Here in northwest iraq, american troops are fighting the war on terror and helicopter gunships such as this armed uh1234 are essential for the troops fighting a fe moeshs adversary. 1968 half a world away, this aircrafts predecessors supported 6,000 marines and soldiers in the northwest corner of another country. Vietnam. Vastly outnumbered, the americans stood firm for 77 days enduring unrelentless attacks, heavy casualties and dwindling suppliee. Its a story i know well because i was a rifle platoon commander on a ridge overlooking khe sahn not long after the siege. Tonight, those who lived throug the hell of the siege at khe sa sahn. U. S. Military action in vietnam was near the peak in early 1968. American troops strength passed the half million mark and the hum ber of americans killed in action soared to nearly 20,000. At home, protests against the war were bigger and louder. American helicopters are used to transport the South Vietnam troops, the show of strength intimidates the
I was a problem because the aircraft couldnt land much of the time. It was too dangerous. Even the c123s a little bit, you know, faster getting in and out werent able to come in. None of khe sahns weapons range the artillery targeting the baae. The guns far away on sheer stone cliffs on a mountain in laos called corock. It even survived blistering aerial bombardment. The guns were wheeled in caves when they being used to. If he could turn off aerial resupply, he could eventually achieve what he did. The base commander refused to let that happen. Tony was the t gent. He was out and about the area. Not in a bunker. Eveey day of the siege. Visiting troops. Visiting marines. Being exposed. Showing himself as a true leader. David lownes was a great marine. Getting in food, medicine and ammunition to keep the 6,000 men alive. And so the marines had to find a way to get supplies without landing the planes. They developed a system of low altitude parachute extraction where the supplies would b
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