During March of 1968 Dave was at Khe Sanh Combat Base shooting the siege of that facility as a freelance photographer. He wanted to visit and record the action on Hill 881S, caught a helo to Quang Tri. After much persuading of LtCol. Mel Steinberg, Commanding Officer of HMM-262, he was given permission to fly to Hill 881S in one of the 'Chatter Box' (call sign of HMM-262) CH-46s when next they were providing logistical support known as a "Supergaggle."
When exhausted you don't need comfort to sleep, but always have the flack jacket close by.
Radioman running for cover across "hot zone" on India's hill. Probably just heard the awful word "INCOMING!". Probably a Helicopter Support Team (HST) radioman.
India's end looking north past artillery ammunition bunkers and remnants of smoke screen laid down in preparation for the arriving resupply helos.
India's end looking across the saddle to Mike's location and then into Laos on the distant horizon.
Dave was introduced to Capt. Dabney, on left, who briefed him on the rules for staying alive and healthy while visiting 881S and assigned him a berth, otherwise known as a "Bunny hole."
The Warriors endured 113 days devoid of any living or sleeping areas above ground. They dug holes into the rear of their trenches, reinforced the top with anything available, and lived in what became known as 'bunny holes.'
South side of 881S which dropped off steeply, beyond the near ridge, to a valley floor approximately 1,000 feet lower.
Mike Company's area of responsibility.
India's end looking north past artillery ammunition bunkers and remnants of smoke screen laid down in preparation for the arriving resupply helos.
The "Evil Eyes" on this helo identifies it as one belonging to HMM-163. It lost its anti torque tail rotor due to enemy action early during the hill siege and remained parked on the "front porch" of the hill for a long time.
COC bunker on the left. Capt. Dabney and the Company Gunnery Sergeant, Robert L. DeArmond,had hidden emergency c-rations under the sandbags in the event of total isolation and/or possibility of having to abandon the hill under adverse conditions. The troops did not know it was there. Ammo bunkers on right.
Those assigned to guard the perimeter of the hill were on high alert all night long slept during the day (mortar, rocket, artillery and helo noise permitting.
Upper body hidden behind poncho to keep the light out. You make the best of what you have!
Some sleep while another savors a C-ration delicacy.
From Mike's position looking across saddle to the trench lines of India. The two dots (center on horizon) are the flags near the Combat Operations Center (COC). The gate is to keep NVA pigs out.
From left, Lt. Richard Foley (XO I/3/26), Capt. William Dabney (CO I/3/26), Lt. Thomas Esslinger (CO M/3/26) and Lt. Charles Schneider (Artillery Forward Observer C/1/13). The flag had been flown this day, drying out to be folded and mailed to next-of-kin of Warrior who had been killed on the hill. They had an ample supply of flags donated by folks back in the States.
Some were sustained by the faith in their God.
Incoming from the NVA have torn this one to shreds, it will not be sent back to the USA.
Can you identify this Marine?
An NVA bunker left over from spring '67 hill fights. Many on Hill 881, some used by current residents. Most however contained decomposed NVA bodies. Smell was bad when they were broken into while digging bunkers and trench lines.
The saddle between India and Mike Company.
The antenna on India's COC can be seen top left.
Fake antenna - spoof, really, on AFVN's "Chicken Man", who had the famous "Good Morning, Vietnam" call made famous in the movie. Note the chicken.
