Into the Valley of Death The La Drang Valley
Into blazing sun we rode, early in the war,
upon our trusty, whirling steeds
venturing where few had gone before,
seeking NVA in hills, ravines, ‘n streams.
Within that deathly valley, River Drang did flow
upon a plateau of highlands full of hidden prey –
our undermanned battalion of 7th Cavalry
dismounting amidst a division of anxious NVA.
Terrain there was rugged, a challenge from the start,
with no roads ‘n highways, and few trails in or out.
Greatly outnumbered, little cover or support;
all feared an outcome much like Custer’s rout.
‘Neath Chu Pong Mountain that hot, sunny day
overwhelmed by hordes of rabid Vietnamese,
we were quickly surrounded in a bleak ‘n deadly fight;
our Hueys circling above like swarms of angry bees.
Fighting raged all afternoon, well into the night,
outmanned Cavalry taking heavy casualties,
but holding precious ground, through a hellish fight;
our aircraft pounding tenacious NVA with ease.
That long, bloody day, Hueys proved their worth,
as they supported with fire missions from high,
re-supplying troops below with ammo ‘n supplies;
evacuating our wounded, saving 70 American lives.
When fighting finally ebbed, ending that savage day.
We’d lost a third of our command;
worthy NVA had lost five times that or more;
U.S. artillery ‘n airmen, saving many an American.
Dawn broke early on a dreaded second day,
NVA launching countless, brutal attacks
on Charlie Company in combat, hand to hand;
a “Broken Arrow” plea finally sent, summoned
“all hands, on deck.”
U.S. airstrikes now obliterated enemy positions,
eliminating much of the NVA fighting force.
Charlie Co. survived, with only 49 healthy men;
that ghastly fighting had finally run its course.
We considered it a victory, bravely won,
believing technology, quickly, that war would win.
Sadly, the war thrived ten more deadly years,
costing thousands more precious lives –
both, Vietnamese and American.
