Personal Diary of Whiskey Battery
By: David C Kent, Jr. PV 2 #22920244
Gun 2 # 0811 January-July 1969 An Hoa
January 20th 1969:
On Jan. 20 1969 Battery "D" displaced from Liberty
Bridge. Provisional Battery 2/11 PLT from Mortar Battery 2/11
occupied the position vacated by Battery "D". In
support of our mortars we fired 3,036 rounds for the 5th
Marines,109 for the ARVN.
January 22nd 1969: (personal log)
I recall it being midmorning when I arrived in Da Nang, and while
walking to the building to turn our orders into the First MArine
Division, we recieved light incoming mortars on the airfield.
That evening I reported in to the Eleventh Marines Headquarters.
After staying my third day, I had recieved all my field equipment
and my rifle. The same day I boarded a helicopter going to An
Hoa. I asked what do I do when I get there, they told me to ask
for Whiskey 2/11. Just before dark I reported in to Whiskey
Battery and they assigned me to gun two.
February 1st to the 28th 1969:
My position from the 1st of February was AT 879465 An Hoa under
the command of Lt. Lazott. Several minor incidences occurred on
the road between An Hoa and Liberty Bridge with enemy activity
relatively light until February 23rd 1969. While traveling along
this road we were subjected to and sustained mortar and rocket
attack. During the month the battalion was credited with 55 KIA's
48 structures
destroyed or damaged 12 secondary explosions.
February 12th 1969:
Gave fire support to the Fifth Marine Regiment Battalion Landing
Teams 2/26, 3/26.
February 15th 1969: (personal log)
During the day I had walked past the Fifth Marines who were in
tents behind my position. Since we had been engaged in constant
firing in support of the Fifth Marines, we engaged in
conversation with those Marines on what was happening in the
jungles and the rice paddies. The most that stands out in my
minds now is the casualty rate seemed to be continually at 50%
per company.
February 16th-17th 1969:
Daily attacks by fire on An Hoa and increased enemy activity
throughout the 5th Mar AO, coupled with ground probes
and mortar attacks against the Fire Support Base.
February 18th 1969:
One Gun was moved from Liberty Bridge to An Hoa.
February 22nd \23rd 1969:
An Hoa Combat Base and units throughout the Task Force Yankee AO
came under both ground and fire attacks. The attack against An
Hoa resulted in the loss of Approximately 30,000 rounds of
artillery ammunition. Subsequently An Hoa received 8 attacks by
fire, and minor probes against the strong points.
February 23rd 1969:
Several mining incidents occurred on the road between An Hoa and
Liberty Bridge with enemy activity relatively light until the
morning of 23rd Feb. when the An Hoa Vital Area was subjected to
sustained mortar and rocket attacks. These attacks continued
sporadically throughout the remainder of the month. Although
intelligence reports indicated possible ground attack, this
threat was not realized. The battalion fired several
counter-mortar and rocket fires and was credited with at least 4
explosions.
The An Hoa combat base received an unknown number of 82mm and
120mm mortar fire from several suspected launch sites. Under the
cover of the mortar attack the enemy was able to cut the outer
perimeter wire and toss satchel charges into one of the ammo
berms causing the ammo to ignite. As the ammo began to detonate
it tossed fire and exploding ordnance into the remaining HE
storage berms in the area. The enemy were repelled by the use of
organic weapons, Marine artillery and Spooky. The enemy broke
contact and fled to the northeast. Results of contact were 4 USMC
KIA, 3 PFC KIA 49 USMC WIA(E) 39 USMC WIA (M), 17 VC KIA, 1 TWC
and the fire ammo brem resulted in the loss of all HE ammo for
105mm, 155mm, 8" and 175mm artillery pieces.
February 23rd to March 8th 1969:
Durning the period from Feb. 23rd to March 8th 1969, An Hoa
Combat Base was subjected to intermittent attacks by fire. The
122mm rockets, which impacted at An Hoa Combat Base during the
post TET Offensive, were the first of that caliber used against
the base since 6 Feb. 969, when 5, 122's impacted on the
airstrip.
February 24th and 25th 1969:
On the 24th and the 25th of February the resupply of operating
units was transferred from the LSA at An Hoa to the alternate LSA
at Hill 55. This transfer was due to the destruction by enemy
action of six ammunition storage revetments and 27,845 rounds of
artillery ammunition at LSA An Hoa, causing extensive shrapnel
and debris to be scattered throughout the area, with continued
cooking off of additional rounds for a 48 hour period.
February 27th 1969: (personal log)
While taking our daily exercise, we had become accustomed to
having 122mm rockets and mortars landing around us as we walked
up the road. After a while we just ignored them.
March 1st \31st 1969:
During March 1969, 2/11 was credited with 113 confirmed KIA's 128
probable KIA's, 146 bunkers destroyed, 79 dwellings damaged or
destroyed and 2 AA sites neutralized. 4.2" Mortars fired
4792 rounds for the 5th Marines, 2457 rounds fired for the 26th
Marines and 40 rounds fired for the ARVN.
March 4th 1969:
During the post TET Offensive period, An Hoa Combat Base received
rocket attacks from the vicinity of AT 815427 and mortar,
recoilless rifle fire from the area in the vicinity of AT 8448.
March 5th 1969: (personal log)
During the evening of this date, we recieved incoming and a
marine named Dale Gensicke received a hand wound while in a fox
hole, we managed to give him medical aid. Gensicke continued
under difficult situation helping to repel a small group of
advancing VC. His concern was his mission and not his own health
and welfare. He remained in position and continued to fire his
weapon.
March 8th 1969:
The An Hoa Combat Base received 122 rounds of mixed 82mm
recoilless rifle, mortar and 122mm rocket fire. Results of this
attack were 1 USMC WIA (E) and 17 USMC WIA (M).
March 19th 1969: (personal log)
While returning from an ammo run from Da Nang we came under heavy
ground attack at Liberty Bridge. I do remember my job was to
replenish ammunition, grenades to the perimeter force. In doing
my job, the enemy had already, within a short time entered the
compound. We were under heavy artillery fire while getting the
supplies and encountering enemywithin the compound. I managed to
prevent the ammo bunker from being blown up,and remembered field
artillery on the other side, and that they were being overrun. In
the early hours of the morning, the enemy withdrew. My left leg
being struck by several pieces of flying metal did not require
treatment.
March 19th 1969:
While located at Liberty Bridge, 2/11th came under a heavy ground
attack by a Battalion size unit of enemy equipped with automatic
weapons, satchel charges and flame throwers. The enemy managed to
breach the wire and enter the position, doing damage to several
bunkers and putting two howitzers out of action temporarily with
flat tires, damaged wheels and a damaged breach block. The
Battery managed to repulse the enemy killing 79 of them, while
suffering moderate casualties (12 KIA, 32 WIA). Echo Battery
provided fire support during the attack, firing within 25 meters
of Delta Battery's position.
RAY, DAVID ROBERT (posthumous) Congressional Medal
of Honor, Hospital Corpsman Second Class, U.S. Navy, Delta
Battery, 2d Battalion, 11th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein),
FMF., Quang Nam Province, Republic of Vietnam, 19 March 1969.
David R. Ray Hospital Corpsman Second Class United States Navy
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty while serving as a Corpsman
with Delta Battery, 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines at Phu Loc 6,
near An Hoa on 19 March 1969. During the early morning hours an
estimated battalion sized enemy force launched a determined
assault against the battery's position and succeeded in effecting
a penetration of the barbed wire perimeter. The initial burst of
enemy fire caused numerous casualties among the Marines who had
immediately manned their howitzers during the rocket and mortar
attack. Undaunted by the intense hostile fire, Petty Officer Ray
moved parapet to parapet, rendering emergency medical treatment
to the wounded. Although seriously wounded himself while
administering first aid to a Marine casualty, he refused medical
aid and continued his lifesaving efforts. While he was bandaging
and attempting to comfort another wounded Marine, Petty Officer
Ray was forced to battle two enemy soldiers who attacked his
position, personally killing one and wounding the other. Rapidly
losing his strength as a result of his severe wounds, he
nonetheless managed to move through the hail of enemy fire to
other casualties. Once again, Petty Officer Ray was faced with
the intense fire of oncoming enemy troops and, despite the grave
personal danger and insurmountable odds, succeeded in treating
the wounded and holding off the enemy until he ran out of
ammunition, at which time he sustained fatal wounds. Petty
Officer Ray's final act of heroism was to protect the patient he
was treating. He threw himself upon the wounded Marine, thus
saving the man's life when an enemy grenade exploded nearby.
Through his determined and preserving actions, courageous spirit,
and loyalty to the welfare of his Marine comrades, he served to
inspire the men of Battery D to heroic efforts in defeating the
enemy. Petty Officer Ray's exemplary conduct, steadfast
determination, and unwavering devotion to duty reflected great
credit upon himself and were in keeping with the highest
traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Richard M. Nixon, President of the United States
April 5th 1969:
Well no nice way to put it but we all have jobs to do that we
don''t relish, and the one job that leaves an aroma that you can
never forget is the job of burning the shitters.
April 7th 1969:
Another unpleasant task that we all have to take a turn at is
unloading body bags off the Choppers. This job really gets to
you.
April 21st 1969:
Whiskey 2/11 fired 386 missions, expending 10,762 rounds which accounted for 59 confirmed KIA's and 62 probable KIA. 36 Structures were destroyed. Naval Gunfire. During Muskogee Meadows, the following ships were made available for support:
USS OKLAHOMA CITY (CLC-5)
USS NEWPORT NEWS ( CA-148)
USS NEW JERSEY
There were 25 hours of ship availability. During 23 of these
hours AOs were available for observation. Ships fired a total of
724 rounds which resulted in 3 confirmed KIA, 4 probable KIA and
25 bunkers damaged or destroyed. There were 4 secondary fires or
explosions. Commander's Analysis: Operation Muskogee Meadows was
one of the shorter operations in which 2/11 participated. The 2
/11th fired on suspected VC, grid AT 814531, resulting in 40
KIA's. The mission was observed by an observer.
May 1969:
During May 1969 2/11 was credited with 172 KIA's, 157 probable
KIA's 103 structures damaged or destroyed, 20 secondary
explosions, 2, 50 caliber machine gun sites destroyed, and 6
boats destroyed.
May 9th 1969:
2/11th fired on a 100 VC in the open, grids AT 884535, AT 888528,
resulting in 9 KIA's. Mission observed by 1-5
May 23rd 1969:
I find it being a touch of reality to be on the headset with
Fire Direction Control (FDC) and hearing of the results of the
mission that we are firing. We were also killing innocent men,
women and children. Such are the casualties of war.
May 24th 1969:
We had an Army chopper come over and give a burst of their guns
on our position.
June 1969:
During June 1969, 2/11 was credited with 101 confirmed KIA's, 183
probable KIA's, 12 confirmed WIA's 42 hooches destroyed, 8
bunkers destroyed, 6 secondary explosions, 1 boat destroyed, 6
AK-47 rifles, 2 SKS rifles, 1 Mortar Base Plate captured.
June 3rd 1969: (personal log)
Two occurrences during this time that I have been talking about,
was that we had a big rock painted white in front of our
position, and on Sunday it was traditional to have an Army
helicopter fly above and drop out VC and see if they could get
close enough to hit the rock. Second was that at noon the village
that was supposed to be controlled by special forces, was over
run and the VC would put their flag up, we were then ordered to
shoot that flag down .
Foot Note:
These are the meanings of the abbreviations for those of you who
do not know.
AA = Anti Aircraft
AO = Area Operation
ARVN = Army Republic Viet Nam
AT = Direction
HE = High Explosive
KIA = Killed In Action
PFC = Private First Class
PLT = Platoon
USMC = United States Marine Corps
VC = Viet Cong
WIA = Wounded In Action