During the 37 days prior to our battle in Lam Xuan on 2 February 1968, the company had lost 11 killed in action and another 41 wounded. So by the time 2 February rolled around, PFCs and lance corporals were leading squads, in a few cases, sergeants were platoon sergeants and SSgt Haywood Riley had assumed command of the 2nd platoon when Lt Bryan Lash was wounded on 25 January. After Operation Badger Tooth, Lt Pete Nies, 3rd platoon, was transfered to Lima Company to be XO and we had joined Lt Chuck Clark. Lt Judd Kinne had the 1st platoon. Lt Ted Edwards was our Arty FO and Lt Mike McLean was our Naval Gunfire Spot Team officer. Lt Bill Michel was the company XO. Doc Steve Barrett had been killed on 25 January and Doc John Rundquist, who had spent most of his tour with Mike Company, volunteered to help us out. He was about ready to rotate home.

A lot was going on in I Corps, therefore this battle when largely unnoticed. In the early morning hours of 31 January, a division size force of North Vietnamese Army and Viet Cong  launched a coordinated attack on the Hue City.  That began one of the longest and bloodiest battles of the Vietnam War. 

Semper Fi,

John Regal

LtCol, USMC(Ret)