"Redcatchers"
Republic of Vietnam
This is the true story of a horrific battle that saw brave young men of Company A, 5th Battalion, 12th Infantry, 199th Light Infantry Brigade fight valiantly, become wounded in battle, and yes, even die on that fateful day.
It was a battle that saw courageous officers - a special breed of soldiers not much older than the young men whom they commanded, lead their troops into battle. It was a battle that saw brave warriors awarded the Silver Star for their heroic actions that day. Sadly, the family of another hero was presented the Medal of Honor.
To be sure there were far greater battles fought during the Vietnam War, and this incident pales in comparison. During the course of that terrible conflict there were men of A/5/12 who came before and after this incident who were engaged in other incredible operations of their own. And of course, there were other brave men and women who served as Marines, Airmen and Sailors. But this is a story that should be told along with all the others. The Vietnam War experience should live on, and the brave men who fought and died should not be forgotten.
Most of the men in this story were fortunate to make it out of the ambush and firefight of 13 May, 1968. Sadly, it proved to be the final day in the lives of a few.
But what a brave and magnificient last day they lived... |
