10 May 1969 to 20 May 1969

Although Hill 937 was of little strategic value the U.S. command ordered its capture by direct assault to prove to the North Vietnamese that the Allies were willing to expend lives as the leaders of North Vietnam had forsaken hundreds of
thousands of their soldiers. U.S. Airborne troops moving up the highly sloped hill against well entrenched troops were repeatedly repelled by weather, friendly fire, accidents, and especially the highly effective NVA defenses. Nevertheless
the Airborne troops took the hill through direct assault, causing extensive casualties to the PAVN forces. Although this caused an outrage both in the American military and public the U.S. command succeeded in convincing the NVA that the
Allies were determined to prevent a Communist victory. Throughout the remainder of the war achieving enemy body counts became one of the guiding principles for U.S. commanders when engaging enemy forces, resulting in an almost ten (enemy)
to one (Allied) ratio.

http://www.amervets.com/ops/o-hambur.htm#isr

NOTE: Eligible personnel should ensure this Service Period acknowledgment is listed on your current 201A Military Award Report: http://www.amervets.com/201areq.htm (or... amervets.com/201a)

Contact Person for this posting: Roger Simpson, PIO
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The American War Library: http://www.amervets.com/
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Phone / Fax: 1-310-532-0634

-- Otis Willie (Ret.)
   Military News and Information Editor (http://www.13105320634.com)
   The American War Library, Est. 1988 (http://www.amervets.com)
   16907 Brighton Avenue
   Gardena CA 90247
   1-310-532-0634