Khe Sanh Veterans Association Inc.
Red Clay
Newsletter of the Veterans who served at Khe Sanh Combat Base,
Hill 950, Hill 881, Hill 861, Hill 861-A, Hill 558
Lang-Vei and Surrounding Area

Issue 50     Summer 2001

Memoirs

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The following are the facts surrounding an engagement that occurred between U.S. Marines and Army of North Vietnamese forces in the former Republic of Vietnam, near Con Thien, on June 6, 1968.

By James Kaylor

    On June. 3, 2000, the City of Closter, New Jersey, will rededicate a park named for a fallen Marine who was killed in action in the former Republic of Vietnam. Corporal Kenneth Schauble was the squad leader of Second Squad, Second Platoon, Company E, Second Battalion, Twenty Sixth Marines, Third Marine Division. I was a Private First Class assigned as a grenadier with Second Squad, Second Platoon. The Second Platoon was assigned to perform a security sweep to the southeast of Con Thien. These sweeps were done daily by each rifle company assigned to the base to preclude North Vietnamese forces from encroaching on our position.

    On June 6, 1968, the platoon leader was Staff Sergeant Allen J. Baker. Company E had a shortage of officers at the time, requiring enlisted men to perform their duties. On this day, we moved out southeast along a dirt road that intersected the main road to Con Thien. This road was about one kilometer south of the main base. The area was relatively flat and open. It was formerly rice paddies, as it appeared hedge rowed into about one-acre block parcels. There were three old, bombed-out, Catholic church structures along a dirt road that were significant landmarks. We proceeded southeast with first and third squad on line. Second squad was in a staggered column, following behind, where first and third squad intersected. Our crew-served weapons (machine guns & mortar) were with the second squad.

    At about 1100 hours, we were east of the third church by about 500 meters when our right flank erupted in a heavy volume of enemy automatic weapons fire, interspersed with rocket-propelled grenade fire. Our entire right flank from our lead element to our rear element was under heavy fire. The squad that had been on line on our right flank was in the midst of a hidden enemy bunker complex. Second squad returned the enemy's fire as we moved to our left flank. We found cover in a sunken trail that extended parallel to the enemy's positions. First squad, which was on our left flank, now moved into the sunken trail and engaged the North Vietnamese with us.

    The exchange of fire was very intense and somewhat confusing, especially for some of our newer Marines. I remember having to tell a couple to fire at the enemy. We, in the sunken trail, were unaware of the plight of our right flank. We were unable to contact them via radio, and the enemy fire was too heavy to move ne.ar them. We continued to engage the enemy positions that were south, east and west of us. Our 60mm mortar was deployed and supporting our effort along with our 3.5 inch rocket launcher. Leldon D. Barnett detached the mortar from its bipod. He then utilized the weapon in the "lever fire" mode while aiming the tube with his hands. Members of the mortar crew later told me that L/Cpl. Barnett struck a fleeing enemy soldier directly in the back with a 60mm high explosive mortar round at a distance of less than 50 meters. L/Cpl. Barnett fired the mortar in much the same manner I was firing my M-79 grenade launcher until he exhausted his supply of mortar rounds.

    The engagement continued in various states of intensity. We learned that our platoon leader, Staff Sergeant Baker had been killed when the action began. Whoever the platoon sergeant was now, we were unaware, so we were without leadership. Second squad leader, Corporal Kenneth Schauble, assumed command of second platoon. He tried to call in artillery and gunship support. Our artillery forward observer Lance Cpl. Steve McDonell indicated that we were too close to the enemy for support. Cpl. Schauble and I discussed firing artillery to the enemy's rear to preclude their withdrawal; I believe L/Cpl. McDonell, who was with artillery, did this. The battle then stalemated, as the enemy did not advance or attempt to disengage. We were unable to receive helicopter support, as they were all engaged elsewhere.

    Cpl. Schauble sent a fire team north to locate an avenue for a flanking movement. This team was immediately taken under small arms fire and fc~rced to return to the sunken trail. We knew we were? completely surrounded! The sunken trail we were defending was approximately two- to three-feet deep and six- to eight-feet across. The vegetation produced sparse shade, as the day was very hot and humid. \Y,/e had many near heat casualties, as the midday sun went overhead.

    At one point, we had one of the last M-72 LAWS, which we wanted to use on an enemy position located in a large clump of bamboo about 50 feet to our front. We were all reluctant to fire the launcher, as its use required too much exposure to enemy fire. After a brief discussion with the Marines around me, I came up with a plan. I extended the LAW and removed the safety clip while pointing the launcher in the general direction of the target. I squatted on my haunches and told the other Marines to give me suppressive fire, which they did. I sprang to my feet, a la "Jack-in-the Box," discharged the rocket launcher and then fell on my back. I remember hearing the enemy rifle bullets cracking where I had just stood to fire the rocket. We all kind of laughed as the rocket hit the center of the base of the bamboo clump.

    As the hours wore on, Cpl. Schauble was concerned with the fate of the rest of the platoon on the right flank. He was concerned that we were low on ammunition and water, as well as the breakdown of communications equipment. The North Vietnamese engaged us with ferocity, determination, and duration, all in daylight; that was unusual for them. After four hours, we were still locked in a stalemated action with regular North Vietnamese army troops. They were in no hurry to disengage or conclude combat with us. Another concern was the lack of reinforcements from Con Thien itself, considering our close proximity to that base. 'We did not know the size of the force we engaged, other than it was larger than our platoon. Cpl. Schauble was worried that any rescue force from Con Thien may have also been ambushed.

    We continued to exchange sporadic fire with the enemy until late afternoon. We had nearly exhausted our small arms ammunition and much of our water. Our mortar, rocket, and machine gun ammunition, had long been expended. Because we had not been rescued and did not know if help was responding, Cpl. Schauble decided that time had come to aggressively challenge the enemy and consolidate with our right flank. At this point, we were unaware of their circumstances. Echo Company Marines prided themselves on never leaving anyone living or dead, ever. We were not about to leave anyone on this battlefield.

    Cpl. Schauble deployed first squad to our right flank to provide cover for second squad, which would press the attack in a skirmish formation. First squad successfully moved into position supporting us with grazing rifle fire. Schauble positioned most of the remaining Marines with second squad for the assault. We were all positioned and looking at Schauble who was in the middle of the skirmish line. I was to the right side of the line. Directly to my left was PFC Richard Eemisse; we were all waiting anxiously for the command to attack. Schauble raised his right hand rnotioning forward and verbally gave the command to attack. The entire line leaped to its feet as one, yelling and firing their weapons as we ran forward. I had the platoon's remaining five or six M-79 rounds in my possession and fired sparingly as we ran forward. While attacking, my M-79 became inoperable. Our first objective was a hedgerow about twenty meters to our front. This hedgerow concealed many enemy positions, and we easily took it with only two or three casualties.

    First squad maintained a steady flow of grazing fire from our right flank in their effort to suppress enemy fire. The momentum of the attack carried us through the first hedgerow into another field that was approximately fifty meters across, bordered by another hedgerow. At this point, the man to my left, PFC Eemisse was throwing a hand grenade when he was struck by enemy gunfire. The grenade he was throwing squibbed about ten feet directly in front of me and exploded. It surprised me that I was not wounded.

    We continued about half way across the second field approaching Cpl. Callaway's position, when my attention was drawn to my left front along the forward edge of a very large bomb crater. I saw a very extensive defensive position that was not well concealed. The North Vietnamese had dug trench lines connecting their positions. I could see several enemy troops moving from position to position. There was an extensive amount of fire coming from these positions. Two enemy soldiers were operating a light machine gun (RPD type), and several more were firing AK47's. They were firing at the Marines to my left without let up.

    Private First Class William A. Hayes was to my right a few feet away. We looked at each other without saying a word; the expression on his face told me that he was thinking the same thing. If we're caught in the open, we are dead! If we tried running back to the hedgerow we would be shot in the back, as it was at least 20 meters. Dropping to the prone would have left us in the open field, in plain view and exposed to their fire. In the split second it took for

    PFC Hayes and me to look at each other, we had the same idea. Knowing we were going to die, we both changed directions and sprinted directly toward the light machine gun. PFC Hayes was helmet less and bare chested, he held a hand grenade in each hand as he sprinted toward the enemy. The North Vietnamese manning the bunkers must have been concentrating on their front as they only began moving to fire at us when we were about twenty- to twenty-five feet from them. The enemy RPD began firing on PFC Hayes, as he was the closest. I was firing my .45 pistol while at a dead run directly at the enemy. Our close proximity .and being at a dead run, put us on top of the enemy in short order.

    PFC Hayes tossed the grenade in his left hand, underhanded, toward the machine gun. The grenade he had in his right hand, he raised over his head to throw straight down into the enemy position. He was killed by the machine gun, which he was attacking. At that instant, PFC Hayes' second grenade sailed over the bunker. They both exploded within moments of each other. The North Vietnamese in the bunker appeared frantic. PFC Haye's body fell headlong into their position. The enemy soldiers pushed Hayes' body to their left, as the gunner tried to bring the machine gun to bear on me. I remember looking down at four enemy faces as I fired' my pistol. The enemy gunner continued firing the machine gun, but could not quite turn the gun on me quick enough. His bullets were all fired to my right. I quickly adjusted to my left, dropping to my right knee to avoid being shot. I was muzzle-to-muzzle with the RPD.

    I remember at this point thinking, "This is it!" I could not tell what affect my pistol had on the enemy soldiers. As I fired, the muzzle of the machine gun was blasting near my face. I turned my head to the left in a grimace as the air turbulence and muzzle blast of a bullet slapped me on the right side of my head. When I did not die, I looked back forward and saw the muzzle of the machine gun point straight up in the air, still firing. It and the four North Vietnamese faces disappeared below the forward edge of their bunker, and their firing ceased. I determined that to continue the attack into the enemy position with three rounds left was not practical. This action all took place in the duration of the time it took Bill Hayes' last grenade to detonate. Approximately 4 to 5 seconds.

    I threw a grenade at the enemy bunker. For the next few moments, there was no activity on either side. I did not know how many casualties the enemy sustained, if any, and visually surveyed my surroundings. I was unable to detect any signs of life anywhere on the immediate battlefield. I yelled out several of my felDw squad member's names. There were no response of any kind. Looking to my left, I saw the bodies of at least two dead Marines. I yelled a few more times, trying to find any live souls. I thought this would be my last day to live. I then heard a voice way behind me; it was Pfc James M. Terry. He and Private Brien A. Hayes, were pinned down approximately 30 meters to my rear. They were the only other two Marines that were uninjured in the charge, other than myself.

    I told them to throw me some grenades so I could continue the attack on the enemy positions. Pfc Terry responded that he and Pvt. Hayes were out of grenades. I instructed them to move around and retrieve the ammunition and grenades from our casualties. PFC Terry threw about four hand grenades toward me, but they did not land in my crater. They landed to the right and left and somewhat to the rear of my crater. I was angry and frustrated at not having the grenades in my possession. To try and get them would have been fatal, as I would have been exposed to the enemy.

    I had them throw me a smoke grenade, which I used to blind the enemy. When I thought no enemy soldier could see me through the smoke, I jumped from my crater running, picking up the fragmentation grenades that Terry and Hayes previously had thrown to me. The last grenade I tossed, took one bounce and went right into the enemy bunker. When it exploded I remember seeing items of enemy uniforms and equipment blown skyward. I was once again out of grenades and had only my pistol left to defend myself. I was aware of PFC Hayes' body lying in front of the enemy position. PFC Terry and Pvt Hayes continued to locate our casualties and strip them of their armament. They were able to locate and throw me a couple of more grenades, which I threw into the enemy position. I asked them to find me another smoke grenade, which they did. Again, I used it to blind the enemy's position. I then ran back to Terry and Hayes' location and learned that we were the only ones left from the charge who were not wounded or killed.

    We discussed what to do next as we had no leader. I decided not to give up what we had gained, so I told Terry and Hayes to remain where they were, while I obtained more ammunition. I took an empty claymore mine bag and ran the distance back to our original starting point in the sunken trail. I prayed with all my being that an enemy sniper would not kill me as I ran. When I arrived back at the sunken trail, I was met by our forward observer, L/Cp1. Steve McDonell, who asked what was happening and where everyone else was. I told him, they're all dead except for three of us! I could see the look of desperation and a sense of very real concern on his face. McDonell said that he had the only operable radio of the six we started with. I told him the enemy was stronger than we anticipated, and a secondary defense line decimated us. Cp1. Callaway was the only member of our right flank that I saw, and he was pinned down among the enemy's positions. I did not know if he was still alive. We still did not know the fate of the rest of our right flank. I distributed the ammunition evenly, giving each of us about three magazines apiece. With our rifles charged, we walked on line, directing slow deliberate fire at the enemy's positions. PFC Campbell's rifle jammed. I removed the magazine and discarded the useless rifle. ! immediately located another' dead Marine's rifle, loaded it with my magazine and continued in the advance. When we were about twenty feet from the enemy bunker line by the crater I used earlier, we stopped in our tracks! During this final assault, we had not received any enemy fire from the bunkers. Directly beyond the bunkers at about two- to three hundred meters, we could see at least fifty or more men approaching us being lead by a man waving a pistol.

    PFC Terry and I looked at each other -- we each knew we were in serious trouble. We thought that this was an enemy counter-attack, as this force was coming from the southeast. Terry took a prone position and said he was going to shoot the leader. I was curious as to why we were not being fired upon in our exposed position as we watched them advance. At this point I was demoralized and made no effort to hide from their view. I was waiting for us to be cut down in a hail of gun fire as we watched them approach. Terry was aiming his rifle when I pushed his rifle barrel down. Terry then recognized, as I had, that the advancing troops were Americans. A great sense of relief came over us as we waited for them. They entered the enemy bunker complex from the rear. This was done without incident. The fighting was over for this day.

    The leader of our rescuers was Lt. Rudd, an officer of Hotel Company, 2/26. His troops performed the task of cleaning up after the fight. I went along our line of attack and found many of our casualties. I heard groaning near where I emerged from the first hedgerow when second squad attacked. I found my friend, PFC Rick Ernissee, gravely wounded. I could not see his wound, but when I tried to roll him over, my fingers went into his head. A bullet entered the top of his helmet, striking him at the forward scalp line. The bullet split his cranium all the way to the back of his head. The wound was about two inches wide and brain matter exposed. He was evacuated immediately. We found Lance Cp1. Ronald Kalblienn. at the extreme left flank of second squad's attack. He had been driven to cover at the first hedgerow and was forced to remain there until the battle was oven We found Cp1. Schauble's body near the first hedgerow. A bullet entered his open mouth, exiting near the back of his head. I found the bodies of PFC Dennis Lobbezoo and PFC Walter Seawright lying in the field in front of the enemy bunker complex. They were killed during the attack on the bunkers by the second squad.

    We then discovered the grim reality of the right flank's fate. Most of them were killed in, and among, the enemy's hidden positions. Our Platoon leader, S/Sgt Baker was also found among this group with his radio operator, L/cpl Daniel L. Prock. After the dead and debris of battle was cleared away, the numbers I recall in this action were about fourteen Marines killed in action and a lesser number, about eleven or twelve, wounded in action from small arms and were taken to hospitals for treatment. I do not remember the exact numbers, but the number of North Vietnamese dead we recovered was the same as the number of Marines killed.

James Kaylor E Co 2/26

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