Just months into his Army service, Private Dan Cochran and his unit, the Iron Rakkasans
from the 101st Airborne Division, were aboard a helicopter, soaring over war-torn Vietnam
towards the heart of the conflict in Dong Ap Bia and A Shau Valley.
Ahead of them lay a heavily fortified mountain that would soon earn the grim moniker ‘Hamburger
Hill,’ and their mission was to take it – at any cost.
Cochran and his fellow Iron Rakkasans set out toward the hill.
The American offensive was welcomed by a storm of enemy fire.
Enduring the ceaseless attacks from deep within the bushes, Cochran and his comrades pushed
on, piercing the first two bunker lines as they ascended the hill.
But the enemy grew even more fierce and unpredictable, and the Iron Rakkasans were soon engulfed
in a series of brutal firefights that cleaved their unit and scattered them across the battlefield.
Cochran was alone with his assistant gunner, fighting back wave after wave of enemy assaults.
The assistant then left to get more ammunition, leaving Cochran to continue the battle.
In the heat of the fight, everything blurred into a chaotic maelstrom.
When the other man returned, he frantically shook Cochran, taking his gun away: (QUOTE)
"Get out of here, you're wounded!"
It was only then that Cochran realized he had been hit with an AK47 round in his right
knee, and shrapnel had pierced his thighs and groin.
Cochran, determined to fight on, refused evacuation until he could no longer stand.
As he was carried away from the fray, he glimpsed his unit, rallying to continue the assault.
For them, the harrowing Battle of Hamburger Hill had only just begun…
Deep In The Jungle
In 1969, the military operation known as Apache Snow commenced in Vietnam's Northern A Shau
Valley.
Led by XXIV Corps, the mission aimed to eliminate North Vietnamese Army, or NVA, and Viet Cong
forces gathering in the valley, block their access routes into Laos, disrupt communication
lines, and destroy hidden supplies.
Despite doubts from government officials and the public regarding the operation's wisdom,
it was conducted deep in the jungle, far from populated areas.
The A Shau Valley served as a significant passage for NVA infiltration into South Vietnam,
and they launched attacks on cities like Hue and Da Nang.
The valley provided convenient routes for moving troops and supplies.
Intelligence reports from the spring of 1969 indicated increased activity in the valley
and neighboring areas in Laos.
The construction of roads and trails from Laos facilitated the enemy's transportation.
Evidence revealed the infiltration of three NVA regiments into Base Area 611, just west
of the A Shau Valley.
Enemy forces had occupied Fire Base Veghel, fortified their positions, and laid mines
to deter counterattacks.
A captured enemy soldier confirmed their intention to advance toward Hue.
Further operations in the A Shau Valley confirmed the enemy's strategy to replicate their successful
1968 offensive on Hue.
Facing this information, two options emerged: waiting for the enemy to strike Hue or launching
a pre-emptive strike deep in the jungle.
They chose the latter.
No Ordinary Engagement
The operation to secure the A Shau Valley was a critical task assigned to the 101st
Airborne Division and the 1st ARVN Division.
They aimed to eliminate the enemy's presence and prevent them from withdrawing or receiving
reinforcements.
The 3rd Marine Division operated in the northern part of the valley to block any enemy attempts.
On May 10, the operation kicked off with a massive airmobile assault.
Three battalions from the 101st Airborne Division and one Battalion from the 1st ARVN Division
were deployed to landing zones near the border with Laos.
The objective was to catch the enemy off guard by landing close to their suspected locations.
Meanwhile, artillery units positioned themselves on the elevated ground east of the valley
to provide support.
Two additional ARVN battalions carried out reconnaissance and sweep operations in the
surrounding areas.
As the soldiers prepared for battle, they understood this would be no ordinary engagement.
The sheer number of helicopters and troops in one place left them awestruck.
They knew something significant was about to happen and that the A Shau Valley presented
an immense challenge.
When the 101st Airborne Division arrived, they encountered no immediate enemy attacks
upon landing.
Nevertheless, the soldiers remained vigilant, aware that enemy forces could be lurking nearby.
The Climb
The 3-187th Infantry focused on Hill 937, also known as Dong Ap Bia.
Lieutenant Colonel Weldon Honeycutt, the battalion commander, selected this hill based on intelligence
suggesting enemy presence.
The plan was to land northwest of the hill and proceed southeast toward it.
On May 10, at 8:44am, the Battalion initiated their combat assault into the landing zone,
which was relatively clear due to prior air and artillery attacks.
However, the surrounding area, including the densely vegetated slopes and jungle-covered
Hill 937, posed challenges and forced them into a slow and difficult movement; the thick
bamboo and grass obstructing visibility.
Following the unopposed assault, A Company moved northwest, C Company proceeded southwest,
and D Company advanced up the ridge towards Hill 937 from the southeast to gather intelligence.
B Company remained as a reserve.
By noon, D Company secured crucial terrain on the ridge around 1000 meters northwest
of the hill.
The battalion headquarters established control and support operations from this position.
Later, B Company joined the Battalion and continued their ascent towards Dong Ap Bia.
However, they encountered sniper fire, small arms fire, and rocket-propelled grenades shortly
after beginning their advance.
Meanwhile, A and C Companies moved west towards the Laotian border but encountered no enemy
forces during the day.
The next morning, the troops were ordered to climb Dong Ap Bia, expected to reach the
top at 2:00pm if everything went according to plan.
Suffice it to say it didn't.
Maintaining Positions
While conducting reconnaissance towards the Laotian border, A and C Companies didn't encounter
any enemies but found fresh tracks on trails.
Meanwhile, D Company remained as the battalion reserve, and B Company searched the area where
they had encountered the enemy the previous day.
As they moved towards Dong Ap Bia, B Company came under sniper fire and engaged a well-prepared
enemy force.
The enemy utilized small arms, machine guns, RPGs, and mortars, while the 3-187th called
in airstrikes and artillery to target suspected enemy bunkers.
B Company had to temporarily withdraw to regroup but was ordered by the battalion commander
to increase their firepower and retrieve the wounded, which they accomplished.
During the evacuation of casualties, a helicopter gunship accompanying the medical helicopter
accidentally fired rockets into the battalion command post, resulting in casualties, including
an injured battalion commander.
Despite this setback, the battalion headquarters continued to function effectively, and all
wounded personnel, except the battalion commander, who stayed with his men, were evacuated.
B Company discovered weapons, supplies, equipment, and enemy documents in the enemy bunkers,
indicating a significant enemy presence from the 29th NVA Regiment.
By the 12th, Honeycutt realized that the enemy occupied Hill 937, although the force's exact
size remained unknown.
He decided to deploy all his companies to gather more information.
A Company became the reserve, replacing D Company, while C Company changed direction
and joined B Company from the east.
B Company continued to engage the well-prepared enemy force entrenched approximately 200 meters
ahead.
Despite heavy bombardment with airstrikes and artillery, the enemy maintained their
positions.
Throughout the day, the 3-187th faced intense fire from automatic weapons, RPGs, and mortars.
Honeycutt ordered B Company to establish a helicopter landing zone to facilitate casualty
evacuation and resupply.
Then the enemy struck.
Fierce Resistance
The enemy attack caused a helicopter carrying an engineer squad for the landing zone construction
to crash.
Later, on May 13, B and C Companies advanced toward Dong Ap Bia but encountered enemy fire.
Despite casualties, they continued with artillery, airstrikes, and helicopter support.
The enemy, entrenched on the hill, displayed significant strength.
The next day, the Battalion launched a coordinated attack.
B, C, and D Companies engaged with heavy preparation, including artillery and airstrikes.
B Company reached the top of the ridge, facing intense fire, while C Company had to pull
back due to attacks from all directions.
Both companies retreated to defensible positions, focusing on evacuating wounded soldiers and
preparing for the night.
Casualties were inflicted on the enemy but at a grave cost.
Plans were made to attack again on May 15, with additional forces from the 1-506th Battalion
joining the 3-187th.
A Company relieved C Company, and all three companies resumed their ascent with airstrikes
and artillery support.
The enemy resistance was fierce, using mines and causing casualties.
A Company made progress, but B Company suffered disruptions from friendly fire.
Meanwhile, the battalion headquarters was targeted, inflicting injuries.
Thus, the commander withdrew both companies and awaited reinforcements before attempting
another ground assault.
The 1-506th Battalion faced sporadic small-arms fire during their slow advance.
The brigade commander postponed the ground attack until they could support the 3-187th
from the south.
The enemy demonstrated training, discipline, and proficiency in camouflage and accurate
fire.
The situation required reevaluation and additional forces to secure victory.
Day And Night
On May 16, there were no significant contacts, so the companies prepared for the next day's
attack on the ridges.
Despite the continuous pounding of the hill, the enemy held their positions.
The 1-506th faced increasing resistance as they moved toward Hill 937.
Artillery, gunships, and airstrikes were employed to suppress enemy fire.
However, they would not be ready for the planned attack on the 17th, so the coordinated attack
on Hill 937 was rescheduled for the 18th.
Preparations were made, the 3-187th positioned themselves to support the main attack, and
the enemy positions were bombarded day and night.
By May 18, both battalions were in position and ready.
Airstrikes, artillery, and CS gas were used to soften the enemy positions.
But the 3-187th engaged a determined enemy force and suffered heavy casualties.
The attack was temporarily halted, but heavy rain and enemy resistance caused difficulties
when it resumed.
The decision was made to pull back to avoid unnecessary casualties.
In turn, the 1-506th initiated their attack, facing intense enemy fire.
Progress was slow, and they established a defensive position by nightfall.
The Division Commander decided to reinforce both battalions by surrounding the hill with
two additional battalions.
A coordinated attack was to proceed on May 20.
Through the 19th, the men prepared for the attack.
The reinforcing battalions waited near Hill 937.
The 3-187th developed attack plans and resupplied the companies.
The 1-506th continued to push up the hill, engaging in intense bunker-to-bunker fighting.
By nightfall, they were within 200 meters of the hill's top.
Paying The Price
On May 20, the coordinated attack on Hill 937 began.
The 3-187th attacked from the southeast with three companies side by side.
Initially, they faced no opposition, but as they approached the hilltop, the enemy suddenly
opened fire.
Despite the resistance, the attacking companies retaliated and continued their advance with
the support of artillery and mortars.
Finally, minutes before noon, the first company reached the top of the hill.
The enemy fought fiercely from their bunkers, but they were eventually defeated, and every
bunker was destroyed.
The 1-506th Battalion attacked from the northeast and encountered small arms, RPG, and mortar
fire as they made their way up the ridge.
The 2-501st Battalion attacked from the southwest and did not encounter any enemy resistance.
However, they found abandoned huts and bunker complexes left behind by retreating enemy
forces.
The 2/3 ARVN battalion attacked from the northwest and faced some resistance but continued their
advance.
By noon, the objectives of the battalions on Dong Ap Bia were achieved, and the enemy
resistance crumbled as Allied forces pushed forward.
The routed NVA soldiers fled the battlefield in panic, attempting to escape to the safety
of the Laotian border.
But victory came at a high cost.
The Right Thing
After ten days and 12 attacks, Dong Ap Bia mountain in Vietnam was turned into a place
of intense fighting, known today as Hamburger Hill.
The US Army used a massive amount of firepower, including bombs, napalm, shells, and tear
gas, against the North Vietnamese Forces.
The battle resembled the trench warfare of World War 1 on the Western Front.
Remembered as one of the fiercest battles in the Vietnam War, the Battle of Hamburger
Hill was named for the intense fighting the soldiers experienced.
But the encounter had a major impact on the United States, even marking a turning point
and sparking controversy among the American public.
Senator Edward Kennedy criticized the battle, arguing that it caused unnecessary loss of
American lives.
The battle shocked the American public, who were not prepared for the high number of casualties.
Many civilians believed that the fighting at Hamburger Hill was senseless and criticized
the outcome.
However, the soldiers who fought in the battle believed they were doing the right thing.
As a result of the battle, the United States changed its military tactics.
The Defense Department imposed strict limitations on American-led missions, despite objections
from high-ranking military leaders.
Shortly after the battle, President Nixon announced a new policy called Vietnamization,
which aimed to reduce American involvement in the war.
This meant that the South Vietnamese Army would take over combat operations, and American
troops would gradually withdraw.
The Battle of Hamburger Hill left a lasting impact on American history.
Since the 1990s, veterans of the battle have held annual reunions at Fort Campbell, Kentucky,
where they gather to honor and remember those who were lost.
These gatherings provide an opportunity for veterans and current soldiers of the 3rd Battalion,
187th Infantry Regiment, to connect, share their experiences, and pass on their knowledge
to a new generation of soldiers.