verizon.net
One of the Bravest Men I
Ever Saw
Music at the Airfield
The Captain
Jonesy and the Scout Dogs
Mess Daddy's LZ
The Day Thomas Jefferson Burned Cess
Foxhole
Cooking with C-4
Big Al
Jim Bolin and the Wine Barrel
Doughnut Dollies
Chicken Man
Wally and the MPC
"The Art of War"
Van and the 104
The Amnesty Box
Stories of Vietnam by Larry Spence
One of our D-2/7 line platoon leaders and XO in 1966-1967 was 1LT Larry Spence. He returned to Vietnam to serve another tour of duty after his service with the 1st Cav. A few years ago, "Cap" Spence wrote an essay, The Souvenir, about one of his experiences in Vietnam and had it published in a magazine. The story is quite moving and shows how an inanimate object can continue to hold vivid memories of the realities of war.
Some Personal Items
My Immunization
Certificate (front) - All the shots I got while I was in Vietnam
My Immunization Certificate (back)
Ode to Military Service
- A popular tongue-in-cheek poem
Other Items
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Last Updated: 02/27/10