November 14, 1965, the Central Highlands of South Vietnam, 10:48
am…As the dry season’s dust wafts skyward, the soldiers
of the 7th Cavalry, 1st Battalion, 1st Cavalry Division (Airmobile),
deploy from UH-1 Hueys of the 229th Assault Helicopter Battalion
onto Landing Zone X-Ray in the la Drang Valley. Lt. Col. Hal
Moore leads his men as they secure the area and prepare for the
arrival of his main force, 450 soldiers strong. Before the day’s
end, the men of the 7th Cavalry would engage over 2,000 North
Vietnamese Army Regulars in the battle that would epitomize the
savagery of the Vietnam War and the bravery of the men who fought
it.
Signed by Hal Moore - Basil Plumley - Bruce Crandall, MOH - Bob
Ouellette - Al Bosse. |