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Attack on Dau Tieng
On July 4, 1968 the Dau Tieng base camp of the Army’s 3d Brigade of the 25th Infantry Division came under rocket and mortar attack about 2 a.m. According to the Army’s official operations report of the battle. “ . . . the base camp received 42 107mm rocket rounds and 515 rounds of mixed 82mm and 60mm mortar rounds. This massive artillery assault was combined with two separate ground probes on two sectors against the base camp perimeter. These probes were met by bunker line personnel and reaction forces from the Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 22nd Infantry and the Headquarters Battery, 2nd Battalion, 77th Artillery. In both cases, the ground probes were repulsed with the enemy breaching the perimeter in only one location on the western side of the camp. Results of the attack in the way of United States losses were 5 killed in action, 55 wounded in action . . .”
4 of the 5 U.S. KIAs were from HHB, 2/77 Field Artillery. Because the Citation for his Posthhumous Silver Star contains additional Specific information about the battle, The Citation is herewith included.
“A numerically superior enemy force launched a massive mortar, rocket, and ground attack against Dau Tieng Base Camp.During the initial contact, Specialist Markwell left the relative safety of his position and moved to the beleaguered perimeter.While placing devastating fire on the Viet Cong, Specialist Markwell was painfully wounded by a grenade. Spotting the communist soldier preparing to throw another grenade inside his bunker, Specialist Markwell, with complete disregard for his own safety, exposing himself to the devastating enemy fire, climbed on top of the parapet and killed the insurgent before he fell mortally wounded.”

 

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