(This entry has had a lot of comments, and I'm glad it can help bring Nam vets together or to help find each other. If you have a comment, please attach your name to the comment or from this point forward it won't be published. I've received many comments that are phony and obviously made up, submitted by anonymous submission. I do screen all comments. Click the photo to enlarge. Semper Fi.)This is the Liberty Bridge (click to make larger) in Quang Nam Province in Vietnam during July of 1968. Of the 14,000 Marines killed in Vietnam, 10,000 were killed in Quang Nam Province. (Figures in comment section show a little under 7000 KIA in Quang Nam.) This was late in my tour on July 2. The bridge had been blown once again by the enemy to isolate the Marine base at An Hoa. I was a 50 caliber machine gunner on a convoy to resupply the An Hoa Firebase.
I called this the River Styx because it had a ferry boat. Once you crossed the river you entered a nightmare hell on earth called the Arizona Territory. It was a free fire zone, meaning you could pretty much kill anyone of military age who wasn't a Marine. Enemy bodies and wreckage were scattered along the six mile choking dust road to An Hoa. This was bad country. The convoys were most exposed while crossing the river. We had to cross one truck at a time on the ferry boat. On this day, while waiting to cross, we spotted several NVA setting up a weapon on the river bank about 900 yards up river. Lance/Cpl. Harry Faudree, displaying incredible ability, dropped two of them and scattered the rest with a burst from an M-60 machine gun.
Upon reaching An Hoa, we were locked in for the night. The enemy had a nasty habit of surrounding the place after dark. We would set the gun trucks right behind whatever grunt battalion was on the perimeter and wait to be overrun. A few choppers would come in and out at night, but they took fire. We would watch the show of green tracer bullets going up and our red tracers going down. Mortar units fired rounds all night around the perimeter to discourage the enemy from coming close. This was the Arizona and the Indians were nasty. Probably two of the best books on the Arizona are James Webb's Fields of Fire and Sand In The Wind, written around 1970.
I'm currently reading a first hand account of Vietnam by my childhood friend Brian Strasser, who was with Mike Company 3/1 in Vietnam during 1967. It's a great historical record, and Brian is one of those Marines who have excellent recall this far down the road. I hope the book comes out for general release some day so people can learn what it was like to be a Marine in a grunt battalion during the Vietnam War.
For Nam veterans reading this...take care of yourself, and if you have a problem file a VA claim, especially if you have any kind of heart disease or Type 2 diabetes. I have also been writing a bi-monthly newsletter called The S-2 Report for the past 25 years that deals with PTSD and veterans issues. If you would like to read a copy each time one comes out, I can send a free PDF version directly to you.
Send an email to:
dennislatham@comcast.net
( I welcome all comments from anyone who served there or family members. It's important to keep our oral history alive. Semper Fi.)
I too crossed this bridge many times as a member of the 11th Motor Transport Battalion supporting the 5th Marines at An Hoa. Always a adventure! Semper Fi
ReplyDeletei was at that river,on convoys but never got to cross bridge.it was never done in fact my last convoy to an hoa sometime in 68,the ferry broake down & floated downriver.we were stuck ther for 2 weeks.by the way,i was a radio oper.with H&Sco.7th motor trans.bn.
DeleteL/cpl Larry johnson....Tango gun 2 and gun 3 Echo battery liberty Brig.and Ah Hoa fire base Jan 1 to DEC 18 1969 if you need a VA claim wetness and if i can help email usmc434@aol.com..ph.205-647-6152....facebook larry johnson hayden alabama .. a few pic..will add some more ...i remenber Denniss and wild bill Beson
Deletewere you a radio operator
DeleteI too went across that river many with FLC. Remember the night charlie over ran us....That was some night!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteSemper Fi!!!!!!!!!!
James
I was a combo driver,( truck and pup ,specializing in explosives, 105,155, 175, 8", C-4, with caps !!!Insane ! Attached to Bravo Co.11th MT Battilion. Loads well over 150,000 lbs.across the Liberty bridge from Feburary of 69 thru June 0f 70. Looking for fellow Marines that can help me find my brothers.
ReplyDeleteSemper Fi
"Doc" L/cpl Tim Ferguson
Warriorusmc@hotmail.com
I also crossed Liberty Bridge during my tour in An Hoa. As the CO's driver, I was assigned to Echo artillery Battery 2/11 Marines. I also served as NCO of the 2/11 motor pool and a gunner. One afternoon I was late meeting up with the convoy. However, I was assured by everyone that the convoy just left and if I hurried, I could catch it. There was another Marine whom needed a ride back to An Hoa. So, we decided to catch the convoy. (little did I know the convoy left a half hour beforehand). I drove solo from Da Nang to An Hoa without the aid of a convoy. Pretty scary considering, the land mines, Charlie Ridge, Dodge City, the Arizona Territory and crossing Liberty Bridge. But, we made it without an incident. My Master Sargent chewed me out as I drove up as the sun was setting. I didn't tell him, but I was very shaken up after that trip.
ReplyDeleteCpl Bill Beason
wild bill beason ....johnson say hi
DeleteI was Gun Chief on Gun 2 Echo 2/11 in An Hoa L/Cpl.Lane (Hondo) Loved that unit we traveled a lot to different places for operations I remember one at Go Noi Island when we went under water in real bad rain. At that time only L/Cpl. Chief in battery. Many of the Cpl. Gun Chiefs not happy about my position as Gun Chief. Most of them should remember me 1698/1969. Transferred to Delta Battery at the bridge Phu Loc 6. March 1969.Also gun chief on gun 7. At Delta It was always a bad area. On March 19 12 dead at Delta 2/ 11 --------11 Marines 1 Corps men. Also 1/ 5 Marines had 2 killed.
DeleteJan. 14, 2014
DeleteYou guys were lucky for sure.
DeleteMy nane is Joe S,
ReplyDeleteI spent some time in these areas AN Hoa, Liberty Bridge hill 55 Da Nang to AnHoa Anhoa to Cherry Point. Listen maybe you can contact me because my hands are shaking trying to type this. I'm a 58 tr. old marine vet got in country about july 4, 1968 left nov. 1968. Please write.
Joe S
jschwa5059@comcast.net
Served in 1969 "C" co 11th MT Talk to me if you would like 727-823-5875
ReplyDeleteServed in 1968 & 1969 "C" co 11th MT
ReplyDeleteroadking721@cox.net
I was with Bravo 1/5 and C.P. group as a T.A.C. radio man.(air control)I have been trying to get in touch with anyone that operated out of Liberty Bridge from Oct.'68' to Oct.'69'.We were in a big operation in Arizona Territory when I rotated home on Oct.of 68. Would be great to hear from anyone remotely possible we new and served with each other. hutch007@comcast.net
ReplyDeleteI was a Plt.Sgt in B 1/5 in 1968. Sgt Goody.If my memory serves me right. Ha Ha. You were with Captain Lawdy. You saved our bottom many times. God bless you. Not many Marines came home from B 1/5 in 1968 but the ones who did will surley remember you.God Bless We have a reunion every other year at our corpsmans house Doc Dodson,the bravest man I ever knew.
DeleteAlso with 1/5.....HST same time. :)
Deletehave friend who was there 68-70 donald d butler 1/5 h&s radio/wireman he received 3 purple hearts navy acomadation medal little cray cray but still a warrior! got wounded at liberty bridge!
DeleteI don't know old this is but I lost a brother there Oct 30 68. co b I/5. I would like to hear from any one there.
DeleteBill Schwarz,schwarz-b@hotmail.com
I lost my brother, Larry Schwarz, there, Oct. 30 68 He was bravo 1/5. I would like to hear from any one there.
DeleteBill Schwarz Schwarz-b@hotmail.com
I was with A/1/5 as a radio operator for artillery FO team, I was know as rabbit. If you were with BRAVO CP group at that time you may have known a radio operator for artillery (D/2/11) named perkiser. I knew him also. I was in the Liberty bridge area from August 68- Akugust 69. I was at the bridge inMarch 19, 1969 attack that came through the wire and I was wounded in the Arizona in June of 69 while with 1/5.
Deletei remember leaving freedom hill(327)late in the
ReplyDeleteafternoon some time in may 69 in the back of a
six. we spent the night at the bridge.red alert
my first night in country,you could'nt have got a B B up my ass with a ballpean hammer.we got home(An Hoa)the next morning thats when everything went fuzzy.can you remember.?
I was with H&S Company 11th Motor Transport Aug 68 to Sept 69, I was the NCO in charge of Supply for 11th Motor Transport. Our other duties were Convoy Escorts 50 on a six and Scout Perimiter patrols twice a week to An Hoi,hill 55 ,65 Phu Bai, Freedom Hill and beyond. I can,t remember any names only a Armorer named BUBBA that our Rough Rider Convoy got hit during support of H 2/1 for operation Mameluke Thrust and Allen Brook one of our convoy was ambushed with RPGs, Claymores and small arms fire (we had 14 WIA, and 3 trucks destroyed , 11 September 1968 right after typhoon Bess struck the area ,Col Kinwiburgh had just assumed comand from Maj B.M Floyd of 11th MTB Tom S Aka shooternc
Deletei remember leaving freedom hill(327)late in the afternoon in the back of a six. the middle of may i believe, we spent the night at the bridge.
ReplyDeletered alert my first night in country,you could'nt
have gotten a B B up my ass with a ballpean hammer.next morning we headed to our new home
An Hoa after that it's pretty much a blurr.do you remember.?
Seems a long time ago driving trail jeep from 327 to An Hoa and Baldy/Ross with Bravo Co 11th MT. " Bravo Trail to Bravo Actual Charlie Papa 13 and Rollling" Glad we all made it back, SEMPER FI Richard in Wyoming
ReplyDeleteWhen I arrived in-country in August 1967, I was with 1/3 and our rear area was on Hill 327. We went on float two days later. I went to 7th Motors at Camp Books after 1/3 came off float and was in B Company 7th Motors.
ReplyDeleteSemper Fi
Dennis
i arrived in country 1969 started out as a cook
ReplyDeletean hoa and liberty bridge had some pics with other marines in front of anti aircraft gun and on top of a bunker overlooking bush between an hoa and liberty bridge.anyone remember? love to
hear from you guys.
mclaughlinmac77@yahoo.com
Was wondering if you remember me.
DeleteErnie Sheriff @ Liberty Bridge??
Burner man & Cook. I have pictures of you and the guys.
ernie@cox.net
McCauley said
ReplyDeleteTo: All Hands. My Seabee battalion built that bridge in 1867 on our second deployment to Nam. Principally the work was done by C Co. USNMCB-4, with lots of help from B Co. The NVA frogmen did some damage when it was dark and rainy and the USMC provided as much security as was possible. Sad to see Liberty Bridge gone. It was, they say, the longest timber
my thanks to you all from DET 018 USN SeaBees. I had a brother who was a sniper on hill 55 words are not enough
DeleteBuilt in 1967 by USNMCB-4 Seabees. The longest timber bridge in Asia, manybe in the world. Four time the size of the Kwai in Thailand.
ReplyDeleteHugh McCauley
Brings back some memories...I crossed that bridge twice. Once to enjoy a little in-country r&r in Da Nang and once heading stateside after 11 months with Mike Co, 3rd Bat. 5th Mar., An Hoa '68-'69.
ReplyDeleteHello there brother Marine , I was with India Co.3/5 , AnHoa I just finished watching the Movie Paltoon, Sure brought back a few memories about my time in the bush , I crossed at Liberty Bridge a few times to and from Da Dang Our unit , was in AnHoa when the bridge area was over run by NVA in 1969 , Glad I wasen't there that night ,The next day I heard they had over 50 died (dinks ) in the wire, Liberty Bridge was a shit hole . When it was our turn, our unit 3/5 rotated into the Aazona Territory , I was hit twice , auto-matic burst from a AK from only 5 ft away. Got medavacted out to the Repose Med ship in the Bay out side of Da Nang . I don't rember much after that . Tom Price ,
DeleteWas you near the battle of the LIbety Bridge on March 19 1969 ??
DeleteI moved to Liberty Bridge with Delta Battery 2/11 in the summer of 68. We had 1/5 across the road on the south side. 5th Marines was located at An Hoa Base. I rotated home in December of 68. We lost some good Marines when the Battery was hit in March of 69 by 300 enemy. Lost one of my best friends 1stSgt Furse due to fragging by one sick Marine bastard. May he rot in hell.
ReplyDeleteCorporal Rich Magner 2531/0141
RNV 67-68
rmagner27@verizon.net
he was staying with tango battery that night he was fraged......i was there that night..l johnson
DeleteI left 11th Motor transport battalion on sept 25 1969 with a Sgt in Bravo Co to pick up Prisoners at Da Nang Brig. We picked up 5 prisoners to be transported (Pan Am Airways from da Nang to El Toro MCAS California( One of the prisoners had fragged his 1st SGT and was given life in prison ) we were assigned MP arm bands and 45 revolvers0 3 prosoners were given 30 to life for disertion under fire and collborating with the enemy. I don,t know if this guy was your Sick Bastard. But rest assured if he was he,s rotting in hell,I don,t think the prisoners in Leavonworth KS Prison take Deserters and Murders of there comrads very likely. I would say none of the 5 ever made it out of Levenworth except in a pine box , Hope this help my friens Sempere Fi
DeleteI WAS THERE WHEN THE 1ST. SGT. WAS FRAGED..WAS THAT OCT OF 68..A BLACK FRAGED HIM CORRECT ? CANT REALLY REMEMBER I WAS ON GUN 6 AT WEST END OF OUR FIRE BASE
DeleteI was at the bridge then too with Tango 2/11- on 55's.that nite we got hit. terrible nite.also, I didn't know the Top (sorry for your loss) but i knew he was going home soon when he got fragged. There was also a Gunny in that hooch too who we found wandering around near our gun pit confused and badly wounded,pretty sure he made it. We were in a fire mission at the time the frag went off and didn't realize it but some of us saw the scumbag who dropped it in and after finding the Gunny and then seeing what happened in that hooch we put it together. myself and some others went to DaNang and gave statements relating to this incident to the authorities. That scumbag was arrested but i don't know the outcome. hopefully he's been executed or still in prison. Semper Fi..... reillydk@brooklynda.org
DeleteRich; I was with D-2/11 also, I was the ammo tech. I was friends with Richard Pevey, Dusty Dillard,Tom Haney. I hope all of you men are doing OK. Robert (Bobby) Robinson Semper Fi
DeleteArrived in country Feb 68. Went to Hue with 2/5 mortars. Eventually went to An Hoa around July 68, via the one truck ferry due to the bridge being blown. A very nasty place, An Hoa. Rotated back March 69.
ReplyDeleteSemper Fi!!
Maybe you were on the convoy I was on the 50 caliber on July 2nd. We picked up some troops either near Danang or Hoi Ann. We had the one at a time ferry.
ReplyDeleteDennis,
ReplyDeleteI believe it was around July 2nd 68. We were steadily heading south from Hue, Phu Loc, Danang and finally An Hoa.
Nice to meet you..finally. Thanks for the 50 support.
Bob
have a friend donald butler cpl 1/5 radio man said he was at watch 00-400 19mar69 liberty bridge said while walking to wake up his relief saw nva coming up where part of base had a bottle neck said he opened fire with his m-16 spent 12 mags before being hit by grenade was med vac to beufort sc his nickname was "dino"
ReplyDeleteHi, Bob:
ReplyDeleteAmazing to meet you. There hasn't been a day in past 41 years that I haven't thought about or relived that war in my head. Never thought it would be that way. I guess it's that way for most vets.
Dennis,
ReplyDeleteYou and me both!
Bob
I was with Alpha 1/5 Nov 68- Nov 69. I was there when they came at us big time! We had a little dog that we called 'Bridgett' A Sgt. Major of the Marine Corps fixed us eggs to order one morning he had a big red mustache. If anybody knows his name get back with me.
ReplyDeleteCpl. Paul Fox
paul.fox@roadrunner.com
his name was sgt major falles
DeletePaul- what platoon were you in? I joined third platoon A 1/5 in Jan 69 and staye until Nov 69 Brian Martin
DeleteI was with Echo Battery, 2/11th Marines and I crossed Liberty Bridge many times during my tour of duty going to and returning from Danang. A few times it was getting dark and we had to stay at Liberty Bridge until daylight. Not a pleasant stay.
ReplyDeleteI too was in Echo Battery, 2/11 Marines and I crossed the bridge many times during 1969. Liberty Bridge wasn't a pleasant place to be stuck at. Ken H.
DeleteDennis, I was an FMF Corpsman stationed with the 11th Motor T from January thru December of 69. Road many a convoy from Danang to An Hoa. Was at the bridge the day after the battle. Charlie was still hanging in the wire as we drove by.
ReplyDeleteRick
rankin2931@comcas.net
Do you remember any of the radiomen
DeleteI was an FMF Corpsman with Delta Co, 7th Engineers in '68. We were on Hill 37 and our sweep teams, swept from Dai Loc to An Hoa.....We reopened the road in June of 68, after TET....
DeleteMy dad was HM1 Jack Young. He served with B Co, 1st Med Bn, 1st MarDiv. He was KIA March 11, 1969. My understanding is that B Co was on Hill 327, Freedom Hill. Is that right? He was in country Nov '68- Mar '69.
DeletePatty Young Loew
autumnsong67@gmail.com
i was at liberty bridge the night we got overran,the battle lasted all night we killed the last gook about 7 the next morning he was hiding under some pallets of chow in a tent for storage at the mess hall. as i was attached to intel i had the pleasure of checking bodys for papers and such after checking around by where our medic was killed i saw a group of marines standing around something in the middle of the road, as i went up i saw what looked like a pile of fat i kicked it and a head popped out,seems like the tank driver had ran one down locked up one track and ground him up,, semper fi
ReplyDeletepvt payne 1/5
royepjr@aol.com
Was the medic's name Steve Chambers?
DeleteWow, Thank you for sharing this story and Thank you for your service!
Deletei saw that same pile. i thought it was a pile of bloody rags....well i guess it really was....a little pay back
DeleteTango 2/11 155's maddog
I was there and remember being attacked. Still have PTSD. March 19, 1969. 1/5. 81 mm mortars. Suicide squads left behind.
DeleteI was there that night also 1st. bat. 5th marines 81 mortars , remember it well. arty got overrun on the other side of the road. my e-mail paandlala@att.net.
DeleteI was with Delta Co 7TH Eng we swept AnHoa road from Liberty Bridge to the Alamo a small CP half way between AnHoa and the Bridge. We were always getting pinned down on the road. We had 5TH Marines as our security on road every day.
ReplyDeleteHey Rob,
DeleteWhen were at An Hoa & Liberty Bridge/Phu Loc 6? I was with Bravo Company, 1st Engrs based at An Hoa. From about Feb 69 to April/May 69 I was with a squad out of Phu Loc 6/Liberty Bridge that did the daily morning road sweep from the bridge to the alamo. Everyday was an experience.
Mark
You obviously did a good job, I'm still here. Well done.
Deletewas with 1st Bridge. ran the ferry for about a month. prior to that, was on point for 1st sweep into the Alamo from the bridge around tet 68. made three runs before the ferry was ready. we had one tank and a squad of grunts as security. an e-ticket ride.
DeleteI was also with Delta Co 7th ESB. I got to hill 37 01/69 and left 02/70. While I was there Liberty bridge had been burned. We did road sweeps form 37 to the ferry at the river. There wasn't much left on the north side of the river bridgehead save a few buildings. There was M4T6 rafting site south of the bridge and was replaced by a floating bridge during my tour. I remember Phu Loc 6 getting overrun in the spring. Spent a few anxious hours on sweeps form the Loc to meet the north bound sweep team.
DeleteSemper Fi Rob....Doc Mann here
DeleteLiberty Bridge,19mar1969,mp co,hq bn,1stmardiv,it was worse than bad,72nva kia,11mar did hand to hand,witnessed mess sgt kia,captured some nva(one was in wire and saw his dead buddies and pissed himsalf)we were close to mess tent then 11mar,they did have 3flame throwers-much more-there it is-one of the many nights i prayed for day light-thanks Dennis-semper fi
ReplyDeletepfc will/1stmardiv-nam68-69 dcraven12@tampabay.rr.com
The body with the head popping up was next to the mess hall and the tank ran over the sapper as he attempted to set a satchel charge. the mess hall was across the road from the generator which they took out early in the night if i remember correctly it was a 26 k generator. the vns came in under mortar fire and hit d2/11 on the west as they came in from the east as well. and for the record all the bodies were buried on the east side of the compound
ReplyDeleteI was a driver/50 cal gunner 11 motor transport
ReplyDeletett divison late 67 to early 69' does any body remeber swing tn the river at liberty bridge
dave
Dennis, a yes: where the Son Thu Bon & the Son Phu Gia meet. There be Liberty Bridge. On the north side to the east lie Ganoi Island & to the south side the Phulocs. To the west northwest Charlie ridge. The Arizona Valley to the west extending down south to the west of An Hao mountains to the west , north & south of that bloody valley (likely among the most contested pieces of real estate in Vietnam at the time) Surrounded by those 3 menacing ranges of mountains I believe the Annamites. To the south Antenna Valley. I served 1969'70, split years. 1st Bn 5Th Marines joined up with Charlie Co. as their FAC and later Bn FAC. Rotated in every company of 1/5 during some given time. Pounded every square foot of the Arizona & most of the surrounding mountains including a few treks across the borders. Not a day goes by I don't think of it as if it was yesterday. Lost many good young men there. My email is revmarvinplayera@gmail.com would you be kind enough to communicate? Regards to all of you. Hey Cpl Fox e mail me also, I believe I recall you. Your talking about early June at An Bam I II III in the southwestern corner of the Arizona, three days and nights outnumbered about 7 to one I ran air for that three days continuous. I believe Alpha CO FAC at the time was James Montgomery good friend of mine and a team member. likely from Texas. I went out with Alpha a few times. Again, best to you all Martin Yancosky (Sky) former 1/4 1st BN 5Th Marines Less we forget the men who never made it home and help those who did we are all brothers
ReplyDeleteDid you know Elliott (Buzz) Peterson, he was there 68-69. Looking for pictures of him, he is my brother. I was with 3/1. Andrew
DeleteLooking for anyone that knew my brother he was with C 1/5 68-69. His name is Elliot (Buzz) Peterson. Looking for pictures for him. I'm his brother Andrew, I was with 3/1.
Deleteleft wrong e mail this is Ski former charlie co 1/5 fac and eventually Bn fac . served every company during 68/69 at some time or another . anyone wishing to contact correct e mail is revmarvinplayer@gmail.com Dennis would really appreciate hearing from you. Hey Fox, I believe I recall you, give me a shout. The Arizona is one of the bloodiest pieces of land I know of. I'm sorry to say we lost many a good young man there, yet proudly recall we left no one behind regardless of the cost. In my heart and mind , to me you are all brothers. No one could possibly understand unless they were there.
ReplyDeleteThank you guys for sharing your experiences here and Thank You all for your service! You are correct that those of us that were not there could never understand. God bless you ALL (those of you were blessed/lucky enough to come back home AND those that did not make it out) You are ALL heros!!!
DeleteMy cousin Tony Salinas was shot on the 24th of July 67, around Hill 51.
ReplyDeletel/cpl harry white
ReplyDeletei was one of the eng. that operated the ferry at liberty bridge i was there 4/68 to 3/69 i know we crossed paths somewhere along the line we took many of you guys into combat also took many convoys across the river i have a lot of memory of liberty bridge some good some some not so good
harry (farmer)
Harry , This is Bruce ( Vango ) I drove 5 ton mainly for your Plt. I got a good picture with you in it & other pictures . dutchman712004@yahoo.com
Deleteglenn goughenour radio operater 11th motors 1969.ferry crossing always an adventure...
ReplyDeleteGoogy ???? do you remember Blackburn or me Ragman Paul
DeleteWas in Golf 2/5 1969. Can anyone advise where on Danang map, that 11th motors was located? Would appreciate location of 1st med bn also
ReplyDeleteIn 1969, I was in L 3/1, and were tasked to guard the bridge. They blew it up, I was out on ambush, in the territory that night. scared beyond words, we were on the wrong side of the bridge.
ReplyDeleteI still have have problems on some damp nights I swear I can smell the the territory
i re-read the original message and feel a correction is necessary. neither the VC nor the NVA blew the bridge to isolate An Hoa. it burned down when either Seabees or Marine engineers set a trash fire near it. Purely accidental. I have lots of pix taken that day. Afterwards (as before) we had to take boats across the river.
ReplyDeleteIf your refering to the fire that started late May 68 or early june 68 you are correct. I was with Mike Co. 3/7 we took over the bridge at that time. The capt. wanted the banks of the river cleared of brush, it was picked up and stacked then lit up, the only problem was the brush was stacked alongside the pilings of the bridge oops, goodbye bridge.
Deleteray Rasmussen [patch]
Delete1stBrdgCo/7thEngrBn 9/67-9/68
I know the marine who set that fire. he was cooking up some c-rats with c-4 and it got away from him. I worked the ferry late 67 and was with first patrol to the outpost [which just a point on a map at thet time] half way to an hoa [into Arizona territory]. flatfingers@q.com
11th Motor Transport was located on Monkey Mountain about 11 miles out of Danang
ReplyDeleteI was IC 1967 to 68 and crossed that bridge many times. Also went across a floating bridge when the wooden on was blown. I was radio op for 11th MT. Seems they floated water buffalo down with explosives in them. That was some bridge
ReplyDeleteWhen I was there 11th motors was somewhere in Danang around Dai La pass, west side of airbase, not out on Monkey mtn
ReplyDeleteYou are correct my friend,across from 26th marines at Dai La pass was theren aug 68 sept 69 were did they get monkey mountain from?
DeleteCorrect, llth motors located across the road from 1st motor bn. I was there OCT-69-Oct-70
Deletei was with whiskey battery.the four duece unit as you got to an hoa.i also served with the artillary unit at liberty bridge.semper fi my friends.
ReplyDeletewas with whiskey battery also. I marked anonymous but I changed attitude. My email is coyotecard@hotmail.com
DeleteGood friend of mine was with whiskey , Gary Seals , I was with 1/5 visited whiskey when ever I could . You guys always had beer . Was at Liberty bridge when it was over run in March of 69 . Would we may have had a beer together .Was at whiskey the day Harvey Watson got killed . j.w.reister@hotmail.com
Deletem
DeleteSemper Fi, Marines. My last outfit in Vietnam, B Company 7th Motors is having their first reunion in Independence, Missouri in May. I'm looking forward to seeing guys I haven't seen in over 40 years. 7th Motors made supply run convoys to An Hoa and were always targets for the bad guys.
ReplyDeletelooking for any pics of liberty bridge 69 have a buddy that was there mar69 lost all his in 1970 email em (ericnurnberg@ymail.com) thanks
ReplyDeleteam looking for farnsworth, we were there that night at the bridge
ReplyDelete11th motors was outside 26th marines compound next to the pass.
ReplyDeleteI belive it was at the foot of Division Ridge. Where it opened into Dai lLoc pass (Very Isolated Area) It was across from the first Marines.
DeleteWe had the two Boats on top of the towers built by the SeaBees.
PFC. Robert Maldonado USMC 1/71 to 4/71 "C" company 11th Motors Bn.
( Op. Dewey Canyon ll/ Lam Son 719) and former Liberty Bridge traverser.
Thanks for 11th motors info
ReplyDeleteBattle of Liberty Bridge March 19, 1969 - Marines I was there as part of a radio relay team for 2/26 co-located in the FDC bunker. One of the jeeps burned by the flame throwers that night was mine. Looking for the SNCO that came into the FDC looking for assistance in putting out the jeep fires and for to assist in the counter attack. This SNCO and I were hit by a rocket just outside the FDC as we exited the bunker. Even though injured from the rocket, I told the Doc that treated my minor wounds to go away when he asked for my name for the Purple Heart. Today I need the evidece or buddy statement for the VA because the ankle I cam down on from the rocket blast is now shot and needs attention. Any help out there email me at russ.eaglin@att.net Semper Fidelis!!
ReplyDeleteHope someone who can help you sees your post.
ReplyDeleteI was on a listening post 3/19/69, heard sappers crawling through the grass on the way to the bridge. Could not raise anyone on radio. David Arnott was killed, I was wounded. Hell of a long night. 50 cal tracers, mortarsetc. all night. Lt. Chip came out and got us in an amtrac at daybreak
ReplyDeletei heard our 106 took out the LP hope thats it just a rumor...johnson tango and echo btry 69
DeleteI was a member of MCB4 who build the Liberty Bridge in 1967. Story I heard about the demise of the bridge was that the bridge crew was told that they would have to finish the bridge before they could deploy back to Conus with the battalion. Couldn' turn the job over to to the relieving battalion. That being the case, they didn't put the pilings in as deep as they should and when the monsoon floods came the bridge was partly swept away.
ReplyDeleteDave MCB4 66-68
We had always heard that sappers blew the bridge by floating charges down on rafts, and that it was blown several times. But who knows?
ReplyDeletedennis i was there the night liberty bridge was overrun i was with 1st. bat. fifth marines 81mm. mortar platoon. arty on the other side of the camp had gooks in their gun pit,and as i remember they caught the worst of it. was a bad deal i also remember the gook under the pallet that morning. love ya brother. signed,H.E.
ReplyDeleteLiberty Bridge rebuilt by the time I arrived 2 or 3rd of May 69. I recall, being with Dave Colin (crazier than hell) during the monsoon getting stuck in the Phulocs. Rain shut down air support for days. No food 4 days. Brass waited too long to get us out via air. Watched the Bridge & hill engulfed in a raging torrent of water from the silvery tributaries feeding the Son The Bon & Song Phu Gia. Bridge went down river with the speed I'd never seen water move. Looked like a busted set of Lincoln Logs. Spotting towers soon followed. An intrepid chopper crew got most men out. We watched 2 men in towers fail to jump to the chopper in the gail winds. Turned my PRC 25 to their freq & was able to watch with Binos as well as hear it ( chilling). 2 Marines fell victim to the torrent as Dave & I watched them swept away with debri. I believe I was with Charlie Co. at the time. Dave spent most of his time with Dying Delta but moved about teh Bn as did I . Walked out of Phulocs thru water & mud. Estimated An Hoa 9 miles via our usuall route. Only God knows how many miles we traveled traversing flooded lowlands. I remember an Ontos & crew moving along 75 meters west with a 20 ft. whip antenna & a small American flag blowing in the wind. The Ontos hit that infamous quick mud, went down quickly. As God & Dave Colin is my witness the ontos sunk in 10 seconds. I started a count start to finish. The Ontos disappeared below quickly followed by that flag atop the 20 ft whip. 30 plus feet of quick mud. Sunk so rapidly the crew was unable to bail. The company stopped & command passed foot in foot. Insure your next step taken is a proven solid foothold by the impression in front of you. A boot Lt. just in country was walking from behind & beside us hurrying men on. Dave & I warned him foot to foot for good reason & to get on the proven path. He snarled, I don't take orders from enlisted men. A few steps later we watched him sink as quickly as the ontos. The air pocket of his helmet kept it afloat. I'll never forget the look on his face. Dave, used the barrel of his M16 to flip the helmet over top side down, it sunk into that quickmud. When w reached An Hoa they fed us Bologna Sandwhiches the meat was about 1/4 in. thick & frozen hard as a rock ( must have just got it out of the freezer) Dave almost broke a tooth. We said screw this & went to supply took an uncoperative guard hostage, tied him & ran off with as many cases of C rats we could carry. Had a C rat fest that night. Routed through the boxes pilfering the best meals ( give me long rats anyday). That did start a tradition of C ration heists whenever we hit An Hoa. The ritual morphed into the now infamous night raid from the Arizona territory, on the night shift mess hall in An Hoa.
ReplyDeleteLook for my book to be published soon for more short stories relating to a bush Marine's Vietnam experience. Some funny, some tragic. It will not be an embellished version. No disclaimer on front pages claiming this is fictitious, like many authors who protected their ass , then intimated the account was true to fact but did that to prevent litigation. Litigate away gentleman The truth need be told not some altered ticket punching version that lands you a Presidential appointment or congressional seat. Regards Ski. ( Vietnam 1969/70 split years 1st Bn 5Th Marines H&S Co. Comm / Charlie 1-4 / BN 1-4 . ESPECIALLY FOR JIMMIE PHIPPS. THE VALOR, HONOR, & INTEGRITY, YOU GIFTED US WITH THAT MAY 27, 1969. MAKES ME HUMBLED & HONORED TO HAVE KNOWN YOU AS A FRIEND & SERVED WITH YOU. contact Ski revmarvinplayer@gmail.com or phone 412 798 2675 I AM LOOKING FOR PILOTS SERVED AS OUTR FAC OFFICERS. CAPTAIN JAMES FLUITT. CAPTAIN KIRK & SMITH PILOTS & CREW SPOOKY 1-9 / 2-9 / 3-9. PILOT COWPOKE- 69
I WAS ASSIGNED TO DELTA CO 2-11 AND WAS A GUN THREE WHEN WE GOT OVER RUN. MY BEST FRIEND LORING WATSON WAS ON GUN 7 AND GOT KILLED THAT NIGHT. ALSO JHON ALLE AND GERORGE MYERS FROM GUN 5 GOT KILLED THAT NIGHT. I STILL HAVE NUMEROUS PICUTRES FROM THAT HORRIBLE NIGHT. IT NEVER GOES AWAY.
ReplyDeleteKen,
ReplyDeleteGlad you made int out . Now when you say guns were you 106s that were usually on the hill or 81 mortars.
Our good friend Greg Strong was there ( I was not for the battle of Liberty Bridge) he was the sole survivor of the hardback he was in before it was engulfed with a NVA flamethrower. We nicknamed Greg STRANGE. A good man If your out there strange holer at me my info is on this sight a number of times phone 412 798 2675 anytime. That includes any of you good men. Regards Ski
11th MT was stationed on Monkey Mountain from 67 to 68 and I operated from the MARS station at that site during the same period. If you want to see some pics of the MARS Station and some limited ones of 11th MT go to http://www.marinecorpsmars.com/USN-MC_House/N0EFD/n0efd.htm
ReplyDeleteWander around a bit...it is a great site.
I stand corrected Anonymous. My memories are not as accurate as I might wish. 11th Motors Transport was located in 1st Marine Division compound located above Da Nang up against the hill. The road from the airfield ran through Dogpatch then by the big PX area then continued along the base of the hill past Recon in the paddy and Division Headquarters just beyond the road on the left. Continuing on, the Division chapel was just below us and The huge Marine Corps supply depot was just across the paddy from us to the north.
ReplyDeleteI have been calling that mountain Monkey Mountain for the past 40 years, my bad.
Thanks for making me go back and look again.
Bravo, Ist Battalion, 5th Maines, 1969. I remember the sign by the ferry that read "your highway tax dollars at work." I love being away from Vietnam.
ReplyDeleteThe response to this post has been great. I've heard from some people who went back to Nam that An Hoa is gone and nothing remains of the firebase. Strange times. It's hard to imagine it was so long ago. Semper Fi.
ReplyDeleteTo Bob R....Thank you sir. Would you be able to pin point the spot on either the mil map or on google earth.? I am trying to locate all the old spots and fix onto google earth photos.
ReplyDeleteDana
Dennies, Good to hear from a marine side of liberty bridge. I worked on the bridge from start to finish, Charle Co. MCB Four
ReplyDeleteAllan
Dana,
ReplyDeleteI think I could if the topo was good. I have a pretty clear memory of the OP and the path to it.
I was 0331 with Hotel 2/7 at the bridge from feb.68 to end of May 68 . We then became BLT. 2/7-- spent alot of time running patrols on both sides of the bridge...semper fi Marines
ReplyDeleteMy brother Jack Fouse a Marine was hurt on 3 Jul 68 or 4 Jul 68 at Phu Joc 6 Liberty Bridge. He is blind, deaf an lost his right arm below the elbow, would love to hear from anybody that might have known him or was there during that time. Please email me at jeffseagles@gmail.com Thanks Jeff
ReplyDeleteOn November 15, 2010 Dennis wrote:
ReplyDeleteA Marine from B Company of 7th Motors has some recent pictures from Vietnam, and I believe he has some from An Hoa and the bridge. I will see if I can get access to some of the pics and post them here.
RADIO OPERATOR 11TH MOTORS 69-70. SCARY SHIT AT 18 YEARS OLD. GOOGIE
ReplyDeleteThe Arizona is over the river to the west of An Hoa. Once you cross Liberty Bridge you come into the An Hoa basin. Liberty Road then ran down to An Hoa Combat Base and from here you could go south down to Nong Song named by the Marines Antenna Valley. Beyond The Arizona to the west was Charlie Ridge. To the East of Liberty bridge was Go Noi Island another boo coo bad place!
ReplyDeleteI posted the last comment on Liberty Bridge and forgot to leave who I was! I'm Alan Waugh a Brit historian who has written the history of An Hoa and its AO. You can find out more on my website www.graphicbikeart.com
ReplyDeleteSemper Fi
To all you great marines. My Name is SGT Angevine ever sense i was little my father who was in Bco 1/5 69-70 and h/s also.. been looking for ppl he served with. so i was sitting here in iraq and had the idea to give my shot at the search.. and i found this website.. his name is Alan Angevine his nick name was "Angel" if any of you did serve with him and would like to get into touch with him please email me jacob.angevine@us.army.mil thank you
ReplyDeleteHey Googie! 11th motors 69/70 Bravo Co. 50 cal ring mount gunner. Welcome home. Find me at togetherweserved.com Glenn Zak
ReplyDeleteI have pictures of the bridge, both under construction or re construction and of the "ferry"
ReplyDeleteWe ran across the river many times and to my memory the bridge was out a few times from mid to late 1967
I was at Liberty Bridge, An Hoa, Phu Loc 6 and alll over The Arizona all of ,69. I was a cook and my nicname was greek. Feel free to email me.
ReplyDeletejim at jimbo_94044@yahoo.com
I was one of the rotating boat coxswains at the crossing in 1967. We had an LCM-8 [860] and the 1st Bridge Co. 7th Eng. USMC had a pontoon ferry on the site before the bridge was built. The Seabees were just moving in when I departed Bob R. USN, [ret].
ReplyDeleteso you were one of the guys who replaced the original crew? or were you one of the guys who brought that boat up river? i spent some time running that pontoon ferry in late 67 or early 68 [after tet]. i heard a lot of stories about the trip upriver. was told it was so tough the navy decided to leave the boat where it sat next to the bridge. i am ray rasmussen flatfingers@q.com feel free.
DeleteI was with 11th Motors from April 69 to April 70 got ambushed in hoyann province oct.31 69' . My brothers I will never forget Smokey, Lumpy, Vic, Poncho. They called me Mac . I came back to the states on a ship the USS Tripoli . We were afloat for 18 days only to come home to thousands of protestors who hated us. SEMPER-FI !!!
ReplyDeletewas in an hoa 69-70 with 1st eng road sweeps to hll 55 hill 37 bush time with 1/5 grunts humped my c-4 for a stick to cook with lots of booby traps dud bombs and bunkers to blow was very greatful to grunts for watching my back mark herrin herrinwood@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteI was stationed there with India Company and the Captain Clark was the CO> later replaced by Capt Robb. The Bridge did fall and crack in the night after a large build up of debre floating down from the mountains during the monsoons. We tried to blow up the logs and much debre that came down and it was too much and the build up finally pushed the bridge and parts broke thru and floated the bridge downstream. When they got around to try and fix it the longs caught fire from cutting the bolts and steel pins and got out of control and burned down. I have a lot of pics and will try and scan and put on here. email lingramsd@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI left the bridge on March 18, went up Liberty Road to My Loc 4. Watched the whole attack take place from my new outpost. What a feeling to know that there was nothing you could do to help your brothers. Still think about it to this day. Was attached to 1st Radio Bn.
ReplyDeleteMy dad CPT Kinder was CO of Echo Company 2nd Battalion 5th Marines from August through September of 67. His main FOB was Phu Loc 6 but he had a platoon at My Loc. They protected the southern section of Liberty Bridge and they also provided convoy security to An Hoa. Anybody remember him?
ReplyDeleteTed Kinder
does anyone remember an hoa,liberty bridge,or sweeping the road from an hoa to liberty bridge and having our marines used of the flanks to trip any booby traps every morning.one day the army choppers flew the flanks so we had no marines hurt,or killed. or maybe the day at liberty bridge,the loal's canapoled a 500 lbs. into the base. sitting on top of a bunker when the ammuniton blew up in da nang and blew someone else and myself off the bunker.it like an atom bomb blew up. the compression waves sent us flying...anyone remember doc.york,doc.whale.(doc whale alpha co 1/5)paulziaja@yahoo.com
ReplyDeleteI remember the ammo dump in da nang blew up in 69, i was with 11th motor tramsport btn H&S Co Supply Seargent nickname razor. Fireworks for 2 days
DeleteThis is for Mac. Smokey,Lumpy,and Vic were in Bravo Co. as was I from Sept/69 to April/70. So we must know each other.
ReplyDelete"Of the 14,000 Marines killed in Vietnam, 10,000 were killed in Quang Nam Province." - Sorry, but that's wrong.
ReplyDelete14,850 dead Marines.
27 in Laos.
16 in Cambodia.
39 in North Vietnam.
54 in Hong Kong (R&R C-130 went down)
Other countries: 3 in Indian Ocean, 3 in Okinawa, 1 in Philippines
14,707 in South Vietnam:
Quang Tri Prov: 5,426
Thua Thien Prov: 1,249
Quang Nam Prov: 6,498
Quang Tin Prov: 768
Quang Ngai Prov: 649
Other Provinces/places: 117
Source: Coffelt Database as of 24 Mar 11.
This is a bit quick-and-dirty, but it's accurate within perhaps a half-dozen men.
Hey Mac I was with 11th Motors Bravo Co the same time. Shoot me a email at motorteeman69@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteRegarding the mortality rate / count per province or area of Vietnam. I don't know the honest figures. I don't think anyone does. After going over after action reports recently for a project I noted that the casualty rate did not tally up with what I knew as fact. Time may have passed but as a F.A.C. I recall most of the Medivacs ( they are burned into my psyche). I looked for one recently, the young Marine received the Medal of Honor and could not find it on the roster / report. by 1969 the powers that be were doing their best to minimize the exposure relative to the loss of U.S. Armed forces. The wall count itself I believe to be a short count. All I know is, too many good men ended their lives tragically early and in horrendous fashion. I served in Quang Nam Province and yes, it was a contested hotbed of continuous brutal activity from the 1st day my boots hit the ground to the last day I rotated back to CONUS which I thought was my home. Man did I get a rude awakening, the battle was just beginning. I hope everyone of our KIA's is resting in peace. Sky (Skee) 1Bn 5th Marines Com & FAC 1969/70 any brothers wanting / needing to talk Martin Yancosky 412 798 2675 24/7.
ReplyDeleteanyone remeber wallace and abercrombie from 5th or ninth motors???
ReplyDeleteI also lost a very good friend that day dennis -i will always remember the letters you and JD Rumsey sent me -----ALWAYS Semper fi-you know me
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qjzjhl-QztE
ReplyDeleteHey Denny, I would like to dedicate this to you and all of your Marine Brothers. Thanks for your service, Semper Fi.
Joe Jones Jr.
I'am looking for help from any Veteran who served in the USMC,D Batry,2nd bn,11th Marines,1st Mardiv.that was at the Liberty Bridge from 3/14/69 thru 3/19/69. Looking for pictures during that time of my brother that was killed during the Battle of The Liberty Bridge.If you were there and maybe knew him (PFC Loring Watson)and have pictures,Please contact me by email:kenai223@aol.com Attn:Steve
ReplyDeleteDennis, I posted on your site 4/9/2011 Can you change the date in the post where I am looking for pictures.The dates read 3/14/69 thru 3/19/69. ( It should read 3/04/69 thru 3/19/69) Thanks: I have enjoyed your site and found it very interesting. Ken Serma posted, He was a friend of my Brother. Again Thanks; Steve
ReplyDeleteThe opening picture of Liberty Bridge is not accurate for 1969. I was there on that faitful night of 3/19/69. It was still standing. My platoon had security for the north side of the bridge. All hell broke out on the south side. We held our own and did not get overrun as did the south side. I think 72 gooks bit the dust that night. Many inside the wire on the south side. Lt. Frank A Hill
ReplyDeleteThe picture is from July 2-3 1968. The bridge or some form may have been built by 3/19/69, but I know we had to take the ferry one truck at a time in July 68.
ReplyDeleteDennis
I can verify that. was at ferry july 68.
DeleteI fondly remember sitting on the perimeter at hole #1 next to the entrance gate of 2/5 battalion,An Hoa. Always, like clock work, around two in the morning, several rather large rats would come hopping through the tall grass in front of the sandbags. I'd sit quiet, and they would walk right up to me and take my bologna sandwich!! Quit entertaining.
ReplyDeleteI also was in Co. B 7th mt bn from oct.67 to nov 68 a good friend Charles Peter Searles was kia on July 4th 1968 along with Lcpl. David R. Nelson in the Arizona area and yes we made that crossing at Liberty Bridge a few times
ReplyDeleteHey, Frank. I remember you. Chuck was my best friend, and I was on the truck the day he got killed but the Captain pulled me off because Chuck and I were both short and I went on July 2. I knew David real well, too. We had a reunion last May in KC. It was great to see some of the guys.
ReplyDeleteI was with Bravo Company, 1st Combat Engr Bn, from Feb 1969 to Feb 1970. Spent entire tour at An Hoa in support of 5th Mar Reg. I'll never forget the first trip I took on the ferry over the river with the resuppply convoy. It took forever. I'll never forget my last trip either. Both times I was very scared. Spent time with 2/5 in the Arizona on mostly search & destroy missions and I was at Liberty/Phu Loc 6. The Arizona was a crazy place. Did the road sweep every morning for about 2 months from Liberty to half way point to An Hoa. I ran the mine detector and got pretty good at it....when your young and early on in your nam tour you didn't seem to care. I wouldn't want to do it when I was short. Doing the road sweep was different every day. Not a day went by that we didn't get into some type of action. My last months in country were spent at An Hoa and I really didn't mind the place. Saw alot of the rocket stuff day & night and the harrassment. Spent plently of time in the bunkers with the rats. But was with a great bunch of Marines that I will never forget. Semper Fi evryone and God Bless.
ReplyDeleteMark G.
Nerves of steel all you combat engineers that ran that Highway 1 from An Hoa up to Liberty Bridge. Out in the Arizona also, they didn't call it " Booby Trap Hill" for nothing.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great work & service you Engineers did for your fellow Marines. Sky
My user name on youtube is thevealchop68 so check out my youtube channel. I have videos and slideshows; I have a slideshow of 1968 slide photos of the 4th Seabee battalion. My slideshow includes photos of the Liberty bridge as it was being built.
ReplyDeleteMark,
ReplyDeletethanks for the posting and all the work that gets little mention that the Seabees did in Vietnam.
Sky 1st Bn 5Th Marines
Forward Air Control
I was with 2/11 head Batt. I was the dispathcher from 6/69-6/70, Im Frank Orbach. Went across Libertyy bridge many times for convoys. Anybody else that was their please email me at Frank.orbach@abheonline.com. Semper Fi I remember when Echo batt was overun.
ReplyDeleteI thought I should post on as many appropriate message boards as possible. My dad told me to let everyone know the "home movies" he took while company commander of E-2-5 Marines (Second half of 1967) are now on Youtube. The address is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D_LHA7XnMj0
ReplyDeleteTake Care Everyone, Tom Kinder (son of Joe Kinder)
I was a PL. Sgt. in B1/5. 1968. We humped the bush all around the bridge. We lost a lot of good men trying to keep that road open. God bless those Marines.They were the bravest. I hope God will reward them all for what they gave up. My best friend Jose Sanchez got it when we were on Go Noi Island. My long time friend and hero was and is Doc DAVE DODSON The bravest man I ever new.When we were pinned down he was runnin around trying to keep us alive.I have made a lot of runs on my Harley over the years and everywhere I go people ask me who I think the bravest men were in Viet Nam, I tell them without hesitation, Navy Corpsmen. God bless Doc Dodson and all his brave Corpsmen Bros.
ReplyDeletehi i was there in 1968 lberty brige and the there was no brigde to cross it was only parts it was as of 68
ReplyDeletewas on north side with fox 2/13 with rlt 27 and 3/27 i was on 105 gums and oprator of the dozer burried died out side of compound after the were put at gate for people to see as they went to go across bridge
I was at AnHoa in 69 and 70 many of you who were there at that time more than likley came in contact with me as I worked in the Post Office, so if you came in trying to mail a package of get a money order we met. During my time at AnHoa us office pogues got the privlage of stand bunker watch and going out an manning LP's,every Marine is a rifleman. Welcome Home to all, contact me if you like.
ReplyDeleteL/CLP Larry johnson....jan. 69 I was assigns 2 bn. 11 arty tango battery at liberty bridge....their were 4 155 mm guns and 2 4.2 mortars whiskey battery ...in delta battery old firing positions ....D battery was on opps...around March D battery came off opps took old firing position back at the bridge ...2 155 guns closed down and sent to Danang half of tango battery people stayed with D battery..the others sent to AH HOA for reassignment ....i went to Echo battery AN HOA....i remember the red dust, mud ,convoys waiting to group up...the mine sweeps in the morning and swimming in the BON.. theses 2 months it was quit in the fire base..bulk fuel company was building a fuel farm .. bull dozer's clearing brush around the hill....the war was all around us ..grunts coming and going on patrols..a few fire missions......any tango battery or echo battery gun Pogo's out there give me a call 205-647-6152
ReplyDeleteCross that bridge was radioman with 11th motor.
ReplyDeleteI remember googy and blackburn or rabbit angel, Blackie
me I was Ragman
I Was with 3/26 B.L.T 9th MAB 1969 until summer when The 9th
ReplyDeleteMarines where Sent home Was then ordered to 1st Motors Bn Which shared the same compound with 26th Mar Regmt HQ's at the base of Dia Loc Pass 11th Motors was across the road. I made only one trip across Liberty bridge and back on convoy with first motors at that time we could not go over the bridge until our air support arrived and stayed with us till reaching An Hoa 30 Trucks in that Convoy With War Wagon in front then every 5th Truck was a Gun truck 50 Cal mounted on each of them We made it there in one piece but watched Air Strikes in front and a Arc light B 52 to our east. Once we were unloaded and were re-staging we started receiving Motar fire and I was under my Truck for the next hour! Not a good place to be. Semper Fi
Hello all, I was a motar man with Whiskey 2/11. Sent many months vacationing at Liberty Bridge and my home base at An Hoa.
ReplyDeleteI spent many days at Liberty Bridge and in my base camp at An Hoa. I was in Whiskey 2/11 in FDC.
ReplyDeleteIwas at hill55 and an hoa from march67-jan 68.HIt a mine on dec 4 68,on liberty rd. went across bride at phu 6 many times. went across river in amtracs after gooks blew the bridge. went on operation Essex nov 67. anyone want to get in touch,altonrb46@hotmail.com 2003 oklahoma st. Kingsville Tex 78363. cell 361-318-3617. SEMPER FI
ReplyDeleteBubba 2nd bat 5th marines e/co spent many nights at Lib. Bridge scary place gooks kept floating bombs down river.Time there was 69/70 can anyone tell me what happened to ROD RUSHE,he was from Detroit
ReplyDeleteMy Uncle was there during the 19 March fight. Charles A. Prudhon of D battery 2/11 I believe. I am very interested in researching more of this battle for him if I can. He was interviewed in the "Vietnam Magazine" in the 90s. Anyone that was there or has info and feel like sharing, please email me at travis.dimon@usmc.mil. I would greatly appreciate it. Thank you and Semper Fi
ReplyDelete-GySgt Dimon
Anyone out there from Delta bty. 2/11? Liberty Bridge March 19th 1969 I would be very intrested in hearing from you if you were in the above stated. rogercarnes@live.com
ReplyDeletetom vorass seabees 9th batallion,I spent 6 months helping to build liberty bridge in late 67 and 68. It was the hardest job i ever did.out of two tours in viet nam it is still the most remembered both good and bad. tom.vorass@wisconsinaviation.com
ReplyDeletei was at liberty bridge aug 68 to aug 69, with delta btry, do you evver come to kokomo in sep
ReplyDeleteJames, im drue. Do you remember me? At Phuo Lock 6? West side of liberty bridge. We found your brother together. He was on the radio with the battalion.druel.staatz@yahoo.com Sempi fi either way...
ReplyDeletePLT SGT 4TH PLT BRAVO CO. 1ST TANKS RAN CONVOY SECURITY FOR ALL CONVOYS LIBERTY BRIDGE TO AN HOA JAN '69 TO JULY '69 SPENT NIGHTS AT THE BRIDGE AND THEN TO AN HOA SUPPORTING 5TH MARINES. KJELLERSON@LACENTRALFORD.COM
ReplyDeleteSo, thanks for the ride, sarge. ON jULY 21, 1969, triggered a home-made booby trap. A tank ride onto hwy to an hoa with a helo awaiting. Our corpsman was from Redwood City, Ca.Semper Fi to all us 'fortunate sons '
DeleteI was with Bravo Company 1st Batt. 5th Marines. That being my 3rd heart, I was homebound. Again, thanks for the tank ride. mjkleiman@twc.com
DeleteI was in the mortar battery, Whiskey Battery, at An Hoa, from August 68 to September 69. I remember spending two months at Liberty with three tubes.
ReplyDeleteWas a grunt with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. Liberty Bridge was our Battalion Rear and the four Companies in our Battalion would rotate in and out of Liberty with one platoon on the South Side of the river with the Artillery Company and the remainder of the Company on the North Side of the river. We were usually there 5-7 days before rotating back to Arizona Territory while another Company replaced us. I remember the SeaBees who ran the ferry across the river very well. They seemed to always be drunk while we were running patrols, nighttime ambushes, standing bunkers, walking flank for the morning mine sweeps prior to the convoy coming through from Da Nang going to An Hoa. Anyone that was with Bravo 1/5 please contact me at ronsegers@att.net or find me on Facebook with Ron Segers.
ReplyDeleteDear Dennis:my uncle duane Trinity was at liberty when they over ran the compound, he never talks about it but i know he had a bad time he still has the nightmares, the reason i know he was there is because i have a picture of him, He is my favorite uncle, I allways wondered what happend to him over there and now know, because of your site, God bless the marines, PS. if you would like me to send you the picture contact me at dentrin@yahoo. com Sincerely Dennis Trinity
ReplyDeleteWas at 11 MT at Freedom Hill when Zappers broke in. Next day down across the bridge to An Hoa and then out to Baldy and Ross. Was a Cpl and assigned to Mike 3/7. Lt Meady was Plt Cmdr
ReplyDeleteArrived in An Hoa Feb 67 as part of LSU (Logistics Support Unit) from FLSG-A. I volunteered to leave the relative comfort yet extreme chickensh*t of Red Beach. An Hoa and convoys over the bridge were tough. But nothing like the grunts who really earned their pay!
ReplyDeleteCpl Mark Smith (3051) 66-67
Served with Lima 3/5 our rear was in An Hoa. Bush marine and crossed liberty bridge several times going into Arizona territory .We did guard duty on the bridge a couple of times and threw our grenades into the river to protect the bridge. Was in Arizona on op when bridge was overrun. Lima came as quickly as possible but the damage was done. When in rear we watched over Duc Duc village. Quang Nam province was not a good place to be in 69-70.Lost many Marines and friends in those years.
ReplyDeletemy brother was with 3/5m lima company his name was Rodger Vandergriff if you may have know him in the territory may12 1969
DeleteWas at Liberty Bridge on or about May 7, 1968 27th Marine Regiment Scout Sniper Platoon attached to 3/27 Operation AllenBrook. Got hot and deadly across the river for many days. Lost 71 Marines KIA's
ReplyDeleteI was with 3/27 back in the states at Camp Margarita. I remember when they came over as a unit in 68 because I ran into a guy I knew who was a short timer in the states and got caught up in the unit movement. He also told me they were transferring guys to other outfits and putting short timers in 3/27. As soon as I got home, I knew why. They showed the 27th on the news being pulled out of Nam as a cutback, but all they did was send home short timers who were coming home anyway and then disbanded the 27th. All the other Marines from the 27th were still in Nam.
DeleteI was a Hospital Corpsman serving with Echo Company 2/5 in the An Hoa Valley in 1970. I have a lot of memories (some good, some bad) of that time in my life and of the areas surrounding Liberty Bridge. I was medevaced out of Vietnam in late October 1970. One of my strongest memories is of being on an ambush and sitting in a rice paddy on my 21st birthday on 10-01-70, just before being medevaced.
ReplyDeleteCIB/Da Nang June 1970, drove a jeep to An Hoa one fine day to deliver a correspondent. On the way back, my jeep quit about half way back to the bridge. As luck would have it an Army 6x6 came along and towed me to Liberty bridge with the biggest damed chain I have ever seen. Who cares it worked. I will forever be greatful to those men in that truck.
ReplyDeleteI was near Liberty Bridge on several occasions, but was never able to cross it. There were a bunch of guys named Charlie who liked to blow I up. So, we had to wade across the river. I'm sure that left Charlie laughing his ass off. The area near Liberty Bridge that I cursed was the Arizona Territory, I remember it as being called the "most heavily booby-trapped area of RVN. I will never argue that point. I was a hospital corpsman with the 1st Marine Div (Mike 3/5) & it was a helluva experience.
ReplyDeletearea the kept us "Docs" very busy - unfortunately.
most booby-trapped are of RVN. I won't question that
Crossed over the bridge several times. A one point my company was posted at the bridge. On our first day the Captain ordered the beach area cleared of all brush then burned, being Marines we dutifully did as ordered the only problem was the brush was stacked against the pylons of the bridge. Yea your guessed it the bridge caught fire it didn't burn down completely but it was severely damaged, this occurred around early June 1968. We had brass all over the bridge, we had choppers in the air. I don't know what the end result was but it couldn't have been good.
ReplyDeleteI was company radio operator with Echo 2/5 We spent Christmas and New Years 1969/70 guarding the bridge. By that time the large compound on the An Hoa side had been torn down. There were just small compounds on either end of the bridge.
ReplyDeleteDennis Latham, I was with 2/5 Hotel Company, we were moved south from Claymore Pass on trucks. Spent the night behind Monkey Mountain, in the morning we got back on the trucks heading to An Hoa, we got as far as Liberty Bridge, we got off the trucks and put our gear down near the bridge waiting for word as to what was next. We were told one company at a time would cross so we moved in, waited and watched as Echo Company went across. The NVA, were in the tree line on the other side, they must have been planning a hit on the fire base located across the river anyway all hell broke loose, for the entire day we sat on the other side of the river and watched, as Echo Company went in there and mixed it up with the NVA. We finally made it to An Hoa, I never made it back to Liberty Bridge, however we spend a lot of time running patrol in the flat lands between the bridge and An Hoa, for a time we stayed in a little compound called the Alamo, each morning would start waiting for the engineers to come walking in letting everyone know the road was clear and traffic would start to and from An Hoa. Wishing You the Very Best.
ReplyDeleteNote: I think we were told that the bridge caught fire by someone heating a meal. Anyway we just started laughing about it until Echo Company went across the river.
I arrived in country July '69.Sent to An Hoa , MOS 0811, 3rd 8" How Batt (SP). At nite sometimes we could see the grunts engaging enemy at Liberty Bridge. Quite a show sometimes with all the red and green tracers and flashes from the guns and explosions. Sometimes they got to watch the show at AN Hoa when the indians attacked us. Got medivaced 2 months later and spent the rest of my tour with HQ Batt in Da Nang perimeter. Sure was glad to get back on this side of The bridge.
ReplyDeleteI also remember our platoon was going to cross the Liberty Bridge. But once we got there, there was no bridge. Charlie decided to blow it up. . . . . .again. At that point, the river was shallow enough that we could get across it, while we held our gear up to keep it as dry as we could. I was a corpsman with Mike 3/5, 1st Marines, & that meant keeping my medical supplies held high, in addition to the rest of my gear. Those supplies had to be kept dry or they were worthless. When we got across the river, the Arizona Territory was waiting for us. I was with one of the two squads that went on patrol one morning in this Territory. You couldn't think because of the number of IED's that were exploding all around us. A couple of hours later, my squad got back to our area & I saw all of my fellow corpsmen in tears. I quickly learned that my fellow corpsman had been killed. He went to the aid of his marines who "had tripped some wires", only to trip a wire himself which led to both of his legs being blown off. He had a wife & son waiting at home for him. Yeah, that was "bad man's" territory, & anyone who was in this vicinity can testify to that assessment. When the talk about "hell on earth", I think that in part, they were referring to this area.
ReplyDelete1969~70... 1ST Motor Transport BN. was based in Da Nang near 11th Motors. I was in the 1st platoon of A Company and we were TAD (for 11 1/2 months) to the 5th Mar Regt in An Hoa. We LIVED in An Hoa and went out from there to all the hills (25 37 52 55 65 ect.) and Liberty bridge for one or two weeks at a time. I could not count how many times I crossed this bridge. Was staying at the SW side of the Bridge when we got hit and damn near over ruin one night.... in March I think. Our 2 1/2 ton 6X6 had this marking... T-1 inside a yellow circle. We would also bring up one of the 50 cal. gun trucks to escort vehicles (with little or no fire power) from the bridge down to An Hoa. Hope to hear from some of you who might remember us. 1/5 2/5 3/5... drove for you all at one point or another.
ReplyDeleteWas in Bravo 1/5 from Oct 68 to May 69 with stint in hospital in Japan and light duty in Okinawa after being wounded on Thanksgiving during operation Meade River. Spent many a day at Liberty Bridge or beating the bush in Arizona. dturnertoo@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteMy father john shoemaker was in this area in 1968. I believe he was with the 3/26. If anyone remembers him I would love to hear about it, he died back in 1996 and I am trying to know him better anyway. Rainonneptune@gmail.com
ReplyDeleteI was with Kilo 3/1 in January of 1969 and we took a lot of casualties in the first couple of weeks, we lost an entire squad from a 155 round they booby trapped up in a tree, then were ambushed for over an hour until the F4's came in to clear the area. I recall that the blown bridge was still in the water next to the new Liberty Bridge when we arrived. A few days later we were in an old French mine field near the bridge doing a road sweep, and lost a couple of Marines before they sent tanks out to take us back to the bridge area.
ReplyDeleteI was with MCB-4. I was one of the guys maintaining the road between Hills 55 and 37. Also the road to Liberty Bridge while it was being built. I know you Marines have posted all over the net that the Marines built that bridge, but I hate to tell you that it was built by MCB-4. I was on Hill 37 in 1967. We were out every day that it was pouring rain. There were some great guys up there from 2/4 early in '67, then 3/7 replaced them around May, 1967. I met some really great folks while I was there. Still stay in touch via email with some. Take care and thank you for watching over the Seabees who built the roads and bridge. God bless.
ReplyDeleteNot sure if anyone is still reading this post or not, but does anybody remember a Joe Maestas? To my knowledge he was a part of 3/5 and he was in An Hoa during 68/69 time frame. He is a cousin of mine, and I'm interested in knowing more about this story. Any and all information would be appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI kind of remember going to deep water pier and monkey mt. Was a combo driver for A Co 11th Motors 69-70. We were moving the 2nd Marines gear out of country and loading on to ships. But the motor pool was most def at Dai Lac Pass. There was a big ammo dump ASP1 or 2 that blew one nite
ReplyDeleteI remember i was with H& co 11th motor transport, Wow fireworks for 2 days
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