Published on June 17, 2018 – Updated June 28, 2018
Fellow Spurs,
On 15 Feb 71 Dinh was KIA along with fellow Spur, Tagipo Tauala in an enemy bunker complex near Tan An.
Spur 25, Lt. John Kelly writes of that day to Spur 38, Mike Billow:
Hey 38, what a sad trip down memory lane. Dinh was with me and Kippo and Johny Morrison as the 4th man in my point team. He was as nervous as the rest of us, walking into that NVA base camp. The Scout pilot had already told me that the place was warm. We had spent two hours bushwacking through the forest when DeCelle took over as Scout. We had already used frags and concussion grenades as we cleared bunkers coming into the center of the camp. My last move had been to send 2nd squad with Tennessee and his M-60 to my right. When we approached the large bunker in the center, the NVA opened up from the entrance , killing Dinh instantly, and gravely wounding Kippo. My RTO, Curly James knocked me down as grenades and AK’s and Tennessee’s M-60 all went off, and I was face down above the hole with the NVA, and I had a grenade in his lap quickly! Tennessee saved us as the NVA were pouring out of the bunker to my right, which I had only imagined to be there! He sawed them down! From then on as you know, it was a struggle to get Kippo and the wounded out of there, and your rockets and timely directional advice are really the only reason we weren’t over run as we withdrew to that PZ you guided me too! The next day, I went back there with 3 ARP’s and 100 ARVN and recovered Dinh’s body and the extraordinary letter that the NVA wrote to Dinh, wondering how and why he was with us. From Quan Loi, I took Dinh to his Lady along with the other Chu Hoi’s to An Loc for his burial. Ironically I have just finished “A Bright Shining Lie” about John Paul Vann and his frustrations with the ARVN’s and their fake sit reps and patrols! Let’s remember that the ARVN’s across the runway had told Major Russell that they had cleared that area. When in fact, they had marched a “battalion” down the woodcutters road 5 clicks away. Yup! WTF!!
After our initial post here, we learn more of that tragic day from SGT. Jon S. Morrison who served in our Aero-Rifle Platoon:
I was walking point Dinh was behind me, Kippo behind him, Lt and his RTO behind Kippo. Gooks fired out of the big bunker and spider holes. I used the rest of my frags, I was pinned down up by the rice cache. I looked around and Dinh had a bullet hole in the forehead about between is eyes. Kippo was shot a few times but continued to stand there with his M60 and returned fire. One tough SOB! What went on down the line past Kelly, I don’t know. Kippo finally went down. There was a lull in the fire when I yelled to Kelly, “let’s get the hell out of here.” I got up and to my surprise Kippo staggered up so I helped him move on down the trail. If it hadn’t been for Kippo I know I wouldn’t have made it out. Kelly tried to put some people in for citations but MAJ Russell said they were just doing their job. The difference in being a grunt unit and an Air Cav Commander. This all from the grunts view. I have no idea what happened in the air.
Jon S. Morrison, SGT
ARRP
3/17th AirCav
Former sniper 25th Infantry Division
My personal thanks to Lt. Kelly & Sgt. Morrison for sharing their personal memories of this tragic day. As you all are aware, Dinh does not appear on any Vietnam Memorial until now. Our local Vietnamese community in the Seattle area worked for years with the city of Auburn and Washington State Dept. of Veterans Affairs to build a Memorial where all Vietnam veterans from all our allies in our war could be honored. With that in mind, Pam and I purchased a Honor Tile in Dinh’s name to be placed at their new Memorial located in Auburn, WA. so that he can be properly remembered for his personal sacrifice. Their American-Vietnamese Memorial was dedicated on 16 June 2018. Below is the video Pam took of the dedication ceremony and more specifics. Please feel free to add your comments at the bottom of this post. The comment section remains open for approximately two weeks.
Roger “Bear” Young, Spur Scout Crew Chief
Dinh’s Honor Tile:
DINH
CHU HOI SCOUT
A TROOP 3/17 AIR CAVALRY
KIA 15 FEB 1971 TAN AN
Picture and Story
Photo courtesy of Sandi Price Parsons!
Silver Spur plaque at the Memorial:
A Troop Unit Plaque
Memorial Dedication Ceremony Video:
Auburn dedicates hub for healing the wounds of war – Auburn Reporter – June 21, 2018
American-Vietnamese War Memorial Alliance
