An Event of Major Proportions
An Attack on B Company, 1st Battalion 12th Cavalry (AIRBORNE)
While Defending the Division Green Line at An Khe on April 9, 1967
Roy Benson
Near the end of March of 1967, the 1st Battalion, 12th Cavalry (Airborne) was deployed back to An Khe from Binh Dinh Province and assumed the mission of defending parts of the so-called green line (name given to the defensive perimeter all around the 1st Cavalry Division base camp at An Khe). When we first arrived back (B Company), I was ready for a change and felt totally exhausted, emotionally and physically. As a result, LTC Eggers and I decided, that for the benefit of the troops, it might be time for a new company commander. Given the timing and location, I was reassigned back to the Battalion Staff, again as the S2 Intelligence Officer and Captain Joseph Tomko replaced me as Commanding Officer of B Company.
At the time, someone apparently had decided that the defense of the main base of the Division at An Khe would best be severed by a series of fixed/static strong points just outside of the perimeter of the division base camp. Thus, several platoons and the company command post (CP) occupied one of these strong points (LZ Charles), and on April 9, 1967, B Company was attacked on LZ Charles by a NVA Sapper unit (See Sketch below).
Sketch of attack by NVA Sappers on elements of B Company while occupying LZ Charles strong point on the An Khe “Green Line” in April of 1966. This chart was actually shown to the Assistant Division Commander right after the attack.
During this attack, Capt. Tomko was seriously wounded and subsequently died from those wounds on June 1st. On the night of this attack I was on duty in the Battalion Command Center and could hear the attack take place at a distance. We were unable to make radio contact with B Company from the get go. I asked and got permission from LTC Eggers to be one of the first to fly out to the strong point at first light and I did so.
Upon landing I encountered some of the command group radio operators (RTO’s) that I had served with the pervious 5 months or so, and looked around and saw all the dead and wounded. It was sad to see all the destruction and injuries to a group of men that I had worked with for a long period of time. I felt somewhat guilty for not being there. By the end of March, I was a reasonably seasoned and tried Company Commander with combat experience behind me. Captain Tomko was brand new and was lacking in field and combat experience. I am sure the loss of men, both wounded and dead on that night are not of his making, but in my mind I always have wondered if the outcome might have been different had I stayed in command just a while longer.
I recall several days later going to the field hospital to see some of the members of the command group of B Company that had serious wounds. I recall talking to “Rocky” one of the command group radio operators, and it tore me up. I felt guilty then and to a large extent, still do for “deserting” the company.
Note: If I incorrectly recalled or misrepresented the events related to this incident, please contact me at homeat4331-giantbird6@yahoo.com or the webmaster at webmaster@12thcav.us and corrections will be made.