Here is a picture of me, my Senior Medic (SSG Cashon) and my XO (Dan Schulty) getting ready to go out with our interpreters, and radio operators.  This operation was code named operation Santa Claus.  I had three American Special Forces, two companies and two recon platoons of Strikers.    

We found and annihilated a Regiment of NVA Regulars and did not take one casualty on our part. 

This was really the beginning of the Siege of Tien Phouc.  Their larger units were moving in toward and around us.  The one we encountered on this operation was south east of the Camp.  They were definitly moving toward An Hoa and Chu Lai on the I CORP coast. 

I counted for about 2 1/2 hours before realizing they were moving from a rice paddy into a very long and very narrow valley.  I have never seen so many porters in my life.   They must have had a hundred or more carring rockets and large boxes.  My god I will never know how these guys achomplished what they did.  

 Most never had a chance to do it again after the 155 Battery in our Camp fired a -- 5X Zone Sweep we call in on them. They fired HE, WP, and then hit them with the airburst rounds that released the ???flichets and/or small bomblets??? CRS except the Battery Cmdr Reg Fontenot told me it must have been hell for them trying to get away.