Sept. 1 1400 Vietnam Time - Battle of Nhi Ha and Col.Tha, My Former Enemy (Background Information)

On May 6 '68, 2nd & 3rd platoons of Co. A 3/21 196th Light Infantry Brigade moved out from its hastily-built Nhi Ha bunker positions with a mission to make contact with the NVA force with which we had been fighting day & night since May 2. Unknown to us, Captain Tha's North Vietnamese Army battalion of 300 men was dug in, concealed, well-armed, ready, and waiting...against about 60 of our men. We were in the open with little to no cover...vulnerable. In short order, all hell broke loose. The fire was intense, withering. After a bloody, meat-grinder battle, 13 U. S. infantrymen lie dead,  many wounded, and one captured. Against overwhelming odds and in the chaos of battle, our men stood their ground and fought with unforgettable bravery.

 



 


 


 

From My Foxhole- May 3

 From My Foxhole-May 3

 F-4 Phantom Airstrike-From my Foxhole May 3

The NVA force made multiple night assaults on our position and their artillery barrages were relentless. This photo is of NVA artillery pounding our position:

 NVA Artillery Hitting Our Position- Jones Creek in Foreground        




 Hastily Constructed Bunker and Trenchline


 Sgt. Stone "Stoney"

Left on the battlefield May 6, Joe DeMare was rolled over, stripped of gear, and assumed dead by Captain Tha's troops. After dark, DeMare crawled all the way back to our entrenched position.


Joe DeMare

 

Following is a link to photos taken May 2-16 at Nhi Ha:

Battle of Nhi Ha Photos May 2-16, 1968 

Having set the stage, next I will provide details of yesterday's meeting with Col, Tha., the NVA battalion commander with whom we fought.


 

 

 

 

 



 


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