|
6/08/01
Hi,
Yes, I was there. I was one of those who attempted to save Col Stinson when
his command bird landed on the LZ. Those days there are forever burned onto the memory of my soul. Never has there been a
more gallant stand made by those men during that time. The survival of our units baffled the NVA. The old name of the firebase
was "Million Dollar Hill", when we left they called it "Billion Dollar Hill". Never will I forget that little piece of realestate
we defended in "Dragon Valley".
Later Marshall Rowland (Mad 79er)
1/52, 198th Lt. Bg.
Company D
8/08/01
Hey Man,
We definately shared some common turf. I have some ole unresolved questions
as to what happened following our withdrawal at LZ Professional. Following the death of our batallion commander we were withdrawn
to LZ Baldy. Upon arrival there I maintained command channel on my P-25 to see how the Marines fared. Those guys departed
laughing at our high casuality rate and bragged how they were going to kickass. Granted our losses were high for my company
sustained the fewest losses- we had 47 survivors. Here are my questions: 1. Were two "jolly green giants" downed by recoiless
fire before they unloaded the Marines? 2. Did the NVA penetrate the LZ through a tunnel exiting in the mortar pits? 3. Were
the airstrikes directed on artillery sector of the hill when personnel withdrew to the neighboring hill of command? 4. Did
the NVA successfully raise their flag before airstrikes removed them? The NVA dispatched paper flyers around our night loggers
during December of 68 around LZ Young offering us an opportunity to "Chu Hoia" or die. That their Division goal was to kill
all American field personnel in the Tet of 69 in that area. They also, through bullhorns, repeated the threat to personnel
securing LZ Young. Needless to say, our survival confirmed their failure. That little LZ called Professional in the mouth
of Dragon Valley proved the strenth of the American fighting spirit.
Finally, would you like your website to view photos
of LZ Professional?
Later Mad79er
8/09/01
Hey Man,
Thanks for the info reguarding the rumored BS my unit heard following our
departure from your unit. The old AO & LZ Professional was an attempt to create a mini-Diem Phin Phu to sucker the NVA
within the range of our ordinance. The area was heavily dug in by the NVA. Did not encounter a single ridge that wasn't either
trenched or bunkered in. All crossing trails were spotted with spider holes. What facilitated our survival was the rapid response
from "arty" for the NVA were highly fearful of it's response and accuracy.
ON BEHALF OF ALL THE GRUNTS, I EXTEND MY DEEPEST
APPRECIATION FOR YOUR UNIT'S PART IN THAT LONG AGO STRUGGLE FOR SURVIVAL.
Take care- "Mad79er"
This a letter from Dell Burns' sister. Dell was killed at LZ Fat City on Sept. 6, 1969.
11/05/01
Hi Clarence,
I see it's been a month and I haven't answered your email. That's me, slow but sure. Thank you for all
your hard work. Your web site is a wonderful tool. Yes, it brings tears but it is a great feeling to know my brother is remembered
too and Doris and I are glad we could help you find Alabama. We just sent Stacy your web site address, I guess Doris didn't
get the instructions down correctly and he hasn't been able to find it. She has boxes of pictures to go thru and we haven't
been able to figure out how to use the scanner so guess I need your street address to!! Tell Larry and LaVaughn Hi from me.
Stacy's wife's name is Amanda and she is a true doll. They are a Christian family, loving, caring and giving. They have two
little girls and Mandy had a cutie little girl already but Stacy may tell you all the details. He sure is a terrific guy.
So much like Dell it's scarry sometimes as well as wonderful. Gods gift to be sure. Well I'll sign off for now take care.
And thanks for thinking of all of us from time to time.
Sharon (Burns) McEntyre
12/07/01
I recently ran across this website. I was the battery commander for Charlie Battery
from late 1969 to March 1970. While going through some old items, I discovered the battery Guidon. I forgot that I had brought
it home. Of course it was replaced. Your comments were very well taken; I too had similar feelings upon returning home. Many
of the guys in the pitures were recognized. I still have many pictures of Charlie Battery while located at Fat City. Thanks
for all you endured prior to my arrival. Charlie Battery (LZ Professional) were the real heros.
A member of the family,
Captain J. Michael Dunlap
1/09/02
Great page, I've always tried to find pictures of Professional, we were there May 69.
Hit with recoiless and mortars. The 105 above my bunker was hit. I was with A Co. 1/501st Airborne. We walked out of Pro and
came back. I especially remember the quad 50. Seems like the gooks kept trying to take it out but just never hit the thing.
Stephen Curtis
1/10/02
Very ineresting story. I was with A 1/501, and was wounded for the first time on 14
June 1969 on FB Professional. My old squad leader, Terry Lucarelli, has told me that the Army placed wraps on the Lamar Plain
story because of the media coverage of Ap Bia (Hamburger Hill). He never divulged his source for that statement, but it seems
reasonable. Even Shelby Stanton got confused in his work on Vietnam (The Rise and Fall of An American Army). He wound up not
even naming the operation, but crediting a portion of it to Nathan Hale. "Doc" Gary Smith also told me that he was informed
by graves registration personnel that our casualties were released over a period of time to make it seem as if they weren't
so bad. In fact,they were atrocious. I don't know if we hit your 80% mark in A Company, but it was close. I was medevaced
from the jungle in July. Faces were constantly changing by then. Anyway, we completed the job and kept the NVA out of Tam
Ky and from cutting the country physically in half. You know, you guys were all that was left out there when we assaulted
into Tam Ky airport. You guys hanging tough there made it possible for us to come do our thing. I have a copy of the Army
Times that says Professional was "Under seige". That remained true for a long time, well into June.
Glad you made it back.
John Conroy
A 1/501 1969
1/10/02
I was with Charlie Company, 1/501 st. 101st Abn. Div. for Lamar Plain I was a grunt
SSG. We also took many WIA & KIA's in the Americal Div, A/O some of the heaviest fighting happened to me in the mountains
around LZ Professional and I have been in some heavy shit in my 3 tours including the A Shau Valley in Vietnam. Welcome home
and I would like to thank you REDLEGS for all that you endured for our country and most of all for your support to the 101st
ABN. DIV. check out http://www.lzsally.com we have a lot of grunts that were there that will have a lot of information for
you.... The Sarge/Hardman
1/11/02
Clarence, I saw your site on the Guestbook for LZ Sally, where I am a contributor. I
came into the field on June 8th 1969 on Professional, and joined C Company of the 1/501/101 ABN. We went out the next day
and engaged in a series of firefights that left two men dead, one of whom I'd just met the night before. We lived near each
other when we were in college and hoped to get to share some stories of home, but like so much of that place, that was not
to be. Thanks for preserving images of that place. I only got a taste of what life on Professional was like because I missed
the action in May, but for that I'm grateful. You have an excellent site, thanks for what you said in the guestbook. In the
end the only folks who still give a damn about the sacrifices there are the guys who remember it first hand.
Welcome home,
Larry Kirby
1/13/02
Clarence, Saw your post on LZ Sally and went to your site. You have got some good stuff
there. I am a fellow REDLEG. I was with the 1/321st FA, 101st Airborne Division. We usually supported the 2nd Brigade which
went to Tam Ky. Still not sure why we did not make the trip but glad we did not.
Regard,
Rodger Ables
2/24/03
Clarence,
As I write this I am thinking about my time in Vietnam. It's amazing what one thinks about 30 -
35 years later. When I took over Charlie Battery 1/14th, my goal was to never have anyone hurt or killed on my watch.
I almost made it! John Kane was hit in the foot by friendly mortar fire on LZ Hustler and one other guy was wounded
by a sniper ( or perhaps a self inflected wound ) on LZ Fat City. The cost of this goal was that I had to be an asshole.
I kept telling myself that it was worth it. After all these years I now know it was. For the most part a Commander
makes very few friends, especially if he does his job. I love all those guys that served with me and I am going to us
this site to tell them how I feel.
The only reason I did all the things I did was to instill a sence of self pride and pride in
your unit. You guys may not know it but I did my best to keep you alive, usually in spite of yourselves.
God love you,
Cpt. Gary Biehl
|
