VIETNAM PHOTO COLLECTION, 1966-67

Operation Junction City

Fire Support Base Gold (Battle of Suoi Tre)

March 21, 1967

            

 Photo 25: Left to right, LTC Ralph Julian, SGM Bill Austin, and Captain   Walt Shugart

Photo 26: LTC Julian was the Commander of the 2/22nd Mechanized Battalion and was in charge of the unit during the Battle of Suoi Tre It was his units which reinforced us in the counter offensive of the battle. Although   A/2/12 was already in the clearing and sweeping the enemy north, the arrival of the MPCs was a blessing and saved the Infantry Company from a bloody battle engaging the remaining Vietcong in the clearing.

Photo 27: Captain Walt Shugart distinguished himself with his extraordinary leadership of B/3/22 during the Battle of Suoi Tre. His Company came under the main attack of the assault and after much flexing in the line his Company with the help of A/3/22 reaction Troops were able to maintain the integrity of the defense and prevent a slaughter. 

Photo 28: 3rd Brigade Rear Tactical Operations Center, Dau Tieng. The first notification of the raging battle that was taking place at Fire Support base Gold was dispatched to Suoi Da, where the Forward Brigade TOC was set up. That call was monitored at Dau Tieng. 

Photo 29: Captain Rich Craig, 3d Bde Chemical Officer. Rich worked at the Brigade Rear Tactical Operations Center (TOC) at Dau Tieng. The morning of March 21, 1967, Ed went into the 3d Bde TOC at Suoi Da and called back to the Brigade rear at Dau Tieng. He was on the phone with Captain Craig, getting an update on activities at Dau Tieng in order to brief Major Carrozza, Brigade S-3, and COL Garth when they came into the TOC later. While on the phone, the call came into the Brigade TOC at Suoi Da that Fire Base Gold was under attack. Ed asked Rich if he monitored the report, and when Rich said yes, Ed asked him to get our Forward Air Controllers on the way to support the troops at Fire Base Gold.

Photo 30: Close up of Captain Craig

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