Online Poetry Collection of John J Duffy

This poem was received and posted August 1, 2015.

CW4 Daniel Jones renders a view from the cockpit of the scene as the rear guard attempts to disengage from an attacking two battalion (aproximately 1200 soldiers) assault by the North Vietnam Army (NVA) who were ordered to take FSB "Charlie" and to destroy all who opposed them.

Both Jones and his wingman, Colonel "Bill" Reeder (then Captain) volunteered to fly this "under the gun" (ten NVA .51 caliber machine guns were above their flight path on high ground) mission. The weather was closing and darkness was approaching. The battlefield was shrouded in haze, smoke and fire. Visibility was questionable.

Their Cobra gunships performed in "extreme danger close" gunruns, vectored by the ground controller while the enemy assault advanced to within ten meters of his position. In their gunruns, enemy fire from above and below was targeting their Cobras. Accurate fire was essential. Under the most extreme conditions, they performed with extraordinary valor and steadyness, killing the attacking enemy waves and saving the rear guard.

CW4 Daniel Jones and Colonel William (Bill) Reeder have been awarded the Silver Star Medal for valor for their bravery while under intense enemy fire.

The following poem places you in the cockpit of a Cobra Gunship, it was written by CW4 Daniel Jones

SAVING DUSTY CYANIDE

(14 April 1972)

Armed and ready now. No time for checklists.

Cleared by tower, ‘Good hunting, Panthers’.

And off we go, into the now setting sun.

We are Third Platoon, a heavy flight of three.

Turning north along the Redball,

Torque power inched close to redline,

Gauges holding steady in the green.

Climbing now, radio checks complete.

Daylight nearly gone it seems,

And weather closing in,

But we hurry on towards Charlie,

Hoping to get there in time.

11th Battalion troopers in a desperate fight.

Dusty and friends in one helluva tight spot.

And North Vietnamese Army Regulars,

Positioned to make it a rough night.

Inside our deadly cocoons - mostly silent,

Except for muffled, churning rotors spinning,

And the piercing, steady scream

Of our ever trusty Lycomings.

‘Dusty Cyanide, it's Panther one-three,

Heavy team approaching your position.

We have rockets, 40 mike mike and minigun

Heard you might need a little bit of help’.

‘Panther, Dusty Cyanide, welcome back, my friend.

We are now under heavy ground assault;

Taking many casualties, we must retreat or die.

Fire your rockets deadly close to our position’.

But darkness has surely fallen now,

And clouds block all heavenly glow.

Lord, there is just no way of knowing

Friendly from enemy down below.

‘Just fire a pair, Panther, and I will adjust’.

‘Very well, here ya go Dusty’, as I squeeze off a shot,

Launching rockets away with a fiery whoosh,

And a silent prayer that they find the right spot.

‘Panther one three, Dusty Cyanide, that's perfect!

Keep firing! Keep firing! Just keep it coming!’.

Whether unseen Godly hand or just plain luck,

For now no matter - Major Duffy is happy.

‘Panther flight, Panther lead, shoot on me’.

And so our deadly flight of airborne armor,

Rain hellfire laced with brimstone,

Into the inky darkness below.

And Dusty with his comrades

Fade into the jungle night,

Hurrying away from Firebase Charlie,

Given another chance to fight.

February 14, 2013

Dr. Sai (Ted) Schwarm

The Viet Cong killed my father and 8 of my Uncles; my Mom's cousins you can not even count. Most of them were killed in 1972. I read some stories about you and I have goose bumps.

You are a true hero.

Thank you so much for your service.

Ted

Saturday, April 14, 2012
Sterling, VA

Today, it's a footnote in history. In April of 1972 it was national news. Today, it's remembered mostly by men who were there. And when Firebase Charlie in the central highlands of the Republic of Vietnam fell forty years ago, I was there.

Firebase Charlie was situated athwart a North Vietnamese infiltration route in a mountain pass northwest of Kontum City. It was manned by the 470 officers and men of the 11th Airborne Battalion, Army of the Republic of Vietnam and one American advisor.

From almost the moment it was occupied on 2 April 1972, Charlie was under continuing vicious attack. Over those two weeks, the ground defense was bolstered by air strikes and Army Cobra helicopter gunships controlled by the American advisor, call sign Dusty Cyanide.  By the afternoon of 14 April, conditions on Charlie were desparate. Defenders, out of ammunition, held their positions using hand grenades, knives, clubbed rifles, Air Force tactical air and Army attack heicopter support.

I flew in support of Charlie twice on April 14th. After a mission early in the afternoon, we were replaced by another team from my company, the Pink Panthers, who, when they expended, were replaced by a team of Cobras from the 57th Assault Helicopter Cougars. The Cougars were relieved by another team of Panthers and we were launched on a second mission at dusk. We followed battle by radio as we flew northward.

We checked in with Dusty Cyanide in time to hear "You broke the attack!" and "Shoot 50 meters north of the big fire." The problem is, we could see no less than three big fires and three or four smaller ones. Otherwise, the mountains were pitch black.

We settled things by putting a pair of rockets 50 meters north of the largest fire in the middle and were told "That's it Panther - put it right there!" and, "We're abandoning  position" and I think a direction of egress. We put the rest of our load between the big fire and the assumed position of the friendlies. The next thing we heard from an out-of-breath voice below us was "You broke the attack. We're clear, heading down the mountain," and then nothing.

When the survivors had been recovered, Dusty Cyanide, was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. He deserved more.

The 1972 South Vietnamese Literature Award went to a book titled "The Red Flames of Summer" by Phan Nhat Nam.  The book was based on survivor accounts of the actions at Charlie. A popular song called "The Men Stayed at Charlie" is still sung around the world where Vietnamese live to mourn the dead of the war.

Forrest B Snyder, Jr.
Cobra Gunship Pilot
Panther 19 - Firebase Charlie

July 2011

Dallas Nihsen and Firebase Charlie

One of five Firebases on Rocket Ridge, Charlie was the last to fall. About 470 Vietnamese and one American, had given their best, but were out numbered and out gunned. After two weeks of heavy fighting, the survivors abandoned the base.

They fought and evaded the NVA overnight. On the morning of April 15, 1972, the remnants of the Battalion were ambushed and scattered except for a group of seasoned veterans who broke out.

John Duffy, the American advisor led the break-out and after securing a position near an LZ came up on guard with a FAC. The Fac provided all the fighter/bomber support he could, but no way could get them out.

I was flying with Major Gibbs as we monitored the conversation. He dispatched two Cobras to the area and we got a mission change from HQ.

We were led into th LZ by Covey 555. Our four Huey's went in one-by-one. #1 took fire as I recall, but OK. #2 and #3 were pretty much uneventful. We were #4. As we crossed the tree line, we began taking heavy fire and aborted. Fortunately, John Duffy remained until the last bird to assure the Vietnamese would be recovered. Things went well at first, taking sporadic fire. As we touched down the troops remaining broke from the tree line running for their lives, under fire. As they neared the aircraft, we began taking hits. Dallas Nihsen was struck by a round and passed out afterward. The last Vietnamese on was shot in the foot as he climbed in. John Duffy dragged him in as he boarded and the aircraft was lifting off, under fire all the way out. I counted 9 obvious hits, relatively few, except two into the cockpit, one of which struck Dallas, at least one into the engine compartment and one within an inch of the tail rotor drive shaft. Dallas was pronounced dead at the Kontum field hospital.

Dennis Watson

Fairhope, Alabama
4/21/2011

I finally mailed the CD recording of your mission this morning. Also included is my written narrative of the events leading up to our involvement as well as all the radio traffic you could not hear on your FM. The players are our slicks and guns as well as the Covey FAC who found you along with a couple of Air Force fighter/bombers he was working. You will also hear an occasional transmission from an unrelated aircraft.
Keep in mind that you are hearing not only the radio traffic but also all the intercom traffic inside our aircraft, person-to-person.
Since I referred to Maj. Gibbs as "Sir", you should be able to detect my voice and then his. After the first attempt and go-around, you will hear our right side gunner tell us that "My gun is jammed". Just before our second attempt in you will hear him say again that "I ain't gonna be able to shoot this gun no more". He was not excited about going in with one side unarmed.
Nonetheless, we did. He was the one who helped your guys up onto the high skid and into the aircraft. As far as I know, Dallas had nothing to shoot at. As we come over the tree line a B40 whizzed vertically in front of our aircraft and you will hear me make some "expletive" comments about a B40. As we touch the left skid against the slope you will heat me say, "hold it down, it's going to be real rough", at about the same time you hear one of two bullets come through the cockpit. I believe Dallas was hit by the second. We stayed our ground while you guys climbed on and then the healthy gunner yelled for us to go. I thought he had told me one of your guys was hit in the head climbing in and left on the ground. I also thought he told me a VC was preparinng to toss a grenade under the aircraft. As you will hear, we also came out under fire.
I don't know if you will hear it on the radio but the jammed gunner told Maj. Gibbs on climb out that "I ain't gonna do this no more, I have a wife and kids" or something to that effect. The Major sternly asked him "What do these guys have?"

After we landed I took the cassette recording from my recorder and had my arm cocked to throw the tape ito the jungle but held back. Now I am glad I did not. I also counted the visible holes in the aircraft and counted 7. One was within inches of the tail rotor drive shaft. We would have gone down if it had hit the shaft. Another was extremelly close to the engine, which could also have taken us out. Another came from the front right about a foot fron my head and I believe that is the one that struck Dallas.

My friend you have no idea how close you came to losing your life in order to save the others. I don't know if you were decorated for that mission but you shoud have been. Maj. Gibbs rec'd the Silver Star and I rec'd the Distinguished Flying Cross for valor. I believe Dallas rec'd the Air Medal. He should have rec'd higher.

You have a right to this recording. I can only tell you that I have given copies to those involved or similar to Jack Heslin.

Dennis Watson
Last Ship Co-pilot
April 15th, 1972

Jack Heslin
thebattleofkontum.com
Helicopter Command Pilot
Chester, VA

The Battle of Kontum in the spring of 1972 was epic in scope. During that period most Vietnamese ARVN soldiers fought with courage, discipline and skill. They fought as well as any soldiers in history fighting to preserve their freedom. Not many Americans are aware of the many proud Vietnamese military, from all services, who are war veterans and now living productive lives in the wonderful freedom we all enjoy.

One of the little remembered but incredibly hard fought battles during the Battle of Kontum was the 14 day battle that took place at Firebase Charlie which was located west of Kontum City on a high ridgeline known as Rocket Ridge. Throughout the late 1960's many American soldiers died fighting NVA units on Rocket Ridge. In April of 1972 the ARVN 11th Airborne Battalion fought and died on that ridge. They were defending the approaches to the City of Kontum. The story of that battle and the courage of the ARVN Airborne troops and their leader was made famous in a Vietnamese song and an award winning book published in 1972.

Those of us who have lived through combat must learn to deal with our memories over the years - some struggle with their ghost for the rest of their lives. Some write books, some build web sites and some write poetry. John Duffy, the only American to fight with the 11th Airborne Battalion in that battle, has written some powerful poetry as a way to share the memories of battle for Firebase Charlie. It was a time when men were being consumed in the white hot fire of combat. Of the 471 men commited, John came out after two weeks of intense battle with 36 survivors and most of them had been wounded.

His poetry places you in the action of battle like no one else can do, a must read at: epoetryworld.com

NOTE; My poem "Jaws of Death" in the War section relates a heroic and terrorfying action that Jack Heslin commanded, hearing the story and writing the poem gave me Post Debriefing Stress. His families emotional comments after reading the poem are posted four entries below.

John J.

May 10, 2009

John,

We have decided what will go on the FAC Memorial Pedestal between the two wings with the names of our fallen brothers- we want to put your Requiem that you so eloquently recited at the dedication on the center stone.
Review attached format and advise.

Jim Palmer
2008 Memorial Chairman

October 12, 2008

John,

Thank you for participating in the FAC Memorial Dedication on October 3rd, 2008. Your Requiem was EXACTLY the touch and sentiment we wanted for this occasion. I couldn't stop from crying when you read it but I was not alone. This is a quote from one of the Honored Family members about what his son said: "He said it was really something sitting there with all of those old guys. He thought the old guy next to him had a cold because he kept sniffling. He said he looked over at him and he had a big tear running down his cheek as well. So he looked around and all of those old guys were crying. He went on to say it was the most impressive thing he had ever seen or been a part of."

You will be remembered by the Poem which you allowed us to put on the bench. It is a poem about what FACs did written by someone other than a FAC. We chose it because it was educational and part of the reason we built the Memorial was to let the public know something about Forward Air Controllers. Your poem is the best form of compliment and it is all the more meaningful because it was written by someone who has been through the toughest of combat and has come out a Real American Hero!

Jim Palmer
Chairman, FAC Memorial Committee

10/16/09
Re: Firebase Charlie

I've read many of the poems on your website, now. I've read what it was like during the evacation. Damm, just damn.

I've spent the last few days pondering the memories. Charlie was the most terrifying and exciting thing that had happened in my life up to then. I felt like we were doing something important. I just wanted to attack, attack, attack, but we were constrained by our orders. I volunteered to be a FAC at FB Yankee, but someone else was chosen.

I wasn't fond of the restrictions on blade time and ammo expenditures when there were men in the field who needed our help full time. Escorting Chinooks to Dak Pek and Ben Het was necessary, but I hated flying past the shooting war on those days.

Soon after the Ridge fell, we couldn't land anywhere without taking artillery fire. We were shot out of Tan Cann and Ben Het. Eventually we were even getting shot out of Kontum. I remember flying over Kontum during the siege at 2 AM, watching the city burn. That is an unforgetable memory. I sat in a captured T-54 in Kontum.

By June, we had lost enough advisors and aircrews that some pilots attitudes had changed. We had to justify some of our decisions about shooting because we were much quicker on the trigger. Some of us felt it was better to nip things in the bud.

Greg
Cobra Gubship Pilot

August 2007

John

I was at Firebase Charlie when they abandoned it after dark, part of a team of guns that covered the withdrawal. As I recall, we relieved a heavy team of Cougar guns and another team of Panther guns when they had expended. We had followed the battle on FM from Kontum northward and knew things were pretty hot on the ground.

We checked in and were told "You broke the attack!" and "Shoot 50 meters from the big fire!" The problem is, we could see no less than three big fires and three or four small ones. Otherwise, the mountaintop was pitch black.

We settled things by putting a pair 50 meters from the largest fire in the middle and were told. "That's it Panther - put it right there!" and, a pass or two later: "OK Panther, we are leaving." and, I believe, a direction of egress. We put the rest of our load between the big fire and the assumed position of the friendlies.The last thing we heard from the out-of-breath, pounding through the boonies voice on the other end of the radio was: "You broke the attack, we're clear and heading down the mountain." Then, nothing

Three or four days later, when survivors had been recovered, the American sent us a thank-you via Peter Arnett. The message was: "The first guns were good -- they broke the attack, but the last team was best. They broke up things and covered our escape!" I believe Arnett came by the "Stickitt Inn" and delivered his message personally.

Bill Reeder, who was part of the first team of Panther guns on station, went back to Viet Nam some years later and tells of sitting in the bar in Pleiku. Some of the locals were singing. He asked the bartender what they were singing about and was told "They sing about the Heroic Battle of Firebase Charlie." Bill told the bartender "Hey, I was at Firebase Charlie!" After that, he reports, he didn't have to buy a drink for himself all night!

Forrest B. Snyder, Jr.
Panther 19 - Firebase Charlie

Robin Shane

Posted on the 2022-07-07 at 20:00

There are no words adequate to state the thanks I have for you and all our Military, Sir. I cried when I saw the Medal of Valor being given to you and I can't help but wonder why it took so long. I was in elementary school during the Vietnam War and didn't understand it, but as an adult I fully appreciate the sacrifices that our Servicemen and woman made during that and all wars before and after it. It hurts my heart that the soldiers during the Vietnam War were not received as the HEROES you all are. My hope is that through the years you have been met with more gratitude than disrespect. I fly an American Flag in my front yard 24/7 as a sign of thanks and gratitude for our Military. Though it is against the Code of Conduct I do so, with utmost respect, because no one brought you in from the rain, or the cold or the darkness or any other Soldier and in my heart it's a show of my respect and acknowledgment for the sacrifice you all have made to protect us and the principals that our great flag represents. Again Sir, THANK YOU. Respectfully, Mrs. Robin Shane

Xanh

Posted on the 2012-09-16 at 20:00

Hi Bill,

Yes, I got shot over Charlie about noon. Few bullets on the wing, and one exploded on my windshiel. I knew it was some time in April, but I don\'t remember the date. Luckily my aircraft did not burn and I made it back to my base. About 2 PM on the same day, my classmate, LT Ky supported Charlie. He was shot down and never come back.

Remember in our POW group, Lt Hung, Lt Nho were platoon leaders at Charlie. When Charlie was over run, they scattered. In bamboo camp, Lt Hung was in the same cell with me, he told me that he did see LT Ky\'s body (without the head) laid on the ground. I could not understand what force that caused his head separated from his body? even today I could not figure it out.

The bailout system, Yankee seat, in the A1 aircraft is very safe. I have bailed out 2 times; and the system does save my live. The first time my aircraft was got shot over North West of Kontum. I tried to get to Kontum air field. I made to Kontum airfield, I saw the run way, but my aircraft was burning so bad. The rudder & aileron became inoperative. I was force to bail out close to the runway.

There is only one A1 squadron in high land area. More or less, all A1 pilots in Pleiku at time time have involved with the battle of Charlie.

O.K. It is long story! the story about war will never end.

I will stop here. Talk to you later.

Xanh Nguyen

Jimmie H. Butler, Col, USAF, Ret