The Fallen

In time I hope to post some details about the individuals above who lost their lives while serving in our unit. Obviously the first five died together. Almost a whole team. I don't know the details. I've heard rumor. Rick Del Prince talks about a team who had their claymores turn on them. I've heard that story from two different members of our unit. Jack Fuche has told me a similair version. There must be some truth to it.

Ron Hammerstrom's death is mentioned in Rick Del Prince's story. He lost his life on a training mission.

The last two men listed were M Company Rangers. I don't know anything about their deaths.

Somewhere in the area of 337 Lrrp, Lrp, Rangers, lost their lives in Vietnam. Some units lost as few as 5, while some of the other larger units lost as many as 52. It could be argued that the 71St - M Co Rangers did pretty good, only losing eight......but that was eight to many.

A complete list of KIA's by unit can be found in Gary Linderer's books, "Phantom Warriors" I and II. I got these names and dates from his book.
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The following is copied from a publication entitled "Definitions of Valor". Jack Fuche gave it to me. He said he got it from the people who keep the "Redcatcher" web site. It's about the team that suffered five KIA's in October 1967. It reads.

On October 27, 1967 a six man team from the Long Range Patrol Detachment of the 199th Light Infantry Brigade was to remain in an area controlled by the Viet Cong in Gia Dinh Province near Saigon. Because the patrol had encountered two Viet Cong the previous night, Private First Class LaFon and his fellow team members volunteered to remain in the area to determine if they had discovered a Viet Cong infiltration route. During daylight hours they were to observe enemy activity and at nightfall to establish a clandestine surveillance position. At 2115 hours the patrol leader reported by radio that the enemy could be heard moving in the vicinity. As the insurgents approached their position, the patrol leader requested a concentration of artillery fire. Suddenly the enemy using grenades, small arms fire and claymore mines attacked the six men. During the attack, Private First Class LaFon was dazed by the explosion of a hand grenade. By the time he regained consciousness, the Viet Cong had withdrawn, four of his fellow members were mortally wounded, the fifth man was grievously wounded, and the radio communication equipment was damaged. After administering first aid to the man still alive, he collected the radio equipment, starlight scopes, weapons, and the patrol logbook. For over nine and one half hours, Private First Class LaFon calmly comforted his dying comrade as the Viet Cong moved around his position. At daylight, as the gunship helicopter flew overhead, he signaled with a flare. After the mortally wounded Sergeant was evacuated, Private first Class LaFon refused evacuation until the bodies of his comrades were removed. His voluntary actions and exemplary devotion to duty earned him the respect of all with whom he served.

This account was obviously written by a Army public relations type. The expressions and phrases indicate that.

It's unlikely the enemy would withdraw without finishing the job. And just how does one get attacked with claymores in an situation described as such?