I acquired the next electronic mail through my web site from a Mr. Invoice Cavin: “I learn your articles within the Henry Herald, a paper on the southside of Atlanta. I simply completed the article on Leo Chase and Joe Galloway. I learn Joe and Hal Moore’s ebook nicely earlier than the film got here out. I’m hoping you may write about Eugene Ashley’s heroic motion at Outdated Lang Vei within the shadow of Khe Sanh. Sustain the great work…America must know these tales.”
Sgt. Eugene Ashley, a reputation held in reverence by the residents of Wilmington, N.C., was a real American hero. Most People, nonetheless, have by no means heard his title nor heard his story. I’ll try to honor this soldier to the perfect of my capacity, as a result of I owe, you owe, all of us owe these women and men a measure of respect and remembrance since their sacrifices and struggling saved many People off the fields of warfare to stay out their lives in peace and freedom.
In 1966, a U.S. Army Special Forces Group turned over the Khe Sanh Fight Base to the U.S. Marines, then moved about 4.5 miles west to a brand new web site close to the village of Lang Vei. On Might 4, 1967, communist forces attacked the camp. The enemy assault was repulsed, however injury to the camp was all-encompassing. The unique Lang Vei web site lacked good fields of fireplace and lacked good fields of remark. Subsequently, the commander of the Special Forces determined to maneuver to a brand new location, about 1,000 meters to the west.
As a precursor to the historic siege of Khe Sanh, the NVA (North Vietnamese Army) despatched the 198th Tank Battalion down the Ho Chi Minh Path throughout January 1968. They had been to hyperlink up with the 304th Division for an assault on Lang Vei then proceed to have interaction the Marines at Khe Sanh. The tank assault could be the primary armored assault by the NVA throughout the Vietnam Battle.
By Feb. 6, Lang Vei Special Forces Camp was defended by a potpourri of allied armed forces: U.S. Special Forces, South Vietnamese Special Forces, Civilian Irregular Protection Teams, Montagnard warriors, and roughly 350 Laotian troopers and their households who had withdrawn to Lang Vei after the North Vietnamese overran their outpost at Ban Houei Sane in Laos. The Royal Lao troops warned of North Vietnamese tanks within the neighborhood. Their admonitions would quickly show spot-on. Tensions had been excessive. The Lang Vei Special Forces commander, Capt. Frank Willoughby, despatched the Laotian households to the outdated Lang Vie web site for restricted safety from the approaching onslaught. And awaiting the enemy onslaught was a Special Forces soldier of Firm C, fifth Special Forces Group, Sgt. Eugene Ashley.
Ashley was born on Oct. 12, 1931, in Wilmington, N.C. He and his household quickly moved to New York Metropolis. Ashley attended Alexander Hamilton Excessive College earlier than becoming a member of the U.S. Army in 1950 and served his nation with the 187th Regimental Fight Group within the Korean Battle. His Army profession included quite a lot of positions: Infantryman, anti-aircraft ammunition handler, heavy weapons specialist, parachute restore, an ambulance driver, and finally firm sergeant with an airborne battalion. Lang Vei welcomed him as an intelligence sergeant, Firm C, fifth Special Forces Group. Ashley’s males revered him as “a real skilled soldier who took care of his troopers” and “a father determine” on account of his years of service and expertise.
Enemy mortars fell on Lang Vei early within the morning of Feb. 6. Sporadic shelling continued. At 18:10 hours, NVA pounded Lang Vei with over 60 rounds of heavy 152mm howitzer shells. Then at 23:30 hours, a downpour of artillery shells hammered Lang Vei to cowl the motion of troops and tanks. Sgt. First Class Nicholas Fargos was manning the remark level above the tactical operations headquarters. Fargos’ unsettling report sounded the hazard, “Tanks within the wire!”
Capt. Willoughby instantly referred to as the Marine base at Khe Sanh for reinforcements and artillery help. His request was denied. The Marines refused to imagine the North Vietnamese troops had been utilizing tanks. Air strikes by Air Pressure gunships took a heavy toll on the enemy troops exterior the camp perimeter. A soldier manning a 106mm recoilless rifle knocked out three PT-76 tanks, however different tanks rolled over the barbed wire and moved into the camp. The defenders had the early model of the American M-72 LAW (Gentle Anti-Armor Weapons System), however the handheld rocket proved ineffective in opposition to tanks and most of the rockets jammed or didn’t even fireplace.
By 0230 on the morning of Feb. 7, the People and their allies had been pushed again via the camp. Willoughby, together with seven Special Forces troopers, three South Vietnamese Special Forces troopers, plus 26 Civilian Irregular Protection Group troops had been surrounded and trapped within the underground tactical operations headquarters. The enemy threw hand grenades, explosives and fuel grenades into the underground bunker. In English, they requested the trapped males to give up. The three South Vietnamese Special Forces troopers ran out however had been instantly gunned down. The People, correctly, nonetheless refused to give up. Extra explosives had been tossed into the bunker.
As daybreak broke, Sgt. Ashley rallied some Laotian troopers who had been hesitant to tackle the North Vietnamese. From the Outdated Lang Vei camp, Ashley led the timid Laotians on 5 makes an attempt to rescue the boys trapped within the headquarters bunker. His quotation for the Medal of Honor finest describes his actions.
“SFC Ashley distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity whereas serving with Detachment A-101, Firm C. SFC Ashley was the senior particular forces Advisor of a unexpectedly organized assault pressure whose mission was to rescue entrapped U.S. particular forces advisors at Camp Lang Vei.
“Throughout the preliminary assault on the particular pressure camp by North Vietnamese military forces, SFC Ashley supported the camp with excessive explosive and illumination mortar rounds. When communications had been misplaced with the primary camp, he assumed the extra duty of directing air strikes and artillery help.
“SFC Ashley organized and geared up a small assault pressure composed of native pleasant personnel. Throughout the ensuing battle, SFC Ashley led a complete of 5 vigorous assaults in opposition to the enemy, constantly exposing himself to a voluminous hail of enemy grenades, machine gun, and computerized weapons fireplace. All through these assaults, he was affected by quite a few booby-trapped satchel prices in all bunkers on his avenue of strategy.
“Throughout his fifth and last assault, he adjusted air strikes almost on high of his assault aspect, forcing the enemy to withdraw and leading to pleasant management of the summit of the hill. Whereas exposing himself to intense enemy fireplace, he was significantly wounded by machine gun fireplace however continued his mission with out regard for his private security. After the fifth assault, he misplaced consciousness and was carried from the hill by his comrades solely to endure a deadly wound when an enemy artillery spherical landed within the space.
“SFC Ashley displayed extraordinary heroism in risking his life in an try to save lots of the lives of his entrapped comrades and commanding officer. His complete disregard for his private security whereas uncovered to enemy remark and computerized weapons fireplace was an inspiration to all males dedicated to the assault. The resolute valor with which he led 5 gallant prices positioned important diversionary stress on the attacking enemy and his valiant efforts carved a channel within the overpowering enemy forces and weapons positions via which the survivors of Camp Lang Vei finally escaped to freedom.
“SFC Ashley’s bravery at the price of his life was within the highest traditions of the army service and displays nice credit score upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.”
The survivors of Lang Vei broke out of the underground bunker and made it to the Outdated Lang Vei camp 1,000 meters away. They had been rescued by a mixed Special Forces/Marine pressure that Common Westmorland, commander of U.S. troops in Vietnam, ordered into motion after being briefed on the Lang Vei battle.
Our allies at Lang Vei took heavy casualties: 309 killed with 64 wounded, and 122 captured. Of the 24 People at Lang Vei, seven had been killed in motion, 11 wounded, and three captured.
SFC Eugene Ashley was buried within the Rockfield Memorial Park in Fayetteville, N.C. In 2001, the Eugene Ashley Jr. Excessive College simply south of Wilmington close to Carolina Seaside was devoted in his honor. The Sergeant Eugene Ashley Middle in Wilmington gives a transitional residency and restoration heart for as much as 23 homeless veterans.
I’ve interviewed males who fought at Lang Vei; I interview one Special Forces soldier who was trapped within the underground HQ. These males fought in opposition to unimaginable odds but survived to stay out their lives with recollections by no means to be forgotten. They’re the fortunate ones. SFC Eugene Ashley was not so fortunate, however on account of his bravery, his dedication to responsibility, his dedication to his band of brothers, they lived. It’s males like Eugene Ashley, the unsung and sometimes forgotten troopers, who paid the worth so others may survive. We owe them a debt that may by no means be repaid.
Pete Mecca is a Vietnam veteran. For story consideration, go to his web site at veteransarticle.com and click on on “contact us.” Mecca can also be host of a weekly radio program on veterans. This system airs Wednesdays at 10 a.m. at americaswebradio.com.
