Truth of Binh Gia Battle * Trần Ngọc Tòan

07 Tháng Năm 201112:00 SA(Xem: 72159)

Truth of Binh Gia Battle

Truth of Binh Gia Battle

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(LTS: Xin xem thêm văn bản tiếng Việt " Những Sự Thật về Trận Bình Giả", trang 8 và "Hồi Ức Trận Bình Giả", trang 9 trong cùng mục Bài Viết)


Letter from a former soldier of my unit:

It’s been forty-four years since December 31, 1964, when I suddenly received a long letter from a former soldier of an old unit who was a Reserve Non-Commissioned Officer serving in the Marine Corps, from May 6 in 1963 to the end of 1966. I'm surprised and very moved when reading the true heart of his bitterness. The following are excerpts from the letter from a former soldier of my unit that I think will cause us to reflect:

Dear Mr Toan,

Happened to read your address in “Dac San Da Hieu” issue at a friend's house, I would like to contact you, also my commander in the past (6/1963), am getting old and wanting to look back at a few memories of the past and I wonder if you accept it?

p_bg_b-large-contentDear Sir, I'm Sgt. Tran Van Cua, serial number 62A/701.458 - 4th. Marine Battalion, Vietnamese Marine Corps (TD4/TQLC) (1). Upon graduating I was transferred to the battalion and was in your unit for a few months, Captain Tran Van Hoan was the Company Commander, you were the XO, then Lt. Don, Lt. Chi, Lt. Long ... I remember and rewrite all battalion commanders at the time for your to see if it is correct? Battalion Commanders: Capt. Le Hang Minh Battalion Commander, Capt. Ton That Soan Battalion XO, Lt. Dang Van Hoc – S1 (Sgt. Tan), Lt. Nguyen Van Thinh – S2-Security (Sgt. Nhung), Lt. Nguyen Van Truc – S3, 1st Lt. Nguyen Van Thuan – S4 (Sgt. Cua), Lt. Le Van Hieu Supplies (Sgt. De), S5. (Sgt. Luong), Company Commanders (as follows): 2nd Lt. Roanh, Capt. Nguyen Thanh Tri, Lt. Song, somewhat porous on his face, Lt. Hung (hard headed individual). Capt. Hoan, 2nd Lt. Toan, Lt. Don, Lt. Chi, Lt. Long ... Capt. Truong Van Nhut, 2nd Lt. Tung, Lt. Lich ... (not remember before my time) Capt. Vuong, 2nd Lt. Tong, Lt. Nghiem, Lt. TX Quang, Transportation Sgt. Bup.

Dear Sir,

I remembered the personnel at the time, after you were injured then, Vo Kinh had become your replacement, it had been 43 years, recalling the past, is long time ago? I wonder if you love to hear about life in the past of the army? People say old people often think about the past, at our age to think of the future then we do not know where to start. Regret the past is for those with higher authority, enjoying many perks, but now they do not have it anymore, so they are remembering the golden days, while all those with the subordinate status are as pawns on a chessboard... are able to move back and forth, and be sacrificed as needed. For the pawn then it can only go forward but not backward. Its life and death is depending on the game played whether he/she is smart or not?


Sir,

I was a NCO serving his country during war time, I had served three and a half years in the Marine Corps, discharged in end of 1966, no promotion, no medals, (although injured twice), was single out because commanders did not like the “hard headed” soldiers. Therefore, I was sent to train 13 students, Marines to be trained at RNSL school (3) that was for Rangers, it was very strange. Major Nguyen Van Kien as Head of Trainning School, Discipline and Guide Officer is Lt. Giao, Van.

Before discharge, I was transferred to Battalion 5th. Marines of Capt Nha, then 2nd Company 5th Battalion, Commander, 1st Lt Phan, been single-out the entire time was there until discharged, 2 months later after the time of military service period (4 years 2 months). Because many sad memories of the soldier life, though not long, but remember the nostalgic picture of soldiers with the camo uniform and solid green hat. At any rank or any position in which we accomplished the task then we should be very proud, not ashamed of that. But I could not do that on my own, holding military record with 64 days penalty (discipline) to any commanders of your unit did not like the undisciplined soldiers. Mistakes were sometime made by myself, sometime many errors were made by my own commanders led me to become undisciplined. I am older now and lie sleepless nights to think about those old stories that made me ashamed of myself, but it is also funny sometimes...

 Wishing on April 30,1975 all commanders that their disobedience of superior orders and not following the orders of the President, then the South might not fall into enemy hands. Even if we lost then we could have prolong for some time. Still have gun and ammunition, then we should shoot. Unfortunately, at the end only a few Generals retained their morale and heroism,and did not surrender to the enemy. Also I don’t understand those generals that were not there but had left their soldiers and escaped. Those who gave up and surrendered, accepted humiliation and prison camps. I guess those who also think that government would have three or four elements that would be able to keep their money and fame. Generals who do not die with the loss of our country. The country was no longer there, but they are still alive. I don’t know in military school for tactics, is there a tactic lesson for commanders to surrender? For me, I don’t think there is one. I found there is not one in Japanese Army. So therefore as Japanese Emperor surrendered, the lesson of “seppuku” (4) to preserve morale and honor. Is it wrong of me, the focal concern of the old soldier after many years of still hurt?. Why do I write this long letter since you have not recognized your old soldier. I don’t know if you remember when looking at the pictures again? If I have said anything wrong please forgive me.

Sir,

The purpose of contacting you is to remember the images on the old soldier with camouflague fatigue (uniform) which I cherish and burdened those soldiers, with a heavy p_bg_c-large-contentbackpack on his back, carrying heavy gun, stock so old from World War II. Supplied unit firepower, not enough ammunition to fight the big battle s Binh Gia . Where there's heavy pressure on the enemy is to be deployed Let all the Province Chief or used and sarcrified, if win they earn credit, treated as step-child, if loss the Marines are to be blamed. How the battle of Binh Gia turned to be until now I will never forget. Just because to look for the only one American helicopter crashed, the high command ordered the troops to the rescue, the military tactics became an urgency, lack of preparation, lack of research, did not know the enemy strength, lack of preparation and artillery support, so Battalion of 4th.Marines must fight alone. Resulting in combat with enemy forces three or four times, the image of Do Huu Tung – Company Commander of 2nd. Company siege to retreat to the village of Binh Gia. At that time, as S4, I'd go with Battalion Commander Nho to support, I heard people blame the lack of judgement of senior officers, then ordered Tung to gather his troops for the village of Binh Gia defense. If the battalion commander trusted Tung about the enemy situation reports that he clashed with them in the morning, a new tactic was planning to rethink before entering the target. Nho called to retreat the same route as Tung for all the companies, felt right on the reached of the ambush same as the morning. There is time that you were in the same unit with Hoan but do you know that Hoan can read the future or destiny? Leaving the area, I followed, he counted on his hands, counting each fingers and then said today's is December 31, 1964 not good for number four, something bad is about to happen! Listening to it we didn’t think anything about it. We didn’t believe because since from the day of its establishment of the units, we won every battle that we fought, looked down on the enemy. From the red dirt road leading to the target, a distance of about three kilometers, the two sides was banana trees in front of a large rubber plantation. You led 1st Company Tong led 4th Company on the left wing, Hue led 3rd Company on the right wing. The battalion commanders were behind you...The next day, we collected “the remains of all the dead, we then discovered not too far from the left wing, VC puts some mortars If Company 4 extended its patrol a little bit and then they would meet and the battle would have been different.. At the time, I saw the helicopter with four crew members bodies, There were bodies of a number of soldiers of 2nd Company, and the VC stripped all their uniforms. Battalion commander ordered us to move forward. Company started moving to surrounded the target then Capt. Hoan brought maps and presented them to the battalion commander, pointing to the next higher level and said: “Major should move forward a little bit more to capture the top high hill”, which Nho rejected, with some profound languages. “You only get in to get all the corps then get out and no need to sleep the night here so must account for the high terrain. It was then that I knew the “family meal is not healthy, soup is not sweet”, Battalion commanders and XO do not agree with each other so they didn’t talk to each other before the operation. Since then, Capt. Hoan didn’t come close to the battalion commander for collaboration to mobilize the company, that he went alone with his bodyguard. Battalion commanders moved deeper into the rubber plantation. Company Command still located on the red dirt road. Outside the ring, the companies reported in that the VC appeared everywhere, pressure all units. I heard Nho ordered r all companies to command each soldier occupy one rubber tree and waited until the enemy reached 50 meters to fire. A bold order that looked down on VC, very confident. I thought, so and everyone in all units also thought so. I lay there and thought that they could only bring themselve closer to us as prey for large fish and was not worried much for sure. Around 3-4PM, the first fire from the sound of combat of the company outside but from company command, he went into a large banana grove. Company Commander was reassured so they took off the helmet liners to sit on the long red dirt road, thought it is the fighting company outside the perimeter would fight first, while the enemy VC is tightening the blockade outside, the report found the soldier scouting saw VC all over, he shouted VC, VC! With a gun available in his hand, he then fired away. That is the key force of VC, they were waiting for company to enter the rubber plantation then they came behind. The rear company Thus, when the gunfire exploded, because VC couldn’t block behind, on the banks of the red earth and road to fight back so they moved to attack the left side of Tong. Company 4 fought against VC front and were attacked on the side. The VC dead outside were so many. Company 1 and Company 3 were enduring, holding the perimeter, slowly winning by the death of each enemy. Small guns big guns are so loud deafening explosion. Their 82mm mortars gun shot at us. SKZ- 57 mm cannon gunners fired. Large VC forces as expected, many are dying then they kept flowing in. I remember fighting until sundown, the enemy cut company command in half. Those are outside the perimeter circle retreated to the village of Binh Gia. Battalion was shelled so much that fallen rubber trees sticked to all over themselves. U.S. advisers called the two gunships to back up close because the two sides were so close, so they flew away. Advisor was injured, battalion commander held the telephone walked back and forth to communicate. The company fighting outside reporting out of amunitions but I do not know what to do. Laid there stand-by without firing a shot and the patch was out cutting off the arm. Tong ran into the battalion commander didn’t find any soldiers. About 30 meters from me, Capt. Hoan held a carbine shooting a very majestic image. No gunfire after more than two hours of fighting. I guess they have run out of bullets and melee for survival. 4th. Company is broken. From there they attacked battalion commanders. I saw Capt. Hoan turn and then collapse. The bodyguard soldier carried him and then running toward the woods. Maj Nho took battalion commander to retreat to the red dirt road, the VC located across the road cut down both battalion and military doctor of battalion. I and the advisor headed to the forest to retreat close to the village of Binh Gia. You with Company 1 and Company 3 still heard the gunfire and still held out to 9 pm. The next day, battalion gathering troops back to battlefield to locate bodies, I found out how the people of village Binh Gia treated our troop. They carried stretchers hammocks and gave white wine instead of alcohol to help the wounded. The helicopter crew landed didn’t want to transport the dead bodies, Colonel Nguyen Thanh Yen with drawn revolver demanded, so they did once and did not return. After that we then transported by GMC vehicles to Ba Ria. I do not hold back when family of our soldiers cry bitterly when we reached. Well please stop and thank you for taking the time to read my clumsy words recalled.

 
Wish you and your family peace, good health.

Sincerely

Tran Van Cua

(Signature)

Old wounds in me seemed to break out after reading the whole letter by former Sergeant Tran Van Cua. As company commander of Company 1/ Battalion 4 / Marines in the Battle of Binh Gia, I was seriously wounded with three bullets. Left alone with the AR15 rifle and 15 rounds, I had crawled for 3 nights 2 days to see all of you military suppose before the port village of Binh Gia on January 3, 1965. In early December 1964, premonition before the big clash, I ordered the platoon leader must take the M1 carbine rifles instead of Colt 45 as before. I held the last AR15 brought to trial on the battlefield. Only one for a company. I also just recently promoted to 1st Lieutenant and right on my 25th birthday. I would like to clarify the commanders battalion 4 / Marines of combat at Binh Gia Major Nguyen Van Nho was Battalion Commander, Captain Tran Van Hoan was Battalion Commander Deputy, 1st Lieutenant (a new promotion of 22/12/1964) Tran Ngoc Toan – Company Commander / Company 1, 1st Lieutenant Do Huu Tung – Company Commander / Company 2, 2nd Lieutenant Trinh Van Hue – right Company Commander / Company 3 and 1st Lieutenant Nguyen Dang Tong – Company Commander / Company 4. I was fortunated wounded and stayed in the Korean Military Hospital in Vung Tau. After 5 months of treatment, I was determined as type 2 (non combat) and discharged with a pairs of wooden crutches. An officer came from the School of Military Academy of Da Lat, I continued to serve in the Marine Corps in the rear base, then returned to combat in October 1973 serving until the end of the Republic of Vietnam, 30 April 1975.

 Binh Gia pain is still with me til now. According to members of a VC in the district, I heard of a “Chieu Hoi” (5) in 1969, and his memoir, "Two thousand days in the Cu Chi Tunnels" by Duong Dinh Loi. Hanoi was known for gathering crowd VC in 1954 the communist North Vietnamese soldiers entering the South since 1958. In late 1964, the 9th. VC Division established by Tran Dinh Xu as commander in the Southeast with Regiment 261, 262 and 263. They brought the Regiment to occupy the village of Binh Gia suppose on December 20, 1964. After this battle, VC Regiment 261 was very heavy damage and wiped out on the battlefield. Still, some general do not mind, so ARVN Airborne Division's was in the same battle with Division 9 of VC at Dong Xoai (battle), Phuoc Long Province. While some generals are worried about power struggles after President Diem coup 01/11/1963, assigned full rights of soldiers to the low cloud of incompetence and irresponsibility. After, have the 2 battalions of Rangers with the Armored Battalion attacked the village of Binh Gia and failed, they jumped into a helicopter carrier battalion 4/ Marines to the battlefield. Battalion 4/ Marines, the last reserve unit of the corps III. Marines and Army Rangers were knocked VC out of the village in December 30, 1964. That night, the VC tried to retake by military forces but do not and have to withdraw. A helicopter of the United States Army, stationed at Vung Tau was notified by US Advisor of the U.S. Marines, under VC fire chase. Due to lack of experience and despite the enemy, the helicopter was shot down by VC and crashed in the abandoned rubber plantation, near the village Xuyen Son about 4 miles from the village Binh Gia.

Dawn on December 31, 1964, while some generals was busy organizing dance in Saigon, the ordered of Corps III forced battalion 4/Marines to march into the area to find wreckage of U.S. helicopter was shot down. Battalion Commander of battalion 4/Marines declined drastically, with news from Binh Gia Parish Father who said to VC army up p_bg_d-large-contentto Regiment, both regular Communist Army with uniforms and armed with AK47, SKS, K50, B40( rockets) ... While Marines still holding old weapons, M1 Garand, M1 Carbine, US guns from World War II. Furthermore, no battalion 4th.Marines Artillery (located in Phuoc Tuy) and air support were available.

 According to the testimony of two U.S. advisors of the surviving unit, Colonel Franz Pete Eller of Solana Beach, CA, and former Captain Phil O. Brady of San Francisco, CA, before the fierce reaction of the Maj Nho, the United States Military Command in Saigon, MACV pressured the ARVN General Staff to ordered Battalion 4th.Marines to get on with the operation of collecting four dead people of U.S. helicopter crew, though without artillery and air support . Company 1/ Battalion 4th.Marines found dead bodies when the helicopter with four crew, The Marines saw dead bodies laying in row of Company 2 as VC stripped off all the clothes. Lieutenant Nguyen Van Hung in the middle of military troop. U.S. helicopters were flying in to pick up the four U.S. aircrew lost. There were 12 VN Marines bodies waiting for Vietnam helicopters. Finally, units must arranged load after 2, 3 hours of waiting, when it was too late.Summing up the loss in the battle of Binh Gia on the battalion of 4th. Marines including 122 deaths and nearly 300 wounded in the battle. Of the 122 Marines and soldiers have sacrificed Battalion Commander, Battalion XO, Battalion Military doctor, a Company Commander, 2nd Lieutenant Trinh Van Hue came from Dalat Military Academy School 17. Specials include two new graduates 2nd Lieutenant from Military Academy School 19 joined the units on 15/12/1964 is the 1st graduate Vo Thanh Khang and Nguyen Van Hung. When the class 19 at the Dalat Military Academy matriculated in 1962, three 1st Lieutenant, Nguyen Dang Tong, Do Huu Tung and Tran Ngoc Toan were Class 16. The new officers from Class 19 present Battalion 4th.Marines included: Lieutenant Vo Thanh Khang, Tran Ve, Do Huu Ai, Thai Van Bong, Nguyen Van Hung. No one had received the first paid promptly as Lieutenant. Look at the damage, one could see that not only have 100 non-commissioned officers and soldiers who sacrificed for the country that have killed up to 22 officers. Because of severe pain in my heart restless brought from the battlefield back to Binh Gia, for more than 40 years, so in June 2006, I voluntarily to Vietnam Center of Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX to discuss the Battle of Binh Gia before the Americans. I've come to pay the last respect to all the commanders, my comrades and friends, as a former Battalion Commander of Battalion 4th.Marines. I also became, as a U.S. citizen, when every day sees U.S. soldiers fall on the Iraq battlefield, the U.S. television networks, including the children of Vietnam refugees. Apparently, Americans have not learned "valuable lessons" from the Vietnam War with more than 58 thousand soldiers who died ...


Tran Ngoc Toan: Former Battalion Commander/Battalion 4th VN Marines

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1. the 4th Battalion, South Vietnam Marine Corps

2. S1 administration,

 S2 intelligence,

 S3 operations & training,

 S4 supply & logistics,

 S5 civillian affairs & military police.

3. RNSL, Ranger training course at Duc My training center near Nha Trang.

4. seppuku- Japanese ritualistic suicide.

5. Chieu-Hoi- surrendered VC or NVA soldier.

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