Tam Ky

From 5 May through 19 May, 1969, units of the 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry were ordered to clear elements of the VC (Viet Cong) from the Tam Ky area in the wake of the Post-Tet Offensive of 1969. They began an assault on a hilltop, Nui Yon Hill, which was a South Vietnamese Army outpost that had been overrun by VC and NVA troops a few days before. After the initial assault to retake the hill failed, the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment was air assaulted in to reinforce the 1st Cavalry. A, B, C, and D Companies of the 3/21 were committed to this operation.

On 13 May, 1969, the men of C Company were combat assaulted into a hot landing zone near the South Vietnamese village of Tam Ky. Their objective was to take Nui Yon Hill. As the Hueys carrying C Company began to descend, they were hit by heavy enemy fire. Once the U.S. soldiers had their boots on the ground, they became embroiled in a fierce two-day battle that claimed the lives of twelve Charlie Tigers. This is the compelling story of that battle told by the men who were there.