Battle for LZ BIRD information
for 1 CAV

For date 661227


1 CAV was a US Army unit
Primary service involved, US Army
Binh Dinh Province, II Corps, South Vietnam
Location, LZ Bird
Description: At 0105H three NVA battalions from the 22d Regt used the two-day Christmas truce to move into position for a surprise attack on LZ Bird in the Kim Son Valley which was well away from their usual haunts in the Hoai Nhon Delta area. The LZ was defended by only part of the C/1/12th Cav plus B/2/19th (105mm) and C/6/16th (155mm) artillery. All were understrength. It was within the artillery fan of two other FSBs. Initially the weather restricted air support operations. The NVA broke through the perimeter and occupied a few gun positions. The 1st Cav soldiers fought back hand-to-hand and with everything they had. Finally, some of the 105s were cranked down to pointblank range and "beehive" rounds sliced through the attackers like scythes. For the next two days, the 1st Cav pursued the fleeing NVA and made contact several times. At least 266 NVA died in this battle. Delbert Jennings won the Medal of Honor and would later become the CSM of the Division. Many ARA and armed CH-47 sorties were flown in support of this battle. Not only after this battle, the site at the bend in the river was deemed highly vulnerable and a new LZ BIRD was built on a hogback several miles farther to the east.

The Battle of Landing Zone Bird
By Joseph F. Hammond
On December 26, 1966 on a hill top in An Khe,
There was a tent full of operators of the USASA.
Morse Interceptors heard something they had not heard before.
They knew it was important ? somethiing they could not ignore.

Headquarters of the NVA 3rd Division was transmitting loud and clear.
What they were transmitting was for their 22nd Regiment to hear.
OCB1, OCB1 was the command that repeatedly was sent.
Intelligence Officers of the 1st Cav. figured out just what it meant.

All available data suggested an attack on LZ Bird was on the way.
A chopper left to warn them and arrived that very day.
The first man who exited the chopper was dressed as old St. Nick.
He passed out cigarettes and chocolate but the levity was quick.

The other man who came with him was serious and grim.
The joy of Christmas faded as the soldiers heeded him.
There was no comfort in the warning that he gave.
“You will soon be attacked by a massive human wave.”

On December 27th at 1:06 in the morning
The 22nd attacked without any warning.
The perimeter was breeched and Skytroopers fell.
During the battle’s first moments, things didn’t go well.

One Skytrooper was returning from the shower.
Metal pierced his body and deleted all his power.
As he lay there motionless upon contested ground
A battle was raging, there was death all around.

Enemy soldiers were advancing and as they went upon their way
They finished off the wounded, but they missed one man that day.
The soldier who had showered lay naked on the ground.
When the attackers saw him they just ran around.

Upon this hapless soldier, God’s love and mercy was shown.
Apparently the attackers thought he was one of their own.
At first the outcome of the siege seemed to be in doubt.
The weather was bad and many reinforcement could not get out.

Then the Cav.s artillery ? 105s
Loaded with shells called “Beehives”
Were fired directly into hoards of the foe
And rivers of blood started to flow.

There were times one round killed thirty men.
Then the guns were loaded and fired again.
When the battle was over the Cav. had won,
But there was still one job left to be done.

58 body bags were filled that night
To be put on a plane for a final flight.
Fools think that war is about winning and glory.
Wise men perceive a different story.

ASA ALL THE WAY

The source for this information was The First Team P 153; Bird by SLA Marshall

Additional information is available on CD-ROM.

Please send additions or corrections to: Gary Roush Email address: webmaster@vhpa.org

Return to panel index

Return to Helicopter Pilot KIA index

Return to VHPA Home Page

Copyright © 1998 - 2024 Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association

Last updated 11/13/2010

Date posted on this site: 10/25/2024