Battle of Bi Ninh

Battle of Bi Ninh

August 7, 1967 – Razorback 33

 January 4, 1991 Dear Bob: I read with interest your letter to the editor and account of the action your unit was involved in near Bien Hoa. I became quite emotionally affected, as I was caught up in that same action - and your account brought back some memories long ago buried in my mind. Suppose it would be best if I could share with ...

August 7, 1967– Feedback

A year ago I received a call from a aide to 199th LIB, G-2 regarding this LZ.  He informed me that the day before him, his captain, and a Kit Carson were in a jeep and had passed through Ni Binh village which was known to be Catholic and friendly to the US forces. After passing through the ville the road swept north and split.  ...

August 7, 1967 – After Action Report

Documentation provided by Wayne "Crash" Coe with help from Robert N. Gibeault Note from Robert N. Gibeault We are preparing to write the definitive story of the Ni Binh battle.  I have interviewed E-4's to general officers and have photo's taken during the event.  I am looking to interview any people that were involved that day, especially 'Rat Pack' crews, as they were not listed ...

No Tail – No Fly

Thu Douc 7 August 1967 The Blackhawks We called ourselves the Blackhawks, but the Army called us the 187th Assault Helicopter Company in Tay Ninh Vietnam.  My call sign was "Blackhawk 54", or "Crash" Coe to my pilot buddies.  WO David Webster was my co-pilot and SP4 M. Martin "Magnet Ass" Jansen was the crew chief, and SP4 James Holston was the gunner on the ...

August 7, 1967 – Battle of Ni Binh

August 7, 1967 was a monumental day for me.  I had been "in country" for less than 30 days and had not yet been into a "hot" LZ under enemy fire.  This day would change that and change it drastically. Posted here are stories of my day, as well as stories from others who participated in that eventual day.  The originals are posted on the Blackhawk/Crusader web ...

The First Rescue – 7 August 1967

On August 7, 1967, the 187th Assault Helicopter Company (Blackhawks/Crusaders/Rat Pack) was participating in a combat assault north of Saigon.  During the first lift into the landing zone (LZ) the flight experienced heavy small arms fire from entrenched NVA positions, resulting in the lost of a number of aircraft and the wounding (WIA) of aircrews and infantry.  The 187th AHC was inserting member of the ...