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Re: attack in jan 69

From: Roger Hanson
Date: 3/26/2005
Time: 7:30:51 AM
Remote Name: 12.240.2.56

Comments

On Jan 13'69 Can Tho Airfield was attacked by a sapper squad that came through our perimeter by cutting the throats of 4 men in 1 bunker. It was 0200 -0300 hours. I was the door gunner on the slick working comand and control for the cobra fireteam on standby on the flight line. We were sleeping in the line hooch on the flight line. When the first sachale charges and B40 rockets started going off, including one that hit the line shack, we scrambled for our ships. I was the second one out the door behind Gary Weatherhead, pilot. A B40 rocket hit Weatherhead direct, he was about 8-10 feet in front of me. I saw the rocket fired and strike. His body took the full force of the blast. AK47 fire was coming straight at me from the VC and M16 and M60 fire was coming at me from every other direction from our own perimeter gaurds. They knew our flight line was overrun and was shoting at everything that moved, or didn't move come to think of it. I dived into the swamp behind the revetments. All my weapons were in my ship. My crewchief, Gross, and one pilot somehow got to our slick and got off the ground. Eventually, both cobras got off the ground. I was able to rejoin my crew when they came in to refuel and rearm. Gary was our companies ownly casualty.

Last changed: March 26, 2005