Small Buddha shrine in the compound. The Buddhist soldiers would come here during the day to pray. Behind and to the upper left are the two white columns marking the entrance to Duc Thanh.
Duc Thanh consisted of three defensive perimeter inside the compound. The VC would have to get through the mine field, then past our outer defense and two others inside consisting of bunkers and barb wire. The VC would be shot at and mortored from us and receive artillery from Nui Dat.
The weapons captured here was policed from the area surrounding one of our MACV compounds. I think it was Dat Do, but not sure anymore. The date was around mid 1967 in the Phouc Tuy Province.
The attack came at 2 am and lasted until about a half hour before daybreak. I believe that the Australian Task Force was ready and waiting for daybreak to insert their troops. The VC melted into the jungle and no further contact was made that day. The mine field revealed 30 VC were KIA and left behind. No telling how many others were dragged away during the battle and died later.
First Vietnam POW to be executed while in captivity.
The story of Army Ranger SSgt HAROLD GEORGE BENNETT,
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