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HOT LZ!
We had just reached LZ West after three days of patrolling in Hiep Duc valley. We then received orders that the next morning we would be flying in to an area a few miles from LZ Siberia. Company B had been in contact with the enemy and we were ordered to assist them. I had never flown into a “hot” LZ before.
We had two choppers. As we approached the drop off zone the pilot informed us that we would be coming in at tree top height. After we reach the drop off site he would be three to four feet off the ground. He said we had five seconds to bale out of the chopper and then he would be taking off. I was scared. We all were scared.
Just then the chopper dropped in altitude and we were up and down tree top height like a roller coaster. We started taking enemy fire. The chopper door gunners were return fire. Suddenly a loud bang happen and a AK47 round went right through the aluminum floor of the chopper. Seconds after that we were all jumping out and hitting the ground.
It was then quite. It was like we were only targets when we were in the chopper.
Company B was dug in. One of my recon buddies called me over to him and said look at this. The round that went through the chopper floor had lodged in a bible he had is his ruck sack. After that chopper ride into a hot LZ I was never wild about riding in then again. I also now understood why the pilot, co-pilot and engine had steel armor around them.
Metals: Army Commendation Metal with 2nd Oak Leaf Cluster
Biographical Details
Submitted From: Albert Lea, MN
Primary Location During Vietnam: Tam Ky, Hiep Duc Valley, Vietnam 
Story Subject: Military Service
Military Branch: U.S. Army
Dates of Service: 1969 - 1971
Veteran Organization: Army
Unit: Co.E,4th Bn 31st Inf, 196 Bde, 23rd Inf Div
Specialty: 11 B
Story Themes: Close Call, Firefight, Hiep Duc Valley, Landing Zone, Landing Zone West, LZ, LZ Siberia, LZ West, Tam Ky
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