The reconnaissance platoon and 2 M48s were also sent as reinforcements. Company H was withdrawn to await the arrival of the Company F reinforcements. As Company H advanced towards the suspected PAVN position they came under heavy machine gun, mortar and rocket fire from across a stream in the hamlet of Dong Xuan ( 16★0′37″N 107☀7′12″E / 16.8436°N 107.120☎ / 16.8436 107.120). :294 Two platoons from Company F were ordered aboard AMTRACs to move to join Company H. At 07:00 a patrol from Company H, 2/4 Marines operating north of Dai Do was sent to investigate the area. At 04:00 the PAVN opened fire on an LCU causing severe damage and killing 1 sailor. The PAVN moved into a series of pre-built mutually supporting bunkers surrounded by barbed wire which had been built over the preceding weeks unnoticed by the ARVN who were responsible for security in the area. In late April 4 People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN) Battalions, including 2 from the 320th Division, infiltrated past the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 2nd Regiment to occupy the area around Dai Do ( 16★0′28″N 107☀6′40″E / 16.841°N 107.111☎ / 16.841 107.111) 2.5 km northeast of Đông Hà. The 1st AMTRAC Battalion had operational control of a rotation of Marine infantry battalions. The Cửa Việt area was part of the Napoleon/Saline operational area with the 1st Amphibian Tractor Battalion responsible for securing the Cửa Việt Base and its vicinity. The Cửa Việt River served as a vital supply line for the 3rd Marine Division in northern Quảng Trị Province, running from the Cửa Việt Base to the Đông Hà Combat Base which in turn supported the Marine bases along the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ). The manner in which the Foundation cares and gives so much to todays wounded Veterans is from the heart.The Battle of Dai Do (also known as the Battle of Đông Hà) took place from 30 April to in Quảng Trị Province during the Vietnam War. “The reason I am joining the Gary Sinise Foundation is that it does so much for all Veterans above and beyond any other organization in America. His region included the 19 Western States, Guam and the Philippines. In July, 2001, the President of the United States appointed him Veterans’ Liaison for the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs, a position in which he served until January, 2009. In addition Vargas's personal decorations include the Silver Star the Purple Heart with four Gold Stars the Combat Action Ribbon the Meritorious Service Medal and the Vietnamese Gallantry Cross with Silver Star and Palm.Īfter retiring from the Marines in 1993, Vargas was appointed Secretary of the California Department of Veterans Affairs, a position he held until 1998. It was for his actions that in a May 1970 ceremony at the White House, President Nixon presented then Major Vargas with the Congressional Medal of Honor. His actions caused him to sustain wounds at three different times. Vargas then carried to safety his seriously wounded battalion commander and saved seven other Marines. During the battle, he was able to free one of his platoons under attack by personally destroying three enemy machine gun positions. In the spring of 1968, while serving in the Republic of Vietnam Vargas' company engaged in fierce combat with the enemy at the village of Dai Do. Naval Forces, Pacific, where he served as Force Marine. Vargas was born in Arizona, the son of immigrants, an Italian mother and Hispanic father, who came to the United States in 1917.Ĭolonel Vargas final tour of duty as a Marine Officer found him on the staff of the Commander, U.S.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |