A Minnesota PBS Initiative
Memory of 9/11 1969
Like many of fellow Vietnam veterans, I have been silent about my memories from the war. The pain is still there from losing too many friends in the war.
Our unit, Company A. 4th Battalion of the 25th Infantry Division’s 23rd Infantry in Tay Ninh Province near the Cambodian border. Our government never told the American people that we were fighting across the border. Agent Orange was a regular part of the battles. To this day, 60% of the survivors from our unit have cardio-vascular problems resulting from Agent Orange.
On the day that I am narrating, I was a platoon leader on a search and destroy mission near the Black Virgin Mountain. As I crossed over a dried up ditch, I noticed several pairs of enemy sandals hidden in the bushes. I opened fire on the enemy. The enemy trapped five of my men and me on the other side of the ditch. We fought our way back over the ditch to the safety of unit.
For my part in the battle, the army awarded me the Bronze Star. Later I received the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge.
We later found out that there was a huge number of North Vietnam regular army waiting to ambush our company of American infantrymen. We were engaged in battle with them for at least eight hours. Because our platoon foiled the ambush, our company was able to avoid significant loses. For my part in the battle, the army awarded me the Bronze Star. Later I received the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantry Badge.
It seems only fitting that almost 50 years after the battle, the Vietnam veterans are receiving the recognition they deserve for fighting in the Vietnam War.
Squad Leader for Wednesday's Memorial Rifle Squad Ft. Snelling.
Biographical Details
Submitted From: North St. Paul, MN
Primary Location During Vietnam: Tay Ninh Province, Cambodia 
Story Subject: Military Service
Dates of Service: 1968 - 1970
Unit: Company A. 4th Battalion of the 25th Infantry Division’s 23rd Infantry
Story Themes: 1968, 1969, 1970, 25th Infantry Division, Agent Orange, Black Virgin Mountain, Bronze Star, Cambodia, Combat Infantry Badge, Coming Home, Death and Loss, Michael Hanzal, N St. Paul, North Saint Paul, North St Paul, Purple Heart, Read, Tay Ninh