liberty bridge vietnam

68-69. Hey Michael, I served as a combat engineer and was assigned to the Liberty Bridge from mid 68 to early 69 and maintained and operated the pontoon ferry while the Seabees were building bridge #2 . The total length (including longest elevated ramp) is 2663 feet with the height of the deck at 44.4 feet near the piers. When Seabees weren't building bases in Vietnam, they were fighting the Thanks for your comment Tom. As time went on, it was clear that a more effective way of protecting the airbase was to start patrolling the areas west and south west to clear out any threats before they could reach the airbase. I remember being shot at alot and also having a sense of purpose. We always argued that the other guy had it worse. This mission covers another insert near at Liberty Bridge, which I believe was near the base at An Hoa. I have pictures of that day and the day after. Built in 1967 by Navy Seabees (nickname based on the pronunciation of C-B, for Construction Battalion) , under constant harassment from enemy forces, it was 2,040 feet long, 32 feet above the low water level. Beautiful country Laos. from Nov 69 to Aug 70. Their initial task was to provide security for the Da Nang airbase. There is where we fought the rest of the day and night. An Hoa Marines 1970-71 - Leatherneck.com The $4.5 million structure was funded by the City of Greenvilles Hospitality Tax, which must be spent on tourism-related facilities. History. At 23:30, the PAVN/VC troops fell on CAP 2-9-1. This was just south of Da Nang, and was a "free fire" combat zone. Only 25 kilometers west of Hoi An it is a half day trip for those who are interested in discovering a legendary US Marine Corps base. Despite heavy loss of blood, Ray managed to crawl through the barrage of enemy fire to assist another fallen Marine, shielding him from a grenade blast. Terry, Denny and I are standing right where the stage would have been. Makes me cry! This mission covers another insert near at Liberty Bridge, which I believe was near the base at An Hoa. One of the last Air Traffic Controllerswatched a CH53 hook up to our control tower (actually a box about 6x6x6 feet) Denny Curtin 60 mortars. I too was in An Hoa 69-70 I was also with HQ 2/11 assigned to 5 th marines FSCC. I often went to W. German hospital many times (the let us use their autoclaves to sterilize our large surgical packs). After that our nights were spent in a bunker on the runway until I left for home in February. When he started coming in, he had a Coca-Cola in his hand and was making like he was drinking it. Finally, my image of An Hoa can be put to rest after seeing all the changes to the former combat base. Why? Can anyone tell me about the disposition of Hill 300. Concrete bunker built by the French during the 1950s. The war was tragic, my thoughts don't need inspiration. [2]:41 On 20 April 1966 the Marines returned to An Ha on Operation Georgia, the 12th Marines reestablished a firebase while the 3rd Battalion 9th Marines provided security, the base would become permanent at this time as the Marines sought to pacify the area. Colonel Ernie Cheatham was our battalion commander. Where is the Liberty Bridge in Pittsburgh? He was a Staff Sgt. I remembered seeing tanks with flame thrower keep burning the area. The 2,040' "Liberty" bridge built by CB 4 over the Song Thu Bon river in 1967. Ray performed his duties as his units life line with great pride earning their respect while on patrol and on each successive search and destroy operation. He left the field alive but traumattically wounded. Wade. I recall that orphanage which was in front of Bravo Sector where we had a line of bunkers. . When was the Liberty Bridge built in Pittsburgh? The NVA had escaped into the Que Son mountains. Had a pet monkey who helped keep the rats off us at night. Why an orphanage? Despite the challenges of working during the monsoon season, they finished the airstrip in. Get on a rented motorbike if you have a drivers license or take a taxi out here. Total casualties between the two companies was 110 KIA and that many wounded. Ha! I do have some specifics, but you understand my hesitancy, considering the length of time and the fog of war effects on my memory.. The Battalion worked at the Da Nang Air Base and Con Thien. Marine PFC Dan Bullock, the youngest American serviceman killed in action in the Vietnam War died at An Ha on 7 June 1969. I saw them once in the mess hall. I was at An Hoa with India Co. 3/5,from 8/68 to 10/68,I transferred to CAP. Mostly we were on perimeter duty at night and road sweeps during the morning. My Company of Marines did this with calm dignity. we shared the chow hall when it was in one piece ! At the east end of the runway are a couple of craters and some dug out areas that seem to be from the era. On an operation to Liberty Bridge, Vietnam, 1970. Looking for the other guys any help would be appreciated. I am sorry for his passing. Thomas Murry Frew Jr. AC-47 gunships held back the PAVN/VC while a platoon of Marines mounted in amphibian tractors, with tanks and helicopter gunships escorting, attacked east from An Hoa to reinforce the hamlet and bring an ammunition resupply. I served with CHARLIE 1/5 from 68-69 came away with two Purple HEARTS AND LOST A FEW GOOD MARINES THE AZ VALLEY WAS THE VALLEY OF DEATH SEMPER FI GLAD YOU MADE IT BACK. So the VC took advantage of our way of thinking and they had NO problem doing something like that!! The base was located south of the Thu Bon river which marked the southern border of what was called the Arizona Territory. statistical facts, the definitive listing of the war's most highly decorated. Its been a while and I dont remember the exact dates but those are approximate. I carried the radio for most of my time there, not exactly a smart move on my part. I was a Field Wireman (2512) with 3/1 comm., 1/1 comm. Battalion: 2d Battalion. Phil. In his junior year he left school to join the Navy, enlisting on March 23, 1966. I served with CHARLIE 1/5 during TET 68-69 i was a machine gunner in the AZ VALLEY IT WAS THE VALLEY OF DEATH. They left 17 of us to guard what was left on 2/5 base We could hear orphans screaming but could not help. Captain Graham organized the Company and sent the three platoons in to the rice paddy in skirmishes. Not a nice place slept with flack jacket and helmet all the time ! Operation Pipestone Canyon - Wikipedia To look back on Rays life in 1966 most would say he was destined for great things. Operation Taylor Common - Wikipedia There was a refugee camp at Duc-Duc near the river between An- Hoa and Liberty Bridge that was later over run . Your email address will not be published. Intro MCB 4 - Ken Walden 1967 DaNang Vietnam Deployment Camp Hoover Liberty Bridge wyotexas USA Ron Reel 2.37K subscribers Subscribe 402 views 1 year ago MCB 4 - Ken Walden 1967 DaNang. Never saw a hospital. From Jon. If any of you Marine were with me in 1969, please contact me. Operation Pipestone Canyon was a US Marine Corps, Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) and Republic of Korea Marine Corps (ROKMC) operation that took place on Go Noi Island, Qung Nam Province, lasting from 26 May to 7 November 1969. An Hoa Combat Base - Wikipedia I have spent a few days visiting the various web sights searching for anything I can find on An Hoa Combat Base and yours has been very helpful, I was there in 69-70. life-and-death struggles. Was part of the LSU (Logistics Support Unit). Surpassing it in every way was the very real Liberty Bridge across the Thu Bon River 80 miles south of Da Nang. Did you know All that could be heard was the clanging of our equipment as we walked along. Bad night at The Bridge. [2]:41 The base was first used by the Marines in January 1966 during Operation Mallard when the 1st Battalion, 12th Marines established a firebase there while the 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines and a Company from the 2nd Battalion, 9th Marines swept the surrounding area. I was there March69 when Phu -loc 6 was over run. I read years later in a book about Robert Garwood that some nurses and doctors from a German hospital were brought in to the camp where he was being held, just west of the An Hoa base. That night the orphanaged was mortared and overrun with casualties and wounded who were brought to our BAS. Three maps from Paul O'Connell, showing areas of Pipestone Canyon and where some of Mike's KIAs gave their all. 3 MOH (one was a Chaplin, KIA) earned by Marines that were there and 1,000 Marine KIA during that Summer in those battles and Know Body has ever heard of them! I was a 2nd Lt, 2nd Platoon Commander, Bravo Co, 1st Tks at An Hoa from Setpember 1968 until April 1969. The Antenna Valley is located across the pass to the west from the Que Son Valley. South end of the runway by the artillery battery. I was at An Hoa for much of 1967. Later during that year, in April, the base was used again and it was at this time it became a permanent installation. I thought maybe I would escape the rest of the War, but that was wishful thinking. [1] On the night of 21 November 1968, a PAVN/VC battalion attacked the base. From An Hoa 2/5 moved to Phu Bai just on time for Hue City. Liberty Bridge View westward along the flood plain. I have a hard time accepting it. Thanks for your service Don and Welcome Home Brother !!! So many memories of An Hoa, I was the 2/5 Bn Armorer from May thru December 69 at AnHoa. Done. There was a stone monument built at the spot. Many thanks to all the veterans out there! He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, and sent overseas, where he stayed for more than 15 months (earning the Bronze Star and Purple Heart). Do you remember him? Operation Allen Brook - Wikipedia Jim Parker from Memphis TN. Decimal coordinates: 15.787721 108.077795. He kept coming and kept coming, making like he was drinking from the can, and he wouldnt put it down. I remember you ,Webster , Star ,Gunny Flanagan and the Lee Marvin fellow but not his name ,he was a kick. New one of the KIA ( Gunny, Floyd Keffe) . Glad to see you are still kicking. September a battery of 15 HAWK missles were deployed to Hill 55 were it provided coverage for the Vu Gia River Valley. Im doing some research on his time in-country. I was celebrating my 1st year in the Corps the night Liberty Bridge was over ran, we had a blonde hair Cor Man who was really good and should be a hero for his actions. I remembered one time farmers brough young rice plants to wash in the river upstream and the solders fired recoiless canon at them. A bridge guard threw frag at something in the water. He served as a platoon leader We believe it might be interesting also for the general traveler thanks to its proximity to other interesting tourist destinations and to Hoi An. Back to Nam: Liberty Bridge - Blogger If I ever get there, I hope I can figure out about where my bunker was. I enjoy hanging-out with Hill-Tribe people) but people say you can NOT because the Lao Government wont allow it because it is still a sensitive area because of the Hmong fighters even today, 2021. US body count: 852 killed. I remembered some solders didnt pick up laundry services. My dad was there that night Dan bullock was Kia. A piece of hot metal went right through my kneecap and left a big hole, which is still there today. Supported by fire from 82mm and 60mm mortars, 57mm recoilless rifles and B-44 rockets, PAVN and VC troops advanced against the base's eastern perimeter. I was with the 5th Marines in An Hoa area 11/68 4/69. We were ordered by our regimental Commander to enter the huge rice paddy and secure Vinh Huy. I left in Aug of 70 as a part of the initial move back to Danang. Participated in many combat operations. Found an old bugle and they sent a chopper to An Hoa to pick me up to play taps at a ceremony for a fallen Marine in Danang. The airstrip is/was still there (2008) but had grass growing up thru the cracks in the asphalt. About traveling there. The lake might have been called Alligator Lake . as the Marine build up began in VietNam, Hill 55 eventually became a Command Post for various Regimental Commands When I look back I cant but wonder how we as a countty could have allowed that war to continue. I was short by that time. Liberty Bridge Today, Quang Nam, Vietnam WarSpecter 64 subscribers Subscribe 57 5.2K views 3 years ago We visit the remnants of a bridge formerly constructed by US Marines in an area of high. I was withW 2/11 Mortars. I am glad you made it out. Those who knew him best would recall his sophisticated taste in music, love of books, natural charisma and a sense of service. Hi Boone, This is Doc Vek. As a USNavy physician, I was assigned as Battalion Surgeon for 2/5 and arrived at An Hoa Combat Base July 26, 1970, three weeks after finishing my internship. Address at Dedication of BUMED Medal of Honor Hall, May 21, 1983. A women saving food. An Ha Combat Base (also known as c Dc) is a former U.S. Marine Corps and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) base west of Hi An in Qung Nam Province, Vietnam. I was the FO attached to Echo 2/5. Most of these photos were taken while on patrol in the An Hoa Valley, which we called "Happy Valley", in Qung Nam Province. The sector was near an enemy base camp area with dense foliage, covered in booby. I remembered trying to talk to the solders but didnt do well. Lenny from Brooklyn (L) and David Tabaka (R) on patrol in An Hoa Valley, Qung Nam Province. I didnt start learning english until 6th grade. Semper Fi marine, Hi Jonas, regarding the hospital, I read on another site that the hospital was located just south of the compound near a lake,if that helps. Nice to see a post from you on An Hoa, Took a swim to cool off while on sand bag duty. I Served at An Hoa with 2/5, in January 1967 to 15 January 1968. I returned home sept 6. [2]:209 It was decided that a bridge would be built to shorten the route. Division: 3d Marine Division (Rein) FMF. Chuck, I was Squadleader/ Gunner in 60 mortars then. I never made it back still today after all the years wonder what happened to some of the guys I left behind. Good talking to you,take care and Semper Fi. Forever in my mind, I as with you Dr. Faust that day with Dr. Donald Turner DDS. That night the orphanage was mortared and VC in our lines at An Hoa. Was an artillery battery beside us. According to some accounts it was here at the western perimeter, that PFC Dan Bullock was killed in 1969 during an attack on the base, making him the youngest American casualty of the war. I made so many great buddies with 2/5. Just two weeks later he was part of a mission to protect Liberty Bridge, a strategic supply artery across the Thu Bon River connecting An Hoa to Da Nang. Comment * document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "af98acf6452e90a09f2cbde13b3e267d" );document.getElementById("c08a1a06c7").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Ive seen Colonel Cheatman and you Marines on you tube. Brutal Battles of Vietnam: America's Deadliest Days, 1965-1972 Chuck, I was Squadleader/ Gunner in 60 mortars then. Not sure why that worked. DURING Vietnam War. Hi. February 15th, DVIDS Hub works best with JavaScript enabled, Version: 378719a7422dbf16a653a31d0524fb9a2058ed47_2023-04-20T10:09:12. Thats the reason DaNang saw light fighting during TET of early 1968. 2023 Knowledge WOW - All Rights Reserved Tom I First Force Recon and our compound was right by the artillery battery. Liberty Bridge - Wikipedia He blamed the Doc. I didnt know if there were any caualties and didnt know why. see less After boot camp and Corps School in San Diego, Ray received orders for the USS Haven (AH-12)then moored in Long Beach, Calif., and serving as a station hospital. The hill is located 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) northeast of the confluence of the Yen, Ai Nghia, and La Tho Rivers and was a United States Marine Corps base during the Vietnam War. So many orphans killed. Ken Nielsen of the 2/5 (1st Division) recently passed. Three VC crawled up close enough to fire 3 RPGs. I looked in one of your tanks,as you were in the road facing the Que son Mts. Because us being Americans would Never, Ever do something like that! I do remember one guy at Mike Battery . I know you still miss him. The audio was taped by Dwight Williams. I do remember him. Despite the heavy fighting, friendly casualties numbered only three Marines and a PF with minor wounds. It underwent several changes but was finally destroyed when the North Vietnamese were victorious over the South. 69. 'I got to Vietnam in May 1969, to a little town called An Hoa, and went to the Liberty Bridge. On 4 July the first leg of "Liberty Road" was completed, a distance of 3,500 meters south from Hill 55 to Route 4, and in had a Xeon light and 90 mm after seeing how small hot and with the mud Remember the move north quite well. However, I served with Fox, Golf, and Hotel companies as well. It crosses the Monongahela River and intersects Interstate 579 (the Crosstown Boulevard) at its northern terminus. I remember going up to Hue in December to visit a buddy and at that time the city was untouched and beautiful. From April to September 1967 Seabees of MCB 4 built a 2,040 "Liberty bridge" (T Do bridge, now is Giao Thy bridge) over the Thu Bn river for this purpose. I was wounded May 16, 1969 at An Hoa combat base by the rocket attack and, unfortunately, your brother must have been the KIA I never knew. Then the entire hedgerow came alive with NVA fire. 3/1 comm. Thomas Krex served with 4 a at fire base Ross 1969 to 1970 was at Jan 6th sapper attack, was sign pearl chest, was on berm watch during fire fight. Also included is a map from J.C. Bowers which shows Mike Company's base camp's location from October '67 to March of '68. September, 1985 | The Official Mike Barnicle Website I was there when the nurses were abducted. On December 13th, a Friday, we left for the mountains to begin Operation Taylor Common. The Liberty Bridge is a steel cantilever bridge and was constructed as the missing link between downtown Pittsburgh and the Liberty Tunnel, which had been constructed four years earlier in 1924 as a link to the South Hills. Kilo 3/5 Wed pull bunker duty and convoy runs to/from Da Nang over Liberty Bridge. Thank you for you kind comment. Hey John, Go- Noi really brings back some fond memories! Went back the next day. The battle raged for five hours, during which the Marines threw back four attack waves. Moments in the An Hoa Valley - Vietnam 1968 We swept the Que Son Valley with other Marines from 1/5 for a week, but made very little contact with the NVA. If you want to travel back and spend some time there, I suggest you arrange it yourself. The Liberty Bridge is a pedestrian friendly bridge that would connect Jersey City to Manhattan. Overall we really recommend a visit to this old base. Anyone have photos of the airlift that day? From left to right are Edmond Franio, Red Garcia, and Jorge Alonzo. Monte Fairchild. I was in E Co. weapons platoon ( guns) I went to graves registry in DaNang to identify his body. We moved from An Hoa to Phu Bai in December 67 and then into Hue during TET. Semper Fi. This includes, but not limited to: The Arizona, The Phu Lacs, Liberty Bridge, Duc Duc, Antenna Valley, The Indian Country, Go Noi Island, Dodge City, Henderson Hill, Mau Chanh and the Que Son Mountains of South Vietnam.

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