Tam Ky
The Battle for Nui Yon Hill
by
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In May of 1969, the men of C Company 3/21, 196th Light Infantry Brigade were engaged in battle with elements of the combat hardened 2nd NVA Division and 1st VC Regiment in the flat lands near the city of Tam Ky, Republic of Vietnam. As the troops of C Company known as the Charlie Tigers, moved toward Hill 94, Nui Yon Hill, they met with fierce enemy resistance. PFC Ron Kociba recalls what it was like to walk point knowing the NVA lie in wait, “Being point man, I felt like I was being sent out to a certain death, but somehow you don’t think about that. You have a job to do so you put the risks out of your mind.” Tam Ky is the story of "The Charlie Tigers" and their battle against a determined foe. This story is told by the men who were there in the midst of a furious fight that claimed the lives of twelve U.S.soldiers. 2010 Branson Stars and Flags Book Award Honorable Mention Award Winner.
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About the Book
From 5 May through 19 May, 1969, units of the 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry were ordered to clear elements of the VC (Viet Cong) from the Tam Ky area in the wake of the Post-Tet Offensive of 1969. They began an assault on a hilltop, Nui Yon Hill, which was a South Vietnamese Army outpost that had been overrun by VC and NVA troops a few days before. After the initial assault to retake the hill failed, the 3rd Battalion, 21st Infantry Regiment was air assaulted in to reinforce the 1st Cavalry. A, B, C, and D Companies of the 3/21 were committed to this operation.
On 13 May, 1969, the men of C Company were combat assaulted into a hot landing zone near the South Vietnamese village of Tam Ky. Their objective was to take Nui Yon Hill. As the Hueys carrying C Company began to descend, they were hit by heavy enemy fire. Once the U.S. soldiers had their boots on the ground, they became embroiled in a fierce two-day battle that claimed the lives of twelve Charlie Tigers. This is the compelling story of that battle told by the men who were there. 2010 Branson Stars and Flags Book Award Honorable Mention Award Winner.
About the Author
Thomas Pozdol was a squad leader with C Company during the battle for Nui Yon Hill. He graduated magna cum laude from Northeastern Illinois University. For the last twenty years, Tom has taught English (ESL) to immigrants in the Chicago area. He currently lives in the Chicago area.