Landing
Zone Vera: The crash of incoming mortar fire shattered
the night for the men of Battery B, 1st 92nd
Artillery as they slept on this tiny firebase.
About 0130 hours on November 13, 1968 the enemy launched what was
termed a concentrated suicide attack to cripple the battery. The Battery
sustained the attack throughout the night and into the next day until
1700 hours when the NVA and VC launched what was to be their last
attempt to over-run the firebase. At this time LZ Vera received a
devastating barrage of 82mm mortar, 100mm artillery and 122mm rocket
fire. However
B Battery held the Firebase and the 155mm guns of the Battery, and
with the aid of gun ships, effectively silenced the enemy fire.
Battery
B, in direct support of 3rd Brigade 4th Infantry moved to
LZ Vera (YA834178, 50 KM southwest of Pleiku) on 12 Nov 1968. The Battery
arrived late in the afternoon, following the procedure that all over
head cover must be built before any one sleeps. This saved many lives
since the NVA attacked the Battery shortly after midnight on 13 Nov.
Two days of intense enemy action ensued in which 23 Battery Personnel
were wounded, one man was killed and 3 howitzers were damaged. The Battery
was highly commended for its Valorous Action, which helped repel a ground
attack leaving 7 VC dead inside the perimeter, and suppressed the subsequent
hostile mortar, rocket and artillery attacks with counter-battery fire.
PFC. Greg Stiger Battery B, 1/92nd Artillery lost his life. PFC. Weeks
was wounded in a mine incident
In addition to the numerous Purple Hearts
the following awards were issued. For their actions during the battle,
men of B Battery were honored with awards recently presented by
Brigadier General A. Edwards JR., Commanding General First Field
Forces Vietnam Artillery. The General awarded Bronze Stars with
"V" Devices to:
1st LT. Richard S. Golaszewski, who risked his life to
pull injured men from the enemy line of fire to the relative safety
of the bunkers,
1st LT. Thomas A. Harris JR. Who, along with three Non-commissioned
Officers and the remaining men of the sixth howitzer section, manned
the gun until it was damaged, and could no longer be fired
SGT First Class Harry A Lucas, who, while serving as Chief of firing
battery was required to take over a howitzer section and direct fire.
Staff Sergeants David Pouncy JR, Raymond Johnson JR. Louis O. Romero
and David C. Uhl for manning their howitzers and bombarding enemy
positions.
SGT. Joseph Lee, who, without regard for his own safety, manned his
howitzer and bombarded enemy positions,
SP-5 Jimmie C. West, Medic: who disregarded his own safety to treat
men of B Battery and the men of supporting Infantry unit.
PFC William C. Ross and Ira R. Forehand who braved heavy fire to evacuate
a wounded man
1st LT. James Hughes II and SGT. Michael P. Mosher also
received Bronze Stars with "V" Devices
General Edwards presented the Army Commendation
Medal with "V" Device to the following men:
CPL.
Charles L. Baklew, undaunted by incoming rounds, defended his positions
SP-4 Perry D. Jennings, who evacuated a wounded man under fire.
PFC’s
Walter Brown, JR, Melvin C. Pick, Daniel Swarts and Peter S. Melnick,
who endangered their lives to evacuate wounded men.
Sp-4
Ralph A. Calhoun also received the award.
(Article
edited by Fred Stella)
If
anyone has any photos or other information to add to this account
of the action at LZ Vera, please contact jd@bravecannons.org
