We met in Fairbanks , Alaska in the early 70's. He had just become a Journeyman Powerlineman and I was just entering the line trade as an apprentice power lineman.
Thru the years of us working together we knew that each had served in Vietnam, but neither one talking much about it at the time. It was inevidable that one day we would start trading stories and much to our surprise, we had been on at least one operation together. It was at the village of Xa Bang just about 5 kilometers North of Duc Thanh.
Monte was a medic attached to the 11th Cav that day. I was assigned to American Advisory Team # 89 as Major Prescott's RTO. The Major was in charge of the Vietnamesse soldiers from Duc Thanh.
During the night, the 11th Cav was assaulted by the vc. Two Americans were KIA when their APC was hit by a Rocket Propelled Grenade.
Monte went on to serve in Vietnam earning the Combat Medic's Badge and a Purple Heart which ended his stay in Viet Nam.
Operation 'Colby'
3/39th Infantry of the 9th Infantry Division was working with some units of the 11th Cav. when they came on this village. Later, the village was burned and the people where moved to a safer place so aide couldn't be given to the VC. Later the 3rd Batallion was moved to Rach Kein in the Delta.
The 9th Infantry Division's first significant contact with the Viet Cong came on Jan. 20, 1967 when 1st and 3d Brigade units, combined with the 3d Squadron, 5th Cavalry, cut down 14 enemy during Operation COLBY.
